Moksha

Question: Second question: Osho, I am a Marwari—can I also attain moksha? They say that in Akbar’s time the people of Hoshiarpur were very distressed that they couldn’t even tell the name of their town; whoever they told would start laughing, “Ah, Hoshiarpur!” The name itself must have brought the bad reputation. The name is bad—Hoshiarpur, “City of the Clever.” If you call yourself clever, people will laugh—praising yourself with your own mouth! Anyone would laugh. That’s how people must have begun to think them fools: they don’t even have the sense that one shouldn’t call oneself clever. A delegation from Hoshiarpur went to Akbar: “Something must be done. We are not fools, but we’ve been maligned. It’s fraud. Investigate if you wish.” Akbar agreed and sent ministers. The people of Hoshiarpur welcomed them lavishly, won their hearts. The ministers were delighted: “Who says they are fools?

Osho, Mahavira’s prior-life state was a state of moksha, and you say that from moksha there is no return. Then how did he return? Please clarify.

In a rush he kissed the maid and said to the wife, “Take care of the children!” The wife protested. He said, “Then let me correct it,” kissed the wife and told the maid, “Take care of the children.” “Sometimes I slip,” he said. So do we all—we keep remembering: this is my father, my wife, my son. If we forget, others remind us: “I am your father.” We must remember our roles; the more dutifully one plays, the more “conscientious” he is. I do not say, “Do not play.” Life is for playing—and it is delightful. Only do not forget one thing—even if you forget everything else—do not forget that it is a play, and that inwardly there is a point in you that forever stands outside. Swami Ram went to America. He had a strange habit; people were puzzled—he always spoke in the third person. He would say,…

Osho, then in the state of moksha, if he wishes to return, makes an effort to come back—say, out of compassion—can he then choose one? Is choice still possible?

Absolutely, choice is possible. Absolutely, choice is possible. Absolutely, choice is possible—but only out of compassion.

Osho, I am also a Marwari. Is there any hope for me?

Harikrishna! Even God lost to a Marwari. For you there is only hope. Don’t worry. Wherever you go, you will succeed. Whatever you do, you will succeed. If anyone wants to learn the secret of success, let them learn it from you. A Marwari doesn’t know how to lose. A Marwari doesn’t know how to be disheartened. Why do you worry? A prisoner asked another Marwari prisoner, “How did you land up here?” The Marwari said, “I was in a stubborn standoff with the government.” The first asked, “What do you mean?” The Marwari replied, “I, too, used to print notes—just like the government.” A standoff with the government! A Marwari’s stubbornness goes even with God—and God has to give in. So don’t you worry at all. There was a man who printed counterfeit notes. Once, by mistake, he printed a fifteen-rupee note. He thought, In the city no one…