B E P A R V A H A (Carelessness)

Carelessness in psychology refers to a state of inattention, lack of concern, or negligence, often leading to unintended consequences and mistakes. It can be a temporary state due to factors like distraction or stress, or a more persistent characteristic related to attention, motivation, or personality traits. 

Carelessness can manifest in various aspects of life, including communication, task performance, and interpersonal interactions. Scriptures caution against acting and speaking carelessly, emphasizing accountability for thoughts, words, and actions, particularly on the Day of Judgment.

A general trend on carelessness is people choose to lack wise consideration and are often impulsive, thoughtless and insensitive. People struggle to follow rules or guidelines feeling they are restrictive or unnecessary, but the wise know whoever is careless with truth in small matters cannot be trusted in important affairs. Carelessness about our security is dangerous; carelessness about our freedom of speech is also dangerous.

Carelessness has a different implication with some blessed souls. “His carelessness to hardships was about faith in God” It implies faith in God would either protect one from hardship or if hardship came God would ultimately guide one through it. Not all can live up to this.

A sakhi (tale) of Guru Ram Das ji and Soma a young kid highlights the importance of unwavering faith and obedience to the Divine. Soma a young kid would sell Kala Channa at Amritsar Saheb. One day Guru Ram Das noticed him and asked him if he would like to give seva and Soma handed over his day’s earnings. Returning home mother asked him how the day was and if he had bought raw material for tomorrow. Sad and scared Soma said  when I was counting the money Guru Ramdasji came by and asked if I would like to do seva, gave him all I made.    

In today’s time not hard to imagine what happens next but Soma’s mother hugged her child for making a good choice and said we must feel blessed Guru took from you. For tomorrow not to worry I have little raw material you could go sell them. Guru sahebji continued testing Soma’s devotion asking for his seva despite his hardships. Sanskar’s make you do things differently hence Soma steadfast in his faith would place whatever he had lesser than the previous day but gave.

After a few days Guru asked Soma what is the reason your contribution seems to be reducing each time. Soma said we are very poor I do not have money to buy the raw materials, what I earn I have been giving you. Who said you are poor you are the giver in which case you are bigger said Guruji. What big is this when it’s tough making enough for two meals. Guru was touched by Soma’s carelessness to hardships but keeping faith in spite of poverty. He blessed him “Soma  Shahan  da Shah  Beparwah”. Bhai Soma did live in royalty and the Shaha blessings stayed on with their generations later.   

All richness may not always be blessed with ‘Beparawah,’ hence often the wealth comes and goes. Spiritual writings across religions have many tales of people with faith standing the test of times in difficult conditions and receiving His grace. Strange are His ways in blessings Beparwaha Dhan to those who accumulate unflinching Naam Dhan.    

By engaging in remembrance and prayer, individuals can cultivate a sense of attentiveness and awareness, which helps prevent carelessness both in matters of faith and in daily life.