What is exact meaning of 'relative'? Superfluous [that…

““What is exact meaning of 'relative'? Superfluous [that which is superficial].””

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The term “relative” refers to something defined by its relationship to something else, often implying it is not absolute but dependent on context.

In simple terms: Relative means dependent on context.

Key Takeaway

Recognize context when judging meaning.

Themes

philosophy language relativism

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

philosophical inquisitive

When to use this quote

academic discussion
everyday conversation
cross‑cultural analysis

Key Concepts

dependence contextuality semantics

Questions to Reflect On

How does context shape your understanding of truth?
When might absolute standards be necessary?

A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on relativity can lead to indecision or moral ambiguity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

Real-relative Spirituality

More by Dada Bhagwan

“Where there is doubt (shanka), there is misery. The moment one begins to doubt the knowledge that, 'I am Chandubhai,' misery arises. Once one…

Dada Bhagwan

“The worldly [spiritual] science is methodic (kramic) in nature; one progresses “step by step”; one has to ascent one step at a time. Whereas…

Dada Bhagwan

“In the worldly life, due to maadakta (intoxication of the ego of ‘I am Chandubhai’), one has completely lost awareness of everything about one’s…

Dada Bhagwan

“Through the grace of a thief, one can become a thief and through the grace of a Gnani [the enlightened one], one can become…

Dada Bhagwan

“Where there are kashays (anger-pride-deceit-greed), there is worldly life. As long as anger-pride-deceit-greed exist; one is a sansaari [living a worldly life] regardless of…

Dada Bhagwan

“If one does not know how to read the account (karmic) book, then he will start to have doubts, and doubts lead to unhappiness.”

Dada Bhagwan

“Skills (learning) or lack of skills is all egoistic knowledge (ego based knowledge). Ego-free Knowledge is called (true) Knowledge [Gnan].”

Dada Bhagwan

“Continue with whatever it is that you have been doing, except for attachment-abhorrence. If ‘we’ stay in our state of Pure Soul, attachment-abhorrence will…

Dada Bhagwan

“A variety of difficulties will come your way. But at the time of difficulty, you will be able to find a ready made medicine…

Dada Bhagwan

“Suppose you want to go to Juhu (suburb in Mumbai) from here, and you come across two paths, which of the two paths is…

Dada Bhagwan

“The Soul (our true Self) has to be experienced, the Soul known through scriptures will not do. Work will not be completed through scriptural…

Dada Bhagwan

“If God were the doer, when will there be an end?! (If) God is the creator and he made us, we become his toys,…

Dada Bhagwan

“For those people whose association is harmful to the Self (kusangi), there is no better respectful fear (taap) than that of satsang (spiritual company).”

Dada Bhagwan

“Forgiveness is not to be given by speaking. Forgiveness is natural and spontaneously there. Spontaneous forgiveness is a sign of having attained the Self…

Dada Bhagwan

“Remaining absolutely non-acquisitive (aparigrahi) amidst all possessions is the ultimate ‘test examination’.”

Dada Bhagwan

Explore all 2,468 Dada Bhagwan quotes

More Real-relative quotes

“The relative (vyavahaar) is all [based on] societal norms, whereas the Real (Nischay) is [based on] oneness.”

Dada Bhagwan

“Vyavahaar (the relative; worldly interaction) is dependant on external factors and it is the coming together of circumstances, and circumstances are not under One's…

Dada Bhagwan

“The relative (vyavahaar) is worldly, dramatic [as one would in a drama, not real]; and the Self (Nischay) is beyond the world, real, original,…

Dada Bhagwan

“Vyavahaar (the relative; worldly interactions) is something that needs to be settled (nikaali), whereas Nischay (the firm resolve to remain as the Self) is…

Dada Bhagwan

“Your vyavahaar (worldly interactions) should be pure, only then can the self become pure. Nobody should complain [about you].”

Dada Bhagwan

“When you give up eating food, then give up the worldly interactions. On what basis is the Real remaining in existence? If there is…

Dada Bhagwan

“If you understand the relative (vyavahaar), then you will understand the Real (Nischay).”

Dada Bhagwan

“Discussions should be twofold; those about the relative (vyavahaar) should be in accordance with the relative viewpoint and those about the Real (Nischay) should…

Dada Bhagwan

“If someone picks your pocket and you are not affected, then you are within the boundary of the Real (Nischay). You have come out…

Dada Bhagwan

“Nischay is One’s own real form as the Self, whereas vyavahaar (the relative) is one’s own fault.”

Dada Bhagwan

“The Lord has said that the relative (vyavahaar) is entirely that which needs to be settled (discharge). Hence, it is not worth holding onto…

Dada Bhagwan

“The one who misses out on remaining as the Self (Nischay), his worldly interactions (vyavahaar) can never really be ‘vyavahaar’.”

Dada Bhagwan

“What is this Knowledge? It is neither vyavahaar (the relative; worldly interactions) nor is it Nischay (the Real). It is in fact Akram Vignan!…

Dada Bhagwan

“Real Purusharth (spiritual effort to progress as the Self) is shukladhyan (the internal state that renders the constant awareness of ‘I am pure Soul’).…

Dada Bhagwan

Browse all 15 Real-relative quotes

What is exact meaning of 'relative'? Superfluous [that…

About This Quote

Related quotes

More by Dada Bhagwan

More Real-relative quotes