Sentimentalism vs Sadhu's knife

[Guest guest]

On 14 Jul 1999, Mahanidhi das wrote:

> > But please avoid criticizing unimpeachable sadhus, because it will not do

you or anyone else who reads it any good. You can go on for many

> > lifetimes misusing your sarcastic wit to cut-and-paste and interpret

> > Narayan Maharaja's lectures as you like, but without submissive hearing

and proper association you will accumulate only offense.

> What we can clearly see to be avoided from your side, is to give

> any reasonable explanation (actually, *any* of any kind) about

> what some particular statements made by Narayana Maharaja might

> mean. Instead of that, you play all over the same tune, like

> a broken LP, "offense... offense... offense... offense..."

 

If you have a "reasonable doubt" about anybody, the RESPECTABLE thing to do --

BEFORE relying on second-hand accounts or cursory impressions -- is to clear

it up by approaching the person him/herself and getting DIRECT answers. This

would seem especially pertinent to where senior sadhus are concerned.

Otherwise, a cultured person, a "gentleman" as Prabhupada would say, witholds

his comments about ANYBODY until he gains sufficient acquaintance with the

person to make a proper judgment.

 

Let us recall Prabhupada's initial meeting with Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati

Thakura: Prabhupada was a follower of Gandhi and a nationalist, with an

overdose of experience with bad sadhus. He even challenged BKSST, "Who will

listen to your message of Caitanya as long as India is a dependent country?"

Prabhupada had to practically be coaxed into meeting Bhaktisiddhanta, but

after he did, and being personally influenced by him, Prabhupada could then

understand "Here is such a nice saintly person," and got all his doubts

cleared up.

 

By contrast, we can just imagine what some uncouth person who is also a

follower of Gandhi and nationalist would say about Bhaktisiddhanta via the

third person: "How can BKSST have the gall to speak like that when he is

depending on Indian cottage industries for his *khadi* cloth! If India

continues to rule, there will only English cloth for him to wear... Blah,

blah, blah..." with so many witty and intelligent arguments.

 

In this way, argumentation and criticism can go on endlessly with the end

result that the poor wretch refuses to take advantage of BKSST's direct

association. What can be said to such a person and what does he gain?

(Nothing.)

 

Having said that, don't take my analogy too literally. Simply take a hint and

at least become a gentleman by reserving your judgment.

 

Humbly,

 

Srila dasa