This Wicked Mind

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THIS WICKED MIND

 

By Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura

 

"This wicked mind, which is never to be trusted, should be broomsticked every

morning with such warning as, "be not anxious to find fault with others, or to

declare thyself a true sincere, bonafide bhakta, which certainly thou art not!"

There is an adage to the effect that "para-carccakera gati nahi kona kale", "a

man who is habituated to criticize others' conduct will never prosper!" Let

others do whatever they like, I have no concern for them. I should rather find

fault with my own damned mind and think like the Vaishnava mahajana who sings:

 

amara jivana, sada pape rata,

nahiko punyera lesa

para-sukhe duhkhi, sada mithya-bhasi,

para-duhkha sukha-karo

 

"Ever engaged in vicious activity...and without the slightest trace of virtue

in me.

A liar as I am, always sorry at others pleasures and merry at others'

sorrows, troubles and cares".

 

We should always remember this song and engage our mind ceaselessly in

hari-bhajana. We should not run about attacking others with dissuading policy;

such conduct behooves only deceitful persons and not preachers."

 

>From an English lecture given at the Calcutta Gaudiya Math the evening of

7/12/1936.