Pujya Ramsukhdasji Maharaj

[Guest guest]

Harm Caused by Arguing and Criticizing - Part 2

 

There is one noteworthy fact, that when criticism is taking place of

your " Ishth " (favored Deity, Beloved One), then it will not be stopped

by your defending the same. If you will defend your Ishth, then the

other will more fiercely criticize the same. In defending there lies an

abstruse fact that you consider your " Ishth " as weak. Our Ishth is not

that weak that it will gain power by our support. The extent to which we

defend our " Ishth " , to that extent we believe our " Ishth " to be weak.

The more that we want to force our " Ishth " on others, want acceptance by

others; to that extent our faith and devotion for our " Ishth " is less.

You may or may see it this way, but in reality it is the case.

 

The first thing lacking in us is that we desire our own praise and

prestige. We are not able to bare criticism of our Ishth. We simply are

unable to tolerate it. But a sadhak doesnt know what is really causing

this annoyance and distress. We defend our Ishth. By defending we

believe our Ishth to be weak. How is it so? If we don't consider

our Ishth as weak, then is our Ishth in need of our defending? Are we

helping by defending our Ishth in front of those who are being critical

? If we are vigorously trying to create support, then we have definitely

proven our Ishth as weak!

 

If you cannot listen to criticism about your " Ishth " then don't

listen to it, but to think that by supporting our Ishth will gain

strength, we will prove our principle – this is just not so. If the

person who is criticizing wants to listen to us, then tell him; because

when he wants to listen then only your effort will be fruitful. Just

like, I am giving a lecture, because you want to listen, but if I go to

the market place and give a lecture there, then no one will listen.

Those who are ready to listen, only they will listen. By telling those

who don't want to listen, will only be an insult and disrespect of

our Ishth. However much we defend our Ishth in front of them, to that

extent their propensity to criticize will become fiercer and they will

lose faith in our Ishth.

 

There is one significant point and that is that all of us being part

(fragment) of Paramatma (God), just as we can't bare our insult,

similarly the one who is criticizing he too cannot bare his own insult.

If his words are negated then he will feel bad. When he feels bad then

within him will arise many ways to criticize our point; then in that

debate there won't be any thoughts given to truth-untruth,

ethical-unethical etc.

 

Debates are of three types –

 

1) Jalpkatha – In this one side only speaks about his own point and

doesn't give heed to what the other side is saying

 

2) Vitandakatha – One side thinks how to negate opponent's point

and the other side also debates with same intention. This kind of debate

is the worst of all.

 

3) Vaadkatha – In this the two parties with a peaceful disposition,

brush aside all prejudices, to know truth and reality. What is the

essence? Bhagwan has called this kind of quest for truth as His

manifestation – `Vaadaha Pravadataamham' (Gita 10/32)