The Sadhu’s Knife

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The Sadhu’s Knife

(From the writings of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur)

 

There is no doubt that the words of the sadhus possess the power of destroying the evil propensities of one’s mind. The sadhus in this way benefit everyone who associates with them. There are many things which we do not disclose to the sadhu. The real sadhu makes us speak out what we keep concealed in our hearts. He then applies the knife. The very word “sadhu” has no other meaning than this. He stands in front of the block with the uplifted sacrificial knife in his hand. The sensuous desires of men are like the goats. The sadhu stands there to kill those desires by the merciful stroke of the keen edge of the sacrificial knife in the form of unpleasant language. If the sadhu turns into my flatterer then he does me harm; he becomes my enemy. If he gives us flattery then we are led to the road that brings enjoyment but no real well-being.