Hate the sin, but love the sinnerCriticize cheaters and swindlers, not struggling devoteesAnd that too with care and a sympathetic heartDon’t shout on his face, “you are a hypocrite”Speak pure principles in a general gatheringDon’t focus too much on his external deficienciesAppreciate his good past and sincere intentions and deedsIf you come down on him with force to prove him badYou will break his heart, discourage him to become mad or sadDon’t make a fault, to counteract another faultThen what makes us different from the one we criticizeMend him, don’t break him’ Srila Prabhupada saidWe want him to continue as a devotee till deathIf operation is successful but patient is dead,what have we accomplished by that bogus bet?Lord is the owner, we are His sincere servantsLet us act on His behalf and not think we are autonomousTo err is human and to forgive is divinePunish him with love, not to delight in his miseryKrsna is the Supreme Emperor of all sweetnessSri Radha is His intimate and beloved sweetheartLord Caitanya is Sri Krsna in Radharani’s moodThen how can we deliver bitter goods?We are not yamaraj, to chastise the sinfulWe are Prabhupada’s dog to safeguard his sweet willWe are dealing with Krsna’s servants, however sinful they may beLet us do it with care and caution, with no offences and prejudiceIf punishment does not purify a person’s heartBut pains him and make him pretentious in deedsWith bitterness for superiors and fear of authorityThen Prabhupada and acaryas will not be pleasedTo hate the sin and love the sinnerIs the prerequisite for a punishment awarderPride and arrogance, wrath and revengeDisqualify one from being a vaishnava leaderPray to the Supreme Lord and beg Him for the right wisdomSeek the shelter of Guru for spiritual strength and mercyWith humility at heart and good wishes for sinnerApproach the issue with Guru, Sadhu and sastra.Radheshyam Das, ISKCON Pune
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