Satyam, truthfulness, means that facts should be presented as they are, for the benefit of others. Facts should not be misrepresented. According to social conventions, it is said that one can speak the truth only when it is palatable to others. But that is not truthfulness. The truth should be spoken in a straightforward way, so that others will understand actually what the facts are. If a man is a thief and if people are warned that he is a thief, that is truth. Although sometimes the truth is unpalatable, one should not refrain from speaking it. Truthfulness demands that the facts be presented as they are for the benefit of others. That is the definition of truth. Bg. 10.4-5 purport
No-one should resent the incisive words of a preacher; they should appreciate his straightforwardness and beneficial instructions. As Canakya Pandita says, "He who speaks out plainly cannot be a deceiver." (Niti Sastra 5.5)
It may be said, "Only those who know how to speak strongly without upsetting others should do so." True enough, effective preaching is not simply name calling, but logically exposing the defects and malafidity of opposing doctrines. But there is no predicting how people will react. Some will cow down, others will flare up. Even if we state our position in the politest language, if it is really "as it is," demons will become disturbed. Those actually out in the preaching field know that there will always be opposing elements, and to pacify them is not always possible. If a preacher is uncompromising -- as he must be -- demons will sometimes get upset, however politely or expertly the preacher presents his case.
Krsna consciousness is a challenge to everything the materialists believe in. Our philosophy directly contradicts many cherished dogmas of the materialists. When devotees say that man did not descend from monkeys, that man has not been to the moon, that there is no happiness in the material world, that the whole endeavor of modern civilization is all foolishness, that free sex, women's lib, and democracy are all bogus, or that mundane welfare work has nothing to do with saintliness, some people are definitely going to take exception.
It is possible to preach Krsna consciousness without making controversial points, and by downplaying them when others bring them up. It is easier to take a soft line, avoiding discord by not disturbing people's false egos. But Srila Prabhupada did not do that, and he did not want his disciples to either. Srila Prabhupada refused to quietly evade conflict. Rather, he directly addressed polemic challenges with courage founded on absolute conviction.
- From the "My Memories of Srila Prabhupada" by HH Bhakti Vikas Swami
Comments