“He speaks the truth, has a sweetness of voice like the Lord of speech, possesses a handsome form, is highly fortunate, is resplendent in everything, and is like Cupid incarnate.” (Hanuman speaking to Sita Devi, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 34.30)

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सत्यवादी मधुरवाग्देवो वाचस्पतिर्यथा
रूपवान्सुभग श्रीमान् कन्दर्प इव मूर्तिमान्

satyavādī madhuravāgdevo vācaspatiryathā
rūpavānsubhaga śrīmān kandarpa iva mūrtimān

“Listen, I am not saying this to make myself look cool, to show how I am above everyone else. The truth is that I rarely get dragged down into these debates over politicians. You know exactly what I am talking about. One person is obsessed with that leader. They have coined a new derangement syndrome over it, as the anger is irrational. On the opposite side, you have the person who supports, vehemently and almost religiously. I have no problem, either way. You do what makes you happy. If hating some public figure is your reason for living, then great. At least you have a reason. At least you have found someone to worship.

“I don’t understand why the arguments become so heated in the first place. These leaders are nothing more than hired representatives, if you think about it. You don’t get upset with the lawyer defending the accused murderer in the courtroom, do you? I know we are headed in that direction, where soon a person will be pronounced guilty by accusation alone, but come on! Get a grip, will you? All of these public figures are compromised. Therefore, they are all dishonest, to a degree.

“Let me explain. If someone faces the threat of cancellation for speaking the truth, why would they? Why would they even go close to the line of truth? They would rather silence themselves. They might even say things they know to be false. I believe people have coined a term for this practice. Gaslighting. The fake, lying, cheating, scumbag news media are expert at it. I am amazed at how they continue to find new ways to lie directly to the audience, no matter the issue being discussed.

“If you are not speaking the truth, why should I care what you say? Why will I be upset at you for lying when I know that you are only speaking that way in response to a threat? If there is no value in what you say, why should I hold you as an authority figure? Do you see what I mean? We have descended to the point where we take business people and hold them up as figures of virtue. Hello? They run businesses for a living. They have to be dishonest. That is how you turn a profit.

“Let me ask you something. Is anyone out there above this system? You know, where they are not compromised. Where they can speak the truth without fear of consequence. Where they can support themselves independent of public opinion. I don’t think any such people exist. Perhaps they were there in the past, but I don’t see any today. We are doomed, as a result.”

There is a reason Shri Krishna recommends approaching a tattva-darshi. This statement can be found in Bhagavad-gita. The advice is for Arjuna, the bow-warrior, but the principle extends universally. Throughout the time continuum and across the spectrum of societal statuses. Every person should approach a tattva-darshi if they are interested in hearing the truth. Such a person has literally seen the truth. They were empowered because of their own interaction with a tattva-darshi. In this way, we learn that actual knowledge descends. It begins at an impeccable authority source and then works its way down to worthy recipients.

स एवायं मया ते ऽद्य
योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः
भक्तो ऽसि मे सखा चेति
रहस्यं ह्य् एतद् उत्तमम्

sa evāyaṁ mayā te ‘dya
yogaḥ proktaḥ purātanaḥ
bhakto ‘si me sakhā ceti
rahasyaṁ hy etad uttamam

“That very ancient science of the relationship with the Supreme is today told by Me to you because you are My devotee as well as My friend; therefore you can understand the transcendental mystery of this science.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.3)

One distinguishing feature of the acharya, who is the teacher who leads by example, is their ability to speak the truth, but in a palatable way. This is indeed an art form. The original teacher has the same feature, as personally attested to by the esteemed Shri Hanuman. He says that the prince of Ayodhya, Shri Rama, speaks both truthfully and sweetly. Rama is bold on the assertions, but compassionate in the delivery. This is evidenced in Bhagavad-gita itself, wherein the same Rama, in His form of Krishna, delivers much needed wisdom to a friend and devotee named Arjuna.

तद् विद्धि प्रणिपातेन
परिप्रश्नेन सेवया
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं
ज्ञानिनस् तत्त्व-दर्शिनः

tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ

“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.34)

We approach someone who has seen the truth. This person is not necessarily the richest. They might not be up for election in the next cycle. They might not have the most popular podcast in the world. They might not be known to many. Nevertheless, they are not compromised since they understand that their alignment with truth will protect them. Their link will be preserved, no matter what should happen to them as a consequence for uncompromising delivery of the science of self-realization, which happens to be the king of education, that is joyfully performed.

राज-विद्या राज-गुह्यं
पवित्रम् इदम् उत्तमम्
प्रत्यक्षावगमं धर्म्यं
सु-सुखं कर्तुम् अव्ययम्

rāja-vidyā rāja-guhyaṁ
pavitram idam uttamam
pratyakṣāvagamaṁ dharmyaṁ
su-sukhaṁ kartum avyayam

“This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.2)

In Closing:

Honestly revealing what they think,
Not to personal fortunes to link.

Or dependent on outside perception,
Same whether high or low reception.

Carrying wisdom profound,
Blessed for such person found.

Parampara this link bringing,
Glories of highest Truth singing.

Categories: questions

Tags: dailyprompt, hare krishna, leadership, poem, poems, poetry, ramayana