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सामने बैठो, कहो, और सुनो || आचार्य प्रशांत (2019)
3.5K views
5 years ago
Truth
Medicine
Sorrow and Happiness
Context
Shrimad Bhagavad Gita
Shri Krishna
Vedanta
Description

Acharya Prashant addresses the perceived contradiction in his two statements about happiness and sorrow by explaining that there is a gap of many years, minds, and lives between them. He emphasizes that any statement made is primarily for the benefit of the specific person it is addressed to at that moment. He clarifies that no speaker, well-wisher, or scripture has ever spoken the absolute Truth, as Truth is beyond words and cannot be contained by them. This does not imply they are lying. Instead, what is spoken or written should be understood as a prescription or medicine, not the Truth itself. The purpose of these words is to cut through the falsehood within the listener. He states, "Am I speaking the truth right now? Absolutely not. Am I cutting the falsehood? Absolutely." Using the analogy of medicine, he explains that some advice is like a generic medicine, such as Disprin, which may benefit many people, while other advice is like a specific prescription, such as an insulin injection, meant for a particular individual's condition. No single medicine is suitable for everyone; even vitamins can be toxic to some. Therefore, comparing one "medicine" (statement) with another indicates a need for more personalized guidance. The speaker concludes that it is a great mistake to take a statement meant for one person and apply it verbatim to another. He cites the example of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, where Shri Krishna provides personalized guidance to Arjun rather than referring him to a generic scripture, even though the Gita's essence is already present in Vedanta. If one could find all answers in articles and videos, there would be no need to seek a living teacher. The very act of seeking demonstrates the need for a personalized "medicine."