Acharya Prashant explains that beauty exists in two dimensions: the dualistic and the non-dualistic. In the non-dualistic sense, beauty is all-encompassing and independent, leaving no room for its opposite, ugliness. This state is synonymous with the truth, as expressed in the phrase 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram', where truth and beauty are one. However, he notes that human life is inherently dualistic, functioning through discrimination and differentiation. While the heart may reside in non-dual beauty, the eyes and mind perceive a world of opposites. Therefore, one must learn the right art of discrimination to navigate the external world. He defines the spiritual criteria for beauty as that which leads the mind back to its source, the heart. The mind is like a wandering child, and inputs from the world either take it closer to its home or further away. Anything that brings one toward peace, silence, and the heart is truly beautiful, while anything that causes agitation or takes one away from the truth is ugly. He cautions that these labels are subjective; what is ugly for one person may not be for another, depending on how it affects their internal state. A place is a temple only if it reminds an individual of the truth, regardless of its external label. Acharya Prashant contrasts this spiritual definition with conventional beauty, which is often based on social conditioning and prejudices. He argues that calling something beautiful simply because it pleases the senses or fits a certain physical standard is a shallow and 'ugly' way of deciding. True beauty is found in figures like Kabir Saheb, Mira Bai, or the Buddha, not because of their physical features, but because their presence induces silence and devotion. He concludes by advising that one should be cautious with the word 'beauty', using it only for that which calms the mind rather than that which excites or agitates it.
