Acharya Prashant responds to a question about choosing between the truth and the false masquerading as truth. He explains that if two things are in front of you, both claiming to be true, you must recognize that two truths cannot coexist. If you genuinely care for and love the truth, you will not make a random or casual choice. He uses an analogy of buying medicine for a loved one. If a pharmacist offers two brands, both claiming to be genuine, but the doctor has warned that only one is, you would not just randomly pick one. You would inquire and investigate to figure out which one is right, especially if it's a matter of life and death. The speaker elaborates on the temptations that can sway this choice. One brand might be much cheaper, the pharmacist might vouch for it, its packaging could be more brilliant and tempting, and it might be readily available in the required quantity. These are the reasons you might be tempted to fall for the wrong choice. Vedanta refers to these temptationsāform, color, name, and shapeāas 'maya' or illusion. In crucial life decisions, one should not fall for the packaging, the cheap stuff, or the endorsements of sellers and vendors. This is why it's important to doubt, especially when everything seems right and comfortable. Our greatest troubles often arise from places we never suspected, places that appeared safe, friendly, and lovable. Acharya Prashant states that belief is the enemy and certainty is the exploiter. One should never be too certain about anything in the world, as only the Truth is certain, and Truth is not something you can be certain of. He also references a couplet by Kabir Saheb, explaining that the very apparition of choices is 'maya'. The wrong choice is not 'maya'; choice itself is 'maya'. Freedom from 'maya' is freedom from choice itself. Until one reaches that state, one is doomed to have choices. Therefore, one must exercise the right choice, which requires working hard, being honest, and having patience. The wrong choice comes by default, automatically, while the right choice requires great qualities. It is foolish to be confident in your choices; instead, one should always be a bit skeptical of oneself, as we are programmed to make the wrong ones.
