When others honor a seeker, they should not attribute it to their own deeds, virtues, or goodness. Instead, they should recognize that the praise reflects the courtesy and generosity of the one offering it. Considering another’s politeness as one’s own merit is not an act of honesty.
Conversely, if someone insults them, they should accept it as a consequence of their own actions, acknowledging that the fault lies within themselves. The insulter bears no blame; rather, they are deserving of compassion, as they unwittingly provide the seeker with an opportunity for purification by enduring the repercussions of the seeker’s misdeeds.
By adopting this mindset, a seeker can remain calm and indifferent to both honor and insult. However, if they perceive honor as a result of their own virtues and insult as another’s fault, they will struggle to maintain tranquility in the face of praise or criticism.
Collected from Gita Press Gorakhpur book Gita Sadhak Sanjivani (English)
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