Bhaktisiddhanta (undoubtedly in utter humility) once said,

“Because I am myself honeycombed with faults, I see the faults of others.”

I’ve struggled with this; surely there are universal principles of character, behaviour, and conduct that requires a level of critique and analysis? In our respective roles as project leads, partners, parents, teachers, and even friends, isn’t there an element of correction and guidance required in those positions? Did Mahaprabhu not cast aside Chota Haridas for what he perceived as improper conduct for a renunciate? Did Rupa Goswami not banish Jiva for what he perceived as ego towards Vallabha Bhatta? So, I was confused.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura writes,

“Fault-finding arises only from imposing one’s own bad habits on others.”

I was still confused.

Then I read CC. Now I’m a believer. 

Describing Raghunath Bhatta Goswami in the Antya Lila, we read:

vaiṣṇavera nindya-karma nāhi pāḍe kāṇe
sabe kṛṣṇa bhajana kare, — ei-mātra jāne

He would not listen to blasphemy of a Vaiṣṇava, nor would he listen to talk of a Vaiṣṇava’s misbehavior. He knew only that everyone was engaged in Kṛṣṇa’s service; he did not understand anything else.

cc antya 13.133

And in Prabhupada’s commentary, we find,

“It is the duty of a Vaiṣṇava ācārya to prevent his disciples and followers from violating the principles of Vaiṣṇava behavior. He should always advise them to strictly follow the regulative principles, which will protect them from falling down. Although a Vaiṣṇava preacher may sometimes criticize others, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa avoided this. Even if another Vaiṣṇava was actually at fault, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa would not criticize him; he saw only that everyone was engaged in Kṛṣṇa’s service.”

Raghunath Bhatta’s mentality was the epitome of broad-mindedness. Despite it being his role, the Bhatta was physically incapable of seeing faults. Instead, he appreciated the direct and indirect servitude of all; even those acting on the platform of matter, he saw them as but mere servants of the Lord’s energy.

A beautiful, heart-warming ideal, but what about us who seem incapable of seeing the good?!

Bhaktisiddhanta continues,

“It is necessary for the best to scrutinize one’s ineligibility. Why should a person be anxious to pry into the defects of others when he does not seek to scrutinize his own conduct?”

My reflection of late is this: the glaring faults we perceive in others are the simplest way for us to determine which whack-a-mole anartha Krishna wants us to focus on next. It’s actually His kindness for indicating the realities of our inner workings. Being framed in this way, we’ll quieten our own inner critic and disgust, instead seeing our perception of faults as a loving revelation. 

Vraja Bihari shared with us: Attentiveness —> Awareness —> Attraction. 

From proper practice, we’re gifted with awareness of our limitations. In accepting those limitations, offering them to the Lord, and sincerely requesting assistance, we gain attraction in the antidote of the said quality! For fault finding, therefore, we’ll soon become so intensely nurtured by offering loving appreciation that criticism becomes deeply unpalatable.

A useful prayer I’ve started to try:

“My Lord, I perceive this fault in my friend. I’m likely to be mistaken! If it exists, however, please help them in overcoming it. But more importantly, please uproot this from my heart for it shines greater in me than in them.”

We move!

P.S. You can tell 2020 was the year of heartbreak since the writing was more profuse and subsequently ground to a halt. LOL.