Evolved, determined and persisting persons are not felled or unnerved by criticism or even by aspersions cast on them or by ridicule. These, they know, are all hazards, which those aspiring for excellence have necessarily to face. Knowing they are on the right path, divining their work upon this earth, they are like rivers, which know where they go.
Actually, such an approach may not apply fully to all, including those seeking and persevering aspirants, who deep within may feel they could do with certain corrective actions or suggestions. Faced sometimes and perhaps often with doubt, cynicism and discouragement both from within and without, they could take heart from a hint for adopting the 'golden mean', as contained in Rudyard Kipling's poem, IF-. This poet conceives of the wise approach in such a situation, thus: "If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you/But make allowance for their doubting too."
An old Tamil adage notes that even an elephant can slip on its foot or foothold. The seeker, knowing that even the highly competent can err, would be open to suggestions and criticism, capable as he would be, to discriminate between those which are constructive and those which would not apply to him.
It is in the above context, that one should be guided by the exhortation in Bhagawad Gita (VI,7) on not losing composure or presence of mind either in honour or dishonor and even when ridiculed or maligned.
Dealing intelligently with all types of criticism, therefore, is an art, which could confer immense practical and tangible benefits!
- K. Vijayaraghavan
