Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Antya 8.79
Avoiding Criticism Is the More Important Rule
“Of the two rules, Rāmacandra Purī obeys the first by abandoning praise, but although he knows that the second is more prominent, he neglects it by criticizing others.
What the purport teaches
- The first injunction, pūrva-vidhi, says not to praise; the second, para-vidhi, says not to criticize. The injunction against blasphemy is more important.
- One should carefully observe the para-vidhi, although one may neglect the pūrva-vidhi. Thus the actual injunction is that one may praise but should not criticize.
- Rāmacandra Purī did the opposite: he strictly avoided praise but continued criticizing others. The purport explains that by neglecting the principle of not criticizing, he broke both rules.
Try this today
Today, acknowledge one genuine good quality in someone without adding a critical qualification.
Ask yourself
Do I withhold praise while freely speaking about others’ faults?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.