DO NOT LOWER THE LEVEL

DO NOT LOWER THE LEVEL

Do not make a mockery of preaching Swamiji in America in a casual manner full of light-hearted humour that takes away the seriousness of the work he had initiated there. Overmuch of gravity is uncomfortable, true, but overmuch of levity is opposed to the very spirit of the work you are doing, of preaching the pristine philosophy of the Vedanta. It is unnecessary to pander to the vanities of the audience for it takes away the essential character of the message being conveyed by helping lower their level of concentration and seriousness. Swamiji was a grand personality and he must be projected as such, neither the preacher's pet project in humouring his audience nor the audience's object of sensory vanity. Remember this while preaching. Else, return. India will yet raise heroes worthy of the cause.

Written by Sugata Bose