"My critic is my best friend."

[Guest guest]

Many times we have heard Srila Bhaktisiddhanta accredited as saying

> something like, "My critic is my best friend."

>

> Does anyone know of a reference for this?

>

 

The following quote may be helpful.

 

 

The Manava-dharma sastra (2.162-163) says:

 

Sammanad brahmano nityam/ uddhijet visad iva

Amrtasyeva cakanksed/ avamanasya sarvada

Sukham hy avamantah sete/ sukham ca pratibudhyate

Sukham carati loke 'sminn/ avamanta vinasyati

 

"Throughout his life a brahmana should consider material prestige to be like

poison and dishonor to be like nectar. After all, if one learns to tolerate

dishonor, then his agitation will subside and he will happily sleep, happily

wake, and happily move about. The person who insults him will as a result of

his sin becomes embarrassed, and his happiness in this and the next life

will be vanquished."

 

From Brahmana and Vaisnava, pp. 27-28, by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati

Thakura.