How should spiritual aspirants treat praise and blame, and those that indulge in criticism? Bhagawan lovingly reminds us today.

No one, not even a great spiritual personality (maha-purusha) or Avatar, can ever escape criticism and blame. But such people do not bend. They hold on to truth. Truth will not yield to threats. The real nature of the great sage or Avatar is realised by those who indulge in criticism or blame, only after they wade through unbearable trouble; then they also start to praise! The weakness of ignorance is the cause of this failure. So, let aspirants keep away from all such waverers and ignorant people and desist from discussing their beliefs and convictions with them. Let them become immersed in holy books and be in the company of devotees of the Lord. Later, rich with the experience of realisation and courageous on account of that contact with reality, they can mix in any company without danger and even endeavour to direct other minds onto the truth that they themselves have seen.