Kabir on the need for critical examination to weed out the false and fraudulent...

Many deceptive preachers, when critically examined, turn out to be false. - Kabir

The enlightened master Kabir here has given a formula for weeding out the false and fraudulent, which has been the scourge of Hinduism and other religions, giving the appearance of the true as false and the false as true, and which is also the distinguishing characteristic of the present Kali Yuga .

If this formula of Kabir's is properly used, we can help to clear off much of the falsehood and ignorance that is current in human society at present which is spreading ignorance and delusion. A good gardener obviously starts off by being a good weeder.

As sage Dattatreya himself stated in the Jnanakhanda of Tripura Rahasya , "A person who employs the force of logic and reasoning in the light of the wisdom presented in genuine scriptures attains the highest truth. "

Critical examination is a potent key to establishing the true as true and the false as false. I would say this is also a potent key to examine the false and fraudulent within ourselves as well and get rid of it, provided we are honest, diligent and brave. The removal of the false will reveal the true simultaneously, as is the theme of the methodology of the jnana yoga technique neti-neti.

 

'You take action only after proper investigation.' - Vanaras to Sri Rama ( during a discussion in the Ramayana)


One can see here the Avatar Rama being praised for his investigative skills and due diligence. This skillset enabled Rama to understand the proper course of action in every situation and circumstance and aided his judgement, resulting in precise understanding, decision-making and performance.

Like Kabir, Rama teaches us by example to have a good critical investigative skillset, which will enable us to distinguish between the right and wrong, genuine and fraudulent.

The right course of action will guide us to spiritual and material success, peace and happiness in life while the wrong course of action will lead us to failure and repentance later on.

 

'O monks and wise men, just as a goldsmith would test his gold by burning, cutting and rubbing it, so must you examine my words and accept them, not merely out of reverence for me.' ~ Buddha ( ghanavyuha sutra )(Sutra of Dense Array)


It is due diligence on the part of a goldsmith or jewel-smith to accurately gauge the monetary worth of gold or jewelry and to determine whether it is genuine or fraudulent.

Buddha here exhorts people to similarly investigate and gauge the value of his sayings objectively, and not blindly accept them under the spell of his charisma or influence of personality.

Many fraudulent leaders in politics, pseudo-religious cults, crime have used their charisma and force of personality to influence people and manipulate them to do their will foolishly, leading to disaster.

By developing proper critical thinking skills and mental equanimity, one will be in a better position to gauge the true merit of things and act accordingly, and thereby prevent the consequences of poor judgement.

 

'Even a young boy's words are to be accepted if they are words of wisdom, else, reject it like straw even if uttered by Brahma the creator.' ~ Yoga Vaistha


The ancient scripture Yoga Vasistha records the discussion between the sage Vasistha and prince Rama. The sage Vasistha states here the necessity of critically examining all sayings on wisdom, and consequently accepting that which is true and reasonable even from a small child, and rejecting that which is false and unreasonable even if it was uttered by the Creator Himself.

Thus truth was given a higher importance than Brahman or God Himself in the ancient Hindu scriptures.

The Avatar Rama himself stated thus, "Truth is God and all virtues follow truth. All are rooted in truth, there is nothing higher than the truth."

Thus the understanding of the truth is a religious duty in itself. Sri Ramakrishna taught that adherence to the truth is the highest austerity possible in the present Kali Yuga due to the predominance of falsehood, corruption and vice.