A scandal often feels like an external attack. Swami Prakashanand Saraswati, drawing from the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, invites us to view it differently. He encourages us to see it not as a punishment, but as a mirror -one that reflects what the soul still needs to purify.
Swamiji explains that while scandals shake our public image, their true value lies in how they expose hidden attachments, ego, pride, and fear within us. If we look carefully, such moments of crisis reveal what we are still clinging to: our need for recognition, our urge to defend, our discomfort with surrender. The Gita urges us to tolerate this discomfort and to let it guide us inward.
In one of his discourses, Swamiji shares that a sincere devotee welcomes even painful experiences as opportunities for transformation. If a scandal makes us feel shattered, it’s because we are still identifying with the body, name/reputation, and external role. But the Gita reminds us: “You are the soul, untouched by dust and praise alike”.
Rather than reacting with bitterness, Swamiji encourages seekers to ask, “Why is this affecting me so deeply? What within me is still dependent on others’ validation?” In doing so, the scandal becomes less about what was said or done, and more about the opportunity for internal growth.
In a Gita lecture, Swamiji compared these challenging situations to a fire that burns only what is perishable, never what is divine. The scandal, then, can become a fire that purifies our ego and false identities. This will enhance our neutrality and peacefulness in the world as well as our devotion, helping us feel closer to Krishn.
Conclusion
Swami Prakashanand Saraswati explains how, through the lens of the Gita, scandals can be appreciated as revelations. They show us what still needs refinement on our spiritual path. Rather than fighting what is illusory and external to our true selves (soul), we have the choice to examine it, learn from it, and use it as a stepping stone for deeper spiritual growth.