Art of Tact

Once Swamishri was taking his lunch at the Amdavad temple. Swamishri placed a piece of amrutpaak, a milk sweetmeat, from Thakorji's thaal into his mouth. It tasted off, but Swamishri's face gave nothing away. He subtly asked his attendant Krishnavallabh Swami to taste it. He agreed with Swamishri. Sitting in front of Swamishri was the head of the Sankari temple, Prabhuswarup Swami. Swamishri gave some to him to taste as well.

He too found it odd. Then Swamishri called the bhandari, Tyagswarup Swami, and asked him taste the amrutpak. He realized there was something wrong as well. But what?

Swamishri explained polietly, "It has been made from used ghee, that's why it's tasting off. Be more careful in the future for Thakorji's thaal. Use fresh ghee every time."

It was fascinating that apart from Swamishri, not even the experienced cooks could detect the fault with the amrutpak. But more importantly, everyone learned a valuable lesson in tact. Swamishri knew straight away after tasting the amrutpak what was wrong. He could have spoken up then, but instead he suggested politely only after confirming with others.

Soft words can be hard arguments. Many times there is no need to shout - if only the right words are used. Discretion really does out-weight eloquence. The right thing, to the right person, in the right place, at the right time, in the right amount, and in the right manner, is the art of tact in Swamishri's speech.