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DISCOURSE 85
common people like elaboration and detailed explanation. Another point is this. There are some items which should be mentioned briefly. For example, while delivering a discourse on Dharma, if he desires to make some critical remarks on the contemporary social and political situation, he has to do so briefly. If he goes on elaborating such items, he will not be able to discuss the topic of his discourse. Speaking on other subjects than the chosen topic is a serious mistake. The preacher of Dharma has to speak on human virtues or on some serious scriptural topics, in detail. Thus, a speaker should know where brevity is a virtue and where elaboration is a necessity.
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3. The preacher of Dharma must be capable of speaking in a pleasant and agreeable manner. Of course, all people have to speak in a pleasant and agreeable manner always. But this quality of speaking in a pleasant and agreeable manner is an absolute necessity for a preacher of Dharma because he has to transform the hearts of people by making spiritual doctrines penetrate the very depths of their hearts. He has to remove their false notions. He cannot achieve this by speaking in a harsh manner. He can achieve this only by speaking in a sweet manner. Whatever may be the extent of the preacher's mastery over language; whatever may be the depth of his knowledge of the scriptures, if he cannot speak in a pleasant, impressive and suave manner he cannot captivate the hearts of the listeners. If he cannot captivate the hearts of the listeners, he cannot disseminate the doctrines of Dharma effectively.
From the Audience: Now-a-days, some preachers of dharma use very harsh words.
Maharajashri: They can see the effect of that propensity. They think that they communicate their ideas clearly but clarity cannot be achieved through harsh words. Clarity can be achieved only through sweet and suave words. If the preacher of Dharma happens to be a sadhu or a muni, he has to be treated with reverence. A worthy man will be accorded heartfelt reverence only if he can speak in a pleasant and suave manner. A preacher
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