Some of you may remember when a few years ago on the TV show 'Britain's Got Talent,' a very ordinary looking middle-age woman came to the stage. Many people in the audience rolled their eyes and snickered, while many others started jeering. Even the judges seemed to be saying with their eyes, "We can tell you are going to be a waste of time." But all that changed in an instance. When the contestant started singing, the audience and judges rose to their feet, giving the woman a standing ovation.

The question is - why did people think the woman had no talent? Does one have to be beautiful, well dressed and properly coiffed to be a good singer? Can a person who is common looking (in our eyes) not be uncommon in many other ways? 

We are in no position to judge others, nor are we are asked to pass judgment, but we do it anyhow. By doing so we establish our own importance in our own mind. It's as if we are saying, "Since I am perfect and all-knowing, I am going to judge everyone else." 

Ashtavakra was a realized saint with a crooked body. People laughed when they saw him, but bowed to him after hearing him speak words of infinite knowledge. Prahlad was a child, but his wisdom far surpassed his years, and he was incredibly mature in his devotion. The milkmaidens of Vrindavan in India were illiterate and seemed to be ordinary women, yet even the most knowledgeable men desired to touch their feet. Raidas was a cobbler, yet regarded by Meerabai - a princess - as her spiritual guide. Christ hailed from a sheep-herding community. 

Do not dismiss someone based on his looks, family background or any other external aspect.

Yours,

Didi Ji