A blade of grass

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

mental strength? It's a common observation that when someone says something, an immediate reaction arises in one's mind. This is quite natural; it's not a sin. To resist sin, to retaliate or fight against it, is also natural.

However, this does not prove how much internal stamina or force a person has.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu would advise his disciples that to awaken or gradually enhance internal strength, one must engage in proper conduct as follows: a person should be more humble than a blade of grass. Grass, though seemingly ordinary, possesses remarkable resilience. Despite being trodden upon by people, it endures without complaint.

Moreover, grass harbours immense vitality, even more so than humans. Consider the strength animals like cows and elephants derive from consuming grass! Yet, grass withstands human neglect without reaction. The idea is to cultivate tolerance greater than grass.

Imagine someone attacks you.

What will you do? First, assess your tolerance level. Endure to the extent possible. If the situation surpasses your capacity to bear, then it's a different matter.

Once you've demonstrated your capacity for endurance, what follows? Your courage will grow. You will have faith that a certain amount of strength is stored within you. Then if you tell someone, 'Leave your sinful ways, take to the path of spirituality, do sadhana,' you will find that your work is accomplished.