Internally our mind must be kept undisturbed. We have to keep calmness within. But outwardly we have to show our response. It is not reacting or retaliating.
मामनुस्मर युध्य च
𝗺𝗮̄𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝘂𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝘆𝘂𝗱𝗵𝘆𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗮
[ Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 8.7 ]
It was the teaching given to Arjuna. Why? He was on the battlefield. We are on a different type of battlefield. So the same teaching is for us as well, but the way to fight is different. We need not take a knife, sword or gun. But we can say “This is not correct for you. This is not the right way for you.” To make ourselves suffer and to take all the burden from society and then to internally become depressed is not the dharmic way. But somehow we are becoming so. I don’t know how. After the influence of Buddhist philosophies the mantra has become “suffering, suffering, suffering”. No. You must not give suffering to others and at the same time you must not allow others to make you suffer. This must be the way. So instead of reacting and retaliating, we must respond. Response must be in a language, which he or she will understand. That is the main point. Sometimes we will have to shout, sometimes we will have to keep mum and sometimes a smile will be more powerful than a sword or a gun. So it depends on the situation, the person and many other factors. The main aspect is that inwardly we must keep our equanimity. But outside we have to show the correct reply and in the correct wavelength otherwise we will have to suffer. If you allow yourself to be pulled down by your co-worker, considering that is the right way, that is the dharmic way, then others will also come. Just stand up and face the brute. We must do that. And sometimes this facing the brute is not with a weapon, not with a knife or sword or gun. Sometimes a smile will be more powerful. It depends on the situation and person.
– Excerpt from a discourse on Bhagavad Gita by Swami Chidananda Puri.
Swami Chidananda Puri 