“The person explained to Srila Gaurakisora, “I thought it better to reside in a solitary place and perform my own individual worship then to become disturbed at heart by hearing another holy person’s sharp words.”

Srila Gaurakisora replied, “Please notice that those devotees who speak sharp words to drive away the witch of illusory energy are actually the only real devotees and the friends of the living entities. The conditioned living entity hears the distressful quarrels of his wife and close relations until death, yet he never desires to leave their association. To the contrary, he absorbs himself in ways to please them by his service. But when a devotee of the Lord who is always desirous of the living entity’s ultimate welfare speaks just one instruction to drive away Maya, then the conditioned entity immediately makes plans to leave that person for his entire life.

If you actually want to perform proper devotional service, then you must accept the harsh language as the medicine by which Maya can be given up. Then one can obtain the necessary spiritual advancement and accept the chanting of the Holy Name.”

“An Era Not to be Forgotten” by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati