Vasudeva was astonished at Kamsa's behavior, and in order to pacify the cruel, shameless brother-in-law, he began to speak as follows, with great reason and evidence. He said, "My dear brother-in-law Kamsa, you are the most famous king of the Bhoja dynasty, and people know that you are the greatest warrior and a valiant king........... Vasudeva, after deliberating on how to save his wife, began to speak to Kamsa with great respect, although Kamsa was the most sinful man. Sometimes it happens that a most virtuous person like Vasudeva has to flatter a person like Kamsa, a most vicious person. That is the way of all diplomatic transactions. Although Vasudeva was deeply aggrieved, he presented himself outwardly as cheerful. He addressed the shameless Kamsa in that way because he was so atrocious.

 

[KRSNA BOOK CHAPTER ONE Advent of Lord Krsna]

 

 

Note: Srila Prabhupada, after deliberating on how to get devotional paraphernalia from India to push on the Sankirtana mission in the West, began to speak to Narayan Maharaja with great respect, although Narayan Maharaja was the most sinful man. Sometimes it happens that a most virtuous person like Srila Prabhupada has to flatter a person like Narayan Maharaja, a most vicious person. That is the way of all diplomatic transactions. Although Srila Prabhupada was deeply aggrieved, at Narayan Maharaja's lack of cooperation he presented himself outwardly as cheerful. He addressed the shameless Narayan Maharaja in that way because he was so atrocious.

 

 

"treat the cunning with cunningness"

 

 So you follow this principle without fail, and treat the cunning with cunningness.

 

[S.P. Letter to: Hamsaduta 8 June, 1969]

 

 

I understand that you are feeling some inconvenience due to police interruption, but we have to make the best of a bad bargain. There is a Sanskrit proverb, sati shatyam samacharit, and this means if somebody is cunning, we must also become cunning. To a cunning person we must not be a simpleton. Krishna Conscious devotees are expected to be very intelligent, so we have to work very intelligently to prove our advancement in Krishna Consciousness.

 

[S.P. Letter to: Hamsaduta 8 June, 1969]