A vedic aphorism declares: ‘Vaadhah pravadhathaam’ (Let the argument be expounded). There are three different ways of carrying on a Vaada (argument). Without attachment or hatred, with the desire to understand the Atmic Principle  with a sincere heart, engaging oneself in a spirit of enquiry, is termed a discussion, Vaada (purposeful argument). This means that one conducts the debate with a heartfelt yearning to know the truth, with a pure mind filled with noble thoughts.

Without such an attitude, if one is keen only to assert his own options and defeat the others in the argument by any means, condemning the beliefs of others and defending one’s own views in an egoistic spirit-this type of argumentation is termed Jalpa (wrangling).

The third type of argumentation is condemning everything and indulging in such condemnation habitually, without any regard for one’s own defects, finding faults in others perpetually, magnifying those faults and broadcasting them. Such an attitude is termed Vitandha-vaada (perverse argumentation).

Of these three types, unfortunately these days we notice only the third type of perverse logic prevalent. Vaada and Jalpa are not very much in evidence. One pretends to be all knowing in any argument. Such people enter into an argument only for furthering their selfish ends. These persons can never realise the Atmic principle even after any number of lives. (SSS Vol.26, pp. 74-75)