Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj defines sincerity.
Student: For Mahaprabhu’s service, we have to engage in so many affairs in the material world. In the course of so many dealings it is difficult to keep our consciousness pure and free from personal motives.
Srila Sridhar Maharaj:
na hi kalyana-krit kashchid durgatim tata gachchhati
(Srimad Bhagavad-gita: 6.40)
Sincerity is the best qualification. Sincerity is inner purity—shraddha.
Student: How do you define sincerity?
Srila Sridhar Maharaj:
sarala ha-ite gorara shiksha bujhiya la-ibe
Sincerity is inner appreciation for Mahaprabhu’s teachings. One who is sincere can recognise sincerity in others. One who is reasonable can appreciate reason in another person. Is it not? When one has a talent, one will see that talent in others. Sincerity can detect the absence of sincerity.
Hare Krishna. Hare Krishna. Gauraharibol.