In the Katha Upanishad, it is said that pure intelligence cannot be attained by argument. Therefore, argument is described as prajalpa. Both argument and debate are ways to discuss. Arguments are created alone, and debates are engaged in by many. Argument means counteracting whatever we hear. When someone says black, we must say white. To be successful, it requires a challenging attitude. In spiritual life, a challenging attitude is symptomatic of pride: we always want to establish our own arguments as truth. But dry arguments are inconclusive.
(Bhaktyaloka Odessa, July 1999)