A Vaisnava is Compassionate

a) Srimad Bhagvatam 4.29.1b
bhaktih krsne daya jivesv akuntha-jnanam atmani

yadi syad atmano bhuyad apavargas tu samsrteh

 

TRANSLATION If a living entity is developed in Krsna consciousness and is merciful to others, and if his spiritual knowledge of self-realization is perfect, he will immediately attain liberation from the bondage of material existence.

PURPORT In this verse the words daya jivesu, meaning "mercy to other living entities," indicate that a living entity must be merciful to other living entities if he wishes to make progress in self-realization. This means he must preach this knowledge after perfecting himself and understanding his own position as an eternal servant of Krsna. Preaching this is showing real mercy to living entities. Other types of humanitarian work may be temporarily beneficial for the body, but because a living entity is spirit soul, ultimately one can show him real mercy only by revealing knowledge of his spiritual existence. As Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, jivera 'svarupa' haya-krsnera 'nitya-dasa': [Caitanya caritamrta. Madhya 20.108] "Every living entity is constitutionally a servant of Krsna." One should know this fact perfectly and should preach it to the mass of people. If one realizes that he is an eternal servant of Krsna but does not preach it, his realization is imperfect. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura therefore sings, dusta mana, tumi kisera Vaisnava? pratisthara tare, nirjanera ghare, tava hari-nama kevala kaitava: "My dear mind, what kind of Vaisnava are you? Simply for false prestige and a material reputation you are chanting the Hare Krsna mantra in a solitary place." In this way people who do not preach are criticized. There are many Vaisnavas in Vrndavana who do not like preaching; they chiefly try to imitate Haridasa Thakura. The actual result of their so-called chanting in a secluded place, however, is that they sleep and think of women and money. Similarly, one who simply engages in temple worship but does not see to the interests of the mass of people or cannot recognize devotees is called a kanistha-adhikari: arcayam eva haraye pujam yah sraddhayehate na tad-bhaktesu canyesu sa bhaktah prakrtah smrtah (Srimad Bhagavatam 11.2.47)

b) Moral instruction: Three unbearable things in the world

In Mahabharata, Bhismadeva instructs King Yudhisthira, teaching that there are three things in this world that are unbearable: He says that the first one are the eyes of the Muni. When the sage looks at you, he sees through you, he pierces your heart with his eyes, and he knows what is going on inside. The next thing is the eyes of the snake. When the snake looks at you... you know the snake has so much envy inside, it is just unbearable, you cannot look; you turn away. And the third thing unbearable to tolerate are the eyes of the weak. If the weak person is unprotected and is begging for mercy, staying in front of you with folded hands and is looking at you, and if you are not giving him protection, Bhismadeva says you are doomed.

(Explained by HH Romapada Swami)