Saturday, 21 January 2012

Vaishnava Aparadhas

Vaishnava Aparadh

"In Krsna consciousness every man is so important because all of the activities of a devotee of Lord Krsna is beneficial to all living entities."
SP letter to Sivananda (June 15, 1969)

The Greatness of A Vaishnava 
Quotes from Hari-Bhakti-Vilasa
1. Devotees of Hari are very rare in the age of Kali. The position of the devotee is more elevated than the position of Lord Brahma and Lord Rudra.
2. The presence of a devotee at the time of death elevates even the killer of a brahmana to the spiritual sky. (10.86)
3. If a dog-eater becomes a Vaishnava then he becomes more elevated than a brahmana, and if a sannyasi is devoid of devotion to Visnu then he considered to be more degraded than a dog-eater. (10.87)
4. Even at the time of total annihilation the devotees of Visnu do not fall down. That is why Sri Hari is known everywhere as infallible, all pervasive, and inexhaustible; therefore there is no need to fear a devotee. A devotee never inflicts pain on anyone. (10.101-105)
5. Those who worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Hari are the best of all people and no one is better than them in the three worlds. (10.110)
6. Those sinless, magnanimous Vaishnavas purify the entire creation therefore they are even better than the places of pilgrimage. (10.118)
7. Those who are My devotees are not actually My devotees, those who are My devotees of My devotees are real devotees. (10.133)
8. My devotees who are surrendered unto Me and free from attachment and disgust, envy and pride, sing My glory all the time. They never cause any harm to anyone. They are always engaged in worshipping My devotees and eager to hear about Me, they are the ones who always carry Me in their hearts. (10.145-146)

Blasphemy of a Vaishnava
You are always alert to see whether you are committing some offense. This is a very nice attitude. In rendering service to Lord Krsna and His representative, the Spiritual Master, we should always maintain this fearful attitude which means careful attention. This attitude will advance you progressively in Krsna consciousness.

SP letter to Gopala Krsna (April 21, 1970)

Quotes from Hari-Bhakti-Vilasa
1. When one blasphemes a Vaishnava he loses his religiosity, wealth, fame and children. (10.310)
2. If one beats a Vaishnava, blasphemes a Vaishnava, shows disrespect to a Vaishnava, gets angry upon a Vaishnava or does not express joy in seeing a Vaishnava, he goes to hell. (10.310)
Four Kinds of Blasphemy to a Vaishnava
1. To find fault with a Vaishnava for his apparent low birth.
2. To blaspheme him for his previous faults.
3. To blaspheme him for his accidental fault.
4. To blaspheme him for the faults that are almost rectified.
(from Harinama Cintamani)

What to Do If One Commits Vaishnava Aparadha
If by chance one commits Vaishnava aparadha then he must be forgiveness from the Vaishnava very earnestly holding his feet. A Vaishnava is very merciful so he will immediately embrace him and forgive him for all his offenses.
(from Harinama Cintamani)

Offering Praise to a Vaishnava
This is actually a devotee's business that everyone should appreciate the value of other devotees. Nobody should criticize anyone.

SP letter to Tamala Krsna (August 19, 1968)

Now that you have come to my house today, I have become glorified; my life has become completely successful. To be able to see a Vaishnava is as rare as the good fortune of seeing Sri Hari. I must have acquired immense piety, huge as the Meru mountain that's why I got to see a great Vaishnava like you."
Hari-Bhakti-Vilasa (10.337-338)

- Based on Vaisnava Etiquette Seminar by HH Bhakti Charu Swami

No comments:

Post a Comment