Chapter 3 - Vaiṣṇava-tattva
The Vaishnava Principle
Definition of a Vaiṣṇava
3.1
One who is initiated into the Vaiṣṇava mantra and who is devoted to worshiping Lord Viṣṇu is a Vaiṣṇava. One who is devoid of these practices is not a Vaiṣṇava.
(Hari-bhakti-vilāsa, 11, quoted from Padma Purāṇa)
Different Kinds of Vaiṣṇavas
3.2
Vaiṣṇavas are divided into different sampradāyas according to their inclinations:
The first of these has come from Nārāyaṇa by way of Brahmā, Nārada, and so on. Another sampradāya comes from Śeṣa Bhagavān and has been outlined by the Sanat-Kumāras.
(Śrīdhara Svāmī's commentary on Bhāg. 3.1.1)
Three Kinds of Devotees
Arcana-mārga and Neophyte Devotees
3.3
In terms of the pañcarātra-viddhi, one whose body is marked with the conch, lotus, disc, and club of Viṣṇu, who wears Viṣṇu tilāka, and who offers respect to other Vaiṣṇavas is known by these symptoms as a kaniṣṭha-adhikāri Vaiṣṇava.
(Padma-Purāṇa)
Arcana-mārga and the Intermediate Devotees
3.4
A madhyamā-adhikāri Vaiṣṇava in terms of pañcarātrika-viddhi, is one who has been purified by the 5 kinds of purificatory processes (pañca-saṁskāras):
1) practicing austerity for the sake of Viṣṇu,
2) wearing Viṣṇu tilāka,
3) receiving the holy name of Viṣṇu,
4) accepting initiation into the gāyatrī-mantra, and
5) performing yajña for the sake of Viṣṇu.
He must also have firm faith in Viṣṇu.
(Padma Purāṇa)
Arcana-mārga and the Advanced Devotee
3.5
A spiritually developed person who has mastered the above-mentioned 5 processes of purification (pañca-saṁskāras),
who is absorbed in the 9 devotional activities (deity worship, mantra, yoga, yajña, prayers, nāma-saṅkīrtana, service, and worship of both the Vaiṣṇavas and the Lord) and
who understands the esoteric meaning of these different activities in full,
- is to be known as a mahā-bhāgavata, a great devotee of Viṣṇu, and a topmost Vaiṣṇava.
(Padma Purāṇa)
Three kinds of Devotees in Relation to Kṛṣṇa-prema
The Symptoms of a Neophyte Devotee
3.6
Those who faithfully worship the Deity, but cannot treat devotees properly and cannot deal properly with the people in general are known as prākṛta-bhaktas, materialistic or neophyte devotees (kaniṣṭha-adhikāri Vaiṣṇavas).
(Bhāg. 11.2.47)
Note: Śrīla Prabhupāda comments on this verse in Caitanya-Caritamṛta:
A prākṛta-bhakta, or materialistic devotee, does not purposefully study the śāstra and try to understand the actual standard of pure devotional service.
Consequently, he does not show proper respect to advanced devotees. He may, however, follow the regulative principles, learn from his spiritual master, or from his family who worships the Deity.
He is to be considered on the material platform, although he is trying to advance in devotional service. Such a person is a bhakta-prāya, a neophyte devotee, or bhaktābhāsa when he is a little enlightened by Vaiṣṇava philosophy.
Symptoms of a Madhyama-adhikāri
3.7
A madhyamā-adhikāri Vaiṣṇava shows love for the Supreme Lord, friendship for the devotees, mercy towards the innocent and ignorant, and is indifferent towards the envious.
(Bhāg. 11.2.46)
3.8
One who has love for Kṛṣṇa, who makes friends with the devotees, who shows mercy to the neophytes and ignorant people, and who avoids the envious is a madhyamā-bhakta and is considered a pure devotee, a śuddha-bhakta. He is qualified to chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa.
(Harināma Cintāmaṇi, Chapter 8)
Symptoms of an Uttama-adhikāri
3.9
A person advanced in devotional service sees within everything the soul of souls, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Consequently he always sees Kṛṣṇa everywhere and in everything. He is an uttama-bhāgavata, one on the topmost platform of devotional service.
(Bhāg. 11.2.45)
3.10
The mahā-bhāgavata certainly sees everything mobile and immobile, but he does not exactly see their forms. Rather, everywhere he immediately sees manifest the form of the Supreme Lord.
(Cc. Madhya 8.274)
Further Symptoms of an Uttama-adhikāri
3.11
One who is so absorbed in love of God that he sees everything as the energy of Lord Kṛṣṇa (even while the senses perceive their objects), and who therefore feels neither attachment nor hatred towards the things of this world is indeed the greatest among devotees (bhāgavatottama).
(Bhāg. 11.2.48)
3.12
Within the material world, one's body, senses, mind, life airs, and intelligence are always disturbed by birth, death, hunger, fear, and thirst.
One who is not bewildered by these miseries of material existence, who always remembers the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is considered bhāgavata-pradhānaḥ, a topmost devotee of the Lord.
(Bhāg. 11.2.49)
3.13
One who has taken exclusive shelter of the Supreme Lord Vāsudeva, whose heart is freed from the seeds of lust and karma is considered a bhāgavatottama.
(Bhāg. 11.2.50)
3.14
One who is free from pride about his good birth, pious activities, exalted varṇāśrama position, and is free from bodily designations, and who serves the Lord with humility is known as a beloved devotee of the Lord.
(Bhāg. 11.2.51)
3.15
A mahā-bhāgavata is one who is free from the conception of "This is mine and this is for others".
He thinks, "Everything is for Kṛṣṇa". He sees all living being as equally related to Kṛṣṇa, and he is peaceful, being filled with Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
(Bhāg. 11.2.52)
3.16
The lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa, are sought by demigods such as Brahmā and Śiva, who have accepted Him as their life and soul.
A pure devotee can never forget Kṛṣṇa's lotus feet or give up their shelter for a moment, even in exchange for the three worlds. Such a devotee is known as a mahā-bhāgavata.
(Bhāg. 11.2.53)
3.17
How can the painful fever of material life befall those who hold the cooling lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa within their hearts?
By the power of Kṛṣṇa's lotus feet all the troubles in the heart of His pure devotee are banished forever, for His toenails are like gems whose rays soothe the heart of His devotee and relieve him from all trouble, just like the rays of the moon cool the earth from the heat of the summer sun.
(Bhāg. 11.2.54)
3.18
One who chants the holy name of the Supreme Lord, Hari, even unconsciously, is freed from all sins.
When Lord Hari grants liberation from sin to one who even unconsciously or negligently chants his holy name, the position of one who never abandons the shelter of His lotus feet must be considered highly exalted.
Such a devotee can never give up the association of the Lord, nor can the Lord give up his association. Kṛṣṇa Himself dwells eternally within his heart. Such a great soul is known as a mahā-bhāgavata.
(Bhāg. 11.2.55)
The Paramahaṁsa Vaiṣṇava
3.19
The paramahaṁsa is fixed in transcendental knowledge. He is free from attachment to all sense enjoyments and does not long for anything, including mokṣa.
Such a great soul has renounced not only the duties of varṇāśrama, but also its external marks including even the dress of a sannyāsī.
Such a great soul has given up all attachment to previous conceptions of religion and duty, beginning with dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa, and including varṇāśrama-dharma, for he has already surpassed all Vedic injunctions and prohibitions.
He is no longer ruled by the scriptures for he is spontaneously devoted to the Supreme Personality of Godhead on the highest platform of divine love.
(Bhāg. 11.18.28)
Description of the Three Kinds of Devotees
From Caitanya-Caritamṛta
3.20
A faithful devotee is a truly eligible candidate for the loving service of the Lord. According to one's faith, one is classified as a topmost devotee, an intermediate devotee, or an inferior devotee.
One who is expert in logic, argument, and the revealed scriptures and who has firm faith in Kṛṣṇa is classified as a topmost devotee. He can deliver the whole world.
One who is not very expert in argument, logic, and the scriptures, but who has firm faith, is considered a second-class devotee. He also must be considered most fortunate.
One whose faith is soft and pliable is called a neophyte, but by following the process gradually he will rise to the platform of a first-class devotee. (Cc. Madhya 22.64, 65, 67, 69)
Lord Caitanya Explains the Three Kinds of Devotees
An Ordinary Vaiṣṇava
3.21
The Lord said: Whoever chants the holy name of Kṛṣṇa just once may be considered a Vaiṣṇava. Such a person is worshipable, and is the topmost human being.
(Cc. Madhya 15.106)
A Superior Vaiṣṇava
3.22
A person who is always chanting the holy name of the Lord is a superior Vaiṣṇava, and your duty is to serve his lotus feet.
(Cc. Madhya 16.72)
The Topmost Vaiṣṇava
3.23
The topmost Vaiṣṇava is he whose very presence makes others chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. He is superior to all others!
(Cc. Madhya 16.74)
Who is a Vaiṣṇava
3.24
O wicked mind! What kind of Vaiṣṇava are you?
You go off to chant in a solitary place, but your chanting is only for name and fame (pratiṣṭhā). It is nothing but hypocrisy. Such mundane name and fame is hog's stool. It is an allurement of māyā.
Day and night you think of nothing but women and money. Why waste your time meditating on things that are temporary? You think money is the father of enjoyment, but money is not meant for your pleasure.
When you claim wealth as your own, it only creates within you a lust for enjoyment. Your money should serve Kṛṣṇa, who is Mādhava, the husband of the goddess of fortune and the enjoyer of all wealth.
Satisfying the desire of beautiful women is never your domain; it is the domain of their proprietor Yādava. He alone can fulfil the hankering of their heart.
Rāvaṇa fought Rāma in order to achieve the highest prestige (pratiṣṭhā), but that prestige was only an illusion.
His hope for prestige had grown as mighty as a great tree within the forest of desires within his heart, but the soul can find no cooling shade there, for the "forest" is really only a mirage in the desert of material illusion.
Don't be like Rāvaṇa, who wanted to enjoy the position of Rāma. Accept the position of the servant of Viṣṇu.
Take your stand upon the foundation of pure devotional service, giving up all your hopes for false prestige, and thus become a genuine Vaiṣṇava. If you don't worship the position of the Vaiṣṇava, you will be doomed.
Those who go to great trouble in hopes for prestige as great devotees, are envious of devotees and are rewarded for their trouble with a hellish life.
The genuine fame that follows a Vaiṣṇava is not the same as the temporary fame that follows pretenders. The fame that follows a Vaiṣṇava does not stink of māyā. It has no trace of the treachery of pretentious imposters.
The self-promotion and fame of a pseudo Vaiṣṇava is like a dog-eating whore: it is unchaste and unprincipled. Their solitary bhajan is counterfeit.
O mind, know that both the artificial fame and bogus bhajana of pseudo-devotees is a hellish phantasmagoria. They think: "I shall give up the kīrtana of the holy name and pray for fame and position." But what is the use of such "fame'"?
O mind, know for certain that Mādhavendra Purī never cheated himself in this way by robbing himself of his own internal treasure and proclaiming his greatness to the world.
O mind, your fame is hog stool. No one shall ever be the equal of Mādhavendra Purī, so why do you wish to compete with him for fame?
Under the control of envy, you have drowned yourself in the ocean of mundane rasa and material enjoyment. The only thing you have truly renounced is the sublime Kṛṣṇa kīrtana in the association of devotees.
O wicked mind! Your so-called solitary worship is preached and practiced by wicked imposters who impersonate devotees for nefarious purposes.
With great care you should consider what Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu taught Sanātana Gosvāmī:
Loudly chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa.
Never forget the two most valuable things he taught Sanātana:
phalgu and yukta, "real and false renunciation;" and
baddha and mukta, "freed and enslaved."
Never mistake one for the other, or think them to be the same.
Money, women, and fame are like tigers. A Vaiṣṇava gives them up and keeps them at a distance.
Such a devotee, who is without material attachments, is a śuddha-vaiṣṇava. Such a devotee has conquered over the material world and its illusions of enjoyment.
Accepting only what is needed in the service of the Lord, he remains free from the diseased mentality of material enjoyment and dedicates himself to the Lord's service.
Free from all false attachments he sees everything in relationship to Kṛṣṇa, understanding that everything is meant for the pleasure of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. He knows that to engage everything in the service of Kṛṣṇa is real renunciation.
Because he understands that the true position of renunciation is in dedicating everything to Kṛṣṇa, he is truly fortunate. Although he lives within the material world he dwells within the revelation of Kṛṣṇa's pastimes, and experiences the extension of the spiritual world within the material world.
On the other hand, one who chants the holy name of the Lord for name and fame is simply a hypocrite and a cheater. His renunciation is false.
O mind! give up the association of both those who want liberation and those who want material enjoyment. They are all non-devotees.
What is in connection with Kṛṣṇa is aprākṛta: non material and supra mundane.
The divine things in relation to Kṛṣṇa should never be seen as material. By virtue of its divine connection with Kṛṣṇa a thing becomes transcendental. It is therefore impossible for it to be anything less than divine.
The māyāvādīs can never think of Kṛṣṇa. Proud of their piety, they think themselves liberated and blaspheme the Vaiṣṇavas.
O mind, your only prayer is to be the servant of the devotees. Make this prayer your only contemplation. Why do you want to go off and leave the devotees?!
A phalgu-vairāgī does not understand that the true meaning of renunciation is devotion. In the dress of a devotee, such an impostor calls himself a tyāgī, a great renouncer, but he is only a great pretender.
He will never be a true Vaiṣṇava. Giving up the lotus feet of Śrī Hari, he leaves the Lord's service behind in order to perform his "worship" in a solitary place. Having left the service of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the association of devotees, what will he get by becoming famous as a humble man?
Those who, in a false spirit of renunciation, give up the service of Kṛṣṇa, the association of Vaiṣṇavas and the order of the guru to execute solitary bhajana may sit in their hut and chant, but the only fruit they get is false. What is the use of such foolishness?
O mind! Always engage yourself in the service of Śrī Rādhā, and keep aloof from the snake of material enjoyment. There is nothing glorious about performing kīrtana simply for name and fame.
You are the eternal servant of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. Why then do you renounce her for the cheating process of nirjana-bhajana? Why do you run after false renunciation and so give up the service of Śrī Rādhā?
The residents of Vṛndāvana are the real object of preaching. They do not aspire for false prestige, nor are they devoid of life, as are the false renunciates.
Those who have spiritual vitality can preach and instil spiritual life in their audience. Preaching is the symptom of vitality. One who preaches the message of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is devoid of hopes for prestige.
Śrī Dayita Dāsa, (Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta) the humble servant of Śrī Rādhā and her beloved Kṛṣṇa always hopes for kīrtana, and begs everyone to sing the holy name of the Lord aloud.
By the influence of such kīrtana, one may gradually come to the exalted stage of smaraṇam, wherein one constantly remembers the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa within one's mind. Nirjana-bhājana is conceivable only after attaining this advanced level of Kṛṣṇa-bhakti.
(Mahājana-racita Gīta, Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura.)
The 26 Qualities of a Vaiṣṇava
3.25
All these transcendental qualities are the characteristics of pure Vaiṣṇavas. They cannot be fully explained, but I shall try to point out some of the important qualities:
Devotees are always merciful, humble, truthful, equal to all, faultless, magnanimous, mild, and clean.
They are without material possessions, and they perform welfare work for everyone.
They are peaceful, surrendered to Kṛṣṇa, and desireless.
They are indifferent to material acquisitions and are fixed in devotional service.
They completely control the six bad qualities: lust, anger, greed, pride, illusion, and envy.
They eat only as much as required, and are sober.
They are respectful, grave, compassionate, and without false prestige.
They are friendly, poetic, expert, and silent, that is they do not speak whimsically.
(Cc. Madhya 22.77-80)
Vaiṣṇavas see With Equal Vision
3.26
The learned devotee sees with equal vision (by dint of true knowledge) the brāhmaṇa, the cow, the elephant, the dog, and the outcaste.
(Bhagavad-gītā 5.18)
3.27
Service to mahātmās opens the door to liberation.
The path to hell is wide open for those who associate with people fond of women and sex.
The great devotees are equipoised. They do not see any difference between one living being and another.
They are peaceful, and are fully engaged in devotional service.
They are devoid of anger and they work for the benefit of everyone.
They do not behave in any abominable way.
- Such persons are known as mahātmās.
(Bhāg. 5.5.2)
3.28
Those who are interested in reviving their Kṛṣṇa consciousness and increasing their love of Godhead do not like to do anything that is not related to Kṛṣṇa.
They are not interested in mingling with those who are busy maintaining their bodies by eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. They are not attached to their homes, although they may be householders. Nor are they attached to wives, children, friends, or wealth.
At the same time, they are not indifferent to the execution of their duties. Such persons are interested in collecting only enough money to keep their body and soul together These are the characteristics of a devotee.
(Bhāg. 5.5.3)
The Lord is Conquered by Devotion
3.29
I am completely under the control of My devotees. Indeed, I am not independent. I sit within the core of their heart. What to speak of My devotees even those who are devotees of my devotees are very dear to Me.
(Bhāg. 9.4.63)
3.30
My pure devotees are always in my heart, and I am always in their heart.
My devotees know nothing but Me, and I know nothing but them.
(Bhāg. 9.4.68)
A Vaiṣṇava is Supremely Merciful
3.31
Devotees are themselves the highest places of pilgrimage, capable of giving benediction to all, for they always carry the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa, within their heart.
Thus they purify the holy places of pilgrimage as well as those who visit such places.
(Bhāg. 1.13.10)
3.32
If simply by hearing Śrī Kṛṣṇa's holy name one becomes supremely purified, who can imagine the purifying power of those who are constantly engaged in service to His lotus feet? What is impossible for such persons?
(Bhāg. 9.5.16)
The Glories of the Vaiṣṇavas
3.33
One who perfectly follows his duty in varṇāśrama-dharma for 100 births can attain the position of Brahmā. One who is more qualified can attain the position of Śiva.
A Vaiṣṇava, however, is immediately promoted to the spiritual planets far beyond even my abode:
That transcendental position is so difficult to realize that I, Lord Śiva, and the other gods can attain those spiritual planets only after the ultimate annihilation of the material world.
(Bhāg. 4.24.29)
3.34
[Lord Caitanya said] Just see the influence of the servant of Kṛṣṇa. With such a mentality of service, cultivate a deep attachment to Kṛṣṇa.
If, however, you are devoid of a service attitude and do not wish to call yourself "Kṛṣṇa-dāsa," you will be most unfortunate: the Lord will never accept you as His servant.
Brahmā and Śiva, although they are the masters of the universe, take endless delight in the name "Kṛṣṇa-dāsa" and pray for the qualification to become servants of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
(Cb. Madhya 23.463-464, 472)
3.35
Let me take birth as a worm as Your servant. O Kṛṣṇa, I would forsake a birth as Brahmā, if that birth was devoid of Your service.
(Śaraṇāgati, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura)
The glories of the Servants of the Vaiṣṇavas
3.36
O Supreme Lord of all, slayer of the demons Madhu and Kaitabha!
Please be merciful to me and grant my prayer that You may remember me as a servant of Your servant's servant, a servant of such a servant of Your servant's servant, a servant of a servant of Your servant's servant, and a servant of Your servant's servant servant.
Note: Śrīla Prabhupāda sometimes alluded to this verse in his lectures by stressing that a vaiṣṇava aspires to become the servant of the servant of the servant of the Lord one thousand times removed.
Further Glories of Vaiṣṇavas
3.37
When one is face to face with the Sun, there is no longer darkness for one's eyes.
Similarly, when one is face to face with a sādhu who is fully determined and surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, one will no longer be subject to material bondage.
(Bhāg. 10.10.41)
3.38
Water alone does not make a sacred place holy.
Neither is it earth nor clay that composes the form of the Deity.
The waters of the Ganges, visits to holy places, and the worship of the Śālagrāma-śīla purify one only after a long time, but saints like you purify instantly by their very sight.
(Bhāg. 10.84.11)
Without Taking Shelter of a Vaiṣṇava, all Knowledge is Lost
3.39
O brother, please hear my words with rapt attention:
The lotus feet of the Vaiṣṇavas are the most valuable treasure in the world. Those Vaiṣṇavas continually take shelter of Lord Kṛṣṇa and worship Him. They never abandon their Lord, but they are liberated from the cycle of repeated birth and death.
The water which has washed the lotus feet of the Vaiṣṇavas bestows devotional service in pure love of Godhead. There is nothing as effective in attaining this divine love.
I place the dust from the lotus feet of the Vaiṣṇavas upon my head. I wear no other ornament.
The purifying power of the waters of the various places of pilgrimage is described in the Purāṇas, although this is something of a deceptive trick: Actually there is nothing which is as purifying as the water which has washed the lotus feet of the Vaiṣṇavas. This water fulfils all desires.
Moment after moment my mind finds constant pleasure in the association of the Vaiṣṇavas. I always seek the company of those devoted to Lord Kṛṣṇa.
The poor-hearted Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura cries,
"I cannot maintain my composure any longer. Why have I fallen into such a low condition of life that I cannot get the association of the Vaiṣṇavas?"
(Prārthanā Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura)
Only Vaiṣṇavas are Really Merciful to the Fallen
3.40
O Vaiṣṇava Gosvāmī, please be merciful to me. No one except you can purify the conditioned souls. Where does anyone go to find such a merciful personality by whose mere audience all sins go far away?
After bathing in the waters of the sacred Ganges many times one becomes purified, but just by the sight of you, fallen souls are purified. This is your great power.
The holy name delivers one who has committed an offense to Lord Hari, but if one commits an offense to you, there is no way of overcoming it.
Your heart is always the resting place of Lord Govinda, and Lord Govinda says the Vaiṣṇavas are always in My heart. I desire the dust of your holy feet in every birth I may take. Please consider Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura yours and be kind upon him.
(Prārthanā Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura)
The Glories of Exclusive Vaiṣṇavas
3.41
Out of many thousands of brāhmaṇas, one who performs sacrifice for Viṣṇu is best.
Out of thousands of such yajñika-brāhmaṇas, one who knows the meaning of Vedanta is best.
But of millions of such Vedāntists, a devotee of Viṣṇu is best.
And out of thousands of Viṣṇu bhaktas, one who is an unalloyed devotee of Viṣṇu is the best.
(Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 10.117 and Bhakti-sandarbha, 177)
3.42
Material piety and sin, which arise from the good and evil of this world, cannot exist within My unalloyed devotees, who, being freed from material hankering, maintain steady spiritual consciousness in all circumstances.
(Bhāg. 11.20.36)
Vaiṣṇavas are Very Rare
3.43
After many, many births and deaths, one who is in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me (Vāsudeva) as the cause of all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.
(Bhagavad-gītā 7.19)
3.44
Out of many thousands among men, one may desire perfection.
Out of thousands of those who attain perfection, hardly one may know me in truth.
(Bhagavad-gītā 7.3)
3.45
In this world, there are as many living entities as there are atoms. Among these living entities, few are human beings, and among them, few are interested in following religious principles.
Among those who follow religious principles, only a few desire liberation from the material world.
Among thousands of those who wish for liberation, one may actually achieve it, giving up material attachments to society, friendship, love, country, home, wife, and children.
And among many thousands of such liberated persons, one who can understand the true meaning of liberation is very rare. Out of millions of perfected and liberated souls, one may be a devotee of Kṛṣṇa. Such devotees, who are fully peaceful, are extremely rare.
(Bhāg. 6.14.3-5)
Out of Many Liberated Souls, a Pure Devotee is Very Rare
3.46
The unlimited living entities can be divided into 2 different groups those that can move and those that cannot move. Among living entities that can move are birds, aquatics, and animals.
Although the living entities known as human beings are very small in quantity, that division may be still further subdivided, for there are many uncultured human beings like mlecchas, pulindas, and other varieties of outcasts.
Among human beings, those who are followers of the Vedic principles are considered civilized.
Among these, almost half simply give lip-service to the Vedic principles while committing all kinds of sinful activities. Such men do not care for the prohibitions of scripture.
Among the followers of the Vedas most are following the process of karma, distinguishing between good and bad work. Out of many such sincere karmīs, there may be one jñāni, who is actually wise.
Out of many millions of such wise men, one may become liberated. And out of many of such liberated persons, a pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa is very difficult to find.
(Cc. Madhya 19.144-148)
3.47
O Vaiṣṇava! To see you is the perfection of the eyes. To touch your holy feet is the perfection of the body. To vibrate your holy qualities is the perfection of the tongue for it is very rare to find a pure devotee within this world.
(Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya 13.2)
A Vaiṣṇava is Beyond Mundane Knowledge
3.48
O great Supreme Lord, offensive persons whose internal vision has been too affected by external materialistic activities cannot see Your lotus feet, but Your devotees can always see Your lotus feet because their only aim is to enjoy Your līlā.
(Bhāg. 3.5.45)
3.49
When you see a Vaiṣṇava of the highest order who seems to be suffering from material misery, you should know for sure that he is really experiencing the highest ecstasy.
Bewildered by sense enjoyment and puffed up with pride in their knowledge, education, birth, wealth, beauty, and so on, ignorant people cannot understand the activities or position of a Vaiṣṇava.
A Vaiṣṇava, on the other hand never considers birth, education, and wealth to be important qualifications, but distributes the Lord's mercy to everyone, regardless of their social position.
(Cb. Madhya 9.240-241)
A Vaiṣṇava is Paraduḥkha-duḥkhī
3.50
O Nārada, great persons like you visit the homes of family men, not to profit from them but simply to bestow eternal auspiciousness upon them, even though they are often reluctant to hear anything for their spiritual benefit, being too materialistic.
Otherwise you have no need to travel from one place to the next.
(Bhāg. 10.8.4)
3.51
It is the general practice of saintly persons to deliver the fallen.
Therefore they go to people's houses, although they have no personal business there.
(Cc. Madhya 8.39)
3.52
My dear Lord, great philanthropic souls travel on the earth on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead to show compassion to the fallen souls who are averse to the sense of subordination to the Lord.
(Bhāg. 3.5.3)
3.53
The rewards the demigods give closely follow one's pious acts, just as the movements of a shadow correspond exactly to those of the body.
A devotee's mercy, however, is causeless and does not depend on the accumulation of piety. Saintly persons are kind and compassionate to fallen souls without considering their piety or impiety.
(Bhāg. 11.2.6)
A Vaiṣṇava is Transcendental
3.54
A Vaiṣṇava does not take birth under the jurisdiction of karmic law. His birth and disappearance are transcendental.
The wise have declared that the servants of Viṣṇu are eternally engaged in the liberated service of the Lord and hence are free from the laws of material nature.
(Hari-Bhakti-Vilāsa, 10,113, quoted from Padma Purāṇa)
3.55
The Padma Purāṇa says that Vaiṣṇavas do not undergo birth and death like ordinary people do. They appear and disappear within this world of their own accord.
In this way, sometimes we get their association and sometimes their association is withdrawn. The devotees are not subject to any worldly considerations of duty and karma.
(Cb. Antya 8.173,174)
3.56
The purifying power of fire, the sun, and the holy brāhmaṇas is eclipsed by the divine power of the Vaiṣṇavas. The activities of the Vaiṣṇavas are neither karmic nor performed for the sake of materialistic enjoyment.
(Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa, Kṛṣṇa-janma-khaṇḍa, Chapter 59)
A Vaiṣṇava's Birth, Family, and Nation are of no Importance
3. 57
If a brāhmaṇa has all 12 brāhmanic qualifications, but is not a devotee and is averse to the lotus feet of the Lord, he is certainly lower than a dog-eater who is a devotee, but who has dedicated everything mind, words, activities, life, and wealth to the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Such a devotee is superior to a brāhmaṇa because a devotee can purify his entire family, whereas the brāhmaṇa who is not a devotee is bound to be illusioned by the false prestige of his position and thus cannot purify even himself.
(Bhāg. 7.9.10)
3.58
O Lord, how glorious are they whose tongues always chant Your holy name! Even if born in a family of dog-eaters, such persons are worshipable.
Those who chant the holy name of Your Lordship must have performed all kinds of austerities and sacrifices. They must have all the good qualities of the Āryans.
They must have bathed in all the holy places, studied the Vedas, and fulfilled everything required of those who are qualified to chant the Vedas and perform yajña.
(Bhāg. 3.33.7)
3. 59
A brāhmaṇa who is expert in studying all four Vedas is not dear to Me, but a devotee who comes from a family of outcastes (chaṇḍālas) is dear to Me. Whatever he touches becomes pure. That devotee, although born in a family of outcastes is as worshipable as I am.
(Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 10.91)
3.60
Birth in a low family is no disqualification for the execution of devotional service.
And birth in a family of brāhmaṇas is no qualification.
Anyone who takes to devotional service is exalted, whereas a non-devotee is always condemned and abominable. In the discharge of devotional service to the Lord, there is no consideration of the status of one's family.
(Cc. Antya 4.66,67)
A Devotee is Dearer Than one's own Family
3.61
I reverently bow down to the blessed feet of the first ācārya of our devotional family. His holy feet are bedecked with offering of bakula flowers. He is eternally united to us and all members of our family with a bond of love dearer than father, mother, sons, wealth, or anything else in life.
(Stotra-Ratnam 5)
The 12 Mahājanas
3.62
Brahmā, Nārada, Śiva, the four Kumāras, Kapiladeva, Svāyambhūva Manu, Prahlāda, Janaka Mahārāja, Grandfather Bhīṣma, Bali Mahārāja, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, and I (Yamarāja) know the real transcendental principles of religion.
(Bhāg. 6.3.20)
Important Devotees
3.63
Mārkaṇḍeya Eṣī, Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, Vasudeva, Śrīla Vyāsadeva, Vibhīṣaṇa, Puṇḍarīka, Bali Mahārāja, Śiva, Prahlāda Mahārāja, Vidura, Dhruva Mahārāja, Dālbhya, Parāśara, Bhīṣma, Nārada, and the great sages and devotees who follow in their footsteps are all great persons.
One should worship and serve them in addition to worshiping and serving Lord Hari. One who neglects to worship the Lord's devotees commits a great offense.
(Laghu Bhāgavatāmṛta, Uttara-khaṇḍa, 2)
Prahlāda is the Best of the Devotees
3.64
O my Lord, because I was born in a family full of the hellish material qualities of passion and ignorance, what is my position?
And what is to be said of Your causeless mercy, which You never offered even to Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva, or the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī? You never put Your lotus hands upon their heads, but You have put it on mine.
(Bhāg. 7.9.26)
Better than Prahlāda are the Pāṇḍavas
3.65
The Supreme Personality of Godhead did not personally remain in Prahlāda's home, although He stayed in the home of the Pāṇḍavas. Great sages did not travel to Prahlāda's home to see the Supreme Lord, but for this purpose they did visit the home of the Pāṇḍavas.
The Supreme Lord did not become the intimate relative of Prahlāda Mahārāja, He was the maternal cousin of the Pāṇḍavas. He also did not personally express great pleasure at the daily activities of Prahlāda as He did with the Pāṇḍavas.
For all these reasons, Nārada Muni has said that the Pāṇḍavas were more fortunate than either himself or Prahlāda.
(Laghu-Bhāgavatāmṛta, Uttara-khaṇḍa 19)
The Yādavas are Superior to the Pāṇḍavas
3.66
Because of their constant intimate association with Lord Kṛṣṇa and close family ties with Him, some members of the Yadu dynasty are more exalted than the Pāṇḍavas.
(Laghu-Bhāgavatāmṛta, Uttara-khaṇḍa 18)
Uddhava is Superior to the Yādavas
3.67
O Uddhava, Brahmā, Śiva, Saṅkarśaṇa, Lakṣmī-devī, and even My own self is not as dear to Me as you are.
(Bhāg. 11.14.15)
3.68
Uddhava is not inferior to Me in any way. He is never affected by the modes of material nature. As such he may remain in this world to disseminate specific knowledge about the Personality of Godhead.
(Bhāg. 3.4.31)
The Gopīs are Superior to Uddhava
3.69
O when will that day be mine, when I can take the dust of the lotus feet of those great souls known as the gopīs on my head? When will the day come when I shall take birth as a creeper in Vṛndāvana, so that I can take the dust of the lotus feet of the gopīs on my head?
Those great souls gave up society, friendship, love, their very relatives even the Vedic principles to surrender to Kṛṣṇa, who is known as Mukuṇḍa. Such devotion as exhibited by these exalted inhabitants of Vṛndāvana is only hinted at in the Vedas.
(Bhāg. 10.47.61)
The Gopīs are Superior to the Lakṣmīs in Vaikuṇṭha
3.70
Not even Brahmā, Śiva, Lakṣmī-devī, or even My own self is as dear to Me as are the gopīs of Vṛndāvana.
(Ādi-Purāṇa)
Rādhārāṇī is the Best of all Devotees
3.71
Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is dear to Kṛṣṇa, and her kuṇḍa, known as Rādhā-kuṇḍa is similarly dear to Him. It is the favourite place of Kṛṣṇa. Of all the gopīs, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is the dearest to Kṛṣṇa.
(Laghu-bhāgavatāmṛta, 45)
3.72
In the scriptures it is said that of all types of fruitive workers, one who is advanced in knowledge of the higher values of life is favoured by the Supreme Lord Hari.
Out of many such people who are advanced in knowledge, jñānīs may take to devotional service. He is superior to the others.
However, one who has actually attained prema, pure love of Kṛṣṇa, is superior to him. The gopīs are exalted above all the advanced devotees because they are totally dependent on Kṛṣṇa, the transcendental cowherd boy.
Among the gopīs, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is the most dear to Kṛṣṇa. Her kuṇḍa, or lake, is as profoundly dear to Kṛṣṇa as is this most beloved of the gopīs.
Who then, will not reside at Rādhā-kuṇḍa, and, in a spiritual body surcharged with ecstatic devotional feelings, (aprākṛta-bhāva) render loving service to the divine couple, Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Govinda, who perform their aṣṭa-kāliya-līlā.
Indeed, those who execute devotional service on the banks of the Rādhā-kuṇḍa are the most fortunate souls in the universe.
(Upadeśāmṛta 10, Rūpa Gosvāmī)
The Glories of Gaurāṅga's Devotees
3.73
Those who perform the duties of varṇāśrama-dharma, worship Lord Viṣṇu, and visit many holy places, yet neglect the service of the lotus feet of the great devotees, who are dear to Lord Caitanya, are never able to understand the pastimes of Rādhā-Govinda in Their confidential abode of Vṛndāvana.
(C. Candrāmṛta 22)
3.74
For devotees of Caitanya Mahāprabhu who have attained His glance of mercy, impersonal liberation is hellish, the heavenly planets are a phantasmagoria, the poisonous fangs of the snake-like senses are broken and harmless, the universe is filled with ecstasy, and Brahmā, Indra and all the gods seem like insignificant insects.
May that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu be glorified!
(C. Candrāmṛta 5)
3.75
One who is extremely fortunate may get the mercy of Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
As much as one can devote his full attention to the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya, to that extent he will be able to taste the nectarean service of the lotus feet of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī in Vṛndāvana.
The more one engages in the service of Śrī Caitanya, the more one finds oneself in Vṛndāvana, tasting the nectar of the service of Śrī Rādhā.
(C. Candrāmṛta 88)
3.76
Anyone who has accepted the lotus feet of Śrī Gaurāṅga can understand the true essence of devotional service.
If one wants to take part in the mādhurya-līlā of Śrī Kṛṣṇa as it was distributed by Śrī Gaurāṅga, he must first cleanse his heart by hearing about the process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
If one takes the name of Gaurāṅga, prema will arise within his heart. At that time he will say jai balihari: "This is super-excellent!"
If one appreciates the merciful pastimes of Śrī Gaurāṅga and feels ecstasy and sometimes cries, this process will soon help him to understand the nitya-līlā of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
By realizing the qualities of Lord Gaurāṅga, one will be allowed entrance into the nitya-līlā.
One should understand that the eternal associates of Lord Gaurāṅga are all eternally perfect souls. Simply by accepting this, one can immediately be promoted to the transcendental abode of Kṛṣṇa.
Living in Vṛndāvana and living in Navadvīpa are the same. And one who understands that the land of Navadvīpa is non-different from Vṛndāvana actually lives in Kṛṣṇa's abode of Vṛndāvana.
Gaura-prema, transcendental love of Lord Gaurāṅga is an ocean of nectarean rasa. As the ocean is always dancing with waves, the ocean of transcendental love of Kṛṣṇa as introduced by Lord Caitanya has constant waves.
One has to dive deep into that ocean. If one says, "Let me dive deep into that nectarean ocean", he soon becomes a confidential devotee of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa.
Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says,
"I pray for the association of whoever calls out the name of Śrī Gaurāṅga, whether he is living in the forest as a member of the renounced order of life, or whether he is a family man.”
(Prārthanā Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura)
The Unfortunate Position of Non-devotees
3.77
For one who is devoid of transcendental devotion to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, his knowledge of scripture, his japa and chanting of mantras, as well as all his austerities are simply decorations on a dead body.
For one who takes to pure devotional service, all the reactions of his past sinful life are burned to ashes.
In this regard, the outcaste is equal to the highly learned, who also takes to this path; but those who refuse to surrender, the atheists and agnostics, will remain ignorant of the real conclusions of the Vedas, and get no credit for all their study.
(Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya 3.11.12)
Pure Devotion to Gaurāṅga is Best of all
3.78
Woe to the smārta brāhmaṇas, who blindly follow the Vedic rituals!
To hell with those who unnecessarily practice harsh penance's.
Woe to those who try to control the mind and senses by following the eightfold yoga system.
Woe to those who artificially practice brahmacārya and imagine that they have become liberated simply by saying ahaṁ brahmāsmī, "I am God".
Woe to those whose voices are filled with the flowery words of dry speculation. They are intoxicated by the taste of mundane pleasure.
Why should we lament for these animals in the guise of men? We lament because, alas they have not tasted even a tiny drop of the nectar from the lotus feet of Lord Gaurāṅga.
(C. Candrāmṛta 32)
Without Devotion to Gaurāṅga, One's Knowledge of Scripture is Foolish Nonsense
3.79
Great scholars of the scriptures who do not accept Lord Gaurāṅga, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, are forced to wander aimlessly throughout this universe of dead matter.
Their so-called knowledge of the scriptures will be useless to them. Birth after birth, they will wander from one planet to the next propelled by their pious and impious acts.
(C. Candrāmṛta 37)
Without the Mercy of Gaurāṅga's Devotee Everything is Impossible
3.80
As long as one has not seen a pure devotee of Śrī, Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu, he will be engaged in tasting bitter talks about the impersonal path of liberation.
As long as one has not seen a devotee of Lord Gaurāṅga, he will be bound by social and Vedic convention, blindly following formalities and traditions without understanding their purpose.
As long as one never sees one of the bee-like devotees addicted to drinking the nectar from the lotus feet of Śrī Gaurāṅga, he will be forced to walk in endless circles on the labyrinthine paths of dry Vedic scholarship, wasting valuable time in useless discussions on futile religious practices.
(C. Candrāmṛta 19)
Thus ends the Third Jewel of the Gauḍīya Kaṇṭhahāra entitled Vaiṣṇava-tattva.