Response to Jayadvaita Maharaj's recommended article

[Guest guest]

Bhakti Visrambha Madhava Swami wrote:

 

>"flame mail" like yours and your better halfs should be a bit more

>sensitive.

 

Since an act of mine is what started this discussion, and since I'm a

receiver to the texts, I think it proper for me to join Maharaja in

his suggestion.

 

Sri Caitanya Maharaja told Jagadananda Pandita:

 

maryada-langhana ami na paron sahite

 

"I cannot tolerate transgressions of the standard etiquette." (Cc.

Antya 4.166)

 

According to standard etiquette, seniors should always be accorded

respect--if for no other reason than their being seniors. And this is

also an item of austerity in the mode of goodness:

 

deva-dvija-guru-prajna-

pujanam saucam arjavam

brahmacaryam ahimsa ca

sariram tapa ucyate

 

"Austerity of the body consists in worship of the Supreme Lord, the

brahmanas, the spiritual master, and superiors like the father and

mother, and in cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy and nonviolence."

(Bg. 17.14)

 

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu set the example by offering full respect to

Ramanacandra Puri--despite his bad character--because of Ramacandra

Puri's formally superior position:

 

prabhu guru-buddhye karena sambhrama, sammana

tenho chidra cahi' bule, -- ei tara kama

 

yata ninda kare taha prabhu saba jane

tathapi adara kare bada-i sambhrame

 

"When they met, the Lord would offer him respectful obeisances,

considering him a Godbrother of His spiritual master. Ramacandra

Puri's business, however, was to search for faults in the Lord.

 

"Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu knew that Ramacandra Puri was criticizing Him

before everyone, but whenever Ramacandra Puri came to see Him, the

Lord offered him respects with great attention."

 

(Cc. Antya 8.46-47)

 

I am not comparing Gaura Kesava Prabhu, or anyone else, to Ramacandra

Puri. My point is that *even* with such a person as Ramacandra Puri,

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu set the example of offering respect.

 

Both Jahnu and Braja Sevaki and the other parties to this discussion

all have worthwhile points to make. But I haven't seen any points that

justify transgressing the good behavior of Vaisnava etiquette.

 

Please, let us try to stick to high standards of mutual respect

(amanina manadena). That will help us in our most important

engagement: kirtaniyah sada harih.

 

Thank you.