How to recognize a genuine Vaisnava

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Once someone asked Srila Gaura-kisora Prabhu, "The actual character of topmost

Vaisnavas does not always seem to correspond to the descriptions of their

character which are revealed in the scriptures such as Srimad Bhagavatam. Such

Vaisnavas sometimes even appear to exhibit mundane characteristics. Please be

merciful and instruct us in this matter so that we can easily recognize a

genuine Vaisnava."

 

Srila Babaji Maharaj responded, "Out of his own free will and the inspiration

of Krsna, a great Vaisnava, being saddened by the misery of the fallen and

conditioned sould, advents himself in a certain family, in a certain place and

at a certain time. When such an exalted Vaisnava attracts people by his

ecstatic love and devotion and teaches them devotion to Lord Krsna, the Lord

considers with some trepidation, 'It will be difficult for Me to repay the debt

to those who have surrendered hemselves to such Vaisnavas, who are as dear to

Me as My life. I will become the servant of those who are affectionate to My

pure devotee, and thus I will easily come under their control.' With this fear

Sri Krsna occasionally conceals the spiritual qualities of great sould from the

eyes of the public. By the power of Krsna's maya-sakti, the characteristics of

the gennuine Vaisnavas are concealed from those who have interests contrary to

devotional service. Thus genuine Vaisnavas appear to the materialistic to have

materialistic characters. In this mood Krsna examines the living entity to see

how much he is actually attracted to the Absolute Truth, and if he is, He

reveals the spiritual characteristics of the great souls. Hence, without the

exercise of the independent will of a Vaisnava, no one can know him even after

seeing in him all of the characteristics described by the scriptures. It is

often observed that the Vaisnavas praise the materialists and thereafter keep

their distance from them. sometimes, out of fear of the crowd, such Vaisnavas

conceal their natural spiritual symptoms.

 

Sometimes they make a pretense of converting materialistic persons into their

disciples. They seem to want to be served by them and always take their advice.

Thus, they keep their true nature obscured...When the Vaisnavas graciously

reveal themselves, faithful persons who become attracted by the mercy of those

Vaisnavas and completely surrender to them, can know the true identity of such

Vaisnavas.

 

Those who are very fortunate are not deprived of their service or their mercy.

Otherwise, the Vaisnavas devise various deceptive means to hide themselves. To

know a Vaisnava one hs to pray sincerely at the lotus feet of Gaura-Nityananda,

and by Their mercy, WHEN ONE'S HEART BECOMES DEVOID OF PRIDE AND FILLED WITH

HUMILITY, Nitai-Gaura then reveal the true identity of a Vaisnava in one's

heart. Nitai-Gaura are revealed through the Vaisnava, and the Vaisnava is

revealed by Gaura-Nitai."