Vaishnava-aparadha?

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>From Bhakti Caru Swami's work on Vaishnava etiquette:

 

 

Vaisnava Aparadhas

 

"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 Shivananda 6/15/69)

 

 

The Greatness of A Vaisnava

Quotes from Hari Bhakti Vilas

 

 

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 Vaisnava 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's 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 Vaisnavas 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 Vaisnava

 

SP letter to Gopal Krishna (4/21/70)

"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."

 

Quotes from Hari Bhakti Vilas

 

1. When one blasphemes a Vaisnava he loses his religiosity, wealth,

fame and children. (10.310)

 

2. If one beats a Vaisnava, blasphemes a Vaisnava, shows disrespect to

a Vaisnava, gets angry upon a Vaisnava or does not express joy in

seeing a Vaisnava, he goes to hell. (10.310)

 

 

Four Kinds of Blasphemy to a Vaisnava

 

1. To find fault with a Vaisnava 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 Harinam Cintamani)

 

 

What to Do If One Commits Vaisnava Aparadha

 

If by chance one commits Vaisnava aparadha then he must beg forgiveness

from the Vaisnava very earnestly holding his feet. A Vaisnava is very

merciful so he will immediately embrace him and forgive him for all his

offenses. (from Harinama Cintamani)

 

 

Offering Praise to a Vaisnava

 

SP letter to Tamal Krsna (8/19/68)

"This is actually a devotee's business that everyone should appreciate

the value of other devotees. Nobody should criticize anyone."

 

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 Vaisnava 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

Vaisnava like you." (HBV 10.337-338)