rules

[Guest guest]

> What is the sastric injuntion that those who do not follow the rules and

> regulations of the sruti and smriti are not devotees? Or is it that those

> who do follow the rules are devotees?

 

Based on Rupa Goswami's use of the word niyamagraha in Upadesamrta 2, it

seems that we could not conclude that one is a devotee or not a devotee

simply by following or not following the rules and regulations of sruti and

smrti.

 

I would put forward that the definition of a devotee is one who is devoted

to Lord Vishnu/Krishna. For that the only rules that we know of is:

 

smartavyaù satataà viñëur

vismartavyo na jätucit

sarve vidhi-niñedhäù syur

etayor eva kiìkaräù

SYNONYMS

smartavyaù—to be remembered; satatam—always; viñëuù—Lord Viñëu;

vismartavyaù—to be forgotten; na—not; jätucit—at any time; sarve—all;

vidhi-niñedhäù—rules and prohibitions mentioned in the revealed scripture or

given by the spiritual master; syuù—should be; etayoù—of these two

principles (always to remember Kåñëa or Viñëu and never to forget Him);

eva—certainly; kiìkaräù—the servants.

TRANSLATION

“‘Kåñëa is the origin of Lord Viñëu. He should always be remembered and

never forgotten at any time. All the rules and prohibitions mentioned in the

çästras should be the servants of these two principles.’