A story by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura

[Guest guest]

> On 11 Feb 2001, Balaji Prasad wrote:

>

> > Any terminology such as `Hindu-Vaisnava' or

> > `Yavana-Vaisnava' is utterly absurd and also offensive.

>

> The difficulty with this definition is that it does not take in account

> the complexity of the language terminology which helps to identify more

> precisely the information. For example, when talking about a Vaishnava,

> you like to know if he is a woman or a man? Saying "he is a Vaishnava in a

> black body" is practically the same as saying "a black Vaishnava". You can

> go further and add: "It is nonsense to present a Vaishnava as born in the

> USA. It is wrong to say that he is American or Indian." If I ask you where

> are you from, then you will say: "I am from Vaikunta" or declare that your

> "passport indicates that you took birth in India". Etc,.

>

> Others have maybe resolved this difficulty. If so, I have never heard

> about it. They may like to share they experience with us here.

> Akhilesvara dasa

 

Srila Prabhupada sometimes used a brahmana-vaisnava terminology

 

"A Vaisnava is a learned brahmana and is therefore designated as

brahmana-vaisnava" (SB 4.21.37, Purport)

 

"After prolonged life there, one is sent back again to this planet, to take

birth in the family of a righteous brahmana vaisnava or of aristocratic

merchants." (Bg 6.41, Purport)

 

"The other sections are supposed to follow the direction of the brahmana

Vaisnava (one who is a brahmana by qualification and a Vaisnava by action)."

(SB 3.6.33, Purport)

 

"There are two types of brahmanas; namely, brahmana-pandita and

brahmana-vaisnava. A qualified brahmana is naturally very learned, but when

his learning is advanced in understanding the Supreme Personality of

Godhead, he becomes a brahmana-vaisnava." (SB 4.14.41, Purport)

 

"And Kalidasa, one of the relative, uncle, of Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, he

was also very great Vaisnava, maha-bhagavata. His business was to eat the

remnants of foodstuff left by Vaisnava. He did not care whether he’s a

brahmana-vaisnava or sudra-vaisnava. Vaisnava is not sudra. But a Vaisnava

coming from sudra family, sometimes they are called sudra-vaisnava."

(Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.39 -- Mayapura, October 19, 1974)

 

Y.s.

Svarupa das