Why one should offer obeisances to a devotee

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VAISNAVO VAISNAVAM DRSTVA DANDAVAT PRANAMED BHUVIH

UBHAYOR ANTARA VISNUH SANKHA CAKRA GADADHARAH

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/320 from TEJODRAVINA PANCARATRA)

 

As soon as one sees a Vaisnava, he should fall on the ground and pay

obeisances unto him. This is the duty of a Vaisnava because the Supreme

Personality of Godhead, Lord Hari, Who is residing in the heart, holding

conchshell, disk, club, and lotus flower in His hands, situates Himself

between these two devotees. Therefore they should offer obeisances to each

other.

 

VAISNAVAN CA AGATAM VIKSA ABHIGAMYA ALINGYA VAISNAVAM

VAIDESIKAM PRINAYEYUR DARSAYANTAH SVA VAISNAVAN

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/321,323 from BRHAN NARADIYA PURANA)

 

If anyone individually pays obeisances to each and every person in a

conference, sacrificial arena, in the temple, then whatever merits he had

previous acquired are all destroyed at once. (Therefore, one's obeisances to

all together is sufficient). If a devotee returns from a foreign country, one

should embrace him in a pleasing mood and introduce each and everyone of his

own companions to him.

 

ATHAVA'BHYAGATAM DURAT YO NA ARCAYATI VAISNAVAM

SVA SAKTYA NRPA SARDULA NA ANYAH PAPA RATAS TATAH

 

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/328 from SKANDA PURANA conversation between Markandeya

Rsi and King Bhagiratha)

 

Oh best of the kings, if someone sees an unknown Vaisnava come toward him

from a distance, if he does not, according to his capacity, worship or respect

him, then there is no worst sinner than him in this world.