Vaishnava aparada

[Guest guest]

Vaishnava aparada.

Thoughts to ponder:

How to get rid of existing Vaishnava aparada?

How to protect oneself from future Vaishnava aparada?

Is it aparada if you don't know that it is an aparada?

Would like you to answer these things first please

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Hi (I shall go nameless)

 

I want to start a discussion on Vaishnava aparada. what do devotees here think of vaishnava aparada . Sorry i am posting this everywhere, i am getting restless.

 

[Guest guest]

Here's your first clue: the correct spelling is "apaRADHA", because it distances us from Radha. Without Her there's no connection to Krsna, Goloka Vrndavan, or even the possibility of any genuinely devotional service for anyone.

 

All of us still in material body consciousness to any extent remain in this state of separation from Sri Radha. Question is, do we attempt to take shelter of the material/external energy as we have habitually grown accustomed to since time immemorial, or do we cling somehow or other to the spiritual/internal energy?

 

Personally and impersonally, each and every Gaudiya Vaisnava must establish their own relationship with Srimati Radharani for She is commander-in-chief/controller of devotional service, the very source of devotion itself and Krsna belongs exclusively to Her. In fact Radhika is His heart-and-soul, the compassionate side of Him.

 

All aparadha is ultimately obliterated solely due to Her personifying the most merciful unconditional loving nature, reflected in the pure devotees and fully manifested exclusively as Lord Sri Krsna-Caitanya Mahaprabhu. She is the basis of His sankirtan movement, the means and end of Bhakti.

 

Constant heartfelt chanting of the Holy Names, while admitting our absolutely fallen position in every respect and the completely helpless situation we find ourselves in without the personal intervention of His Divine Grace on our behalf, remains the most effective remedy recommended by every acharya and guru.

 

Of course, Lord Jesus Christ advised us also to love one another in the same way he has us, in other words to see ourselves as servant of all. There is however a major difference between charity and pure devotion. Humility and service along with our sincere chanting are needed for the Names to fructify fully and transform our hearts. For all this we remain dependent on His Divine Grace.

 

Association of committed vaisnavas continues to provide the most auspicious atmosphere and support, but our individual heartfelt surrender is always required, at all times. Eventually it will become absolute and spontaneous. Desiring to maintain a proper attitude towards ALL the devotees, as well as God and guru, is highly important. Hope this helps a little. Haribol!

[gHari]

From a new (1998) compilation book called VaiSNava Etiquette:<blockquote><h3>VaiSNava AparAdhas</h3><blockquote><blockquote><font color="blue">"In KRSNa consciousness every man is so important because all of the activities of a devotee of Lord KRSNa are beneficial to all living entities."</font> -- SP letter to SivAnanda (June 15, 1969)</blockquote></blockquote>

The Greatness of A VaiSNava

 

Quotes from Hari-bhakti-vilAsa:<blockquote>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 is 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 is 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)</blockquote>

Blasphemy of a VaiSNava

 

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. -- SP letter to GopAla KRSNa (April 21, 1970)

 

Quotes from Hari-bhakti-vilAsa:<blockquote>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)</blockquote>Four Kinds of Blasphemy to a VaiSNava:<blockquote> /images/graemlins/frown.gif To find fault with a VaiSNava for his apparent low birth.

/images/graemlins/frown.gif To blaspheme him for his previous faults.

/images/graemlins/frown.gif To blaspheme him for his accidental fault.

/images/graemlins/frown.gif To blaspheme him for the faults that are almost rectified. (from HarinAma CintAmaNi)</blockquote>

What to Do If One Commits VaiSNava AparAdha

 

If by chance one commits VaiSNava aparAdha then he must seek 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

 

This is actually a devotee's business that everyone should appreciate the value of other devotees. Nobody should criticize anyone. -- SP letter to TamAla KRSNa (August 19, 1968)

 

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." -- Hari-bhakti-vilAsa (10.337-338)

 

 

<H3>Correcting Others</h3><blockquote><blockquote><font color="blue">Devotee means he is able to tolerate all kinds of discomfort and whims of the material nature, and because he is too much absorbed in serving KRSNa he takes no time to become angry or take offense with others or find out some fault. No. Devotee means very liberal and kind to everyone, always gentleman under all kinds of conditions of life.</font> -- SP letter to HaMsadUta (December 10, 1972)</blockquote></blockquote>1. There is a difference between criticism and correction. A devotee realizes that criticizing a VaiSNava pollutes the heart and impedes spiritual advancement.

 

2. To correct a devotee one must be: --<blockquote>(a) non-envious

(b) desirous to practically assist the devotee in his KRSNa consciousness.

© in a position spiritually or managerially which justifies and/or necessitates such intervention.</blockquote>OR be personally requested by the devotee to help him in his difficulty.

 

3. The devotee offering correction must be practicing what he preaches.

 

4. Methods of Correction:<blockquote>(a) Correct by personal example and association.

(b) Guide the devotee to the shelter of a more advanced devotee.

© A junior devotee should not personally attempt to correct another devotee. He should reveal his heart to a senior devotee whom he feels at ease with and seek his assistance/advice to adjust the situation.</blockquote>5. Harsh words and actions have no place in correcting a sincere devotee. We want to destroy the ignorance in the heart of a devotee--not the devotee himself.

 

6. If there is some sincere and honest criticism offered, we should be grateful, not upset. To react negatively to well intentioned correction is to manifest false ego.

 

7. An advanced VaiSNava will see each and every correction offered as the mercy of Lord Caitanya MahAprabhu.

 

8. Prevention is better than cure. If all devotees take up the responsibility to develop proper awareness in their devotional behavior the need for correction will be minimized.

 

 

Quotes from SrIla PrabhupAda

 

Devotee means he is able to tolerate all kinds of discomfort and whims of the material nature, and because he is too much absorbed in serving KRSNa he takes no time to become angry or take offense with others or find out some fault. No. Devotee means very liberal and kind to everyone, always gentleman under all kinds of conditions of life. -- SP letter to HaMsadUta (December 10, 1972)

 

A devotee--one who is humble--doesn't fault-find. So in your letter you are not finding fault with anyone. So you are good VaiSNava. You do not find fault with anyone. This is the qualification. We should always think ourselves humble and meek. This you must know. So we all have to cooperate amongst ourselves, otherwise what will people think if we ourselves fight with one another? A devotee is always ideal in behavior." -- SP letter to Patita UddhAraNa (December 12, 1974)

 

This is called Vaikuntha attitude. In the Vaikuntha factually there is no fault in anyone, but there is another type of competition. The competition is that one devotee thinks of other devotees how nicely they are serving the Lord. In the material world the attitude is that everyone likes to think that I am doing better than others. This is material conception. In the Spiritual Sky it is just the opposite: Everyone thinks that my contemporary devotees are doing better than me. We are trained to address Godbrothers as Prabhu, which means Master. This means we shall try to find out always the serving side of our Godbrothers. Sometimes there are misgivings, but we should try to overlook. -- SP letter to BrahmAnanda (November 15, 1969)

 

Otherwise

 

I have received one complaint from an Indian devotee at Mayapur, Prabharupa Das Brahmacary, that he is maltreated by our American devotees. Kindly inquire into this matter and do the needful. Either Indian or foreign, whoever joins us they are not under any obligation, our only tie is Love of Godhead. It should be our definite policy that nobody is ill treated that he may go away. We recruit a person to join us after spending gallons of blood. Everyone comes for reformation, you cannot expect everyone to be perfect, rather it is our duty to make everyone perfect as far as possible. So we shall be very much cautious and careful in this connection. -- SP letter to TamAla KRSNa (August 23, 1973)

 

Devotee misbehavior

 

Kindly observe the regulative principles, chanting 16 rounds regularly and see that all your other assistants are doing the same. If someone is lacking, try to induce him peacefully. -- SP letter to Upendra (August 18, 1970)

 

Regarding some misbehavior, that we have to check by training peacefully. Your attitude of tolerance and kindness is very nice, so train them in this way. -- SP letter to BhavAnanda (October 28, 1970)

 

Yes, a new man may commit blunders in the beginning, but that does not mean we may be too impatient with him. After all, training means the man does not know, so you should train him nicely. A Vaishnava is expected to be humbler than the blade of grass, so when you train some new man you should not get agitated with him. After all, we are preachers, and we do not expect our audience or candidates completely respondent to our call. If everyone is trained [already] then what is the use of our preaching? -- SP letter to Upendra (March 11, 1969)

 

Mend it; Don't Break it

 

Try to settle up amicably and correct yourself. One man is trained up with great difficulty, especially in spiritual life. Everyone has got some weakness and deficiency. It is better to correct or mend it than to break it." -- SP letter to HaMsadUta (September 29, 1974)

 

Let The Authority Handle It

 

I beg to thank you very much for your letter pointing out some of the discrepancies of many of the devotees in New York. You are correct regarding the items which you have stated, such as sleeping in front of the deities, taking of unoffered foodstuffs, drinking water from the bathroom, and non-chanting of rounds. But the thing is discipline can not be observed unless there is obedience. As you are obedient to me, you should be similarly obedient to my representative. Your statement about Brahmananda that he is a wonderful devotee is 100 percent agreed by me. He is in charge of the New York center, and therefore, if proper obedience is not given to him, it will be impossible for him to manage affairs of the temple. Under the circumstances, the discrepancies you have observed in the temple may be referred to him, and he is quite reasonable, and will handle the matter with the respective devotees. -- SP letter to Nara-NArAyaNa (February 7, 1969)

 

Regarding general state of affairs at Amsterdam temple, I can understand there is some disturbance among you, but that is not to be taken very seriously. Real business is preaching work. And if there is full attention on this matter only, all other businesses will be automatically successful. Fighting amongst ourselves is not at all good, but if our preaching work is neglected, or if we fall down in following the regulative principles--such as rising before four, chanting 16 rounds, like that--if these things are not strictly observed, then Maya will enter and spoil everything. So my best advice to you is to strictly observe these things yourself and be the example so that all others may follow. We should not criticize each other as VaiSNavas, because there is fault in everyone and we may be ourselves subject to criticism. Best thing is to be above suspicion ourselves, then if we see discrepancies and make suggestions, the others will automatically respect and take action to rectify the matters. That is cooperation. And we must exist on such cooperation, otherwise the whole thing is doomed if we simply go on fighting over some small thing. So try to organize things and preach together in this spirit and that will please me very very much. -- SP letter to Madhu-maGgala (November 18, 1972)

 

You have mentioned about some criticism made by Jayagovinda which upset you. I do not know exactly what is the point, but if there is some honest criticism, there should be no cause of becoming upset. -- SP letter to VRndAvanezvarI (July 8, 1969)

 

The Defect Lies Within You

 

If there is some incident and I claim that no one is cooperating with me or no one will work with me, that is MY defect, NOT THEIRS. The VaiSNava devotee must think like this. We should not find fault with others and criticise and go away. That is not the VaiSNava way. Better we should always be willing to offer all respect to others and consider them as our superiors always. -- SP letter to Gaurasundara (August 26, 1972)</blockquote>

[ancient_paztriot]

That's quite a list there. Thanks. Copy and paste time./images/graemlins/smile.gif

[bhaktivilasa]

I started this thread, took up a name now. I appreciate your good spirited answers, thanks.

[gHari]

Any idea why?

[bhaktivilasa]

Dear Ghariji,

Bhakti vilasa means "some one who relishes in bhakti" . I saw similar names on this forum, so may be you have heard this name in the past?

 

[sudhaya]

 

Vaisnava Etiquette

by Bhakti Caru Swami

Download - <font color="blue"> VaisnavaEtiquette.zip </font color> 40 kB

 

You can get the other nectar from above, word-file.

 

site add: http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/library/index.htm

[Guest guest]

CC Antya 3.212: Although Haridasa Thakura, as a Vaisnava, did not take seriously the brahmana's offense, the Supreme Personality of Godhead could not tolerate it, and thus he made the brahmana suffer the consequences

 

CC Antya 3.213: A characteristic of a pure devotee is that he excuses any offense by an ignorant rascal. A characteristic of Krsna, however, is that He cannot tolerate blasphemy of His devotees

 

CC Madhya 19.156: If the devotee commits an offense at the feet of a Vaisnava while cultivating the creeper of devotional service in the material world, his offense is compared to a mad elephant that uproots the creeper and breaks it. In this way the leaves of the creeper are dried up