Nectar of Instruction Text 6 says:
dṛṣṭaiḥ svabhāva-janitair vapuṣaś ca doṣair
na prākṛtatvam iha bhakta-janasya paśyet
gaṅgāmbhasāṁ na khalu budbuda-phena-paṅkair
brahma-dravatvam apagacchati nīra-dharmaiḥ
Translation
Being situated in his original Krishna conscious position, a pure devotee does not identify with the body. Such a devotee should not be seen from a materialistic point of view. Indeed, one should overlook a devotee's having a body born in a low family, a body with a bad complexion, a deformed body, or a diseased or infirm body. According to ordinary vision, such imperfections may seem prominent in the body of a pure devotee, but despite such seeming defects, the body of a pure devotee cannot be polluted. It is exactly like the waters of the Ganges, which sometimes during the rainy season are full of bubbles, foam and mud. The Ganges water does not become polluted. Those who are advanced in spiritual understanding will bathe in the Ganges without considering the condition of the water.
Purport
Śuddha-bhakti, the activity of the soul proper—in other words, engagement in the transcendental loving service of the Lord—is performed in a liberated condition. In Bhagavad-gītā (14.26) it is stated:
māṁ ca yo 'vyabhicāreṇa
bhakti-yogena sevate
sa guṇān samatītyaitān
brahma-bhūyāya kalpate
"One who engages in full devotional service, unfailing in all circumstances, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman."
Avyabhicāriṇī bhakti means unalloyed, unconditional devotion. A person engaged in devotional service must be free from material motives. In the Krishna consciousness movement, one's consciousness must change.
A pure devotee's bodily defects are not to be discussed. One should not notice them. One should see the essence — the activities of the spiritual master, that he is constantly engaged in pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord. In Bhagavad-gītā (9.30) it is said:
api cet sudurācāro
bhajate mām ananya-bhāk
sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ
samyag vyavasito hi saḥ
"Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination."
Anyone who criticizes a pure devotee commits vaiṣṇava-aparādha. For those who want to advance in Krishna consciousness, such an offense is a serious obstacle. An offense at the lotus feet of a Vaishnava stops spiritual advancement.
A Vaishnava is a Glorious Personality
Hari Bhakti Vilasa says that one who criticizes a Vaishnava loses their religiosity, wealth, fame and children.
The first of the ten offenses to the Holy Name is sādhu-nindā – to offend a person who has dedicated his life to preaching the holy name of Krishna. The word nindā means criticism and offense.
Important to Understand
All devotees in ISKCON are Vaishnavas because, one way or another, they are chanting the holy name. A Vaishnava belongs to Acyuta gotra – Krishna's family. If one loves Krishna but does not love His children, one does not actually love Krishna and will be forced to suffer.
The greatest obstacle to our spiritual progress is Vaiṣṇava aparādha. This is indeed a very dangerous offense.
Greatness of a Vaishnava (Hari Bhakti Vilasa)
1. Hari's devotees are rare in the age of Kali. The position of a devotee is more exalted than that of Lord Brahma and Lord Rudra.
2. The presence of a devotee at the time of death elevates even a killer of a brahmana to the spiritual sky.
3. If a dog-eater becomes a Vaishnava, he becomes more exalted than a brahmana, and if a sannyasi has no devotion to Vishnu, then he is considered more degraded than a dog-eater.
4. Even at the time of total annihilation, devotees of Vishnu do not fall. That is why Sri Hari is known everywhere as infallible, all-pervading and inexhaustible.
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 all three worlds.
6. These sinless, magnanimous Vaishnavas purify the entire creation, therefore they are even more valuable than visiting holy places.
4 Types of Offenses
From Harinama Chintamani:
1.
To criticize a Vaishnava for his low birth.
2.
To criticize someone for previous mistakes.
3.
To criticize someone for accidental mistakes.
4.
To criticize someone for mistakes that are almost rectified.
12 Types of Vaishnava Offenses
Sri Krishnaswami Iyengar from Trichy, Tamil Nadu. Excerpt from "VAARTHA MAALA"
1. janma nirupana
To judge by birth, i.e., that a Vaishnava was born in a family of shudras, hunters or outcastes.
2. Sharira nirupana
To judge devotees for having a body of a man or a woman, a human, a demon or another animal.
3. Bhava nirupana
To think that a Vaishnava's body undergoes material changes (birth, growth, decay, death), therefore it is material.
4. Ashrama nirupana
To judge a Vaishnava for belonging to a certain ashrama.
5. Avayava nirupana
To insult a Vaishnava because of his bodily defects.
6. Alasya nirupana
To criticize a Vaishnava who, due to his laziness, does not take care of his body.
7. Vasa nirupana
To differentiate between a Vaishnava from a famous temple and a Vaishnava from a neglected place.
8. Bandhu nirupana
To show respect to a Vaishnava only as a relative, and not as a Vaishnava.
9. Prakasha nirupana
To differentiate between spiritual masters performing miracles and ordinary devotees.
10. Prakara nirupana
To criticize Vaishnavas according to the form of service.
11. Vartana nirupana
To criticize a Vaishnava for working to maintain his body.
12. Dosha nirupana
To criticize a Vaishnava, even if we see that he is satisfied with his body.
Thunderbolt and Rose
"Although Vaishnavas are very humble and tolerant, this is not their weakness. Vaishnavas are not weak. They are hard as a thunderbolt. If necessary, they can become as strong as a lion. Prabhupāda often said that a Vaishnava is as soft as a rose petal and as hard as a thunderbolt."
What to do if one commits Vaishnava Aparadha?
If a person accidentally commits a Vaishnava aparadha, then he must beg for the Vaishnava's forgiveness, very sincerely touching his feet. A Vaishnava is very merciful, so he will immediately embrace him and forgive all his offenses.
— From Harinama Chintamani
Correcting Others
1. There is a difference between criticism and correction. A devotee understands that criticism towards a Vaishnava pollutes the heart and stops spiritual advancement.
2. To be able to correct a devotee, one must be: non-envious, desiring to help practically, in a spiritual and managerial position.
3. Harsh words and actions can never be a means to correct devotees.
4. An advanced devotee views every criticism as Lord Caitanya's mercy.
The Faults are Within You
"If something bad happens, and I explain that no one cooperates with me or no one works with me, that is MY fault, not THEIRS. A Vaishnava devotee must always think like this. We should not find faults in others, criticize them and leave."
— SP Letter to Goursundara
Disciples Should Not Try to Instruct the Spiritual Master
"Not knowing why Madhavendra Puri was crying, Ramachandra Puri tried to become his advisor. In this way he committed a great offense, because a disciple should never try to instruct his spiritual master."
— CC Antya 8.21 purport
Self-Check Questions
- Explain at least a few symptoms that in your opinion show the greatness of a Vaishnava.
- What does vaiṣṇava aparādha mean?
- What does vaiṣṇava aparādha lead to?
- How to rectify offenses to Vaishnavas?
- List the main types of Vaishnava offenses.
📚 Want to learn more? Read:
- • Story from Srimad Bhagavatam about Maharaja Ambarisha
- • Story from Chaitanya Charitamrita about brahmana Gopala Chapala