This bhakti seed or desire for devotional service planted in one's heart is guaranteed to grow, due to its ever-expanding spiritual nature, but like any other seed or plant, the conscientious devotee gardener must build a fence against offense. In other words, watch out for anything that can trample (offenses or aparadha) it, and weeds must be pulled that can choke (maya's distractions or anarthas) or else inhibit its growth.
What to watch out for (by Bhaktivinoda Thakura):
1. Four Defects in the Heart
a. attachment to objects unrelated to Krishna
b. propensity to cheat and find faults
c. envy
d. desire for recognition
2. Four Offenses
a. nama aparada (ten offenses to the holy name)
b. seva aparadah (32 offenses to avoid in deity worship)
c. vaisnava aparadha (six offenses to avoid:
1. killing 2. envying 3. blaspheming 4. failing to offer respect 5. becoming angry at 6. not becoming joyful upon seeing a Vaisnava*)
d. jiva aparadha (offenses against any living entity including flies, mosquitoes, dogs, ants, etc.)
3. Thirst for Four Material Objects- (bhukti and mukti)
a. pleasurable sense objects
b. sense enjoyment in heaven
c. mystic powers
d. liberation
4. Four Illusions About Spiritual Wisdom
a. ignorance of one's own identity
b. ignorance about the position of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
c. ignorance about the process of sadhana (64 items mentioned in the NOD) and sandhya (the goal).
d. ignorance about things that are unfavorable to Krishna consciousness.
*"Our joy upon seeing a Vaisnava should extend to practitioners of other genuine spiritual processes, to devotees who have done or said something to cause us grief, and to devotees who have struggled with various types of material enticements." - Skanda Purana
A conversation between Markandeya Rsi and King Bhagiratha:
"Oh King, anybody who makes fun out of the devotee of the Supreme Personality to Godhead, his religiosity, wealth, fame and family members all reach ruination or are destroyed. Any person who kicks a Vaisnava, criticizes him, angers him, envies him, who is not pleased to see him or disrespects him, Mother Nature becomes very angry with him and is not happy with him. They are sent to the hellish planets. These six things are meant for his degradation." -Hari Bhakti Vilasa 10.310,312, from Skanda Purana
Skanda Purana lists six kinds of Vaisnava aparadhas (offenses):
(1) Killing or physically harming a devotee
(2) Criticizing or blaspheming a devotee for
(a) having a body born in a low family (listed in NOI)
(b) having a body with a bad complexion (listed in NOI)
(c) having a deformed body (listed in NOI)
(d) having a diseased or infirm body (listed in NOI)
(e) having traces of sins or imperfectness listed in previous sinful life(s)
(listed in Harinama Cintamani)
(f) having an accidental or momentary falldown
(listed in Harinama Cintamani)
(3) Being envious towards a devotee
(4) Not offering obeisances to a devotee
(5) Become angry towards a devotee
(6) Not becoming happy on seeing a devotee
Half the battle is distinguishing the weeds from the creeper. Then come the weeds that are more like trees, but that's where the help of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu comes in. By His causeless mercy, even a blind man can cross mountains.
What to watch out for (by Bhaktivinoda Thakura):
1. Four Defects in the Heart
a. attachment to objects unrelated to Krishna
b. propensity to cheat and find faults
c. envy
d. desire for recognition
2. Four Offenses
a. nama aparada (ten offenses to the holy name)
b. seva aparadah (32 offenses to avoid in deity worship)
c. vaisnava aparadha (six offenses to avoid:
1. killing 2. envying 3. blaspheming 4. failing to offer respect 5. becoming angry at 6. not becoming joyful upon seeing a Vaisnava*)
d. jiva aparadha (offenses against any living entity including flies, mosquitoes, dogs, ants, etc.)
3. Thirst for Four Material Objects- (bhukti and mukti)
a. pleasurable sense objects
b. sense enjoyment in heaven
c. mystic powers
d. liberation
a. ignorance of one's own identity
b. ignorance about the position of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
c. ignorance about the process of sadhana (64 items mentioned in the NOD) and sandhya (the goal).
d. ignorance about things that are unfavorable to Krishna consciousness.
*"Our joy upon seeing a Vaisnava should extend to practitioners of other genuine spiritual processes, to devotees who have done or said something to cause us grief, and to devotees who have struggled with various types of material enticements." - Skanda Purana
A conversation between Markandeya Rsi and King Bhagiratha:
"Oh King, anybody who makes fun out of the devotee of the Supreme Personality to Godhead, his religiosity, wealth, fame and family members all reach ruination or are destroyed. Any person who kicks a Vaisnava, criticizes him, angers him, envies him, who is not pleased to see him or disrespects him, Mother Nature becomes very angry with him and is not happy with him. They are sent to the hellish planets. These six things are meant for his degradation." -Hari Bhakti Vilasa 10.310,312, from Skanda Purana
Skanda Purana lists six kinds of Vaisnava aparadhas (offenses):
(1) Killing or physically harming a devotee
(2) Criticizing or blaspheming a devotee for
(a) having a body born in a low family (listed in NOI)
(b) having a body with a bad complexion (listed in NOI)
(c) having a deformed body (listed in NOI)
(d) having a diseased or infirm body (listed in NOI)
(e) having traces of sins or imperfectness listed in previous sinful life(s)
(listed in Harinama Cintamani)
(f) having an accidental or momentary falldown
(listed in Harinama Cintamani)
(3) Being envious towards a devotee
(4) Not offering obeisances to a devotee
(5) Become angry towards a devotee
(6) Not becoming happy on seeing a devotee
Half the battle is distinguishing the weeds from the creeper. Then come the weeds that are more like trees, but that's where the help of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu comes in. By His causeless mercy, even a blind man can cross mountains.