Updated 7/30/14
"One should mentally honor the devotee who chants the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa, one should offer humble obeisances to the devotee who has undergone spiritual initiation [dīkṣā] and is engaged in worshiping the Deity, and one should associate with and faithfully serve that Pure devotee who is advanced in undeviated devotional service and whose heart is completely devoid of the propensity to criticize others." -Nectar of Instruction 5
Sadhu ninda", also known as the "mad elephant offense" because it tramples the bhakti creeper, is especially important to understand clearly. What does it mean? Is any criticism vilification? What's the difference between correction and criticizing? Does it apply to any devotee? Some things to consider:
DEVOTEES ARE NOT ORDINARY
The Lord's punishment of an erring but sincere devotee is not ordinary but instructive for all. Thus it is offensive to deride a devotee who has fallen down or made some mistake. In that case, a serious devotee avoids persons who frequently indulge in fault finding.
Tamala Krsna: I've always been confused as to... It says here that a pure devotee like Haridasa Thakura would not fall victim to Mayadevi's temptations, but even Lord Brahma, Lord Siva, might fall victim. I always thought that they were pure devotees of the Lord.
Prabhupada:....We should take this instruction, that is Lord Brahma, Lord Siva becomes victim of maya sometimes, what to speak of us? Therefore we shall be very, very careful. There is chance of falldown even in the status of Brahma and Siva, what to speak of ordinary persons. Therefore we should be very strongly inclined to Krsna consciousness like Haridasa Thakura. Then we shall be able very easily to overcome the allurement of maya. That is to be understood. Not that "Brahma showed that, what is called, 'weakness'. He is weak or he is less. No. That is for our instruction." Bg 2.62-72 lecture, LA
“The material contamination is so strong that even a yogi fully engaged in the service of the Lord sometimes becomes ensnared; but Krishna consciousness is so strong that such an occasional falldown is at once rectified. Therefore the process of devotional service is always a success. No one should deride a devotee for some accidental falldown from the ideal path ..such occasional falldowns will be stopped in due course, as soon as a devotee is completely situated in Krishna consciousness.” Bg 9.30 purport
“One who does good, My friend, is never overcome by evil.” Bg 6.40
“He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.”Bg 9.31
“My dear King of the demons, in the millennium of Sväyambhuva Manu, the Prajäpati known as Marici begot six sons, all demigods, in the womb of his wife, Ürsä. Once upon a time, Lord Brahmä became captivated by the beauty of his daughter and was following her, impelled by sex desire. At that time, these six demigods looked at the action of Lord Brahmä with abhorrence. This criticism of Brahma’s action by the demigods constituted a great offense on their part, and for this reason they were condemned to take birth as the sons of the demon Hiranyakasipu." -KB 85
"If someone relates to me the faults of one of the moving or non-moving residents of Vrndavana, then how is his action different from cutting me with hundreds of sharpened swords, arrows and other weapons? The residents of Vrndavana are all as dear to the Personality of Godhead as His own life." - Sri Vrndavana-mahimamrta, Sataka 1.13 by Prabhodananda Sarasvati Thakura.
VERY RARE
Out of the unlimited number of living entities in all existence, all Vaisnavas are rare great souls.
SB 2.3.2-7 purport states: Śukadeva Gosvāmī said that out of the 8,400,000 species of living entities, the human form of life is rare and valuable, and out of those rare human beings those who are conscious of the material problems are rarer still, and the still more rare persons are those who are conscious of the value of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which contains the messages of the Lord and His pure devotees.
Bhagavad gita 7.19 also states, "After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare." And Bg 7.3 also says that ut of many thousands among men hardly one knows Krsna in truth.
And Lord Kapila also stated:
"Living entities are superior to inanimate objects, O blessed mother, and among them, living entities who display life symptoms are better. Animals with developed consciousness are better than them, and better still are those who have developed sense perception.
"Among the living entities who have developed sense perception, those who have developed the sense of taste are better than those who have developed only the sense of touch. Better than them are those who have developed the sense of smell, and better still are those who have developed the sense of hearing.
"Better than those living entities who can perceive sound are those who can distinguish between one form and another. Better than them are those who have developed upper and lower sets of teeth, and better still are those who have many legs. Better than them are the quadrupeds, and better still are the human beings.
"Among human beings, the society which is divided according to quality and work is best, and in that society, the intelligent men, who are designated as brähmanas, are best. Among the brähmanas, one who has studied the Vedas is the best, and among the brähmanas who have studied the Vedas, one who knows the actual purport of Veda is the best.
"Better than the brähmana who knows the purpose of the Vedas is he who can dissipate all doubts, and better than him is one who strictly follows the brahminical principles. Better than him is one who is liberated from all material contamination, and better than him is a pure devotee, who executes devotional service without expectation of reward.
"Therefore I do not find a greater person than he who has no interest outside of Mine and who therefore engages and dedicates all his activities and all his life—everything—unto Me without cessation.
"Such a perfect devotee offers respects to every living entity because he is under the firm conviction that the Supreme Personality of Godhead has entered the body of every living entity as the Supersoul, or controller." -SB 3.29.28-33
PERFECTLY IMPERFECT
It is said that by following the bhakti yoga process, devotees are in the shower getting clean although dirt may still be seen such as bad habits, material designations, etc. Although there are apparent imperfections, one is perfectly situated by remaining on the path towards perfection.
Even if someone cannot follow the regulative principles then Lord Krsna says in the Bhagavad- gita, “Work for Me”. And that work we should greatly appreciate. Even if one approaches Krsna materially motivated, as in the case of Dhruva Maharaja, he eventually becomes purified.
Furthermore, an atheist or mayavadi may sometimes appear more “peaceful” or "friendly" than a struggling or neophyte devotee, but consider that devotees sacrifice so many things to follow the guru's order and to please the Lord. Prabhupada wrote in the following letter (4/30/73):
"Kindly forgive my beloved disciples for any unkindness or indiscretion on their part. After all, to give up one's life completely for serving the Lord is not an easy thing, and mäyä, or the illusory, material energy, tries especially hard to again entrap those who have left her service to become devotees. Therefore, in order to withstand the attack of mäyä and remain strong under all conditions of temptation, young or inexperienced devotees in the neophyte stage of devotional service will sometimes adopt an attitude against those things or persons which may possibly be harmful or threatening to their tender devotional creepers."
Also, we cannot always know a devotee's sincerity by their external situation. A person may make mistakes or appear materialistic, but internally is repentant and always hoping to eventually increase in his devotional service.
THE SPIRITUAL PLATFORM
Maya creates differences. Chanting Hare Krishna is the best remedy for this. On the spiritual platform all temporary designations, and bodily distinctions are forgotten. A happy, loving, contented devotee absorbed in chanting and serving the holy name can attract others to Krishna simply by personal example, allowing others the freedom to change themselves.
Envy, on the other hand, is a separatist. Thus, until it is given up, one cannot stay in the association of devotees. A devotee feels compassion and respect for others instead of envy and anger.
CORRECTING ONLY IF IT IS OUR DUTY
We should be careful not to criticize and correct our superiors. Better to approach the offending persons authority, if necessary. On the other hand, it is the duty of father, mother, teacher, guru to correct their dependents, such as children, students, junior devotees... In other words, sometimes pointing out faults in a loving way is necessary for their benefit, and then it is best done if the relationship is strong.
A WORD OF WARNING
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur described that criticism is not Vaisnava aparadha when there is proper motive. Proper motive is of three types:
"If the intention in analyzing someone’s sins is to ensure that he attains his ultimate welfare, then such reflection is auspicious.
If the motive behind reflecting on someone’s sins is to benefit the whole world, then this is to be counted as an auspicious act.
If such reflection is undertaken for one’s own spiritual welfare, then it too, is auspicious. There is no fault in such reflection."
Yet, reasons for not criticizing others are many. First of all, it is difficult to ascertain one's real motive due to impure intelligence. There may be subtle desire for attention or to show off, Or to pass the blame onto someone else vs taking responsibility for sinful reactions. When in doubt; don't. There is also difficulty in understanding the position of a devotee. Jada Bharata was certainly undetectable, and Gadadhara Pandita also exhibited a pastime concerning his initial misjudgement in his mind of Pundarika Vidhyanidhi .
And to criticize a superior, even if you think you are right, is risky. A couple examples are Daksha and the sons of Lord Brahman. Daksa thought he was not criticizing Lord Shiva due to envy, but actually he was. And although Lord Shiva played a subordinate role, he is far superior.
The sons of Brahma pointed out the fault of their father, Lord Brahma, but later became demons.
"Respectable superiors...are always worshipable." (Bg 2.4p)
"Even if they attack, they should not be counterattacked." (Bg 2.4p)
"It is general etiquette that superiors are not to be offered even a verbal fight." (Bg 2.4p)
"Even if they are sometimes harsh in behavior, they should not be harshly treated." (Bg 2.4p).
Better to leave the correction to the proper persons or, if no other recourse, to the Lord Himself.
Meanwhile, becoming more tolerant than a tree, an advancing devotee sees chastisement is mercy, disturbances are mercy...
RESPECTING ELDERS An unforgettable video brought up yet another reason to offer respect to seniors or elders even when they are in error. It was a scene about a young woman correcting her visiting aunt at the dining room table. The aunt was obviously ignorant in her remarks, and the girl took the liberty to point this out in front of others while rolling her eyes and other unkind gestures of exasperation with the aunt's remarks. Since she was the heroine of the series, her irreverence for elders apparently is an accepted part of boldly challenging inaccuracies for the sake of truth according to today's social standards
What the maker of the video forgot was- good manners. It doesn't matter if the aunt was wrong. She is an older woman. She is also a guest. And the proper person could have taken her aside later to explain to her her misunderstanding, if need be, rather than have her embarrassed publicly by her niece. Or the young lady could have thought of a way to respectfully question her elder. Done correctly, the speaker should not feel challenged or embarrassed.
FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS
All that said, it must be further noted that only when Arjuna was ordered by Krsna did he attack his worshipable superiors such as Bhisma and Dronacarya.
The Lord's will is inconceivable and devotional understanding is very confidential. For example, Bhisma was on the enemy side but is still a pure devotee of the Lord. Another consideration is that Ramacandra Puri is actually Jatila, Radharani's mother-in-law(!) Also neophyte devotees may have many weaknesses, but are still able to bring people to read Prabhupada's books and to associate with advanced devotees.
There are three kinds of devotees described in NOI 5-6. The kanistha adhikari, or neophyte has wavering faith and lack of sastric knowledge. Offer obeisances to in one's mind The madhyama adhikari has firm faith and has taken initiation and makes distinctions in order to preach. Offer obeisances to. The uttama adhikari is on the highest platform and is equipoised. He must come down to madyama platform in order to preach. (Adi 7.51p) Offer obeisances to and serve (NOI 5p). In any case, every living being should be treated with respect. The uttama adhikari sees even the non devotee as serving Krishna more than himself, even if only indirectly.
A WASTE OF TIME Besides all the above, unnecessarily finding fault, gossiping about others etc is simply a waste of precious time which can be better spent chanting Hare Krsna, perhaps chanting 64 rounds instead.
SEPARATING IDEAS FROM PEOPLE
In Caitanya Bhagavata (below) a devotee is warned not to take sides between fighting devotees. This should include reading inflammatory literature that may be philosophically correct but worded in such a manner as to create political agitation and antagonize ignorant persons. Even so, it is not wrong to discuss the philosophical misconceptions propagated. Krishna das Kaviraja wrote: "A sincere student should not neglect the discussion of such conclusions, considering them controversial, for such discussions strengthen the mind. Thus one's mind becomes attached to Krsna." CC Adi 2.117 It's also been said that we should "learn to separate ideas from people. If you cannot do so, then you will never be able to criticize any idea due to an irrational fear of criticizing the people who thought of them." In other words discuss philosophical misconceptions rather than the people who promote them.
And we can try to understand the other persons' point of view, even if we don't agree with it. Bg 10.32p Everyone has their truth. Problems arise when everyone thinks their truth is the only truth or the greatest truth when indeed there is a much broader picture that includes them all. That is genuine Krsna consciousness. It is a matter of spiritual maturity.
AVOIDING POLITICS
Actually, no one is a friend and no one is an enemy (SB 7) If one begins to feel that way about devotees, such vision should be a red flag to avoid politics altogether, especially what is going on on the Internet. In this case, ignorance is bliss for this is one of maya's biggest distractions and killer of motivation. Most persons indulge in it as a form of subtle sex, due to a desire for attention, to be heard or to show off. Or they have an axe to grind. By remaining neutral we may focus on what really matters, our spiritual advancement.
Furthermore, hearing from many different opinions of others, especially other Vaisnava groups, can create mental confusion or doubts which impair the otherwise simple process of bhakti. So much time wasted that could be better spent reading uplifting material. We can keep it simple, by saving philosophical discussions for Srimad Bhagavatam or Bhagavad gita class or trusted devotees. For unless there is something we can do about a problem with other devotees not thinking the same way we do, or it is our job to correct any deviations within our Hare Krishna movement, it is better to do something positive rather than wasting time bashing what we hate. Otherwise, we indirectly give the opposition strength by weakening our own position because of distraction. Besides, our happiness does not depend upon what others are doing. Bhakti is independent. One must be the change he wishes to see in the world, and when one minds his own business, he finds he has plenty of business to do!
UNDERSTANDING THE ROOT CAUSE OF ENVY AND FAULTFINDING
Material dissatisfaction is due to material desire, a desire to be happy in the material world. We hanker for that, or we lament our inability, for there is no lasting happiness, distress must always follow, due to the flickering nature of matter. Better to take responsibility for the reactions meted out due to our past activities, rather than pointing fingers and looking for excuses to hang on to our material desires via material adjustments. SB 10.14.8 also says, "My dear Lord, any person who is constantly awaiting Your causeless mercy to be bestowed upon him, and who goes on suffering the resultant actions of his past misdeeds, offering You respectful obeisances from the core of his heart, is surely eligible to become liberated, for it has become his rightful claim."
TAKING THE HUMBLE POSITION
Taking the humble position includes looking for one's own faults rather than dwelling on those of others. This very much satisfies the Lord. He surely protects surrendered souls. One way to do this is by regularly, continuously hearing from sastra. Hearing the sastric standards of pure devotees in various situations is very humbling.
OFFER ALL RESPECTS TO OTHERS
Siksastaka verse 4 says, "One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street, more tolerant than a tree, and ready to offer all respects to others." Agains, the serious devotee will therefore be cautious in dealings with other devotees by:
1. Taking the humble position, even if right. Look for any fault on your own part. Examine yourself.
2. Avoiding familiarity that breeds contempt,
3. Avoiding close association with chronic faultfinders, politicians, complainers, and the like
4. Avoiding hearing and or speaking the faults of others. Vaco vegam (NOI 1)
All these things become natural by continuously engaging in nama sankirtana and praying with the sincere desire to overcome offenses.
THE EXAMPLE OF YUDHISTIRA
The character of Yudhistira Maharaja is especially inspiring. When asked to go out and find someone inferior to himself, he could find no one. When wondering where his aunt Gandhari and Uncle Dhrtarastra went when they turned up missing, he assumed they had finally taken his offenses seriously and drowned themselves in the Ganges. He apparently forgot all the past atrocious behavior of their sons, permitted by Dhrtarastra.
MORE SUGGESTED SASTRA FOR MEDITATION
The example of Ragunatha Dasa Goswami
Gopal Cakravarti and Haridasa Thakura
Ramacandra Puri finds fault with his guru, Lord Caitanya, and the Vaisnavas
Amogha finds fault with Lord Caitanya
Mayavadis find fault with Lord Caitanya
HOW TO RECTIFY the first offense. Feeling guilty? Pray to Krsna to understand this offense ("It is crucial to deliberate upon the meaning of vaisnava-ninda according to the sastras.") and if there is an offense that has been committed . Also pray to the Lord to find the means to rectify one's heart, and to make the arrangement to meet the offended and pacify them by wholeheartedly paying obeisances and serving them. Also to try to understand devotees you do not agree with. Understanding does not mean you must agree.
MORE SUGGESTIONS
Take time to observe the good qualities of the devotees you know, any special kindness they show toward you or others, their good qualities and especially the services they do. Also how they deal with the tests they face. It helps to write these down. This little exercise will increase our awareness of how indebted we should feel to have the association of the Lord's devotees always.
IF YOUR AIM IS LOVE OF GOD, JUST BEWARE OF APARADHA
An excerpt from Caitanya Bhagavata by Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur. Reading such material and those similar is also very helpful for preventing and/or overcoming aparadha:
* "The Vaisnava devotees of the Lord are eternally pure and realized souls. Sometimes there are differences of opinion amongst them, which might appear like an argument, but in fact, it is an amazing relationship between devotees. Foolish rascals who do not understand this exchange, praise one Vaisnava and denounce the other. Such a mentality will lead to destruction of faith and knowledge." (M 5)
* "Any person who sides with a Vaisnava against another Vaisnava and criticizes him is destined to be destroyed." (MI 3:160)
* "If Vaisnavas are offended even by an assembly of renunciates, sannyasis, such an assembly is more irreligious than a group of drunkards. For the drunkards there is still a chance of salvation, but for those who are critical of Vaisnavas there is no hope for liberation." (MI 3:41-43)
* "Lord Chaitanya absorbed the sin of Jagai and Madhai into His own body. He then said, "Begin kirtana, then this black shroud of sin will lift from My body and enter the bodies of those who criticize the devotees of the Lord." (MI 3:302-303)
* "One never advances in spiritual life by finding faults in other Vaisnavas, in fact only sinful reactions are increased, so give up all your faultfindings." (MI 3:313)
* "To criticize and find faults in pure devotees of the Lord is the most grievous offense against the holy name. O holy name! How can you bear the criticism against your pure devotees through whom your glories have been propagated? (You can never tolerate criticism against those who have dedicated their lives in propagating the holy name of the lord.) Such offenders are annihilated." (M 13:393)
* "Therefore the conclusion is that having devotion is the foremost of all rules, regulations and rituals. Rules and regulations are meant to be subservient and secondary to devotional service; those who are dissatisfied with this arrangement fall down from the path of self-realization." (M 16:143-144)
* "Those devotees who are narrow-minded and bigoted start fighting over petty matters, this is a serious deviation from the path of spiritual realization, and so a really knowledgeable devotee will refrain from taking sides in such disputes." (M 17:109-110)
* "The offense or criticizing the Lord or His devotees even once steals a man's proper intelligence." (M 19)
* "Lord Gaurasundara has advented specifically to deliver all the fallen souls with the exception of those who find fault in Vaisnava devotees of the Lord." (M 19)
* "The Vedas clearly describe that if one hears criticism of a Vaisnava devotee of the Lord then he loses all of his accumulated piety and is cast into abominable conditions of life birth after birth." (M 20)
* "Everything, from the highest to the lowest living entity, is a manifestation of Lord Krishna's energy, hence Krishna cannot tolerate violence or offenses perpetrated against anyone. And if anyone offenselessly chants Krishna's name then Krishna will certainly very soon liberate him from material bondage. A person may be well versed in all the four Vedas, but if he still maintains an offensive attitude towards the Vaisnavas, then he is eternally doomed to the worst kind of hell." (M 20)
* "Whosoever makes any differences between Me, My pure devotees, and Srimad-Bhagavatam are forever lost." (M 21)
* "The spiritual master cannot even protect his own disciple against the wrath of the Lord if his disciple commits Vaisnava-aparadha. In fact the guru of such a disciple is hardpressed to protect himself from the effects of the aparadha. If the guru is in a very elevated stage of devotion, then he can protect himself alone, but if he is not so elevated, then he along with disciple sinks down into hell." (M 22)
* "The true followers of Lord Nityananda are free from fault-finding, they engage their full time in blissfully glorifying Lord Caitanya. They are always careful to avoid the pitfalls in devotional service." (M 22)
* "Some persons, trying to compare Vaisnavas, calling one a bigger Vaisnava then the other, commit a grave blunder for which they will soon suffer." (M 22)
* "At times one may see a certain elevated devotee quarreling with other devotees; this is all transcendental and happening by the desire of Lord Krishna. No one should side with any party, because they are all most elevated Vaisnavas, to do so would certainly result in Vaisnava-aparadha." (M 23)
* "One can become a true Vaisnava by serving Lord Krishna and by not finding faults in others." (M 23)
* "One who worships Krishna's lotus feet seeing all Vaisnavas to be dear to the Lord will indeed cross over this ocean of material nescience." (M 24)
* "If one does not pay heed to Lord Caitanya's warning and teachings on Vaisnava-aparadha, then he will remain completely ignorant about the offenses and thus suffer terrible consequences."
"One should mentally honor the devotee who chants the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa, one should offer humble obeisances to the devotee who has undergone spiritual initiation [dīkṣā] and is engaged in worshiping the Deity, and one should associate with and faithfully serve that Pure devotee who is advanced in undeviated devotional service and whose heart is completely devoid of the propensity to criticize others." -Nectar of Instruction 5
Sadhu ninda", also known as the "mad elephant offense" because it tramples the bhakti creeper, is especially important to understand clearly. What does it mean? Is any criticism vilification? What's the difference between correction and criticizing? Does it apply to any devotee? Some things to consider:
DEVOTEES ARE NOT ORDINARY
The Lord's punishment of an erring but sincere devotee is not ordinary but instructive for all. Thus it is offensive to deride a devotee who has fallen down or made some mistake. In that case, a serious devotee avoids persons who frequently indulge in fault finding.
Tamala Krsna: I've always been confused as to... It says here that a pure devotee like Haridasa Thakura would not fall victim to Mayadevi's temptations, but even Lord Brahma, Lord Siva, might fall victim. I always thought that they were pure devotees of the Lord.
Prabhupada:....We should take this instruction, that is Lord Brahma, Lord Siva becomes victim of maya sometimes, what to speak of us? Therefore we shall be very, very careful. There is chance of falldown even in the status of Brahma and Siva, what to speak of ordinary persons. Therefore we should be very strongly inclined to Krsna consciousness like Haridasa Thakura. Then we shall be able very easily to overcome the allurement of maya. That is to be understood. Not that "Brahma showed that, what is called, 'weakness'. He is weak or he is less. No. That is for our instruction." Bg 2.62-72 lecture, LA
“The material contamination is so strong that even a yogi fully engaged in the service of the Lord sometimes becomes ensnared; but Krishna consciousness is so strong that such an occasional falldown is at once rectified. Therefore the process of devotional service is always a success. No one should deride a devotee for some accidental falldown from the ideal path ..such occasional falldowns will be stopped in due course, as soon as a devotee is completely situated in Krishna consciousness.” Bg 9.30 purport
“One who does good, My friend, is never overcome by evil.” Bg 6.40
“He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.”Bg 9.31
“My dear King of the demons, in the millennium of Sväyambhuva Manu, the Prajäpati known as Marici begot six sons, all demigods, in the womb of his wife, Ürsä. Once upon a time, Lord Brahmä became captivated by the beauty of his daughter and was following her, impelled by sex desire. At that time, these six demigods looked at the action of Lord Brahmä with abhorrence. This criticism of Brahma’s action by the demigods constituted a great offense on their part, and for this reason they were condemned to take birth as the sons of the demon Hiranyakasipu." -KB 85
"If someone relates to me the faults of one of the moving or non-moving residents of Vrndavana, then how is his action different from cutting me with hundreds of sharpened swords, arrows and other weapons? The residents of Vrndavana are all as dear to the Personality of Godhead as His own life." - Sri Vrndavana-mahimamrta, Sataka 1.13 by Prabhodananda Sarasvati Thakura.
VERY RARE
Out of the unlimited number of living entities in all existence, all Vaisnavas are rare great souls.
SB 2.3.2-7 purport states: Śukadeva Gosvāmī said that out of the 8,400,000 species of living entities, the human form of life is rare and valuable, and out of those rare human beings those who are conscious of the material problems are rarer still, and the still more rare persons are those who are conscious of the value of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which contains the messages of the Lord and His pure devotees.
Bhagavad gita 7.19 also states, "After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare." And Bg 7.3 also says that ut of many thousands among men hardly one knows Krsna in truth.
And Lord Kapila also stated:
"Living entities are superior to inanimate objects, O blessed mother, and among them, living entities who display life symptoms are better. Animals with developed consciousness are better than them, and better still are those who have developed sense perception.
"Among the living entities who have developed sense perception, those who have developed the sense of taste are better than those who have developed only the sense of touch. Better than them are those who have developed the sense of smell, and better still are those who have developed the sense of hearing.
"Better than those living entities who can perceive sound are those who can distinguish between one form and another. Better than them are those who have developed upper and lower sets of teeth, and better still are those who have many legs. Better than them are the quadrupeds, and better still are the human beings.
"Among human beings, the society which is divided according to quality and work is best, and in that society, the intelligent men, who are designated as brähmanas, are best. Among the brähmanas, one who has studied the Vedas is the best, and among the brähmanas who have studied the Vedas, one who knows the actual purport of Veda is the best.
"Better than the brähmana who knows the purpose of the Vedas is he who can dissipate all doubts, and better than him is one who strictly follows the brahminical principles. Better than him is one who is liberated from all material contamination, and better than him is a pure devotee, who executes devotional service without expectation of reward.
"Therefore I do not find a greater person than he who has no interest outside of Mine and who therefore engages and dedicates all his activities and all his life—everything—unto Me without cessation.
"Such a perfect devotee offers respects to every living entity because he is under the firm conviction that the Supreme Personality of Godhead has entered the body of every living entity as the Supersoul, or controller." -SB 3.29.28-33
PERFECTLY IMPERFECT
It is said that by following the bhakti yoga process, devotees are in the shower getting clean although dirt may still be seen such as bad habits, material designations, etc. Although there are apparent imperfections, one is perfectly situated by remaining on the path towards perfection.
Even if someone cannot follow the regulative principles then Lord Krsna says in the Bhagavad- gita, “Work for Me”. And that work we should greatly appreciate. Even if one approaches Krsna materially motivated, as in the case of Dhruva Maharaja, he eventually becomes purified.
Furthermore, an atheist or mayavadi may sometimes appear more “peaceful” or "friendly" than a struggling or neophyte devotee, but consider that devotees sacrifice so many things to follow the guru's order and to please the Lord. Prabhupada wrote in the following letter (4/30/73):
"Kindly forgive my beloved disciples for any unkindness or indiscretion on their part. After all, to give up one's life completely for serving the Lord is not an easy thing, and mäyä, or the illusory, material energy, tries especially hard to again entrap those who have left her service to become devotees. Therefore, in order to withstand the attack of mäyä and remain strong under all conditions of temptation, young or inexperienced devotees in the neophyte stage of devotional service will sometimes adopt an attitude against those things or persons which may possibly be harmful or threatening to their tender devotional creepers."
Also, we cannot always know a devotee's sincerity by their external situation. A person may make mistakes or appear materialistic, but internally is repentant and always hoping to eventually increase in his devotional service.
THE SPIRITUAL PLATFORM
Maya creates differences. Chanting Hare Krishna is the best remedy for this. On the spiritual platform all temporary designations, and bodily distinctions are forgotten. A happy, loving, contented devotee absorbed in chanting and serving the holy name can attract others to Krishna simply by personal example, allowing others the freedom to change themselves.
Envy, on the other hand, is a separatist. Thus, until it is given up, one cannot stay in the association of devotees. A devotee feels compassion and respect for others instead of envy and anger.
CORRECTING ONLY IF IT IS OUR DUTY
We should be careful not to criticize and correct our superiors. Better to approach the offending persons authority, if necessary. On the other hand, it is the duty of father, mother, teacher, guru to correct their dependents, such as children, students, junior devotees... In other words, sometimes pointing out faults in a loving way is necessary for their benefit, and then it is best done if the relationship is strong.
A WORD OF WARNING
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur described that criticism is not Vaisnava aparadha when there is proper motive. Proper motive is of three types:
"If the intention in analyzing someone’s sins is to ensure that he attains his ultimate welfare, then such reflection is auspicious.
If the motive behind reflecting on someone’s sins is to benefit the whole world, then this is to be counted as an auspicious act.
If such reflection is undertaken for one’s own spiritual welfare, then it too, is auspicious. There is no fault in such reflection."
Yet, reasons for not criticizing others are many. First of all, it is difficult to ascertain one's real motive due to impure intelligence. There may be subtle desire for attention or to show off, Or to pass the blame onto someone else vs taking responsibility for sinful reactions. When in doubt; don't. There is also difficulty in understanding the position of a devotee. Jada Bharata was certainly undetectable, and Gadadhara Pandita also exhibited a pastime concerning his initial misjudgement in his mind of Pundarika Vidhyanidhi .
And to criticize a superior, even if you think you are right, is risky. A couple examples are Daksha and the sons of Lord Brahman. Daksa thought he was not criticizing Lord Shiva due to envy, but actually he was. And although Lord Shiva played a subordinate role, he is far superior.
The sons of Brahma pointed out the fault of their father, Lord Brahma, but later became demons.
"Respectable superiors...are always worshipable." (Bg 2.4p)
"Even if they attack, they should not be counterattacked." (Bg 2.4p)
"It is general etiquette that superiors are not to be offered even a verbal fight." (Bg 2.4p)
"Even if they are sometimes harsh in behavior, they should not be harshly treated." (Bg 2.4p).
Better to leave the correction to the proper persons or, if no other recourse, to the Lord Himself.
Meanwhile, becoming more tolerant than a tree, an advancing devotee sees chastisement is mercy, disturbances are mercy...
RESPECTING ELDERS An unforgettable video brought up yet another reason to offer respect to seniors or elders even when they are in error. It was a scene about a young woman correcting her visiting aunt at the dining room table. The aunt was obviously ignorant in her remarks, and the girl took the liberty to point this out in front of others while rolling her eyes and other unkind gestures of exasperation with the aunt's remarks. Since she was the heroine of the series, her irreverence for elders apparently is an accepted part of boldly challenging inaccuracies for the sake of truth according to today's social standards
What the maker of the video forgot was- good manners. It doesn't matter if the aunt was wrong. She is an older woman. She is also a guest. And the proper person could have taken her aside later to explain to her her misunderstanding, if need be, rather than have her embarrassed publicly by her niece. Or the young lady could have thought of a way to respectfully question her elder. Done correctly, the speaker should not feel challenged or embarrassed.
FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS
All that said, it must be further noted that only when Arjuna was ordered by Krsna did he attack his worshipable superiors such as Bhisma and Dronacarya.
The Lord's will is inconceivable and devotional understanding is very confidential. For example, Bhisma was on the enemy side but is still a pure devotee of the Lord. Another consideration is that Ramacandra Puri is actually Jatila, Radharani's mother-in-law(!) Also neophyte devotees may have many weaknesses, but are still able to bring people to read Prabhupada's books and to associate with advanced devotees.
There are three kinds of devotees described in NOI 5-6. The kanistha adhikari, or neophyte has wavering faith and lack of sastric knowledge. Offer obeisances to in one's mind The madhyama adhikari has firm faith and has taken initiation and makes distinctions in order to preach. Offer obeisances to. The uttama adhikari is on the highest platform and is equipoised. He must come down to madyama platform in order to preach. (Adi 7.51p) Offer obeisances to and serve (NOI 5p). In any case, every living being should be treated with respect. The uttama adhikari sees even the non devotee as serving Krishna more than himself, even if only indirectly.
A WASTE OF TIME Besides all the above, unnecessarily finding fault, gossiping about others etc is simply a waste of precious time which can be better spent chanting Hare Krsna, perhaps chanting 64 rounds instead.
SEPARATING IDEAS FROM PEOPLE
In Caitanya Bhagavata (below) a devotee is warned not to take sides between fighting devotees. This should include reading inflammatory literature that may be philosophically correct but worded in such a manner as to create political agitation and antagonize ignorant persons. Even so, it is not wrong to discuss the philosophical misconceptions propagated. Krishna das Kaviraja wrote: "A sincere student should not neglect the discussion of such conclusions, considering them controversial, for such discussions strengthen the mind. Thus one's mind becomes attached to Krsna." CC Adi 2.117 It's also been said that we should "learn to separate ideas from people. If you cannot do so, then you will never be able to criticize any idea due to an irrational fear of criticizing the people who thought of them." In other words discuss philosophical misconceptions rather than the people who promote them.
And we can try to understand the other persons' point of view, even if we don't agree with it. Bg 10.32p Everyone has their truth. Problems arise when everyone thinks their truth is the only truth or the greatest truth when indeed there is a much broader picture that includes them all. That is genuine Krsna consciousness. It is a matter of spiritual maturity.
AVOIDING POLITICS
Actually, no one is a friend and no one is an enemy (SB 7) If one begins to feel that way about devotees, such vision should be a red flag to avoid politics altogether, especially what is going on on the Internet. In this case, ignorance is bliss for this is one of maya's biggest distractions and killer of motivation. Most persons indulge in it as a form of subtle sex, due to a desire for attention, to be heard or to show off. Or they have an axe to grind. By remaining neutral we may focus on what really matters, our spiritual advancement.
Furthermore, hearing from many different opinions of others, especially other Vaisnava groups, can create mental confusion or doubts which impair the otherwise simple process of bhakti. So much time wasted that could be better spent reading uplifting material. We can keep it simple, by saving philosophical discussions for Srimad Bhagavatam or Bhagavad gita class or trusted devotees. For unless there is something we can do about a problem with other devotees not thinking the same way we do, or it is our job to correct any deviations within our Hare Krishna movement, it is better to do something positive rather than wasting time bashing what we hate. Otherwise, we indirectly give the opposition strength by weakening our own position because of distraction. Besides, our happiness does not depend upon what others are doing. Bhakti is independent. One must be the change he wishes to see in the world, and when one minds his own business, he finds he has plenty of business to do!
UNDERSTANDING THE ROOT CAUSE OF ENVY AND FAULTFINDING
Material dissatisfaction is due to material desire, a desire to be happy in the material world. We hanker for that, or we lament our inability, for there is no lasting happiness, distress must always follow, due to the flickering nature of matter. Better to take responsibility for the reactions meted out due to our past activities, rather than pointing fingers and looking for excuses to hang on to our material desires via material adjustments. SB 10.14.8 also says, "My dear Lord, any person who is constantly awaiting Your causeless mercy to be bestowed upon him, and who goes on suffering the resultant actions of his past misdeeds, offering You respectful obeisances from the core of his heart, is surely eligible to become liberated, for it has become his rightful claim."
TAKING THE HUMBLE POSITION
Taking the humble position includes looking for one's own faults rather than dwelling on those of others. This very much satisfies the Lord. He surely protects surrendered souls. One way to do this is by regularly, continuously hearing from sastra. Hearing the sastric standards of pure devotees in various situations is very humbling.
OFFER ALL RESPECTS TO OTHERS
Siksastaka verse 4 says, "One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street, more tolerant than a tree, and ready to offer all respects to others." Agains, the serious devotee will therefore be cautious in dealings with other devotees by:
1. Taking the humble position, even if right. Look for any fault on your own part. Examine yourself.
2. Avoiding familiarity that breeds contempt,
3. Avoiding close association with chronic faultfinders, politicians, complainers, and the like
4. Avoiding hearing and or speaking the faults of others. Vaco vegam (NOI 1)
All these things become natural by continuously engaging in nama sankirtana and praying with the sincere desire to overcome offenses.
THE EXAMPLE OF YUDHISTIRA
The character of Yudhistira Maharaja is especially inspiring. When asked to go out and find someone inferior to himself, he could find no one. When wondering where his aunt Gandhari and Uncle Dhrtarastra went when they turned up missing, he assumed they had finally taken his offenses seriously and drowned themselves in the Ganges. He apparently forgot all the past atrocious behavior of their sons, permitted by Dhrtarastra.
MORE SUGGESTED SASTRA FOR MEDITATION
The example of Ragunatha Dasa Goswami
Gopal Cakravarti and Haridasa Thakura
Ramacandra Puri finds fault with his guru, Lord Caitanya, and the Vaisnavas
Amogha finds fault with Lord Caitanya
Mayavadis find fault with Lord Caitanya
HOW TO RECTIFY the first offense. Feeling guilty? Pray to Krsna to understand this offense ("It is crucial to deliberate upon the meaning of vaisnava-ninda according to the sastras.") and if there is an offense that has been committed . Also pray to the Lord to find the means to rectify one's heart, and to make the arrangement to meet the offended and pacify them by wholeheartedly paying obeisances and serving them. Also to try to understand devotees you do not agree with. Understanding does not mean you must agree.
MORE SUGGESTIONS
Take time to observe the good qualities of the devotees you know, any special kindness they show toward you or others, their good qualities and especially the services they do. Also how they deal with the tests they face. It helps to write these down. This little exercise will increase our awareness of how indebted we should feel to have the association of the Lord's devotees always.
IF YOUR AIM IS LOVE OF GOD, JUST BEWARE OF APARADHA
An excerpt from Caitanya Bhagavata by Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur. Reading such material and those similar is also very helpful for preventing and/or overcoming aparadha:
* "The Vaisnava devotees of the Lord are eternally pure and realized souls. Sometimes there are differences of opinion amongst them, which might appear like an argument, but in fact, it is an amazing relationship between devotees. Foolish rascals who do not understand this exchange, praise one Vaisnava and denounce the other. Such a mentality will lead to destruction of faith and knowledge." (M 5)
* "Any person who sides with a Vaisnava against another Vaisnava and criticizes him is destined to be destroyed." (MI 3:160)
* "If Vaisnavas are offended even by an assembly of renunciates, sannyasis, such an assembly is more irreligious than a group of drunkards. For the drunkards there is still a chance of salvation, but for those who are critical of Vaisnavas there is no hope for liberation." (MI 3:41-43)
* "Lord Chaitanya absorbed the sin of Jagai and Madhai into His own body. He then said, "Begin kirtana, then this black shroud of sin will lift from My body and enter the bodies of those who criticize the devotees of the Lord." (MI 3:302-303)
* "One never advances in spiritual life by finding faults in other Vaisnavas, in fact only sinful reactions are increased, so give up all your faultfindings." (MI 3:313)
* "To criticize and find faults in pure devotees of the Lord is the most grievous offense against the holy name. O holy name! How can you bear the criticism against your pure devotees through whom your glories have been propagated? (You can never tolerate criticism against those who have dedicated their lives in propagating the holy name of the lord.) Such offenders are annihilated." (M 13:393)
* "Therefore the conclusion is that having devotion is the foremost of all rules, regulations and rituals. Rules and regulations are meant to be subservient and secondary to devotional service; those who are dissatisfied with this arrangement fall down from the path of self-realization." (M 16:143-144)
* "Those devotees who are narrow-minded and bigoted start fighting over petty matters, this is a serious deviation from the path of spiritual realization, and so a really knowledgeable devotee will refrain from taking sides in such disputes." (M 17:109-110)
* "The offense or criticizing the Lord or His devotees even once steals a man's proper intelligence." (M 19)
* "Lord Gaurasundara has advented specifically to deliver all the fallen souls with the exception of those who find fault in Vaisnava devotees of the Lord." (M 19)
* "The Vedas clearly describe that if one hears criticism of a Vaisnava devotee of the Lord then he loses all of his accumulated piety and is cast into abominable conditions of life birth after birth." (M 20)
* "Everything, from the highest to the lowest living entity, is a manifestation of Lord Krishna's energy, hence Krishna cannot tolerate violence or offenses perpetrated against anyone. And if anyone offenselessly chants Krishna's name then Krishna will certainly very soon liberate him from material bondage. A person may be well versed in all the four Vedas, but if he still maintains an offensive attitude towards the Vaisnavas, then he is eternally doomed to the worst kind of hell." (M 20)
* "Whosoever makes any differences between Me, My pure devotees, and Srimad-Bhagavatam are forever lost." (M 21)
* "The spiritual master cannot even protect his own disciple against the wrath of the Lord if his disciple commits Vaisnava-aparadha. In fact the guru of such a disciple is hardpressed to protect himself from the effects of the aparadha. If the guru is in a very elevated stage of devotion, then he can protect himself alone, but if he is not so elevated, then he along with disciple sinks down into hell." (M 22)
* "The true followers of Lord Nityananda are free from fault-finding, they engage their full time in blissfully glorifying Lord Caitanya. They are always careful to avoid the pitfalls in devotional service." (M 22)
* "Some persons, trying to compare Vaisnavas, calling one a bigger Vaisnava then the other, commit a grave blunder for which they will soon suffer." (M 22)
* "At times one may see a certain elevated devotee quarreling with other devotees; this is all transcendental and happening by the desire of Lord Krishna. No one should side with any party, because they are all most elevated Vaisnavas, to do so would certainly result in Vaisnava-aparadha." (M 23)
* "One can become a true Vaisnava by serving Lord Krishna and by not finding faults in others." (M 23)
* "One who worships Krishna's lotus feet seeing all Vaisnavas to be dear to the Lord will indeed cross over this ocean of material nescience." (M 24)
* "If one does not pay heed to Lord Caitanya's warning and teachings on Vaisnava-aparadha, then he will remain completely ignorant about the offenses and thus suffer terrible consequences."