Vaishnava Etiquette

©2003 by Bhakti-caru Swami
All Rights Reserved

 

Introductory Class Lecture

I'd like to welcome you all to our classes on Vaishnava Etiquette. Thank you for coming. I'll begin by reading some quotes from Chaitanya-caritamrita, the instructions of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to Sanatana Gosvami, on sadacara-the activities of a Vaishnava.

Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu instructed Sanatana Gosvami to write Vaishnava Smriti (Hari-bhakti-vilasa) in Cc. Madhya-lila 24.324-344:

Folding his hands, Sanatana Gosvami said, "My Lord, You ordered me to write a directory about the activities of Vaishnavas. I am a most lowborn person. I have no knowledge of good behavior. How is it possible for me to write authorized directions about Vaishnava activities?" Sanatana Gosvami then requested the Lord, "Please personally tell me how I can write this difficult book about Vaishnava behavior. Please manifest Yourself in my heart. If You would please manifest Yourself within my heart and personally direct me in writing this book, then, although I am lowborn, I may hope to be able to write it. You can do this because You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead Yourself and whatever You direct is perfect."

Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu replied, "Whatever you want to do you will be able to do correctly by Lord Krishna's favor. He will manifest the real purport. Because you asked Me for a synopsis, please hear these few indications. In the beginning one must take shelter of a bona fide spiritual master. In your book there should be the characteristics of the bona fide guru and the bona fide disciple. Then, before accepting a spiritual master, one can be assured of the spiritual master's position. Similarly, the spiritual master can also be assured of the disciple's position. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, should be described as the worshipable object, and you should consider the (bija) mantra for the worship of Krishna, Rama, or any other expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

"You should discuss the qualifications necessary for receiving a mantra, the perfection of the mantra, the purification of the mantra, initiation, morning duties, remembrance of the Supreme Lord, cleanliness, and washing the mouth and other parts of the body. In the morning, one should regularly brush his teeth, take his bath, offer prayers to the Lord and offer obeisances to the spiritual master. One should render service to the spiritual master and paint one's body in twelve places with urdhva pundra (tilaka). One should stamp the holy names of the Lord on his body, or one should stamp the symbols of the Lord, such as the disc and club.

"After this, you should describe how one should decorate his body with gopicandana, wear neck beads, collect tulasi leaves from the tulasi tree, cleanse his cloth and the altar, cleanse one's own house or apartment and go to the temple and ring the bell just to draw the attention of Lord Krishna. "Also describe the Deity worship, wherein one should offer food to Krishna at least five times daily. One should in due time place Krishna on a bed. You should also describe the process for offering arati and the worship of the Lord according to the list of five, sixteen or fifty ingredients.

"The characteristics of the Deities should be discussed as well as the characteristics of the shalagrama-shila. One should also discuss visiting the Deities in the temple and touring holy places like Vrindavana, Mathura, and Dvaraka.

"You should glorify the holy name and carefully give up offenses when chanting the holy name. One should know the symptoms of a Vaishnava. One must give up or nullify all kinds of seva-aparadha, offenses in Deity worship.

"The items of worship, such as water, conchshell, flowers, incense and lamp, should be described. You should also mention chanting softly, offering prayers, circumambulating, and offering obeisances. All these should be carefully studied.

"Other items to be considered are the method of performing purashcarana (purification), taking krishna-prasada, giving up unoffered food and not blaspheming the Lord's devotees."

This is also a very important point that devotees should remember. A Vaishnava is not suppose to take anything that has not been offered to Krishna. We should be very careful about that. Because I have seen practically all over the world we are developing a tendency to eat things that are not offered. The only consideration has become if the food is vegetarian. But we are supposed to only take Krishna prasada.

Try to avoid it as much as possible. When you are traveling or if you are on sankirtana, then it is different. But still try to offer everything to Krishna before you take it.

One should know the symptoms of a devotee and how to associate with devotees. One should know how to satisfy the devotee by rendering services, and one should know how to give up the association of nondevotees. One should also regularly hear the recitation of Shrimad-Bhagavatam.

We can see how Prabhupada actually implemented all of these instructions of Sanatana Gosvami in our Society.

You should describe the ritualistic duties of every day, and you should describe the fortnightly duties-especially observing Ekadashi fast, which comes every fortnight.

Now here also it's an important thing to consider, like we generally think that just by not taking grains we are observing Ekadashi. But actually when we talk about observing Ekadashi, it actually means fasting. And fasting means not taking anything. Fasting does not necessarily mean just fasting from grains. In the beginning of course, devotees may just abstain from grains on Ekadashi day. But as one makes advancement, one should try to fast completely. Also as it has been described that one may also stay awake for 24 hours. Stay up during the day and the night.

When I give class on observing Ekadashi, devotees often raise the point that Prabhupada never really instructed us to observe Ekadashi in this way. But actually in The Nectar of Devotion Prabhupada says that devotees may stay awake the whole night singing the glories of the Lord fasting. So Prabhupada actually did instruct us to stay up all night as well. It's actually not a very difficult thing.

You should recommend the avoidance of mixed Ekadashi and the performance of pure Ekadashi.

Cc Madhya 24.342

Perhaps you've noticed that sometimes we don't fast on the Ekadashi but we fast on the Dvadashi. The reason we do this is that the Ekadashi is mixed. That is, dashami enters into Ekadashi. When the tenth day overlaps the eleventh day it is to be mixed or penetrated. And one does not fast on that Ekadashi but instead fasts on the next day which is Dvadashi, the twelfth day. And it has been described that fasting on a Maha-Dvadashi is a thousand times more potent then fasting on an Ekadashi.

"You should also describe the fault in not observing this. One should be very careful as far as these items are concerned. If one is not careful, one will be negligent in executing devotional service."

"Whatever you say about Vaishnava behavior, the establishment of Vaishnava temples and Deities and everything else should be supported by evidence from the Puranas."

"You should give general and specific descriptions of the behavior and activities of a Vaishnava. You should outline things that are to be done and things that are not to be done. All this should be described as regulations and etiquette's."

Here are some other quotes from Shrila Prabhupada on etiquette:

"All the inhabitants of Vrindavana are Vaishnavas. They are all-auspicious because somehow or other they always chant the holy name of Krishna."

So here we also must understand one thing that all of the devotees in ISKCON are Vaishnavas because somehow or other they are chanting the holy name. Prabhupada is giving the qualification of a Vaishnava. One should consider all of the inhabitants of Vrindavana Vaishnavas. Why? Because somehow or other they chant the holy name of the Lord. So what to talk of the devotees of ISKCON, we should be very respectful of all of the devotees knowing well that they are all Vaishnavas.

The biggest hindrance to our spiritual progress is Vaishnava aparadha. It's actually a very dangerous offense. We must be very careful about commiting Vaishnava aparadha.

"Even though some of them do not strictly follow the rules and regulations of devotional service, on the whole they are devotees of Krishna and chant His name directly or indirectly."

Cc Adi-lila 5.232, Purport

This is a very important instruction. Actually the whole Vaishnava etiquette or the whole Vaishnava culture is founded on this principle.

A Vaishnava should be tolerant like a tree and submissive like grass... Nevertheless the author of this instruction, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, did not tolerate the misbehavior of Jagai and Madhai. When they harassed Nityananda Prabhu, He immediately became angry and wanted to kill them. One should be very meek and humble in his personal transactions, but if there is blasphemy against one's guru or another Vaishnava, one should be angry as fire. One should not tolerate blasphemy against a Vaishnava but should immediately take one of three actions. If someone blasphemes a Vaishnava, one should stop him with higher arguments and higher reason. If one is not expert enough to do this he should give up his life on the spot, and if he cannot do this, he must go away. But we should never listen to blasphemy against a Vaishnava.

Cc Adi-lila 7.50, Purport

Although Vaishnavas are very humble and tolerant, that is not weakness. Vaishnavas are not weak. Vaishnavas are as hard as a thunderbolt. If it is necessary they can become as violent as a lion. Prabhupada would often say that a Vaishnava is as soft as a rose petal and as hard as a thunderbolt. A Vaishnava is not only soft, but if necesary he can become hard. That shows that Vaishnavas are not weaklings. Vaishnavas are very, very powerful. Both physically and spiritually. Actually it is the spiritual power that endows them with the physical power.

Vaishnavas should not be disrespectful to anyone. One should always be respectful to others but should not demand respect for himself. Amanina manadena.

A Vaishnava is adosha darshi. A Vaishnava never sees other's faults. Of course, every human being has good qualities and faults. Therefore, it is said sadhyana guna mitsanti. A Vaishnava accepts only a man's glories and not his faults. Adosha darshi means one who does not find faults in others. He simply sees the other's good qualities and he finds faults with himself. He is very strict with himself and he is always watching himself very scrutinizingly, detecting all of the defects he has in himself.

A Vaishnava always follows the order of guru and Krishna. Anyone, who attempts to write about Krishna, must first take permission from the guru and Krishna. One must first become a pure devotee and then he must take permission from the spiritual master and that permission must be confirmed by Krishna from within his heart.

Sanatana Goswami followed the instructions of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and wrote a book on Vaishnava Etiquette. This book is the guidebook that directs a Vaishnava's activities. The Hari-bhakti-vilasa describes Vaishnava etiquette as the behavior of a pure Vaishnava. Everybody should follow that standard. Here is how the Hari-bhakti-vilasa defines Vaishnava etiquette, its philosophy, and some basic Vaishnava principles.

"Since nothing can be successful without sadacara or etiquette, every action should be performed with proper etiquette." We must act according to proper etiquette. The heart of a saintly person is free from contamination. The way a saintly person acts is known as proper etiquette. A way a saintly person acts is know as sadacara.

"If a person reads the six branches of the Vedas without practicing proper etiquette, he does not get purified, just as a bird flies away from the nest as soon as it grows wings, the Vedas leave him at the time of his death.

"Although one may have acquired the knowledge of all of the Vedas, but if one is not practicing the proper etiquette or if he did not become a Vaishnava, then all of this knowledge which he has acquired, will be lost at the time of death.

"Proper etiquette increases fame, opulence, longevity and destroys all inauspiciousness.

"O king, proper etiquette gives the results of dharma, artha and kama. Therefore a wise man very carefully performs the proper etiquette described in the scriptures.

"Thus one can understand that Vaishnava etiquette purifies the heart and the consciousness."

Now here are some basic principles and points that I've compiled from Hari-bhakti-vilasa and The Nectar of Devotion about the proper activities of one who is a Vaishnava. A Vaishnava-

1. Offers respect and obeisances to the guru, to the Lord and His devotees, and to other superiors. (One must offer respect and obeisances to the superiors, like the guru, the Lord and His devotees. We must also respect superior relatives, like the parents.)
2. Get up before 4 a.m. and attend mangala-arati.
3. After waking up, first brush your teeth and afterwards take a bath.
4. Bathe after passing stool.
5. Wash with water after passing urine. Also wash hands and feet.
6. Wash hands, feet, and mouth before and after taking prasadam. (We must at least wash our hands. In the Western countries it may be difficult to wash our feet. But when in India, you should wash both your hands and your feet before and after taking prasada.)
7. Wash hands after drinking water. (This done because when your hold your cup while drinking, your hands actually become contaminated.)
8. Use the right hand for eating and drinking. Even if you are a lefty, try to use your right hand.
9. Always wear clean clothes.
10. Never steal anything.
11. Never use unpleasant words.
12. Never tell a lie, even if it is pleasant. (That is don't even tell a pleasant lie.)
13. Never speak ill of others.
14. Do not become inimical to others.
15. Do not develop friendship with people who are envious, fallen, insane, inimical, extravagant, deceptive, lying or illicitly related with women. Do not develop friendship with unchaste women.
16. Do not travel alone.
17. Do not sneeze or yawn without covering the mouth.
18. Do not laugh loudly.
19. Do not pass air loudly.
20. Always avoid a crematorium, a garden, and unchaste women at night.
21. Do not take shelter of a fallen person.
22. Neither sleep too much nor stay awake too much.
23. Do not outstretch your legs in front of your elders.
24. Do not pass urine or stool on the road.
25. Do not spit while eating.
26. Do not insult women.
27. Do not become envious of women.
28. Never cause any harm to anyone; instead, always try to do good to others.
29. Do not associate with unscrupulous people or read "scriptures" that are not bona fide. (Scriptures are in quotes, which means they are so-called scriptures.)
30. Do not mock people who are foolish, insane, distressed, ugly, cunning, lame, or fallen.
31. Do not chastise anyone except sons and disciples to educate them.
32. Bathe after shaving, copulating, or going to a crematorium.
33. Do not hit anyone on the head or pull anyone by the hair.
34. Do not eat yogurt or chickpea flour at night. (Actually Shrila Prabhupada instructed us about yogurt but we are not so sure about the chickpeas. So you be careful about that now. Don't eat chickpeas at night. In the morning they are good, but not at night.)
35. If someone insults you, leave the place silently.
36. Never praise yourself.
37. Never look at a naked woman or man.
38. Do not place your foodstuffs on your lap to eat.
39. Do not quarrel with your wife.
40. Do not spit on water. (Because people sometimes drink water from ponds or lakes or rivers, one should not spit on water.)
41. Do not sleep in the temple room.
42. Sannyasis should bathe three times a day, grihasthas and brahmacaris at least twice a day.
43. After one takes prasadam the area where the plate was kept must be cleared. One should not step over the area where prasadam was taken, because it is considered contaminated. (I have noticed in many temples that after we take prasada, which is usually on the floor, we just step all over. Then without even washing our feet we enter into the temple room. So one should be careful about that. The place where we take prasadam becomes contaminated. And if you step on that spot, then you must wash your feet. The place where the prasadam has been taken, must be cleaned right after the prasadam has been taken. Because the temple must be very clean, we should be careful that we do not unnecessarily contaminate the temple.
44. After touching the inside of the mouth or nose, one must wash his hands.
45. After putting on tilaka, one must do acamana by saying, om keshavaya namah, om narayanaya namah, and om madhavaya namah.

So those are some of the basic principles by which a Vaishnava acts. We'll be going over many of these points in detail later in our classes.

1. We are all infinitesimal parts and parcels of Shri Krishna. As our Krishna consciousness evolves we will naturally develop and manifest all divine qualities.

2. The Supreme process for developing such Krishna consciousness is the chanting of the Holy Name.

3. Becoming a pure devotee is not a cheap thing. We must guard against imitation and strictly follow in the footsteps of Shrila Prabhupada.

4. The qualities of a pure devotee like Shrila Prabhupada are far beyond our present grasp. However, in their compassion, Shri Krishna and the Vaishnavas have made both the principle and the process very clear and simple.

5. Shri Krishna in Bg. 12.13-20 tells us quite plainly which qualities are dear to Him:

One who is not envious but is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor and is free from false ego, who is equal in both happiness and distress, who is tolerant, always satisfied, self-controlled, and engaged in devotional service with determination, his mind and intelligence fixed on Me-such a devotee of Mine is very dear to Me.

He for whom no one is put into difficulty and who is not disturbed by anyone, who is equipoised in happiness and distress, fear and anxiety, is very dear to Me.

My devotee who is not dependent on the ordinary course of activities, who is pure, expert, without cares, free from all pains, and not striving for some result, is very dear to Me.

One who neither rejoices nor grieves, who neither laments nor desires, and who renounces both auspicious and inauspicious things-such a devotee is very dear to Me.

One who is equal to friends and enemies, who is equipoised in honor and dishonor, heat and cold, happiness and distress, fame and infamy, who is always free from contaminating association, always silent and satisfied with anything, who doesn't care for any residence, who is fixed in knowledge and who is engaged in devotional service-such a person is very dear to Me.

Those who follow this imperishable path of devotional service and who completely engage themselves with faith, making Me the supreme goal, are very, very dear to Me.

6. How can we develop these qualities? Shrila Rupa Gosvami explains-
(a) be enthusiastic
(b) endeavor with confidence
(c) be patient
(d) act according to regulative principles (such as shravanam kirtanam vishnoh smaranam-hearing, chanting and remembering Krishna)
(e) abandon the association of nondevotees
(f) follow in the footsteps of the previous acaryas (Nectar of Instruction Text 3).

7. He also elucidates those practices which will hinder our Krishna conscious development:
(a) eating more than necessary or collecting more funds than required
(b) overendeavouring for mundane things that are very difficult to obtain
(c) talking unnecessary about mundane subject matters
(d) practicing the scriptural rules and regulations only for the sake of following them and not for the sake of spiritual advancement, or rejecting the rules and regulations of the scriptures and working independently or whimsically
(e) associating with worldly-minded persons who are not interested in Krishna consciousness
(f) being greedy for mundane achievements.

8. Shrila Prabhupada, being as practical as he is compassionate, has provided a very clear and simple checklist by which we can assess our progress in Krishna consciousness. Please read Bhagavad-gita Chapter 13, Verses 8-12.

9. The process for developing our Krishna consciousness is profoundly simple and straightforward. If we sincerely take shelter of the lotus feet of the Vaishnavas, and intensely desire to achieve the goal, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu will undoubtedly shower His mercy upon us.

10. All the divine qualities are there in the spirit soul. Therefore as we come closer to our spiritual identity, these qualities naturally become manifest.

Basic Principles of Vaiñëava Behavior

Vaishnava etiquettes are not superficial or un-essential.

Having heard all these details, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, greatly pleased, spoke as follows:

tathapi bhakta-svabhava-maryada-rakshana
maryada-palana haya sadhura bhushana

"My dear Sanatana, although you are the deliverer of the entire universe and although even the demigods and great saints are purified by touching you, it is the characteristic of a devotee to observe and to protect the Vaishnava etiquette. Maintenance of the Vaishnava etiquette is the ornament of a devotee."

(Cc Antya 4.128-30)

So it is stated, "Etiquette is the ornament of a Vaishnava." But what does this mean? Is etiquette something only external or optional? We could draw an analogy: Is it possible to be wealthy, but have no riches? Or what is the value of wealth if one uses no costly ornaments? Generally, one will decorate himself according to the degree of his wealth. If one is very rich, he will be adorned with only the finest of raiments and accessories. Similarly, for one who is profound in his Krishna consciousness, the jewels of Vaishnava etiquette will naturally grace all of his dealings and activities. The characteristics of a devotee are always sublimely manifest in all of his actions. The depth of a Vaishnava is judged by his symptoms. The true devotee will therefore adorn himself unsparingly with the decorum of a Vaishnava in all respects.

Etiquette [Dictionary Definition]:

1) Conventional requirements as to social behavior;

2) The code of ethics of a profession.

Accepting the identity of a Vaishnava necessitates a certain standard of behavior or etiquette. Vaishnava etiquette facilitates Krishna consciousness. It provides the criteria-the protocol-by which a devotee can act properly in every situation. In the Bhagavad-gita (6.24 purport), quoting from verse 3 of the Upadeshamrita, Shrila Prabhupada roughly paraphrases one of the items favorable for development of devotional service as, "by engaging completely in activities of goodness." Practicing Vaishnava etiquette means always acting in the mode of goodness, which is a stepping-stone to the transcendental plane. The mode of goodness is conducive to self-realization, whereas ignorance and passion are not. Therefore, how one applies the principles of Vaishnava etiquette reflects whether a devotee is Krishna conscious or not: i.e. Is he humble? conscientious? well-mannered? disciplined? cultured? sensitive? Someone who is actually a devotee will be known by how much he displays the good qualities.

Quotes from Çréla Prabhupäda

Quotes from Shrila Prabhupada

Brahminical life means cleanliness.

Brahminical life means to be very, very clean, inside and out. Inside by chanting and hearing, and outside by bathing three times daily, if not possible at least two times, but never less than once. Bathing after passing stool. The qualifications of the brahmanas are described in the 18th Chapter of Bhagavad-gita verse 42: "Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge, and religiousness-these are the qualities by which the brahmanas work." So see that these instructions are being followed nicely.

SP Letter to Shivarama (December 7, 1975)

Ramesvara: [In regard to brainwashing] "They claim that our lifestyle tends to take the devotee and isolate him from the world." "Yes," said Prabhupada, "We hate to mix with you. No gentleman tries to mix with loafers. Crows will not like to live with the ducks and white swans; and white swans will not like to live with the crows. That is natural division. Birds of the same feather flock together."

Lilamrita Volume 6 p. 222

The feet should not touch (or even be exposed to) anyone or anything (especially sacred items). That is offensive. Basically, the feet touch only the floor. Otherwise, they are kept covered.

One should not step over (or reach over) anyone.

a) while they are offering obeisances (e.g., before the vyasasana).
b) while they are sitting (as in the temple room).

The slamming of doors, although seemingly a minor fault, greatly disturbed Shrila Prabhupada. It symptomized carelessness and misuse, and Prabhupada said the sound cracked his heart. One time Prabhupada came out of his room and called out, "Who is that slamming the doors? No one knows from where this building has come. You take it for granted that it is here. But no one cares."

Lilamrita V 5 p. 144

But so far as stealing is concerned, one should not steal except in the rarest circumstances. Moral principle is recommended in all scriptures as a prerequisite for spiritual culture.

SP Letter to Pradyumna (January 22, 1968)

More on the Behavior of a Vaiñëava

It is the characteristic of a devotee to observe and protect the Vaishnava etiquette. Maintenance of the Vaishnava etiquette is the ornament of a devotee.

Cc. Antya-lila 4.129-130.

1. The consciousness of a devotee is manifested by his actions.
2. If one has any depth of realization, the jewels of Vaishnava behavior will naturally pace all of his dealings and activities.
3. We need to be aware that the vast majority of our exchanges are with devotees and the innocent public. Aparadha is the only real stumbling block in spiritual life. We must become fearful of committing offence. This awareness will lend sobriety and gravity to our behavior. We will naturally become humble, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu will become pleased, and we will make advancement without serious obstruction.
4. Shrila Prabhupada's reputation depends on our behavior. In his compassion he lifted us up from very degraded backgrounds. He was even criticized by the less intelligent in India for doing so. In order to maintain Shrila Prabhupada's good name, our behavior should be very exemplary.

Quotes from Çréla Prabhupäda

"Act in such a way that they will see we are of ideal character."

When asked, "How do you recognize a Vaishnava?" Shrila Prabhupada replied, "He is a perfect gentleman."

apane acare keha, na kare pracara
pracara karena keha, na karena acara

Some behave very well but do not preach the cult of Krishna consciousness, whereas others preach but do not behave properly.

'acara', 'pracara',—namera karaha 'dui' karya
tumi—sarva-guru, tumi jagatera arya

You simultaneously perform both activities in relation to the Holy Name by your personal behavior and by your preaching. Therefore you are the most advanced devotee in the world.

Cc Antya-lila 102-3 Sanatana Gosvami to Haridasa Thakura

Better than the brahmana who knows the purpose of the Vedas is he who can dissipate all doubts, and better than him is one who strictly follows 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.

Shrimad-Bhagavatam 3.29.32

Now I want that we shall concentrate on making our devotees Krishna conscious and ourselves becoming Krishna conscious, and not be so much concerned with expanding ourselves widely but without any spiritual content. Just like boiling the milk, it becomes thicker and sweeter. Now do like that, boil the milk.

SP Letter to Rupanuga (May 9, 1972)

A devotee is always ideal in behavior." 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)

(The Vaishnava Symptom is Humility:) Your humble repentance is just like a Vaishnava student, so I thank you very much for this humbleness. Lord Chaitanya taught us to be humbler that the grass on the street and more tolerant that the tree. So these symptoms are Vaishnava symptoms.

SP Letter to Gargamuni (February 5, 1969)

Krishna is so very merciful to those who are very humble in their attitude engaged in service of the Lord. Lord Chaitanya advised, therefore, one should be humbler than the straw and more tolerant than the tree and thus be seriously engaged in glorifying the Lord. This world is very awful. Anyone is ready to create some disturbance, especially they are very much apt to disturb Krishna Consciousness persons because that is the way of demoniac life. So, in order to protect us from all dangerous elements, we have to chant the Hare Krishna Mantra regularly being humbler than the straw and more tolerant than the tree. Then Krishna, Who is Dindayal, will bestow His Mercy upon us.

SP Letter to Dindayal (February 2, 1970)

You are good for everything but your attitude to remain good for nothing is very nice. A Vaishnava is always humble and meek, and he is never puffed-up, even he has got the highest qualities of demigods.

SP Letter to Upendra (August 18, 1970)

So we have to be very careful in understanding Krishna Consciousness. ... To understand Krishna as He has spoken in the Bhagavad Gita or in other Vedic literatures through the right sources of disciplic succession, that is our real knowledge. The idea is everyone should try to pace himself as if he doesn't know anything. His position is secure. But as soon as he says that "I know everything, and I was previously such and such...," That is actually rascal. So I know that you are trying to know things from the real source, and you are not puffed up like other fools who think that they know everything. Your humbleness is very much appreciated by me.

SP Letter to Janardana (January 21, 1968)

As I have already said many times that we have to maintain two lines parallel; namely the path of Shrimad-Bhagavatam and the path of Pancaratriki. Shrimad-Bhagavatam is the path for paramahamsas, and Pancaratra path is for the neophytes. So the Temple worship is necessary for the beginners so that by following the regulative principles such devotees become more and more purified and thus gradually come on the platform to understand Shrimad-Bhagavatam. So we shall always keep these principles in view and maintain our centers on this standard.

Recently I have received one 'Kalyan' magazine in which our activities in the Western world have been very much appreciated. Especially they have appreciated my strong injunctions on the point of following the four prohibitive regulations. So after describing our activities, the editor has remarked in one place that things are going very nicely at present, but it is God only Who knows how it will continue in the future. This means that the Indians, or the rigid followers of Vedic principles, are doubtful about my American and European students about their sticking to these principles. So it is a God-sent warning for us so that we may not deviate from the above mentioned two lines of action and thus become subject to criticism by the opposing elements.

SP Letter to Advaita (May 28, 1970)

Our dealings with others must be very clear.

SP Letter to Bali Mardana (February 22, 1970)

Anyway, do things in good sense, without any disturbance. We have to make progress very soberly, and I am always at your service whenever required. [Therefore a serious devotee is always ready to take guidance from superior/other Vaishnavas to understand the proper way of acting.]

SP Letter to Satsvarupa (August 19, 1969)

But we should never steal anything like money, food, water, gasoline, etc., just to enhance our service to Krishna. That is too much dangerous, and if we are caught then all our work is finished. Just like in India recently, this Balyogi Guru Maharaji was detected by the customs authorities attempting to smuggle some small items into India. By this one tiny incident his entire effort for preaching-even he is rascal Number One and his preaching is nonsense, even so the example is there-his work is ruined now and he is practically finished, as the government will not grant him a passport to leave India. So we shall always be careful to avoid any kind of jeopardizing our high standing in the society by some foolish and small act of illegal stealing.

SP Letter to Sankarshana (December 31, 1972)

The teacher and the pujari should never receive a salary. They must work in pure devotion. The kshatriya also.

Lilamrita V p. 65-6

Vaiñëava Behavior is Inspiring for Everyone

Humbleness is appreciated.

SP Letter to Janardana (January 21, 1968)

This Krishna consciousness movement through music, philosophy, spiritual culture, and personal behavior culminating in ideal character of the devotees. All these heavenly contributions combined together will certainly bring about a major change in the life of Western people.

SP Letter to Shivananda (September 14, 1968)

You are right. We must all become ideal in character and then people will become very impressed with such purity. A devotee is faultless-he has no flaws.

SP Letter to Batu Gopala (February 1, 1975)

But, on the other hand, if we don't follow:

It is nice that you are doing preaching work there, but you should know that such practices like stealing are against the principles of Krishna consciousness. I always want that my students should be very ideal in character and not discredit our society.

SP Letter to Madhavi Lata (October 28, 1968)

It is very good you have received permission for chanting and distributing literature as well as collecting. Now you should concentrate to develop your spiritual power to attract the fallen souls to Krishna consciousness. The daily regulative duties must be performed by everyone very strictly: the beads chanted sixteen rounds, and our literatures read and discussed. In this way, everything should be done very nicely. Sankirtana should be done by you in the streets and at gatherings and in this manner display what is this Krishna consciousness movement and how it is for everyone's eternal welfare and happiness. So you do all these with great enthusiasm and very carefully. Our all activities must be open so that no one may criticize our mission. So all dealings must be to the standard of Vaishnavism. We cannot misrepresent ourselves for the purpose of taking monies from the public, but as everything is undertaken forthrightly in a Krishna consciousness way, then Lord Krishna will