Hare Krishna! My humble obeisance, I want to know, what are the qualities/symbols/signs of a good devotee, How to know if one has become a devotee or has started to develop a Krishna Conciousness in self? And how can he further progress in the spiritual path of Lord Hari Govinda?
Hare Krishna
Jai Jai Shree Radhay
Replies
My humble Obeisance to all devotees and HDGAC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada
I am very thankful to all prabhuji (Durga Prasad and Bharat Prabhu) and mataji(Gayatri Mataji) for their respective replies.
Hare Krishna
Radhay Radhay
Kindly open and read the below attached files!
Stages To Pure Bhakti.pdf
Progressive signs of a devotee( SRADDHA to PREMA.doc)
According to Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.4.15–16), the science of
devotional service:
ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhusaṅgo
’tha bhajana-kriyā
tato ’nartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt
tato niṣṭhā rucis tataḥ
athāsaktis tato bhāvas
tataḥ premābhyudañcati
sādhakānām ayaṁ premṇaḥ
prādurbhāve bhavet kramaḥ
“In the beginning one must have a preliminary desire for self-realization.
This will bring one to the stage of trying to associate with persons who
are spiritually elevated. In the next stage one becomes initiated by an
elevated spiritual master, and under his instruction the neophyte devotee
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begins the process of devotional service. By execution of devotional
service under the guidance of the spiritual master, one becomes free from
all material attachment, attains steadiness in self-realization, and acquires
a taste for hearing about the Absolute Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
This taste leads one further forward to attachment for Kṛṣṇa
consciousness, which is matured in bhāva, or the preliminary stage of
transcendental love of God. Real love for God is called prema, the
highest perfectional stage of life.” In the prema stage there is constant
engagement in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. So, by the
slow process of devotional service, under the guidance of the bona fide
spiritual master, one can attain the highest stage, being freed from all
material attachment, from the fearfulness of one’s individual spiritual
personality, and from the frustrations that result in void philosophy. Then
one can ultimately attain to the abode of the Supreme Lord.
Find more in attached files below!
Stages To Pure Bhakti.pdf
Progressive signs of a devotee( SRADDHA to PREMA.doc)
Also, a good devotee shares prasadam (especially sweets) with others, if he/she gets some. Krishna becomes happy this way. So sharing prasadam (especially sweets) with friends and other family members/neighbours regardless of any discrimination is important.
Hare Krishna,
Very neatly explained by Bharat Prabhu, I appreciate. nothing much to be added as usual.
got this vid. link. thought I should share. Very beautifully explained by Maharaj ji.
https://www.radhanathswamionline.com/insights/radhanath-swami-on-wh...
Hare Krishna.
Hare Krsna
What are the qualities/symbols/signs of a good devotee ?
Lord Sri Krsna in Bhagavad Gita describes what is divine nature and what is demoniac nature.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Fearlessness; purification of one’s existence; cultivation of spiritual knowledge; charity; self-control; performance of sacrifice; study of the Vedas; austerity; simplicity; nonviolence; truthfulness; freedom from anger; renunciation; tranquillity; aversion to faultfinding; compassion for all living entities; freedom from covetousness; gentleness; modesty; steady determination; vigor; forgiveness; fortitude; cleanliness; and freedom from envy and from the passion for honor – these transcendental qualities, O son of Bharata, belong to godly men endowed with divine nature. ( BG 16.1-3)
Kindly note in case any of the above qualities are not manifest that does not mean that the person is not a good devotee.
How to know if one has become a devotee or has started to develop a Krishna Conciousness in self?
In Bhagavad Gita Arjuna asks what are the sympotoms of a perfectly self realised person. Lord Sri Krsna answers as follows
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O Pārtha, when a man gives up all varieties of desire for sense gratification, which arise from mental concoction, and when his mind, thus purified, finds satisfaction in the self alone, then he is said to be in pure transcendental consciousness. ( BG 2.55)
One who is not disturbed in mind even amidst the threefold miseries or elated when there is happiness, and who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady mind. ( BG 2.56)
In the material world, one who is unaffected by whatever good or evil he may obtain, neither praising it nor despising it, is firmly fixed in perfect knowledge.( BG 2.57)
One who is able to withdraw his senses from sense objects, as the tortoise draws its limbs within the shell, is firmly fixed in perfect consciousness.( BG 2.58)
To summarize the above - A person who is progressing positlively in following areas is making progress in Krsna consciousness
1. Give up desires of sense gratification
2. Absorb/engage his consciousness in Krsna ( Holy name, Pastimes, seva etc)
3. Uninfluenced by external happiness and distress
4. Free from attachment, fear and anger
5. Unaffected by good or bad results obtained
6. Control senses at will
How can he further progress in the spiritual path of Lord Hari Govinda?
Progress in bhakti happens
1. By absorption in spiritual sound vibration of Krsna's holy names, pastimes and instructions.
2. By rendering selfess and menial service to vaishnavas
Hare Krsna