Hare Krsna
Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
"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) -
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)
Our dealings with others must be very clear.
SP Letter to Bali Mardana (February 22, 1970)
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)
Please do your duty combinedly without any disruption of peaceful attitudes amongst yourselves. We are pushing our movement on the background of a peaceful atmosphere in the world, and if we show a little disturbance in our own camp that will not be a very good example, therefore, everyone should be forbearing, tolerant and cooperative.
SP letter to Janaki (January 18, 1969) -
SP letter to Janaki (January 18, 1969) -
We are trained to address Godbrothers as Prabhu, which means Master. This means we shall try to find out always the serving side of our Godbrothers. Sometimes there are misgivings, but we should try to overlook.
SP letter to Brahmananda (November 15, 1969)
SP letter to Brahmananda (November 15, 1969)
Note:
The depth of a Vaishnava is seen by his symptoms. -
" 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 Krsna 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.
While dealing with people we have to sacrifice our false ego. We must train ourselves not to be concerned with the subtle interaction of the three modes and material nature.
Never lose your temper in dealing with devotees. Humility and tolerance will always win over anger and frustration.
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