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Realization of One's Ineligibility

Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev!

We recently came across a powerful statement of Srila Bhakti Siddantha Saraswati Thakur Maharaj - "The root of it all is humility or the due realization of one’s ineligibility. If our unfitness for devotional service is revealed to us either automatically or by the instructions of others, then we are in a position to appreciate the beauty of the lotus feet of the Lord's devotees."

In this regard, I came across a nice pastime. One day a man came to the acharya in the Sri Vaishnava sampradaya named Nanjeeyar, asking that he teach him Nammazhvar's Tiruvaimozhi (A part of Divya Prabandham). Nanjeeyar directed him to his disciple Nampillai who was very expert in explaining the scriptures. In fact in those times, it was glorified that the crowd for Nampillai’s discourse was bigger than the crowd for the yatra festival of Lord Ranganatha. The man who had come seeking spiritual instruction told Nanjeeyar that since he had great regard for Nanjeeyar who was a Sannyasi, he was ready to fall at the preceptor's feet and learn from him. But he was not willing to fall at Nampillai's feet as Nampillai was a householder. Nanjeeyar told the man that he need not fall at the feet of Nampillai, but can just learn. Nanjeeyar then sent for Nampillai and told him that here was a man who wanted to be taught Tiruvaimozhi. Nanjeeyar also told Nampillai that while the man who was going to be taught would sit on a chair, Nampillai himself would have to be seated on the floor while he is teaching. Nampillai unquestioningly agreed to do so. The lessons began, and as instructed by Nanjeeyar, Nampillai sat on the floor, while the student sat on a chair. As the classes progressed in Tiruvaimozhi, the student heard about the glories of the Lord's devotees and he realized that the best way to please the Lord is by becoming the servant of the servant of the servant of the Lord's bona fide servants. It is because the servants of God are so dear to the Lord that one can please Him best by pleasing them. As Lord Krishna states in the Adi Purana

ye me bhakta-janaah paartha / na me bhaktaas ca te janaah
mad bhaktaanaam ca ye bhaktaas / te me bhaktatamaah mataah

"My dear Partha, those who say they are My devotees are not My devotees, but those who claim to be devotees of My devotees are actually My devotees."

Another reason a devotee wishes to serve through other devotees is that he is naturally humble. He wants to take that place below, rather than push himself forward. On realizing all this in the course of hearing from Nampillai, the student felt very bad about being seated on a chair, while the pure devotee of the Lord sat on the floor teaching him. So he prostrated before Nampillai and asked him to sit on the chair. Thereupon, Nampillai said he would no longer teach him. The reason given by Nampillai was that he had been asked by his spiritual master Nanjeeyar to sit on the floor and instruct the student. Now if he were asked to sit on a chair, he could not teach, because that was not what his acharya had told him to do. Thus Nampillai not only was humble enough to sit on the floor and teach, he was also always obedient to his preceptor. Here we see that while Nampillai was naturally humble, the student was able to realize it upon hearing Nampillai's instructions and observing his behaviour and then he was able to appreciate the value of the beauty of the lotus feet of the Lord's devotee Nampillai.

We find the same in Srimad Bhagavatam in the pastime of deliverance of the sons of Kuvera - Manigriva and Nalakuvera. Initially because of intoxication with material opulence they completely disrespected Narada muni and then by the causeless mercy of Srila Narada muni they were cursed to become Yamalarjuna trees in the courtyard of Nanda Maharaj and had the greatest good fortune of being delivered by the Lord. At that time they realized the beauty of the lotus feet of the Lord's devotee Srila Narada muni and while offering prayers to the Lord, they speak the following wonderful verse in SB 10.10.37:

anujaanihi nau bhumams / tavaanucara-kinkarau
darshanam nau bhagavata / rsher aasid anugrahaat

"O Supreme form, we are always servants of Your servants, especially of Narada Muni. Now give us permission to leave for our home. It is by the grace and mercy of Narada Muni that we have been able to see You face to face."

I pray at the lotus feet of my beloved spiritual master to bestow me the mercy to realize my ineligibility and appreciate the beauty of the lotus feet of the Lord's devotees.

Thank you very much.
Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev,
Vaijayanti mala devi dasi,
Abu dhabi.