Vaishnava qualities

Vaisnavas --- regardless of their varna or occupational propensity --- evidence the characteristics of a brahmana, particularly the 3 brahminical characteristics mentioned below.

1) Vaisnavas and brahmanas have one wealth, in abundance: good behavior. Behavior springs from one's internal qualities; thus, the soul's contact with the quality of goodness brings forth good behavior. We are thus trained in KC'ness in such a way that our schedule, our diet, our speech, our clothing, our approach to life in general is of the quality of goodness.

2) Gratitude: this is a non-optional and a natural ornament of a vaisnava. For example-

Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.19.36
Translation
What grateful soul is there who would not render his loving service to such a great master as the Personality of Godhead? The Lord can be easily pleased by spotless devotees who resort exclusively to Him for protection, though the unrighteous man finds it difficult to propitiate Him.
PURPORT
Every living entity, especially persons in the human race, must feel grateful for the benedictions offered by the grace of the Supreme Lord. Anyone, therefore, with a simple heart of gratefulness must be Krsna conscious and offer devotional service to the Lord.

3) Taking shelter of experienced person: in a mood of humility, and with a purpose of transforming one's life - like the transformation we find "from caterpillar to butterfly", or from material entanglement to transcendence - a vaisnava always respects and seeks shelter of qualified and experienced senior vaisnavas.

The point being made by Srila Prabhupada in the 3rd paragraph of the purport is very significant. "Experienced" or "well equipped with knowledge" is not measured by age, but by the extent of one's shelter-taking in Krishna. Prahlad, for example, was taken as senior to the demigods! Not by age, most certainly, but by his full surrender to Krishna, and his consequent mature knowledge.

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Comments

  • hari hari

    hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

    vaishnava koti ki jay

  • Jai Shri Krishna..

     

    Jai Govind Jai Gopal...

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