Appreciation of a Devotee of God - The Pure Spiritual Vision
To see the world through the eyes of a pure devotee is to witness absolute reality. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a true Vaiṣṇava develops a profound appreciation for things that ordinary people overlook or misunderstand. From recognizing the true value of the Lord's pastimes and prasādam to cultivating a deep, faultless appreciation for the service of other devotees, this purified vision is the essence of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Appreciating the Supreme Lord and His Pastimes
Only a devotee can truly appreciate the forms, names, and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that while the Lord's activities may sometimes appear ordinary, a devotee appreciates the supreme greatness and inconceivable strength hidden within His sweet, intimate exchanges.
- The Brahma-samhita (Bs 5.38) says: Although Krsna's transcendental form is presented as black, devotees who are in love with the Supreme Personality of Godhead appreciate the Lord as Syamasundara, having a very beautiful blackish form.
- The smiling face of the Deity in the temple is beheld by the devotees as transcendental and spiritual, and the decoration of the body of the Lord is very much appreciated by the devotees.
- This scene (Mother Yasoda binding child Krsna because of His disturbance) is very much appreciated by pure devotees, for it shows how much greatness there is in the Supreme Person, who plays exactly like a perfect child.
- The Lord (Krsna) is also known as Giridhari or Girivara-dhari. Because Krsna, for the sake of His devotees, lifted Govardhana Hill, the devotees appreciate the Lord's inconceivable strength.
Valuing Transcendental Reality
A devotee's appreciation extends to everything connected with the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that a pure devotee recognizes the spiritual nature of the Lord's remnants and holy abodes, valuing them far above any material elevation or impersonal liberation.
- Only the devotee can appreciate that, "This prasadam is not ordinary foodstuff. It is Krsna's remnant of." Therefore, he understands Krsna.
- Many of these people (Mayavadi sannyasis, prakrta-sahajiyas, etc.) go there to solve their economic problems by becoming beggars. Although anyone living in Vrndavana somehow or other is benefited, the real Vrndavana is appreciated only by a pure devotee.
- Dhruva Maharaja appreciated that the results of devotional service are far more valuable than merging into the Absolute or being elevated to the heavenly planets.
- A pure devotee, whose mind is always engaged in the service of the Lord, can certainly appreciate the impermanence of this material world. Although such a devotee may be engaged in executing material activities, this stage is called anasakti.
Appreciating Fellow Vaiṣṇavas
The true test of a devotee's purity is their relationship with others. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphatically states that a real Vaiṣṇava is free from envy and fault-finding. Instead, their primary business is to appreciate and glorify the devotional service rendered by their peers and predecessors.
- That is the sign of devotee: appreciation (of) the activities of devotee. This appreciation means a devotee who is actually freed from all contamination, he does not find any fault with other devotee.
- Foolish persons become envious and try to minimize an advanced devotee's activities. That is not Vaisnavism. A Vaisnava should appreciate the service rendered to the Lord by other Vaisnavas.
- Your appreciation for the service of your God-brothers is very much laudable. This is actually a devotee's business that everyone should appreciate the value of other devotees.
- Uddhava remained in Vrndavana to observe the activities of the gopis there. When he saw the ecstatic love for Krsna in separation manifested by the gopis, he appreciated their supreme love and therefore expressed his feelings in this verse - Srimad Bhagavatam 10.47.60.
Appreciating the Spiritual Master
A devotee's spiritual life is anchored by their relationship with the spiritual master. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that true appreciation for the guru is demonstrated not merely through sentiment, but by strictly following his instructions, even in his physical absence.
- All the devotees are now appreciating the presence of their Spiritual Master by following His instructions although He is no longer physically present. This is the right spirit.
- Anyone who understands the principle of eternal servitude to the guru and Vaisnavas will appreciate the action of Sri Jiva Gosvami in connection with the so-called scholar’s victory over his gurus, Srila Rupa and Srila Sanatana Gosvami.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the appreciation of a devotee is the ultimate indicator of their spiritual health. Śrīla Prabhupāda masterfully illustrates that as one's heart is cleansed of material contamination, envy is naturally replaced by profound gratitude. By learning to appreciate the beauty of the Lord, the spiritual potency of His remnants, and the sincere service of fellow Vaiṣṇavas and the spiritual master, a practitioner solidifies their position in the absolute realm, experiencing the continuous, joyful reality of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Appreciation of a Devotee of God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.