Blaspheming Devotees of God - The Mad Elephant Offense
In the practice of bhakti-yoga, guarding against offenses is as important as executing positive service. Among all offenses, blaspheming a devotee of the Lord (sādhu-nindā) is considered the most destructive. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that this act is like a mad elephant (matta-hātī) entering a garden; it uproots the tender creeper of devotion and leaves the garden desolate. Therefore, understanding the gravity of this offense and how to react to it is crucial for every spiritual aspirant.
The Gravity of the Offense
The first offense against the chanting of the holy name is to blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated their lives to propagating the glories of the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is very protective of His devotees. He may tolerate insults directed at Himself, but He never tolerates blasphemy against His surrendered servants. Such an offender is punished life after life and loses all spiritual standing.
- Offending or blaspheming a Vaisnava has been described as the greatest offense, and it has been compared to a mad elephant. When a mad elephant enters a garden, it ruins all the creepers, flowers and trees.
- To blaspheme a Vaisnava, a preacher of God's glory, is great offense. Krsna, or God, will never tolerate offense on the lotus feet of a Vaisnava.
- Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura (Chaitanya Bhagavata Madhya-khanda 22.128, 22.055-056) says: "One who blasphemes a Vaisnava cannot be protected by anyone. Even if a person is as strong as Lord Siva, if he blasphemes a Vaisnava, he is sure to be destroyed."
- If one does not care for the verdict of the sastras and dares blaspheme a Vaisnava, he suffers life after life because of this.
The Duty of a Devotee
What should a devotee do if they hear blasphemy against a Vaiṣṇava? Śrīla Prabhupāda outlines a strict code of conduct based on Vedic scriptures. Passive silence is not an option. One must either defeat the blasphemer with logic, cut out their tongue (a metaphor for forcefully stopping them), commit suicide (a sentiment of extreme anguish), or simply leave the place. To remain and listen is to become an accomplice to the sin.
- A devotee should try to restrict the vilifier by cutting out his tongue, and being unable to do so, one should commit suicide rather than hear the blaspheming of the devotee of the Lord.
- Sukadeva Gosvami tells Pariksit Maharaj, "My dear King, if a person, after hearing blasphemous propaganda against the Lord and His devotees, does not go away from that place, he becomes bereft of the effect of all pious activities."
- If one does not immediately leave upon hearing the Lord or the Lord’s devotee blasphemed, he falls down from devotional service.
- This is the duty of a devotee. Although a devotee maintains an attitude of meekness and gentleness, it is a great fault on his part if he remains silent when the Lord or His devotee is blasphemed.
Humility vs. Anger
There is a common misconception that a devotee must always be meek and humble. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that humility applies to personal insults. If someone insults the devotee personally, they should be tolerant like a tree. However, when the Guru or a Vaiṣṇava is blasphemed, one must become like fire. Anger used in the defense of devotees is a manifestation of love for God.
- One should tolerate insults against oneself, but when there is blasphemy committed against superiors such as other Vaisnavas, one should be neither humble nor meek: one must take proper steps to counteract such blasphemy.
- They (the sahajiya class) do not know that humility and meekness are appropriate when one's own honor is insulted but not when Lord Visnu or the acaryas are blasphemed. In such cases one should not be humble and meek but must act.
- Similarly, anger can be controlled. We cannot stop anger altogether, but if we simply become angry with those who blaspheme the Lord or the devotees of the Lord, we control our anger in Krsna consciousness.
- Vasudeva is that state from which Krsna, Vasudeva, is born, so Lord Siva is the greatest devotee of Lord Krsna, and Sati's behavior is exemplary because no one should tolerate blasphemy against Lord Visnu or His devotee.
Universal Application
This principle of respect extends beyond the immediate circle of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas. Śrīla Prabhupāda explicitly states that anyone who preaches the glories of God is a devotee. He mentions Lord Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad as examples of empowered devotees who should not be blasphemed. A true Vaiṣṇava respects all genuine servants of God, regardless of their sect or country.
- Any devotee of Lord should not be blasphemed. It doesn't matter in any country. Just like Lord Jesus Christ, he is a great devotee. And even Muhammad, he's also a devotee.
- Regardless of the country or sect to which they belong, all Vaisnavas or devotees - any people who are God conscious or Krsna conscious - are thus compassionate. Therefore to blaspheme a Vaisnava, a preacher of God's glories, is a great offense.
- It is not that because we are devotee and they (Lord Jesus Christ and Muhammad) are not devotee. Don't think like that. Anyone who is preaching the glories of God, he is a devotee. He should not be blasphemed. You should be careful.
Conclusion
To make steady progress in spiritual life, one must carefully avoid the pitfall of blasphemy. By honoring all devotees and rigorously defending the dignity of the Lord's servants, one attracts the mercy of Kṛṣṇa, who is always pleased to see His devotees respected.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Blaspheming Devotees of God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.