Blasphemy - The Destroyer of Spiritual Life
In the cultivation of spiritual life, avoiding unfavorable actions is as crucial as performing favorable ones. Among the most detrimental activities is blasphemy (nindā). Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that blasphemy is not just a social indiscretion but a spiritual suicide. Whether directed against the Supreme Lord, His devotees, or the revealed scriptures, blasphemy destroys the results of all pious activities and blocks the path back to Godhead.
Defining Blasphemy
Blasphemy in Kṛṣṇa consciousness covers a wide range of offenses. It is not limited to using foul language against the Deity. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that considering the Supreme Lord to be an ordinary human being or equating Him with demigods is the "greatest blasphemy." Similarly, criticizing the Vedic literatures or the authorized scriptures is a primary offense against the holy name (śruti-śāstra-nindanam). Even claiming "I am God" or behaving with false pride is categorized as blasphemous.
- One who considers the transcendental body of Lord Visnu to be made of material nature is the greatest offender at the lotus feet of the Lord. There is no greater blasphemy against the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- The greatest blasphemy is to consider Visnu and the living entity on the same level.
- To think that Lord Siva and the other demigods are other forms of God and are therefore equal to Visnu - is blasphemous. This is the second offense at the lotus feet of the holy name of the Lord.
- The fourth offense (sruti-sastra-nindanam) is to blaspheme Vedic literatures such as the four Vedas and the Puranas.
Blaspheming Devotees
The most dangerous form of blasphemy is sādhu-nindā, or offending the devotees of the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes this as the "mad elephant offense." A devotee may be imperfect in their behavior, but if they are engaged in the service of the Lord, criticizing them is forbidden. This principle of respect extends to all genuine preachers of God consciousness, regardless of their tradition. Śrīla Prabhupāda explicitly states that one should not blaspheme figures like Lord Jesus Christ or Muhammad, as they are devotees of God.
- To blaspheme the great saintly persons who are engaged in preaching the glories of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra is the worst offense at the lotus feet of the holy name.
- Those who are preaching the message of God, they should not be blasphemed. And then never interpret in the scriptures or in the chanting of Hare Krsna.
- Anyone who is preaching devotion to God, he's a devotee of God. So he should never be blasphemed.
- In your Western countries, Lord Jesus Christ sacrificed his life for God's. He was charged that he was preaching something blasphemous. But he was a devotee of God.
The Duty to React
A specific protocol exists for dealing with blasphemy. While a devotee should tolerate insults to their own person, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that one must never be passive when the Lord or His devotees are blasphemed. The injunction is to either defeat the blasphemer with logic, stop them by force (metaphorically cutting the tongue), or leave the place immediately. Passive hearing of blasphemy strips a person of their pious credits.
- 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.
- The instruction set forth here in Srimad-Bhagavatam is that one should not tolerate at any cost the activities of a person who vilifies or blasphemes an authority.
- One who hears blasphemy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His devotees should immediately take action or should leave. Otherwise he will be put into hellish life perpetually.
- If one hears an irresponsible person blaspheme the master and controller of religion, one should block his ears and go away if unable to punish him. But if one is able to kill, then one should by force cut out the blasphemer's tongue and kill the offender.
Divine vs. Demoniac Nature
Ultimately, the tendency to blaspheme distinguishes the divine nature from the demoniac. Demons (asuras) are envious of the Lord and His devotees, and this envy manifests as blasphemy. In contrast, a pure devotee (uttama-adhikārī) sees only the good in others and has no inclination to blaspheme. Even when faced with nindakas (blasphemers), the Lord and His pure devotees often respond with compassion, seeking to rectify rather than condemn.
- Bewildered by false ego, strength, pride, lust and anger, the demon becomes envious of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is situated in his own body and in the bodies of others, and blasphemes against the real religion.
- An uttama-adhikari is not interested in blaspheming others, his heart is completely clean, and he has attained the realized state of unalloyed Krsna consciousness.
- Many atheists and blasphemers came and fell at the lotus feet of the Lord, and the Lord in return excused them and gave them love of Krsna.
Conclusion
Blasphemy is a poison that must be strictly avoided by anyone serious about self-realization. By maintaining a respectful attitude toward the Lord, the scriptures, and all living beings, one protects the tender plant of devotion and ensures steady progress on the path back to Godhead.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Blasphemy. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.