Prabhupāda Guides His Disciples to Develop the Compassion and Humility of a Vaiṣṇava
The title of Vaiṣṇava is the highest designation achievable by any living entity, representing a soul who has completely surrendered to the Supreme Lord. Through his precise and loving instructions, Śrīla Prabhupāda trains his disciples to shed all material ego and cultivate the profound compassion, strict discipline, and deep humility required to become pure devotees of Kṛṣṇa.
The Transcendental Identity of a Vaiṣṇava
Because the soul is eternal, a genuine devotee cannot be categorized by temporary material designations such as race, nationality, or even the traditional varṇāśrama system. When caste-conscious Indians criticized the Western disciples, Śrīla Prabhupāda fiercely defended his followers, declaring that anyone who takes direct shelter of Kṛṣṇa surpasses even the position of a qualified brāhmaṇa and must be respected as a transcendental Vaiṣṇava.
- Actually our students have surpassed the category of brahmana because they are Vaisnavas which means they are transcendental to any material position.
- A Vaisnava is transcendental. He hasn't got to train under this discipline. Because he takes shelter of Krsna directly, he's given immediately all protection.
- Many devotees join our Krsna consciousness movement from Europe and America, but one should not therefore consider them European Vaisnavas or American Vaisnavas. A Vaisnava is a Vaisnava and should therefore be given all the respect due a Vaisnava.
- These rascals (pasandis) disagree with us so vehemently that some of them do not allow European and American Vaisnavas to enter the temples of Visnu.
- They are converted Vaisnavas in the strict sense of the term. No Temple authority of India should therefore restrict them in the matter of offering their respects to the Deities or chanting the Hare Krsna Mahamantra within the vicinity of the Temple.
Deep Compassion for Suffering Humanity
The defining characteristic of a devotee is an overwhelming, selfless desire to alleviate the miseries of others. Understanding that the root cause of all suffering is forgetfulness of God, a Vaiṣṇava dedicates their entire life to distributing transcendental knowledge. Śrīla Prabhupāda taught his disciples that this profound empathy must extend to everyone, even feeling compassion for those with demonic mentalities.
- Krsna consciousness movement means to become Vaisnava and feel for the suffering humanity.
- That is Vaisnava. He feels, "Oh, these people are suffering. Let us give some information from the sastra so that they can be relieved from the suffering condition."
- My point is that you are all Vaisnavas; try to do something good to the people, because they are all suffering.
- We should be always anxious to save the cripple minded people with the science of Krishna Consciousness. This is the position of a Vaisnava.
- You have been a little bit perturbed that the demons are eternally condemned, and I thank you very much that you have been compassionate with the demons. That is the sign of Vaisnavism.
The Foundation of Humility and Tolerance
Spiritual advancement is not marked by arrogance or a demand for prestige, but by a deep, internal meekness. A true practitioner lives amicably with everyone, avoiding mundane fights and never claiming to be highly elevated. Śrīla Prabhupāda instructed his followers that when managerial conflicts arise, a sincere Vaiṣṇava assumes personal responsibility and humbly corrects the situation rather than blaming others and walking away.
- Do not fight with anyone, try to remain always very humble and meek like the advanced Vaisnava devotee, always thinking yourself lower than the straw in the street and more tolerant than the tree.
- Your qualification is that you can live amicably with anyone. Even if one is an offender to you, you do not become agitated. This is a Vaisnava qualification.
- If there is some incident and I claim that no one is cooperating with me or no one will work with me, that is my defect, not theirs. The Vaisnava devotee must think like this.
- Even though you might not have understood, you can correct it now and don't be disappointed. Your humble repentance is just like a Vaisnava student, so I thank you very much for this humbleness.
- Regarding the sannyasi, therefore I have stopped sannyasa. No Vaisnava says that he is advanced. Please send me the name of the sannyasi, and I shall do the needful.
Strict Adherence to Principles and Standards
The purity of a devotee’s heart is protected by their strict execution of the regulative principles. Being a Vaiṣṇava requires practical discipline: controlling the tongue by eating only prasādam, meticulously worshipping the Deity, and wearing the proper spiritual attire. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized that true leaders, especially those on the Governing Body Commission, must perfectly embody these standards to set the example for the entire society.
- Do not forget our most important business which is to develop pure Krsna Consciousness by following our strict regulations and Vaisnava standards, and always be engaged in service.
- GBC means that one must be ideal Vaisnava. That means there must be strict observance in following all the rules and regulations.
- I have no objection if members of the Society dress like nice American gentlemen; but in all circumstances a devotee cannot avoid tilak, flag on head, & beads on neck. These are essential features of a Vaisnava.
- Your tongue asks you, "Go to the restaurant and eat some nice thing." But if you are a Vaisnava, if you have this vow that "I shall not allow my tongue to eat anything except prasadam," it is already controlled. That means, to control the senses.
- If a devotee very strictly follows the methods of Deity worship, he will naturally and quickly become a pure Vaisnava.
Pleasing the Spiritual Master and Following the Paramparā
A devotee never acts independently; their entire spiritual life is based on fulfilling the desires of the guru and the preceding ācāryas. Feeling an immense, unpayable debt for the knowledge they have received, the disciples work tirelessly on behalf of the spiritual master. By strictly following this Rūpānuga paramparā, a practitioner avoids mental speculation and gradually develops into a perfectly authorized representative of Kṛṣṇa.
- A Vaisnava always feels himself incapable to repay his debt to his spiritual master therefore he works very hard in order to try and repay that debt.
- Narottama dasa Thakura says that, "These six Gosvamis, anyone who accepts these six Gosvamis as authority, spiritual masters, I am his servant." Therefore we Gaudiya Vaisnava, we are known as Rupanuga Vaisnava, following the footsteps of Rupa Gosvami.
- Because we do not follow any other path, we follow mahajano yena gatah sa panthah (CC Madhya 17.186), we follow Jiva Gosvami, Rupa Gosvami. Therefore, we are called Rupanuga Vaisnava, Vaisnava who are followers strictly.
- Spiritual master means they must have many followers. They are all Vaisnavas. They are called prabhus, and the spiritual master is called prabhupada, because on his lotus feet there are many prabhus. Pada means lotus foot.
- Show yourself as an ideal Vaisnava, then you are my representative in fullness. We are not after titles and designations.
Cooperative Spirit and Avoiding Offenses
Because the spiritual master is pleased when his disciples work together, a cooperative spirit is essential. Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly warned against secretive political plotting, finding faults, and unnecessary criticism. He cautioned that committing Vaiṣṇava aparādha—envying, blaspheming, or offending a fellow devotee—is the most dangerous trap on the spiritual path, guaranteeing a fall down into hellish conditions.
- We shall always do everything in cooperative spirit and avoid any fighting amongst us, that is Vaisnava attitude because Lord Caitanya has advised us to always offer all respects to others, especially to the devotees of the Lord.
- If they have objection they must lodge it with their GBC, and differences must be discussed openly amongst ourselves, not secret meetings. We are Vaisnava devotees, not politicians.
- We should be very, very careful not to commit any offense at the feet of Vaisnava. Vaisnava does not take any offense. He does not care who is offender, but Krsna takes care. Krsna will never tolerate if a person is Vaisnava aparadha.
- We should not criticize each other, as Vaisnavas, because there is fault in everyone and we may be ourselves subject to criticism.
- Whoever kills or blasphemes a Vaisnava and whoever is envious of a Vaisnava or angry with him, or whoever does not offer him obeisances or feel joy upon seeing him, certainly falls into a hellish condition.
The Mission to Deliver the World
The ultimate goal of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to reform the entire human society. This incredible task is accomplished not by creating politicians or mundane scholars, but by creating pure Vaiṣṇavas. Śrīla Prabhupāda encouraged his disciples by stating that when a genuine, ideal devotee simply travels and preaches, their very presence automatically awakens the dormant spiritual consciousness of everyone they meet.
- The duty of a brahmana is to become learned in the Vedic literature and teach the Vedic knowledge to other brahmanas. In our Krsna consciousness movement we are simply teaching our students to become fit brahmanas and Vaisnavas.
- In our parampara system we are trying to create some Vaisnavas in the world.
- We should be very much strictly follower of the Vaisnava principle. Vaisnava's only business is how to deliver these fallen souls. Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He appeared as a Vaisnava. The business is to deliver.
- If one true Vaisnava goes any place in the world, then the spiritual instincts of the more advanced souls he comes into contact with will be awakened, and they will automatically be attracted.
- So my advice to you is that you remain ideal Vaisnava internally and externally, and everyone will respect you.
Conclusion
Becoming a Vaiṣṇava is a great responsibility that requires the total purification of the heart and mind. By instilling these profound qualities—transcendental vision, deep compassion, unwavering humility, and strict adherence to the paramparā—Śrīla Prabhupāda created a society capable of delivering the world. When his disciples embody this ideal standard, they become perfectly empowered representatives of the Supreme Lord.
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 Vaisnava (Disciples of SP). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.