Prabhupāda Instructs His Disciples on the Importance of Offering Respect
The true measure of a devotee's spiritual advancement is clearly visible in their daily interactions and etiquette. Establishing the foundation of a harmonious spiritual society, Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs his followers to cultivate a deep sense of reverence for all living entities. By offering sincere respect to the disciplic succession, fellow practitioners, and even the general public, a devotee conquers false ego and becomes a perfect instrument for the preaching mission.
Respecting the Disciplic Succession
The entire process of spiritual realization depends on the descending mercy of the previous teachers. Emphasizing the necessity of the paramparā system, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that all honor offered by a disciple is effectively transferred upward to the Supreme Lord. A sincere student must carefully preserve the absolute maryādā of the institution by demonstrating profound gratitude and unwavering reverence toward the spiritual master who has delivered the transcendental fruit of devotion.
- As we come to this Krsna consciousness understanding through this long parampara, similarly, in the Vyasa-puja ceremony, whatever respect, honor, and presentation you give, that goes to Krsna through that parampara system, from down.
- One who understands and appreciates the disciplic succession is certainly advanced, and we should always be very careful to give full respect to those who have so carefully handled this Divine Fruit of transcendental knowledge before us.
- Our Krsna consciousness movement is based on complete fellow feeling and love, but there is a word maryada which means respect which should always be offered to the spiritual master and elderly members.
- To offer the highest respects to the Supreme Person and as much respect to the spiritual master, makes one bona fide to receive spiritual knowledge by revelation.
Reverence for Pure Devotees and Vaiṣṇavas
A healthy spiritual community thrives on mutual appreciation and a conscious rejection of mundane familiarity. To foster this pure environment, Śrīla Prabhupāda directs his students to view and address one another as masters. Furthermore, absolute respect must be offered to those in the renounced order, such as a sannyāsī, and to all pure devotees—including the sacred tulasī plant—ensuring that a mood of loving subordination constantly permeates the society.
- All should offer due respect to a sannyasi. His position is always superior to all other inmates of the temple. He must always maintain that superior position by action and behavior.
- Amongst ourselves one should respect others as Prabhu, master, one another.
- Tulasi Devi is a pure devotee of Krishna and she should be treated with the same respect given to all Krishna's pure devotees.
- This position of our subordination should always be maintained and we should always give respect to our pure devotees who are engaged in devotional service, that will make us able to make a progressive march in the devotional line.
Respecting Avatars and Representatives of God
A practitioner of Kṛṣṇa consciousness possesses a broad and scientifically absolute vision of global religious history. Without compromising their own strict philosophical alignment, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches his disciples to offer heartfelt veneration to all authorized representatives of the Supreme Lord. By genuinely honoring powerful incarnations like Lord Śiva, Lord Buddha, and Lord Jesus Christ as śaktyāveśa-avatāras, a devotee avoids sectarianism while remaining safely protected within their own tradition.
- Lord Jesus Christ is son of God, the best son of God, so we have all respect for him. Yes. Anyone who is teaching people about God consciousness, he is respectful to us. It does not matter in which country, in which atmosphere, he was preaching.
- We have great respect for Lord Jesus Christ. We accept him as powerful incarnation of Krishna, as much as we accept Lord Buddha.
- We offer all respect to Lord Siva. We consider Siva as the best of the Vaisnavas. Vaisnavanam yatha sambhu. And we have got sampradaya from Siva. He is considered one of the authority of Vaisnavism.
- Even if we accept Lord Jesus Christ as saktyavesa avatara, it doesn't mean that we have to accept his philosophy. But we have all respects for him without fail.
Humility and Dealing with the Public
Distributing transcendental knowledge to an often unreceptive public requires immense tolerance and a total absence of false prestige. Embodying the principle of amāninā mānadena, Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs his preachers to humbly offer respects to everyone, including antagonistic karmīs, without ever demanding honor for themselves. By remaining tactful and consistently viewing others as superiors, devotees successfully melt the hearts of the conditioned souls.
- There will be so many impediments in pushing on our movement, therefore Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has already advised us to be tolerant more than the tree and humbler than the blade of grass and give all respects to karmis without expecting any respect.
- We must have respect. Respectable person must be respected. Otherwise, what it is? That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's... amanina manadena. Don't expect any respect for yourself, but you offer respect to everyone.
- Better we should always be willing to offer all respects to others and consider them as our superiors always.
- Regarding your trip to U.S.A. you say that you will be tactful and respectful in your dealings. That should be the motto of all GBC. Be tolerant, and if there is any deficiency, rectify it.
Commanding Respect Through Purity
The credibility of the preaching mission relies entirely on the spotless character of its members. Warning against the dangers of scandalous behavior, Śrīla Prabhupāda assures his disciples that as long as they strictly maintain the regulative principles, they will naturally command the respect of the general public. It is this unwavering commitment to purity, coupled with courteous behavior, that ultimately convinces the world of the authenticity of the spiritual movement.
- Take care of them so that they may become pure devotees. That is your duty. We are respected everywhere on our purity platform. This should be maintained.
- So long the regulative principles are followed, everything else will follow, and at least we shall command the respect of the public. People may not have the impression that they are the same hippies under different dress.
- If you will simply stick to your principles, you will gain the respect of the whole world and our preaching work will be successful.
- We must be very careful to avoid anything scandalous in our dealings, and always keep to the highest standards of respect and courtesy.
Conclusion
The genuine culture of respect is the very heartbeat of a successful spiritual society. By consciously honoring the disciplic succession, celebrating the pure qualities of fellow Vaiṣṇavas, and approaching the public with radical humility, the disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda remain perfectly protected from the pride of the material world. Ultimately, it is this sincere and courteous demeanor, anchored in absolute purity, that wins the hearts of the conditioned souls and secures the eternal blessings 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 Our Respect (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.