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| Who is actually a Vaishnava? |
By Swami Gaurangapada
Q. Who is a Vaisnava, madhyama Vaisnava & uttama Vaisnava?
A. Till the time namaparadha is present in one's meditation, the real Name does not actually manifest. The result
of namabhasa is that the sinful reactions are finished. When the sins are finished, the mind and heart become
pure. When the mind and heart become pure, at that time there is no chance for committing namaparadha. Thus
someone comes to the stage of chanting the Name regularly without aparadha, he is to be called a 'Vaisnava'.
In the same if the chanting of Name without aparadha becomes continuous then he comes to the stage of
'Madhyama Vaisnava'. And when there is the manifestation of Hladini-Sakti in the heart of the devotee due to
chanting he is to be considered the 'Uttama Vaisnava'.
Thakura Bhaktivinoda in his commentary on the Manah Siksha, Mantra 10
Q. What is the specialty of the definition of these three kinds of Vaisnavas given in Sri Caitanya-caritamrita?
A. The Vaisnava who is suddha nama-parayana (taken shelter of chanting the pure Name without offenses is
actually famous as a 'Vaisnava'. The regular cultivator of the holy Name without offenses is known as a
'Vaisnava'. The constant cultivator of the holy Name without offenses is the Madhyama Vaisnava. And simply by
whose presence, the pure Name manifests in one's mouth is the topmost Vaisnava. Constant association with
such devotees is the prime duty of every living entity.
Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Sadhu-ninda, Chp 4, Hari-nama-cintamani
Q. To what extent is one a Vaisnava?
A. To the amount one has developed rati (attraction) for chanting of Krsna-nama, to that extent one is a
Vaisnava.
Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Caitanya-sikshamrita 6/4
Q. Who is actually qualified to engage in nama-bhajana?
A. A madhyama-Vaisnava is actually qualified to engage in nama-bhajana.
Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Sadhu-ninda, Chp 4, Hari-nama-cintamani
Vaisnavabhasa, prakrta-Vaisnava, Vaisnava-praya and kanistha-Vaisnava are different names for the neophyte
devotee.
Sadhu-sevahina arcca loukika sraddhaya
Prakrta Vaisnava haya vaisnavera praya
The neophyte devotee (kanistha Vaisnava) displays a faith that is formal and worldly. He worships the Deity but
has no service attitude towards the devotees of the Lord.
Vaisnava-abhasa sei, nohe ta' Vaisnava
Kemane paibe sadhusangera vaibhava
He is almost a Vaisnava (Vaisnava-praya), but is not a real Vaisnava yet; hence, he is not able to take full
advantage and understand the glories of sadhu-sanga.
Ataeva kanistha madhyete ta're gani
Ta're krpa koribena Vaisnava apani
Such a neophyte will have to receive the blessings of a real Vaisnava to advance further.
Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Jaiva-dharma, Chapter 8
Young Nityananda dasa asked, "Saintly Babaji, what kind of Vaisnava am I? Am I a neophyte Vaisnava or an
intermediate Vaisnava? An advanced Vaisnava I certainly am not."
Saintly Hari dasa Babaji smiled and said, "Can a person who accepts the Name Nityananda dasa not be an
advanced Vaisnava? Our Nityananda is very merciful. Even when He is beaten, He gives love in return. How can
words properly glorify a person who chants Lord Nityananda's Name and becomes His servant.
Nityananda dasa: I would like to know truthfully what my position is.
Hari dasa: Son, tell me all about yourself. If Lord Nityananda gives me the power to say, I will tell you.
Nityananda dasa: I was born in a lowly family in a village on the bank of the Padmavati. I was married at a
young age. I did not learn how to be wicked. When my wife died, thoughts of renunciation came to my mind. In
Baragachi I saw many Vaisnavas who had renounced family life. Everyone was respectful to them. Desiring to be
honored like that, and inspired by the temporary feeling of renunciation my wife's death brought, I accepted the
garments of a Vaisnava renunciant. After some days wickedness came into my mind. My Vaisnava friend was a
very good person. Now he stays in Vraja. He gave me good advice, protected me with his good association, and
kept my mind pure. Now my mind no longer wants to leave the right path. It likes to chant a hundred thousand
holy Names every day. I understand that the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His holy Name are not
different. Both are perfectly spiritual. I observe Ekadasi according to the scriptures and I water tulasi. When the
Vaisnavas sing the holy Names together, I join in the singing. I drink the nectar water that has washed the
Vaisnava's feet. I read Sri Caitanya-mangala. I do not desire opulent food and clothing. I do not like to hear
gossip. When I see how the Vaisnavas are filled with ecstatic love, I also become ecstatic and I roll in the dust
that has touched their feet. In spite of all this, to a certain extent I still desire fame. Now please tell me: To what
class of Vaisnava do I belong? How should I behave?
Showing a little smile, Hari dasa Babaji said to Vaisnava dasa, "You say. To what class of Vaisnava does
Nityananda dasa belong?"
Vaisnava dasa: From what I have heard he has left the neophyte stage and become an intermediate devotee.
Hari dasa: I also think that.
Nityananda dasa: Good. From the mouth of a great soul I now know my true position. Please give your mercy to
me so I may gradually become an advanced devotee.
Hari dasa: When you first accepted the garments of a sannyasi, you desired material fame. That inappropriate
desire meant that you were still fallen.
In spite of that, the mercy of the Vaisnavas brought auspiciousness to you.
Nityananda dasa: I still have a slight desire for fame. In my mind I think, "Bewildered by the tears in my eyes
and many other symptoms of ecstatic love, the people will worship me."
Hari dasa: You should struggle to renounce those thoughts. Don't keep thoughts like those. There is the danger
they will diminish your devotional service. If you allow them to diminish your devotion, you will again become a
neophyte devotee. Even after lust, anger, and other vices have left, the desire for fame may stubbornly stay
with a Vaisnava. It does not go away very easily. A single drop of sincere love for the Lord is better than an
elaborate pretense of that love.
Touching the dust of Hari dasa Babaji's feet, Nityananda dasa Babaji said, "Please have mercy on me." Hari dasa
at once embraced him and made him sit down. How wonderful is the result attained by a Vaisnava's touch!
Tears streamed from Nityananda's dasa's eyes. Taking a blade of grass between his teeth, he said, "I am very
fallen and lowly. I am very fallen." Hari dasa Babaji embraced him and wept. How wonderful it all was!
Nityananda dasa had attained the true goal of life. After a short time, when all the symptoms of ecstatic love
had subsided, in his heart Nityananda dasa accepted Sri Hari dasa as his spiritual master.
Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Jaiva-dharma, Chapter 8
"The second of these qualities is that one is friendly to the devotees, who are surrendered to the Supreme Lord.
Any person in whom pure devotional service is manifested is considered a devotee surrendered to the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. NEOPHYTE DEVOTEES ARE NEITHER PURE DEVOTEES NOR ARE THEY SURRENDERED TO
THE LORD. THEIR TENDENCY IS TO DISRESPECT THE TRUE PURE DEVOTEES. THEREFORE ONE SHOULD MAKE
FRIENDSHIP WITH INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED DEVOTEES ONLY. In answering a Kulina-grama devotee's
question, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu described the neophyte, intermediate, and advanced devotees. He
explained that the intermediate and advanced devotees are counted among the true Vaisnavas, whereas the
neophyte devotees, who do not know anything beyond worshipping the Deity, are not yet true Vaisnavas. The
true holy Name of the Lord does not appear on the mouths of such worshippers of the Deity. The Name that
appears on their mouths is only the shadow of Lord Krsna's holy Name (chaya-namabhasa). Lord Caitanya
Mahaprabhu ordered the intermediate (madhyama) householder devotees to serve all three classes of
devotees, the three classes being: 1. a person on whose mouth the holy Name of Lord is heard even only once,
2.a person on whose mouth the holy Name of Lord Krsna is heard always, and 3. a person the sight of whom
inspires one to chant the holy Name of Lord Krsna. One should serve a Vaisnava who chants only a shadow of
Lord Krsna's holy Name. One should serve only a Vaisnava who takes shelter of the pure holy Name of Lord
Krsna. As there are different kinds of Vaisnavas, so there are different kinds of service to Vaisnavas. The
"making friendship" includes associating with Vaisnavas, conversing with them, and serving them. The moment
one sees a pure Vaisnava one should greet him, honor him, and offer both a sitting place and conversation. One
must serve him in all these ways. One should never hate, envy, or insult him. One should not disrespect him if
his body is ugly or if he suffers from some disease.
Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Jaiva-dharma, Chapter 25
Vijaya-kumara: Please explain what benefit namabhasa brings and what benefit it does not bring?
Babaji: Sense pleasures (bhukti), liberation (mukti) and the eighteen yogic perfections are included among the
benefits namabhasa brings. However, pure love for Lord Krsna (krsna-prema) which is the highest goal of life, is
not granted by namabhasa. If a person whose chanting is on the level of namabhasa associates with a pure
devotee (suddha-bhakta), then the chanter can come to the level of a madhyama-Vaisnava (intermediate
devotee). From that status he can become further elevated, attain pure devotion, chant the holy Name purely,
and finally attain pure love for Lord Krsna (krsna-prema).
Note: After studying the above definitions, I came to the conclusion that there are four stages:
VAISNAVA-PRAYA: Kanishtha-Vaisnava who chants in namabhasa without much faith in the Name and
sadhu-sanga.
VAISNAVA: Between kanishtha and madhyama Vaisnava, who regularly chants the Name without offenses.
MADHYAMA: Intermediate stage when one constantly chants the Names without offenses.
UTTAMA: Perfected stage when one chants the pure Name in love of God and simply by whose presence others
start chanting the pure Name. This is very rare according to Thakura Bhaktivinode.
So from these most beautiful explanations by Thakura Bhaktivinoda, anyone can very easily understand his own
position on the devotional ladder. For example, I came to the conclusion that I am not even a 'Vaisnava-praya'
what to talk of being a 'Vaisnava'
TOP
A. Till the time namaparadha is present in one's meditation, the real Name does not actually manifest. The result
of namabhasa is that the sinful reactions are finished. When the sins are finished, the mind and heart become
pure. When the mind and heart become pure, at that time there is no chance for committing namaparadha. Thus
someone comes to the stage of chanting the Name regularly without aparadha, he is to be called a 'Vaisnava'.
In the same if the chanting of Name without aparadha becomes continuous then he comes to the stage of
'Madhyama Vaisnava'. And when there is the manifestation of Hladini-Sakti in the heart of the devotee due to
chanting he is to be considered the 'Uttama Vaisnava'.
Thakura Bhaktivinoda in his commentary on the Manah Siksha, Mantra 10
Q. What is the specialty of the definition of these three kinds of Vaisnavas given in Sri Caitanya-caritamrita?
A. The Vaisnava who is suddha nama-parayana (taken shelter of chanting the pure Name without offenses is
actually famous as a 'Vaisnava'. The regular cultivator of the holy Name without offenses is known as a
'Vaisnava'. The constant cultivator of the holy Name without offenses is the Madhyama Vaisnava. And simply by
whose presence, the pure Name manifests in one's mouth is the topmost Vaisnava. Constant association with
such devotees is the prime duty of every living entity.
Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Sadhu-ninda, Chp 4, Hari-nama-cintamani
Q. To what extent is one a Vaisnava?
A. To the amount one has developed rati (attraction) for chanting of Krsna-nama, to that extent one is a
Vaisnava.
Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Caitanya-sikshamrita 6/4
Q. Who is actually qualified to engage in nama-bhajana?
A. A madhyama-Vaisnava is actually qualified to engage in nama-bhajana.
Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Sadhu-ninda, Chp 4, Hari-nama-cintamani
Vaisnavabhasa, prakrta-Vaisnava, Vaisnava-praya and kanistha-Vaisnava are different names for the neophyte
devotee.
Sadhu-sevahina arcca loukika sraddhaya
Prakrta Vaisnava haya vaisnavera praya
The neophyte devotee (kanistha Vaisnava) displays a faith that is formal and worldly. He worships the Deity but
has no service attitude towards the devotees of the Lord.
Vaisnava-abhasa sei, nohe ta' Vaisnava
Kemane paibe sadhusangera vaibhava
He is almost a Vaisnava (Vaisnava-praya), but is not a real Vaisnava yet; hence, he is not able to take full
advantage and understand the glories of sadhu-sanga.
Ataeva kanistha madhyete ta're gani
Ta're krpa koribena Vaisnava apani
Such a neophyte will have to receive the blessings of a real Vaisnava to advance further.
Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Jaiva-dharma, Chapter 8
Young Nityananda dasa asked, "Saintly Babaji, what kind of Vaisnava am I? Am I a neophyte Vaisnava or an
intermediate Vaisnava? An advanced Vaisnava I certainly am not."
Saintly Hari dasa Babaji smiled and said, "Can a person who accepts the Name Nityananda dasa not be an
advanced Vaisnava? Our Nityananda is very merciful. Even when He is beaten, He gives love in return. How can
words properly glorify a person who chants Lord Nityananda's Name and becomes His servant.
Nityananda dasa: I would like to know truthfully what my position is.
Hari dasa: Son, tell me all about yourself. If Lord Nityananda gives me the power to say, I will tell you.
Nityananda dasa: I was born in a lowly family in a village on the bank of the Padmavati. I was married at a
young age. I did not learn how to be wicked. When my wife died, thoughts of renunciation came to my mind. In
Baragachi I saw many Vaisnavas who had renounced family life. Everyone was respectful to them. Desiring to be
honored like that, and inspired by the temporary feeling of renunciation my wife's death brought, I accepted the
garments of a Vaisnava renunciant. After some days wickedness came into my mind. My Vaisnava friend was a
very good person. Now he stays in Vraja. He gave me good advice, protected me with his good association, and
kept my mind pure. Now my mind no longer wants to leave the right path. It likes to chant a hundred thousand
holy Names every day. I understand that the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His holy Name are not
different. Both are perfectly spiritual. I observe Ekadasi according to the scriptures and I water tulasi. When the
Vaisnavas sing the holy Names together, I join in the singing. I drink the nectar water that has washed the
Vaisnava's feet. I read Sri Caitanya-mangala. I do not desire opulent food and clothing. I do not like to hear
gossip. When I see how the Vaisnavas are filled with ecstatic love, I also become ecstatic and I roll in the dust
that has touched their feet. In spite of all this, to a certain extent I still desire fame. Now please tell me: To what
class of Vaisnava do I belong? How should I behave?
Showing a little smile, Hari dasa Babaji said to Vaisnava dasa, "You say. To what class of Vaisnava does
Nityananda dasa belong?"
Vaisnava dasa: From what I have heard he has left the neophyte stage and become an intermediate devotee.
Hari dasa: I also think that.
Nityananda dasa: Good. From the mouth of a great soul I now know my true position. Please give your mercy to
me so I may gradually become an advanced devotee.
Hari dasa: When you first accepted the garments of a sannyasi, you desired material fame. That inappropriate
desire meant that you were still fallen.
In spite of that, the mercy of the Vaisnavas brought auspiciousness to you.
Nityananda dasa: I still have a slight desire for fame. In my mind I think, "Bewildered by the tears in my eyes
and many other symptoms of ecstatic love, the people will worship me."
Hari dasa: You should struggle to renounce those thoughts. Don't keep thoughts like those. There is the danger
they will diminish your devotional service. If you allow them to diminish your devotion, you will again become a
neophyte devotee. Even after lust, anger, and other vices have left, the desire for fame may stubbornly stay
with a Vaisnava. It does not go away very easily. A single drop of sincere love for the Lord is better than an
elaborate pretense of that love.
Touching the dust of Hari dasa Babaji's feet, Nityananda dasa Babaji said, "Please have mercy on me." Hari dasa
at once embraced him and made him sit down. How wonderful is the result attained by a Vaisnava's touch!
Tears streamed from Nityananda's dasa's eyes. Taking a blade of grass between his teeth, he said, "I am very
fallen and lowly. I am very fallen." Hari dasa Babaji embraced him and wept. How wonderful it all was!
Nityananda dasa had attained the true goal of life. After a short time, when all the symptoms of ecstatic love
had subsided, in his heart Nityananda dasa accepted Sri Hari dasa as his spiritual master.
Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Jaiva-dharma, Chapter 8
"The second of these qualities is that one is friendly to the devotees, who are surrendered to the Supreme Lord.
Any person in whom pure devotional service is manifested is considered a devotee surrendered to the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. NEOPHYTE DEVOTEES ARE NEITHER PURE DEVOTEES NOR ARE THEY SURRENDERED TO
THE LORD. THEIR TENDENCY IS TO DISRESPECT THE TRUE PURE DEVOTEES. THEREFORE ONE SHOULD MAKE
FRIENDSHIP WITH INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED DEVOTEES ONLY. In answering a Kulina-grama devotee's
question, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu described the neophyte, intermediate, and advanced devotees. He
explained that the intermediate and advanced devotees are counted among the true Vaisnavas, whereas the
neophyte devotees, who do not know anything beyond worshipping the Deity, are not yet true Vaisnavas. The
true holy Name of the Lord does not appear on the mouths of such worshippers of the Deity. The Name that
appears on their mouths is only the shadow of Lord Krsna's holy Name (chaya-namabhasa). Lord Caitanya
Mahaprabhu ordered the intermediate (madhyama) householder devotees to serve all three classes of
devotees, the three classes being: 1. a person on whose mouth the holy Name of Lord is heard even only once,
2.a person on whose mouth the holy Name of Lord Krsna is heard always, and 3. a person the sight of whom
inspires one to chant the holy Name of Lord Krsna. One should serve a Vaisnava who chants only a shadow of
Lord Krsna's holy Name. One should serve only a Vaisnava who takes shelter of the pure holy Name of Lord
Krsna. As there are different kinds of Vaisnavas, so there are different kinds of service to Vaisnavas. The
"making friendship" includes associating with Vaisnavas, conversing with them, and serving them. The moment
one sees a pure Vaisnava one should greet him, honor him, and offer both a sitting place and conversation. One
must serve him in all these ways. One should never hate, envy, or insult him. One should not disrespect him if
his body is ugly or if he suffers from some disease.
Thakura Bhaktivinoda in Jaiva-dharma, Chapter 25
Vijaya-kumara: Please explain what benefit namabhasa brings and what benefit it does not bring?
Babaji: Sense pleasures (bhukti), liberation (mukti) and the eighteen yogic perfections are included among the
benefits namabhasa brings. However, pure love for Lord Krsna (krsna-prema) which is the highest goal of life, is
not granted by namabhasa. If a person whose chanting is on the level of namabhasa associates with a pure
devotee (suddha-bhakta), then the chanter can come to the level of a madhyama-Vaisnava (intermediate
devotee). From that status he can become further elevated, attain pure devotion, chant the holy Name purely,
and finally attain pure love for Lord Krsna (krsna-prema).
Note: After studying the above definitions, I came to the conclusion that there are four stages:
VAISNAVA-PRAYA: Kanishtha-Vaisnava who chants in namabhasa without much faith in the Name and
sadhu-sanga.
VAISNAVA: Between kanishtha and madhyama Vaisnava, who regularly chants the Name without offenses.
MADHYAMA: Intermediate stage when one constantly chants the Names without offenses.
UTTAMA: Perfected stage when one chants the pure Name in love of God and simply by whose presence others
start chanting the pure Name. This is very rare according to Thakura Bhaktivinode.
So from these most beautiful explanations by Thakura Bhaktivinoda, anyone can very easily understand his own
position on the devotional ladder. For example, I came to the conclusion that I am not even a 'Vaisnava-praya'
what to talk of being a 'Vaisnava'
TOP
