Bhakti Sadacara Handbook 2010 - 1

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS
Founder Acarya – His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture
Bhakti-sadäcära
(Krishna Conscious Behaviour)
Student’s Handbook
Student’s Name_________________________________
INVOCATION
yad yad acarati sresthas

tat tad evetaro janah
sa yat pramanam kurute
lokas tad anuvartate
SYNONYMS
yat yat - whatever; acarati - he does; sresthah - a respectable leader; tat - that; tat -
and that alone; eva - certainly; itarah - common; janah - person; sah - he; yat -
whichever; pramanam - example; kurute - does perform; lokah - all the world; tat -
that; anuvartate - follows in the footsteps.
TRANSLATION
Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards
he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.
[ Bhagavad-gita As It Is 3.21 ]
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BHAKTI - SADACARA
CONTENTS
LESSON ONE
1.1 ETIQUETTE IN CLASS FOR STUDENTS AND FACILITATORS.....5
1.2 STUDENT’S SELF ASSESSMENT.....6
LESSON TWO
2.1 THE GOAL: ETERNAL IDENTITY.....7

2.1.1 Who am I?.....7
2.1.2 Servant of the Servants .....7
2.1.3 Svarupa, or Real Form, of the Living Entity.....7
2.1.4 Sri Krsna and His Three Different Energies.....8
2.1.5 Maya.....8
2.2 FOUNDATION OF BHAKTI – SADACARA…..9

2.2.1 Behaving Well(Acara) and Preaching(Pracara)…..9
2.2.2 Vaisnava Etiquette: Ornament of a Devotee.....9
LESSON THREE
3.1 DEFINITION.....10
3.2 REGULATIVE PRINCIPLES.....10

3.2.1 Chief Regulative Principle.....10
3.2.2 Four Regulative Principles.....10
3.3 RULES AND REGULATIONS.....11
3.3.1 Breaking a Lesser Rule for a Higher Rule.....11
3.3.2 All Women Should be addressed as "Mother…..12
LESSON FOUR
4.1 TWENTY-SIX QUALITIES OF A DEVOTEE.....13
4.2 NOR DOES A DEVOTEE BECOME HIS ENEMY’S ENEMY.....19
LESSON FIVE
5.1 DECORATIONS AND DRESS OF A VAISNAVA.....20

5.1.1 Dress: First Impression.....20
5.1.2 One Fashion, Simple Life, Not Fashionable.....20
5.1.3 Garment of Shyness and Protection.....20
5.1.4 Decorate the Body as Temple of Visnu.....21
5.1.5 Srila Prabhupada Dressed Appropriately.....21
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5.1.6 To Wear or Not to Wear Tilaka to Work.....21
5.1.7 Karmi Dress for the Purpose of Preaching.....22
5.1.8 Jealous Person in the Dress of a Vaisnava.....22
5.2 IMITATION AND FOLLOWING.....23

5.2.1 Don’t Imitate, Simply Follow…..23
5.2.2 Following by Imitation.....23
5.2.3 Following in the Footsteps of the Acaryas.....24
LESSON SIX
6.1 VAISNAVA APARADHA ( BLASPHEMY OF A VAISNAVA).....25

6.1.1 Different Degrees of Offenses.....25
6.1.2 Four Kinds of Blasphemy to a Vaisnava.....25
6.1.3 A Devotee’s Response in Hearing Blasphemy.....25
6.2 FORGIVENESS.....26
6.2.1 What to do if one commits Vaisnava Aparadha.....26
6.2.2 What to do if one is approached for Forgiveness.....26
6.2.3 Devotee does not mind other Vaisnavas’ Faults.....26
LESSON SEVEN
7.1 OFFERING CORRECTION.....27
7.2 ACCEPTING CORRECTION…..27

7.2.1 It is Krishna’s Desire…..27
7.2.2 Look Forward to Correcting our Mistakes…..27
7.2.3 Body is a Gift for Correction…..27
LESSON EIGHT
8.1 HONORING PRASADAM…..28
8.2 SERVING PRASADAM.....29
LESSON NINE
ASSOCIATION WITH MATERIALISTS OR NON-DEVOTEES…30
9.1 HOW DOES ONE BECOME ATTRACTED TO BAD ASSOCIATION?...30
9.2 ASSOCIATION WITH THOSE DEVOID OF DEVOTION TO THE LORD…30

9.2.1 Association with Mayavadis…31
9.2.2 Association with Pretenders…31
9.2.3 Association with Atheists…31
9.3 ASSOCIATION WITH MEN TOO ATTACHED TO WOMEN…32
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LESSON TEN
DEVOTEE’S ATTITUDES…..33
10.1 A DEVOTEE’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS NON-DEVOTEES…..33

10.2 A DEVOTEE’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS OTHERS’METHODS OF RELIGION…..33
10.3 A DEVOTEE’S ATTITUDE IN RECEIVING A GUEST (EVEN AN ENEMY).....33
10.4 A DEVOTEE’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS PARENTS (AND RELATIVES)…..34
10.5 A DEVOTEE’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS INHABITANTS OF THE HOLY DHAMAS…..34
10.6 A DEVOTEE’S ATTITUDE AS A PREACHER.....35
LESSON ELEVEN
ASSOCIATION WITH DEVOTEES .....36
11.1 ROOT CAUSE OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICE.....36
11.2 BE JOLLY, COMPASSIONATE AND FRIENDLY…..36
11.3 ADDRESSING DEVOTEES AS ‘PRABHU’…..36

11.3.1 Not be simply spoken by the lips…..36
11.3.2 Because he is serving Krsna, he is my master, despite misgivings…..37
11.3.3 Another ISKCON in the Spiritual Sky…..37
11.4 TOPMOST, INTERMEDIATE AND NEOPHYTE DEVOTEES…..37

11.4.1 Topmost devotee (Uttama-adhikari).....37
11.4.2 Intermediate devotee (Madhyama-adhikari).....38
11.4.3 Neophyte devotee (Kanistha-adhikari)…..38
11.5 PRAKRTA – SAHAJIYAS.....38
LESSON TWELVE
12.1 DEVOTIONAL FRIENDSHIP…..39

12.1.1 No Offenses amongst Friends…..39
12.1.2 A Mentor Friend…..39
12.1.3 Friendly Well-wisher.....39
12.2 CONCLUDING WORDS: CULTURE AND EDUCATION.....39
GROUP PRESENTATIONS GUIDELINES AND TOPICS……..40
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LESSON ONE
1.1 ETIQUETTE IN CLASS FOR STUDENTS AND FACILITATORS
1. We will be punctual for classes.
2. We will be present for the entire duration of the class except for emergencies.
3. We will value all contributions whether or not we agree with them.
4. We will not borrow strength from status or position.
5. We will discuss issues or behaviour, not people.
6. We will maintain confidentiality. Dissatisfaction can be discussed in this forum only.
7. We will appreciate others’ strengths and successes. We will be sensitive to others’ weaknesses
and failures.
8. We will co-operate fully even at the expense of individual interests for the higher purpose of
purification resulting in spiritual advancement.
9. Other
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1.2 STUDENT SELF ASSESSMENT
Expectations Before the After the

course course
At the end of the course I expect to …………
Grading: A = 81-100%, B = 61-80%, C = 41-60%, D = 21-40%, E = 0-20%
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LESSON TWO
2.1 THE GOAL: ETERNAL IDENTITY
2.1.1 Who am I?
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura paraphrases these verses as follows: Sri Sanatana Gosvami asked Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu, "Who am I?" In answer, the Lord replied, "You are a pure living entity. You
are neither the material body nor the subtle body composed of mind and intelligence. Actually you
are a spirit soul, eternal part and parcel of the Supreme Soul, Krsna. Therefore you are His eternal
servant. You belong to Krsna's marginal potency. There are two worlds -- the spiritual world and
the material world-and you are situated between the material and spiritual potencies. You have a
relationship with both the material and spiritual worlds; therefore you are called the marginal
potency. You are related with Krsna as one and simultaneously different. Because you are spirit
soul, you are one in quality with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but because you are a very
minute particle of spirit soul, you are different from the Supreme Soul. Therefore your position is
simultaneously one with and different from the Supreme Soul. The examples given are those of the
sun itself and the small particles of sunshine and of a blazing fire and the small particles of fire."
(CC Madhya-lila 20.108-109 purport)
2.1.2 Servant of the Servants
Lord Sri Krsna is the property of His pure unconditional devotees, and as such only the devotees
can deliver Krsna to another devotee; Krsna is never obtainable directly. Lord Caitanya therefore
designated Himself as gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor dasa-dasanudasah [Cc. Madhya 13.80], or "the
most obedient servant of the servants of the Lord, who maintains the gopi damsels at Vrndavana."
A pure devotee therefore never approaches the Lord directly, but tries to please the servant of the
Lord's servants, and thus the Lord becomes pleased, and only then can the devotee relish the taste of
the tulasi leaves stuck to His lotus feet. (SB 2.3.23 purport)
2.1.3 Svarupa, or Real Form, of the Living Entity
In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu it is said that a person whose only desire is to render transcendental
loving service to the Lord is a free person in any condition of material existence. That service
attitude is the svarupa, or real form, of the living entity. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, in the
Caitanya-caritamrta, also confirms this statement by declaring that the real, spiritual form of the
living entity is eternal servitorship to the Supreme Lord… In transcendental loving service, the
servitor is as free as the Lord. The Lord is svarat, or fully independent, and the servant is also fully
independent, or svarat, in the spiritual atmosphere because there is no forced service. There the
transcendental loving service is due to spontaneous love. A reflected glimpse of such service is
experienced in the service of the mother unto the son, the friend's service unto the friend, or the
wife's service unto the husband. These reflections of service by friends, parents or wives are not
forced, but are due only to love. Here in this material world, however, the loving service is only a
reflection. The real service, or service in svarupa, is present in the transcendental world, in
association with the Lord. The very same service in transcendental love can be practiced in devotion
here. (SB 3.9.33 purport)
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2.1.4 Sri Krsna and His Three Different Energies
The primary potencies of the Absolute Truth are mentioned to be three: internal, external and
marginal. By the acts of His internal potency, the Personality of Godhead in His original form
exhibits the spiritual cosmic manifestations known as the Vaikunthalokas, which exist eternally,
even after the destruction of the material cosmic manifestation. By His marginal potency the Lord
expands Himself as living beings who are part of Him, just as the sun distributes its rays in all
directions. By His external potency the Lord manifests the material creation, just as the sun with its
rays creates fog. The material creation is but a perverse reflection of the eternal Vaikuntha nature.
(CC Adi-lila 2.96 purport)
2.1.5 Maya
Maya, the illusory energy, misleads a living being as fog misleads a pedestrian by blocking off the
light of the sun. Although the potency of maya is inferior in quality to the marginal potency, which
control the living beings, just as fog can block the actions of a certain portion of the sun's rays
although it cannot cover the sun. The living beings covered by the illusory energy evolve in
different species of life, with bodies ranging from that of an insignificant ant to that of Brahma, the
constructor of the cosmos. The pradhana, the chief cause of all causes in the impersonal vision, is
none other than the Supreme Lord, whom one can see face to face in the internal potency. He takes
the material all-pervasive form by His inconceivable power. Although all three potencies -- namely
internal, external and marginal -- are essentially one in the ultimate issue, they are different in
action, like electric energy, which can produce both cold and heat under different conditions. The
external and marginal potencies are so called under various conditions, but in the original, internal
potencies there are no such conditions, nor is it possible for the conditions of the external potency to
exist in the marginal, or vice versa. One who is able to understand the intricacies of all these
energies of the Supreme Lord can no longer remain an empiric impersonalist under the influence of
a poor fund of knowledge. (CC Adi-lila 2.96 purport)
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2.2 FOUNDATION OF BHAKTI - SADACARA
2.2.1 Behaving Well (Acara) and Preaching (Pracara)
Srila Sanatana Gosvami glorifies Namacarya Haridasa Thakura
acara', ‘pracara', -- namera karaha ‘dui' karya

tumi -- sarva-guru, tumi jagatera arya
TRANSLATION
"You simultaneously perform both duties in relation to the holy name by your personal behavior
and by your preaching. Therefore you are the spiritual master of the entire world, for you are the
most advanced devotee in the world."
PURPORT
Sanatana Gosvami clearly defines herein the bona fide spiritual master of the world. The
qualifications expressed in this connection are that one must act according to the scriptural
injunctions and at the same time preach. One who does so is a bona fide spiritual master. Haridasa
Thakura was the ideal spiritual master because he regularly chanted on his beads a prescribed
number of times. Indeed, he was chanting the holy name of the Lord 300,000 times a day. Similarly,
the members of the Krsna consciousness movement chant a minimum of sixteen rounds a day,
which can be done without difficulty, and at the same time they must preach the cult of Caitanya
Mahaprabhu according to the gospel of Bhagavad-gita As It Is. One who does so is quite fit to
become a spiritual master for the entire world. (CC Antya-lila 4.103)
Simply by vibrating the Hare Krsna Mahamantra sixteen rounds daily one advances to the stage of
sadacara or good habits and when he is pure in consciousness by devotional service, he advances to
the stage of ecstatic love of Krsna. We should always pray to Lord Caitanya simply to be engaged
in His confidential service by chanting Hare Krsna mantra always. That will purify us and give the
strength needed to infuse others with Krsna consciousness.
(SP Letter to Vaikunthanatha - Allahabad 12 January, 1971)
2.2.2 Vaisnava Etiquette: Ornament of a Devotee
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu glorifies Srila Sanatana Gosvami:

"My dear Sanatana, although you are the deliverer of the entire universe and although even the
demigods and great saints are purified by touching you, it is the characteristic of a devotee to
observe and protect the Vaisnava etiquette. Maintenance of the Vaisnava etiquette is the ornament
of a devotee." (CC Antya-lila 4.129-130)
The goddess of devotion, Bhakti-devi, decorates herself with the innumerable ornaments of the
Vaisnavas, who come together to relish the sweet sound of the holy name of the Lord. (SB 11.9.10
purport)
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LESSON THREE
3.1 DEFINITION
‘Bhakti-sadäcära ’ means devotional service (bhakti) and good behaviour (sadacara).

(CC Adi-lila 10.89)
Sadacara means well behavior, gentleman's behavior. Acaryavan puruso veda. Acara. One who
teaches acara, sadacara, he is acarya. Acarya means one who teaches sadacara.
(SP lecture, SB 6.1.22 - Honolulu, May 22, 1976)
Sadhava means sadacara, clean habits. (SP Lecture, SB 5.5.2 -- London, September 17, 1969)
3.2 REGULATIVE PRINCIPLES
3.2.1 Chief Regulative Principle
There are many regulative principles in the sastras and directions given by the spiritual master.
These regulative principles should act as servants of the basic principle -- that is, one should always
remember Krsna and never forget Him. This is possible when one chants the Hare Krsna mantra.
Therefore one must strictly chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra twenty-four hours daily. One may
have other duties to perform under the direction of the spiritual master, but he must first abide by
the spiritual master's order to chant a certain number of rounds. In our Krsna consciousness
movement, we have recommended that the neophyte chant at least sixteen rounds. This chanting of
sixteen rounds is absolutely necessary if one wants to remember Krsna and not forget Him. Of all
the regulative principles, the spiritual master's order to chant at least sixteen rounds is most
essential. (CC Madhya-lila 22.113 purport)
3.2.2 Four Regulative Principles
Accepting some of the scriptural rules and regulations for immediate benefit, as utilitarians
advocate, is called niyama-āgraha, and neglecting the rules and regulations of the sastras, which are
meant for spiritual development, is called niyama-agraha. The word āgraha means "eagerness to
accept," and agraha means "failure to accept." By the addition of either of these two words to the
word niyama ("rules and regulations"), the word niyamāgraha is formed. Thus niyamāgraha has a
two fold meaning that is understood according to the particular combination of words. Those
interested in Krsna consciousness should not be eager to accept rules and regulations for economic
advancement, yet they should very faithfully accept scriptural rules and regulations for the
advancement of Krsna consciousness. They should strictly follow the regulative principles by
avoiding illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling and intoxication. (Nectar of Instruction, Text 2 purport)
Sadacara means... Sat means gentle, and acara means behavior, gentleman's behavior. What is that
gentleman's behavior? That we teach, that "You don't take meat, don't have illicit sex, no gambling,
no intoxication, rise early in the morning, take bath, chant Hare Krsna, attend mangala-aratrika."
These are called sadacara. (SP lecture, SB 6.1.22 - Chicago, July 6, 1975)
Sadhava means sadacara, clean habits. (SP Lecture, SB 5.5.2 -- London, September 17, 1969)
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3.3 RULES AND REGULATIONS
Krsna is the origin of Lord Visnu. He should always be remembered and never forgotten at any
time. All the rules and prohibitions mentioned in the sastras should be the servants of these two
principles. (CC Madhya 22.113)
“Always remember Krishna and never forget Him”
3.3.1 Breaking a Lesser Rule for a Higher Rule
Selected Rules and Regulations for Discussion:
1. One should learn to bow down immediately upon seeing the Deity or the spiritual master.
2. One must touch the lotus feet of the Deity.
3. One must circumambulate the temple building at least three times.
4. One should offer a favorite article (such as food or a garment) to the Deity
5. One should take all kinds of risks and perform all endeavors for Krsna's benefit.
6. One should not circumambulate in front of Sri Krsna.
7. One should not sit before the Deity holding the ankles, elbows or knees with one’s hands.
8. One should not cry or howl before the Deity.
9. One should not quarrel, fight or chastise anyone before the Deity.
10. One should not praise anyone else before the Deity.
(Nectar of Devotion: Chapters Six and Eight)
11. Rise before 4 am and attend mangala-arati.
12. Always wear clean clothes.
13. Use the right hand for eating and drinking.
14. Never steal anything.
15. Never tell a lie.
16. Do not travel alone.
17. Do not eat yogurt or chickpea at night.
18. Do not step over sacred paraphernalia.
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19. Do not chastise anyone except sons and disciples to educate them.
20. One should not quarrel with one's wife.
(Partial compilation by His Holiness Bhakti-caru Swami from Hari-bhakti-vilasa)
3.3.2 All Women Should be addressed as "Mother"
Actually, according to strict moral instruction... Why strict? Ordinary. Any woman except his own
wife is mother. Any woman. It doesn't matter whether she is elderly or young. No. That is the way.
Still in India, any woman by unknown person, he can address any woman "Mother." The first
relationship is mother. Now they have introduced "Sister," "Bahinaji." No, that is not Vedic
etiquette. No bahinaji. Bahinaji means sister. Mother. Everyone should be addressed. We should
learn this. Except one's one wife, all women should be addressed as "Mother." This is civilization.
Then there will be no corrupt relation. If you, from the very beginning, you establish your
relationship with other women as mother, then there is no question of other relationship.
SP Lecture, SB 1.16.23 -- Los Angeles, July 13, 1974)
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LESSON FOUR
4.1 TWENTY-SIX QUALITIES OF A DEVOTEE
One can know who is a Vaisnava by understanding the twenty-six qualities of a devotee. However
there are two types of characteristics: principle and marginal. The principle characteristic is
surrender exclusively to Krsna while all others are dependent upon it. By some good fortune one
may get the association of Vaisnavas, and then attain a taste for the Name, chant the Name and take
shelter at Krsna’s lotus feet. This becomes the chief characteristic, and by continuing to chant the
Name all the other characteristics make their appearance. Therefore they are called marginal or
accompanying. Though secondary to the principle characteristic, they will certainly appear in the
body of a true Vaisnava or sadhu, as an effect of proper chanting of the Holy Name.
(Sri Harinama Cintamani, Chapter 4 – Criticizing Saintly Persons)
1. A devotee is merciful (krpalu)
He (the Vaisnava) is merciful because he is the well-wisher of all living entities. He is not only a
well-wisher of human society, but a well-wisher of the animal society as well. It is said here ‘sarva
dehinam’, which indicates all living entities who have accepted material bodies. Not only does the
human being have a material body, but other living beings, such as cats and dogs, also have material
bodies. The devotee of the Lord is merciful to everyone - the cats, dogs, trees, etc. He treats all
living entities in such a way that they can ultimately get salvation from this material entanglement.
(SB 3.25.21 purport )
2. A devotee is humble (amanitvam)
Humility means that one should not be anxious to have the satisfaction of being honored by others.
The material conception of life makes us very eager to receive honor from others, but from the point
of view of a man in perfect knowledge -- who knows that he is not this body -- anything, honor or
dishonor, pertaining to this body is useless. One should not be hankering after this material
deception. (Bg 13.8-12, purport)
“One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than
the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige
and should be ready to offer all respects to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy
name of the Lord constantly.” (Sri Sri Siksastaka - Verse 3)
3. A devotee is truthful (satya-sara)
Sri Krsna, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramatma [Supersoul] in everyone’s heart and
the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the
devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when
properly heard and chanted. (SB 1.2.17)
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4. A devotee is equal to everyone (sama)
Demons think of everyone as a friend or enemy, but Vaisnavas say that since everyone is a servant
of the Lord, everyone is on the same platform. Therefore a Vaisnava treats other living entities
neither as friends nor as enemies, but instead tries to spread Krsna consciousness, teaching everyone
that we are all one as servants of the Supreme Lord but are uselessly wasting our valuable lives by
creating nations, communities and other groups of friends and enemies. (SB 7.5.12 purport)
5. A devotee is faultless (nidosa)
The example is given that on the full moon there are some spots which may appear to be
pockmarks. Still, the illumination spread by the full moon cannot be checked. Similarly, a little fault
in the midst of volumes of devotional service is not at all to be counted as a fault. Attachment for
Krsna is transcendental bliss. Amid unlimited volumes of transcendental bliss, a spot of some
material defect cannot act in any way. (Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 18)
“The devotees are naturally faultless. Accidental sins committed by a devotee are sincerely
regretted, and by the grace of the Lord all sins unwillingly committed by a devotee are burnt in the
fire of repentance.” (SB 1.19.1 purport)
6. A devotee is magnanimous (vadanya)
Vasudeva Datta was so liberal that he requested Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to transfer all offensive
activity upon him so the conditioned souls would be purified and go back home, back to Godhead.
This prayer was certainly without duplicity…The Mayavadis and karmis should therefore turn their
attention to the magnanimous Vasudeva Datta, who wanted to suffer for others in a hellish
condition… He was the most exalted personality to ever show mercy to the conditioned souls. This
is not an exaggeration of his transcendental qualities. It is perfectly true. Actually, there cannot be
any comparison to Vasudeva Datta. As the perfect Vaisnava, he was para-duhkha-duhkhi, very
much aggrieved to see others suffer. The entire world is purified simply by the appearance of such a
great devotee. Indeed, by his transcendental presence the whole world is glorified and all
conditioned souls are also glorified…One who executes Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission must
be considered eternally liberated. He is a transcendental person and does not belong to this material
world. Such a devotee, engaging in the deliverance of the total population, is as magnanimous as Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself. (CC Madhya-lila 15.163 purport)
7. A devotee is mild (mrdu)
A materialistic person will always see people as friends or enemies and thus will sometimes justify
cruel or small-minded behavior in order to subdue his opponents. Since a devotee has taken shelter
of Lord Krsna, he does not consider anyone his enemy and is never disturbed by the tendency to
desire or enjoy the suffering of others. Thus he is mrdu, or gentle and sublime.” (SB 11.11.29-32
purport)
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8. A devotee is clean (suci)
Cleanliness is necessary both for the mind and for the body. Simply bodily cleanliness may help to
some extent, but cleanliness of the mind is necessary, and it is affected by glorifying the Supreme
Lord. No one can cleanse the accumulated mental dust without glorifying the Supreme Lord. A
godless civilization cannot cleanse the mind because it has no idea of God, and for this simple
reason people under such a civilization cannot have good qualifications, however they may be
materially equipped. (SB 1.17.25, Purport)
9. A devotee is without material possession (akincana)
"Akincana means one who has nothing to give materially. A factual devotee, or mahatma, does not
give anything material to anyone because he has already left all material assets. He can, however,
deliver the supreme asset, namely the Personality of Godhead, because He is the only property of a
factual devotee." (SB 1.8.27 purport)
10. A devotee performs welfare work for everyone (sarvopakaraka)
“Only a person who is fully in Krsna consciousness can be said to be engaged in welfare work for
all living entities. When a person is actually in the knowledge that Krsna is the fountainhead of
everything, then when he acts in that spirit he acts for everyone. The sufferings of humanity are due
to forgetfulness of Krsna as the supreme enjoyer, the supreme proprietor, and the supreme friend.
Therefore, to act to revive this consciousness within the entire human society is the highest welfare
work. One cannot be engaged in such first-class welfare work without being liberated in the
Supreme. A Krsna conscious person has no doubt about the supremacy of Krsna. He has no doubt
because he is completely freed from all sins. This is the state of divine love.”
(Bg 5.25 purport)
11. A devotee is peaceful (santa)
A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices
and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher
of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries. (Bg 5.29 purport)
12. A devotee is surrendered to Krsna (krsnaika-sarana)
As described in Srimad-Bhagavatam, Eighth Canto, Third Chapter, verse twenty, because pure
devotees, who no longer have any material desires, surrender fully to the lotus feet of the Lord, they
always merge in the ocean of bliss by chanting and hearing the Lord’s holy name. According to this
verse, devotees like Narada and other residents of Svetadvipa are seen always engaged in chanting
the holy name of the Lord because by such chanting they are always externally and internally
blissful. (SB 10.1.69 purport)
13. A devotee is desireless (akama)
Satisfaction in the service of the Lord is called akama, freedom from desire, and this is the ultimate
satisfaction. (SB 5.1.1 purport)
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14. A devotee is indifferent to material acquisitions (aniha)
The introspective man is always indifferent to materialistic happiness and distress. He goes on with
his self-realization activities undisturbed by material reactions. (Bg 2.69 purport)
One should therefore not be disturbed by the action and reaction of these eight gross and subtle
material elements. The practical process to attain this stage of indifference is to execute devotional
service. Only one who constantly engages in devotional service twenty-four hours a day can be
indifferent to the action and reaction of the external body. When a man is absorbed in a particular
thought, he does not hear or see any external activities, even though they are enacted in his
presence. Similarly, those who are fully absorbed in devotional service do not care what is going on
with the external body. (SB 4.20.11 purport)
15. A devotee is fixed (sthira)
A fully Krsna conscious person is not at all disturbed by the onslaughts of the threefold miseries, for
he accepts all miseries as the mercy of the Lord, thinking himself only worthy of more trouble due
to his past misdeeds; and he sees that his miseries, by the grace of the Lord, are minimized to the
lowest. Similarly, when he is happy he gives credit to the Lord, thinking himself unworthy of the
happiness; he realizes that it is due only to the Lord's grace that he is in such a comfortable
condition and able to render better service to the Lord. And, for the service of the Lord, he is always
daring and active and is not influenced by attachment or aversion. Attachment means accepting
things for one's own sense gratification, and detachment is the absence of such sensual attachment.
But one fixed in Krsna consciousness has neither attachment nor detachment because his life is
dedicated in the service of the Lord. Consequently he is not at all angry even when his attempts are
unsuccessful. Success or no success, a Krsna conscious person is always steady in his
determination. (Bg 2.56 purport)
16. A devotee completely controls the six bad qualities (vijita-sad-guna)
Chanting the holy name of Krsna destroys the six mental enemies: lust, anger, greed, illusion,
madness, and envy. (Mukunda Mala Stotra, Mantra 31 purport)
17. A devotee eats only as much as required (mita bhuk)
Another word here is mita-bhuk. This means that one should eat only as much as necessary to
maintain the body and soul together. One should not be gluttonous to satisfy the tongue. Grains,
fruits, milk and similar foods are allotted for human consumption. One should not be excessively
eager to satisfy the tongue and eat that which is not meant for humanity. Particularly, a devotee
should eat only prasada, or food which is offered to the Personality of Godhead.
(SB 3.27.8 purport)
16
18. A devotee is without inebriation (apramatta)
Karmis who act very seriously for sense gratification are always referred to in the sastras by such
terms as pramatta, vimukha and vimudha. They are killed by maya. However, one who is apramatta,
a sane, sober person, a dhira, knows very well that a human being’s primary duty is to render
service to the Supreme Person. (SB5.2.7 purport)
19. A devotee is respectful (manada)
Instruction should be given to the faithful devotee who is respectful to the spiritual master,
nonenvious, friendly to all kinds of living entities and eager to render service with faith and
sincerity. (SB 3.32.41)
We should respect those devotees preaching the glories of the Lord as nitya-siddha and should not
consider them conditioned. (CC Madhya 11.89 purport)
Although a Vaisnava is the most exalted person, he is prideless and gives all respect to everyone,
knowing everyone to be the resting place of Krsna. (Narada Bhakti Sutra 27 purport)
20. A devotee is without false prestige (amani)
One has to approach a bona fide spiritual master to receive the knowledge. Such a spiritual master
should be accepted in full surrender, and one should serve the spiritual master like a menial servant,
without false prestige. Satisfaction of the self-realized spiritual master is the secret of advancement
in spiritual life. (Bg 4.34 purport)
21. A devotee is grave (gambhira)
To make the mind austere is to detach it from sense gratification. It should be so trained that it can
be always thinking of doing good for others. The best training for the mind is gravity in thought.
One should not deviate from Krsna consciousness and must always avoid sense gratification… The
best course is to divert the mind to the Vedic literature, which is full of satisfying stories, as in the
Puranas and the Mahabharata. One can take advantage of this knowledge and thus become purified.
The mind should be devoid of duplicity, and one should think of the welfare of all.
(Bg 17.16 purport)
Grave means don’t talk nonsense. Don’t talk nonsense. Don’t waste time. If you have got time,
chant Hare Krsna, but don’t talk nonsense. Grave, that is called gravity.
(SP Lecture on SB 2.3.13-14, Los Angeles, May 30, 1972)
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22. A devotee is compassionate (karuna)
A person in Krsna consciousness, a devotee of the Lord, is always compassionate. He is not

satisfied that only he himself is a devotee, but he tries to distribute the knowledge of devotional
service to everyone. There are many devotees of the Lord who faced many risks in distributing the
devotional service of the Lord to people in general. That should be done. (SB 3.21.31 purport)
23. A devotee is a friend (maitra)
The next item is maitra, friendliness. A devotee should be friendly to everyone, but his intimate
friendship should be with devotees only. With others he should be official. He may say, “Yes, sir,
what you say is all right,” but he is not intimate with them. (SB3.27.8 purport)
24. A devotee is a poet (kavi)
“Among the twenty-six qualities of a devotee, one is that he is a kavi, or poet. The subject of a
devotee’s chanting and hearing comprises the superexcellent name, form, qualities, and pastimes of
Krsna. The qualified kavi receives Krsna consciousness faithfully in parampara and renders it into
excellent poems and discourses.” (Mukunda Mala Stotra, Mantra 52)
25. A devotee is expert (daksa)
An expert devotee of the Lord can mold his life in such a way that while performing all kinds of
duties either for this or the next life, he can constantly remember the Lord's name, fame, qualities,
etc. (SB 1.5.36 purport)
Everything is intended for the service of the Supreme Lord, and the expert devotee can utilize any
so-called material thing for the Lord's service. One cannot serve the Lord without being situated on
the spiritual platform. Thus if a so-called material thing is dovetailed in the service of the Lord, it is
no longer to be considered material. Thus the pure devotee, in his perfect vision, sees from all
angles. (SB 4.28.42 purport)
Out of the twenty-six qualifications, one qualification is daksa, expert. If there is need of fighting,
they can fight like very expert. That is also needed. Krsna consciousness does not mean one-sided.
Krsna as all-pervading, the Krsna consciousness movement also should be all-pervading. It should
touch everything, even politics, sociology, everything, if required. (SP Lecture, Bg 1.6-7, London,
July 11, 1973)
26. A devotee is silent (mauni)
Silence means don’t talk nonsense. Whenever you speak, you speak about Krsna. That is real
silence. Then... “Make a vow that ‘I shall not speak anything except topics of Krsna.’ “That is real
silence. Not that to become silent. To become silent... Mind will work. Better chant Hare Krsna and
hear. There is no question of becoming silent. (SP Lecture, SB1.5.24, Vrndavana, August 5, 1975)
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4.2 NOR DOES A DEVOTEE BECOME HIS ENEMY’S ENEMY
Coming again to the point of pure devotional service, the Lord is describing the transcendental
qualifications of a pure devotee in these two verses. A pure devotee is never disturbed in any
circumstances. Nor is he envious of anyone. Nor does a devotee become his enemy's enemy; he
thinks, "This person is acting as my enemy due to my own past misdeeds. So it is better to suffer
than to protest." In the Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.8) it is stated: tat te 'nukampam su-samiksamano
bhunjana evatma-krtam vipakam. Whenever a devotee is in distress or has fallen into difficulty, he
thinks that it is the Lord's mercy upon him. He thinks, "Thanks to my past misdeeds I should suffer
far, far greater than I am suffering now. So it is by the mercy of the Supreme Lord that I am not
getting all the punishment I am due. I am just getting a little, by the mercy of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead." Therefore he is always calm, quiet and patient, despite many distressful
conditions. A devotee is also always kind to everyone, even to his enemy. Nirmama means that a
devotee does not attach much importance to the pains and trouble pertaining to the body because he
knows perfectly well that he is not the material body. He does not identify with the body; therefore
he is freed from the conception of false ego and is equipoised in happiness and distress. He is
tolerant, and he is satisfied with whatever comes by the grace of the Supreme Lord. He does not
endeavor much to achieve something with great difficulty; therefore he is always joyful. He is a
completely perfect mystic because he is fixed in the instructions received from the spiritual master,
and because his senses are controlled he is determined. He is not swayed by false arguments,
because no one can lead him from the fixed determination of devotional service. He is fully
conscious that Krsna is the eternal Lord, so no one can disturb him. All these qualifications enable
him to fix his mind and intelligence entirely on the Supreme Lord. Such a standard of devotional
service is undoubtedly very rare, but a devotee becomes situated in that stage by following the
regulative principles of devotional service. Furthermore, the Lord says that such a devotee is very
dear to Him, for the Lord is always pleased with all his activities in full Krsna consciousness.
(Bg 12.13-14 purport)
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LESSON FIVE
5.1 DECORATIONS AND DRESS OF A VAISNAVA
5.1.1 Dress: First Impression
Before even being introduced to a foreigner, one becomes acquainted with him through his dress,
bodily features and behavior and can thus understand his position. (SB 6.1.34-36 purport)
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, 'A first class Vaisnava is he whose very presence makes others
chant the Holy Name of Krsna.” (CC Madhya-lila 16.74)
5.1.2 One Fashion, Simple Life, Not Fashionable
Karmis change their professions at any moment, but a Krsna conscious person does not change his
profession, for his only profession is to attract the attention of Krsna by chanting the Hare Krsna
mantra and living a very simple life, without following daily changes of fashion. In our Krsna
consciousness movement, fashionable persons are taught to adopt one fashion -- the dress of a
Vaisnava with a shaved head and tilaka. They are taught to be always clean in mind, dress and
eating in order to be fixed in Krsna consciousness. What is the use of changing one's dress,
sometimes wearing long hair and a long beard and sometimes dressing otherwise? This is not good.
One should not waste his time in such frivolous activities. One should always be fixed in Krsna
consciousness and take the cure of devotional service with firm determination.
(SB 6.5.14 purport)
5.1.3 Garment of Shyness and Protection
Radharani then puts on two garments -- a lower and an upper garment. The upper garment is
pinkish and is Her affection and attraction for Krsna, and the lower garment, a blackish silk sari, is
Her shyness. (CC Madhya-lila 8.168 purport)
Queen Draupadi had a beautiful bunch of hair which was sanctified in the ceremonial function of
Rajasuya-yajna. But when she was lost in a bet, Duhsasana touched her glorified hair to insult her.
Draupadi then fell down at the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, and Lord Krsna decided that all the wives
of Duhsasana and company should have their hair loosened as a result of the Battle of Kuruksetra.
Thus after the Battle of Kuruksetra, after all the sons and grandsons of Dhrtarastra died in battle, all
the wives of the family were obliged to loosen their hair as widows. In other words, all the wives of
the Kuru family became widows because of Duhsasana's insulting a great devotee of the Lord. The
Lord can tolerate insults upon Himself by any miscreant because the father tolerates even insults
from the son. But He never tolerates insults upon His devotees. By insulting a great soul, one has to
forego all the results of pious acts and benedictions also. (SB 1.15.10 purport)
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5.1.4 Decorate the Body as Temple of Visnu
In the Padma Purana there is a statement describing how a Vaisnava should decorate his body with
tilaka and beads: "Persons who put tulasi beads on the neck, who mark twelve places of their bodies
as Visnu temples with Visnu's symbolic representations [the four items held in the four hands of
Lord Visnu -- conch, mace, disc and lotus], and who have visnu-tilaka on their foreheads, are to be
understood as the devotees of Lord Visnu in this world. Their presence makes the world purified,
and anywhere they remain, they make that place as good as Vaikuntha."
(Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 9)
5.1.5 Srila Prabhupada Dressed Appropriately
Srila Prabhupada was dressed appropriately for a resident of Vrndavana. He wore kanthimala
(neck beads) and a simple cotton dhoti, and carried japa-mala (chanting beads) and an old
chadar, or shawl. His complexion was golden, his head shaven, sikha in the back, his forehead
decorated with the whitish Vaisnava tilaka. He wore pointed white slippers, not uncommon
for sadhus in India. But who in New York had ever seen or dreamed of anyone appearing like
this Vaisnava? He was possibly the first Vaisnava sannyasi to arrive in New York with
uncompromised appearance. Of course, New Yorkers have an expertise in not giving much
attention to any kind of strange new arrival. (SPL Volume 2)
5.1.6 To Wear or Not to Wear Tilaka to Work
Srila Prabhupada tells a story:
“There was once a factory in India where all the workers were Hindus and mostly Vaisnavas. The
Vaisnavas had freedom, therefore, to wear their Vaisnava tilaka to work, and they also displayed
other Vaisnava paraphernalia. After some time, however, the factory went to new management and
the new proprietor was a Muslim. On taking over the business, the Muslim owner declared that he
would no longer allow the workers to come to work wearing Vaisnava tilaka. Most of the workers
obeyed, and on the given date announced by the owner, they appeared at the factory without their
tilaka. One employee, however, thought that he would take his chances and depend on Krsna, so he
went to work wearing very clear, white Vaisnava tilaka. After seeing all the workers assembled, the
new Muslim proprietor said, "This one devotee who has worn Vaisnava tilaka is very courageous.
He may be permitted to continue wearing the tilaka to work, but all others are forbidden to wear it
any more.”
In this way, Prabhupada encouraged the devotees to not unnecessarily abandon the markings of a
Vaisnava. Where situations forbid it, Prabhupada said that it was not absolutely necessary to wear
tilaka, although a devotee should at least put water tilaka on his body in the morning and consecrate
his body with the names of Visnu. But if the paraphernalia is permitted, then a devotee should not
unnecessarily do away with the dress or beads of a Vaisnava.
(Srila Prabhupada Nectar, Volume 3)
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5.1.7 Karmi Dress for the Purpose of Preaching
In our Krsna consciousness movement, the tactic of dressing oneself like an ordinary karmi is
necessary because everyone in the demoniac kingdom is against the Vaisnava teachings. Krsna
consciousness is not at all to the liking of the demons of the present age. As soon as they see a
Vaisnava dressed in saffron garments with beads on his neck and tilaka on his forehead, they are
immediately irritated… Demons or materialists do not at all like the advancement of Krsna
consciousness, and they try to hinder it in many ways. Yet the preachers of Krsna consciousness
must go forward - in their Vaisnava dress or any other dress -- for the purpose of preaching.
Canakya Pandita says that if an honest person deals with a great cheater, it is necessary for him to
become a cheater also, not for the purpose of cheating but to make his preaching successful.
(SB 7.5.7 purport)
We send our preachers in ordinary dress to introduce our books and philosophy. Our only concern
is to attract people to Krsna consciousness. We may do this in the dress of sannyasis or in the
regular dress of gentlemen. Our only concern is to spread interest in Krsna consciousness.
(SB 7.13.9 purport)
5.1.8 Jealous Person in the Dress of a Vaisnava
Srila Narottama dasa Thakura says, chadiya vaisnava seva nistara peyeche keba: unless one serves a
Vaisnava, he cannot be delivered. The spiritual master initiates the disciple to deliver him, and if the
disciple executes the order of the spiritual master and does not offend other Vaisnavas, his path is
clear... If a Vaisnava, by the mercy of the Lord, is empowered by Him to distribute the Lord's holy
name all over the world, other Vaisnavas become very joyful -- that is, if they are truly Vaisnavas.
One who is envious of the success of a Vaisnava is certainly not a Vaisnava himself but is an
ordinary, mundane man. Envy and jealousy are manifested by mundane people, not by Vaisnavas.
… A preacher's duty is to love the Supreme Personality of Godhead, make friendships with
Vaisnavas, show mercy to the innocent and reject or neglect those who are envious or jealous.
There are many jealous people in the dress of Vaisnavas in this Krsna consciousness movement,
and they should be completely neglected. There is no need to serve a jealous person who is in the
dress of a Vaisnava. When Narottama dasa Thakura says chadiya vaisnava seva nistara peyeche
keba, he is indicating an actual Vaisnava, not an envious or jealous person in the dress of a
Vaisnava. (CC Madhya-lila 1.218 purport)
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura indicates that there is another Vaisnava, a pseudo Vaisnava with tilaka
on his nose and kanthi beads around his neck. Such a pseudo Vaisnava associates with money and
women and is jealous of successful Vaisnavas. Although passing for a Vaisnava, his only business
is earning money in the dress of a Vaisnava. Bhaktivinoda Thakura therefore says that such a
pseudo Vaisnava is not a Vaisnava at all but a disciple of Kali-yuga(kali-cela). (CC Madhya-lila
1.220 purport)
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5.2 IMITATION AND FOLLOWING
5.2.1 Don’t Imitate, Simply Follow
Just like Haridasa Thakura. But don't try to imitate Haridasa Thakura. His stage was different.
We cannot imitate. We can simply follow. Anukarana, anusarana, there are two Sanskrit words.
One is imitation, and one who is following the footprints. If one tries to follow the footprints of
great personalities, that is very nice, but we cannot imitate. Imitate. Imitation is dangerous.
Just like Lord Siva, he drank an ocean of poison and he kept it on the throat. He did not allow to
go down. So therefore his name is Nilakantha. It became bluish. His neck is blue. But if
somebody imitates Lord Siva and indulges intoxication, ganja, he'll go to hell. He is powerful.
Somebody says "Well, Lord Siva is a smoker so we can also smoke." No. You cannot imitate.
You can simply follow.
Those who are powerful, if they somebody does something which is very extraordinary, that is
not to be imitated. You have to follow the rules and regulations. That will give you progress.
Don't try to imitate. Just be in your position, try to follow the rules and regulations, and chant
Hare Krsna, and gradually you'll get result. There is no need of being hasty. (SP Lecture, Bg
3.6-10 -- Los Angeles, December 23, 1968)
Those who are neophytes or even a little progressed in devotional service should not try to
imitate the maha-bhagavata. Rather, they should only follow in his footsteps. The word anukara
means "imitating," and anusara means "trying to follow in the footsteps." We should not try to
imitate the activities of a maha-bhagavata or Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Our best efforts should
be exerted in trying to follow them according to our ability. The maha-bhagavata's heart is
completely freed from material contamination, and he can become very dear even to fierce
animals like tigers and elephants. Indeed, the maha-bhagavata treats them as his very intimate
friends. On this platform there is no question of envy. When the Lord was passing through the
forest, He was in ecstasy, thinking the forest to be Vrndavana. He was simply searching for
Krsna. (CC Madhya-lila 17.31 purport)
5.2.2 Following by Imitation
Children learn by imitation of their parents, so if you both set Krsna conscious example the
child will very naturally and easily become advanced in Krsna consciousness by following. (SP
Letter to Jagadisa - Los Angeles 9 July, 1970)
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5.2.3 Following in the Footsteps of the Acaryas
We are propagating the Krsna consciousness movement simply by following in the footsteps of
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We may not be very well versed in the Vedanta-sutra aphorisms
and may not understand their meaning, but we follow in the footsteps of the acaryas, and
because of our strictly and obediently following in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu,
it is to be understood that we know everything regarding the Vedanta-sutra. (CC Adi-lila 7.148
purport)
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu has already sanctified the entire universe by His presence five
hundred years ago, and therefore anyone who attempts to serve Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
sincerely by following in His footsteps and following the instructions of the acaryas will
successfully be able to preach the holy names of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra all over the
universe. (CC Adi-lila 7.163 purport)
Srila Narottama dasa Thakura, Srinivasa Acarya, Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja, Sri
Bhagavan dasa Babaji Maharaja and Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji Maharaja, and later Srila
Bhaktivinoda Thakura of Calcutta, always engaged in nama-bhajana and certainly did not live
anywhere but Vrndavana. Presently, the members of the Hare Krsna movement throughout the
world live in materially opulent cities, such as London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris,
Moscow, Zurich and Stockholm. However, we are satisfied with following in the footsteps of
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and other acaryas. Because we live in the temples of Radha-Krsna
and continuously hold hari-nama-sankirtana -- the chanting of Hare Krsna -- we consequently
live in Vrndavana and nowhere else. We are also following in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu by attempting to construct a temple in Vrndavana for our disciples throughout the
world to visit. (CC Madhya-lila 16.281 purport)
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LESSON SIX
6.1 VAISNAVA APARADHA (BLASPHEMY OF A VAISNAVA)
6.1.1 Different Degrees of Offenses
Different offenses are progressively greater in degree. An offense committed within the mind
(mental) is a positive offense, the same offense committed verbally (vocal) is comparatively
more grave, and when committed by bodily action (corporal) it is superlative in
offensiveness. (Krishna Book, Chapter 89)
6.1.2 Four Kinds of Blasphemy to a Vaisnava
a) To blaspheme a Vaisnava for his/her apparent low birth or caste.

b) To blaspheme a Vaisnava for previous sinful activities prior to one’s surrender to Lord Krishna.
c) To blaspheme a Vaisnava for some unpremeditated accidental falldown.
d) To blaspheme a Vaisnava for the last traces of his/her previous sins or faults that are almost
rectified.
One who has taken complete shelter of the pure devotional process is considered a pure Vaisnava.
The four above-mentioned faults may be present in him/her, but he/she is totally free from all the
other shortcomings. Hence criticizing him/her spells doom for the offender. The glories of the holy
name are propagated by the Vaisnava. Lord Krishna does not tolerate any criticism against His
devotees - a faultfinder surely invites the wrath of Lord Krishna.
6.1.3 A Devotee’s Response in Hearing Blasphemy
One should be very meek and humble in his personal transactions, and if insulted a Vaisnava should
be tolerant and not angry. But if there is blasphemy against one's guru or another Vaisnava, one
should be as angry as fire. This was exhibited by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. One should not
tolerate blasphemy against a Vaisnava but should immediately take one of three actions. If someone
blasphemes a Vaisnava, one should stop him with arguments and higher reason. If one is not expert
enough to do this he should give up his life on the spot, and if he cannot do this, he must go away.
(CC Adi-lila 7.50 purport)
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6.2 FORGIVENESS
6.2.1 What to do if one commits Vaisnava Aparadha
If anyone offends a sadhu/sadhvi in a moment of delusion and madness, one must fall at the
sadhu's/ sadhvi’s feet and repent bitterly; weeping and full of contrition, one must beg forgiveness.
One should declare oneself a fallen wretch in need of a Vaisnava's grace. A sadhu/ sadhvi is very
merciful; his/her heart will soften and he/she will forgive the offender, thus exonerating him/her
from the offenses. ((Sri Harinama Cintamani, Chapter 4, Remedies for sadhu-ninda)
6.2.2 What to do if one is approached for Forgiveness
“Actually the living entity, or soul, does not do anything; everything is done under the influence of
the modes of material nature. When a man is diseased, the symptoms of the disease become a
source of all kinds of pain. Those who are advanced in transcendental consciousness, or Krsna
consciousness, are never envious, neither of the soul nor of the activities of the soul under the
influence of material nature. Advanced transcendentalists are called sudhiyah. Sudhi means
"intelligence," sudhi means "highly advanced," and sudhi means "devotee." One who is both
devoted and highly advanced in intelligence does not take action against the soul or the body. If
there is any discrepancy, he forgives. It is said that forgiveness is a quality of those who are
advancing in spiritual knowledge.” (SB 4.20.3 purport)
6.2.3 Devotee does not mind other Vaisnavas’ Faults
Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami never talked of nonsense or worldly matters but always engaged in
hearing about Krsna twenty-four hours a day. He never cared to hear blasphemy of a Vaisnava.
Even when there were points to be criticized, he used to say that since all the Vaisnavas were
engaged in the service of the Lord, he did not mind their faults. (CC Adi-lila 10.158 purport)
You are always alert to see whether you are committing some offense. This is a very nice attitude.
In rendering service to Lord Krsna and His representative, the Spiritual Master, we should always
maintain this fearful attitude which means careful attention. This attitude will advance you
progressively in Krsna consciousness. (SP letter to Gopala Krsna - April 21, 1970)
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LESSON SEVEN
7.1 OFFERING CORRECTION

(compilation by His Holiness Bhakti-caru Swami)
1. To correct a devotee one must be:

(a) non-envious
(b) desirous to practically assist the devotee in his Krsna consciousness.
(c) in a position spiritually or managerial which justifies and/or necessitates such
intervention. OR
(d) be personally requested by the devotee to help him in his difficulty.
2. The devotee offering correction must be practicing what he preaches.
3. Methods of Correction:
(a) Correct by personal example and association.
(b) Guide the devotee, with his permission, to the shelter of a more advanced
devotee.
(c) A junior devotee should not personally attempt to correct another devotee. He
should reveal his heart to a senior devotee whom he feels at ease with and seek his
assistance/ advice to adjust the situation.
4. Harsh words and actions have no place in correcting a sincere devotee. He wants to
destroy the ignorance in the heart of a devotee - not the devotee himself.
7.2 ACCEPTING CORRECTION
7.2.1 It is Krishna’s Desire
Actually, in the higher status of life, a devotee does not think anyone as enemy. Samah sarvesu
bhutesu mad-bhaktim labhate param [Bg. 18.54]. Samah. He knows that "Nobody can become my
enemy unless Krsna desires. So why shall I think of him as my enemy? Krsna has desired him to act
as my enemy just to correct me, just to make me more advanced in spiritual life. So why shall I take
any action upon him as enemy?" Of course, this stage is meant for very highly elevated devotee.
That is not meant for ordinary devotee. But the fact is this: "How one can become my enemy? If I
am Krsna's servant, how one can become my enemy? If one is acting as my enemy, it is Krsna's
desire. I have got some defect, and he is correcting me."
(SP Lecture, Bg 16.13-15 - Hawaii, February 8, 1975)
7.2.2 Look Forward to Correcting our Mistakes
It is better to forget past incidents, whatever is done is done. Let us look forward to correcting our
mistakes. (SP Letter to: Satsvarupa -- Tokyo 2 May, 1972)
7.2.3 Body is a Gift for Correction
We should think that if God has given us this body for our punishment, it is His mercy, because by
undergoing His punishment willingly and practicing Krsna consciousness, we may become purified
and progress toward God. Devotees think in this way. Although the body is a form of punishment,
they consider it a reward -- because by undergoing the punishment, they are progressing toward
God realization. Even when the body is given by God for our correction, it can thus be considered a
gift. (Beyond Issusion and Doubt, Chapter 5)
27
LESSON EIGHT
8.1 HONORING PRASADAM

(Compiled by His Holiness Bhakti-caru Swami)
When a devotee distributes prasadam, remnants of food offered to the Supreme

Personality of Godhead, in order to maintain our spirit of devotional service we
must accept this prasadam as the Lord’s grace received through the pure devotees.
(Nectar of Instruction Text 4, purport)
1. One should only eat Krsna prasadam.
2. Ideally one should eat food that is a) cooked by devotees b) offered to the Lord by
devotees c) served by devotees
3. Remember that Krsna prasadam is non-different from Krsna. Recite the ‘sarira avidya-jal’
prayer to remember that.
4. Use the right hand to eat and drink.
5. Meditate how Krsna tasted the offering. (One can also meditate on Krsna’s mercy in
providing prasadam and the prasadam pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and
Lord Krsna.)
6. Do not talk while honouring prasadam (besides glorifying Krsna and His prasadam).
7. Do not throw prasadam. Never touch prasadam with your feet.
8. Wash hands, feet and mouth before and after eating. At least wash your hands. In the
Western countries it may be difficult to wash your feet. But when in India, you
should wash both your hands and feet before and after taking prasadam.
9. Drink a glass of water one hour before eating. For some time after eating, don’t drink. If
you at all have to drink, drink something hot.
28
8.2 SERVING PRASADAM
(Compiled by His Holiness Bhakti-caru Swami)
We should never waste Krsna prasadam. Best thing is to cook only what is required and
give each person what he wants. That is Vedic system, that the people sit in rows behind
their plates and the servers pass down the rows and put a very small portion of each
foodstuff on each plate. Unless there is some objection by a person, then nothing is
given. Then if anyone wants more, the servers pass up and down the rows continually
and give more, if anyone requests. In this way nothing is wasted and everyone is satisfied.
(SP Letter to Kirtiraja - Vrindaban, 27 November, 1971)
1. Everyone should be invited to sit, and prasadam should be served by qualified

devotees.
2. Those who are serving should be very clean, peaceful and satisfied. They should eat
before serving, if necessary. They should try not to speak while serving.
3. Serve just the right amount so that nothing is wasted.
4. Householders should serve the guests. Seniors, elders and children should be served first.
5. Place salt and lemon on each plate before those to be served are seated. A green
chilli may also be offered.
6. Always serve water first.
7. Prasadam is generally served in the following order:

Rice and capatis are staple foods and should be on the plate,
Bitter preparations like sukta and bitter melon,
Then spinach and other astringent items,
Fried preparations and dahl,,Various spicy vegetables,
Sour items,Sweet preparations
8. Go around serving seconds until everyone is satisfied. Don’t be stingy - don’t hold
anything back because you want to take it later. Prasadam is meant for distribution.
9. Do not touch plates with the serving spoon. Touching the plate contaminates the spoon. If a
spoon becomes contaminated, you should wash it.
10. Don’t let your fingers touch any of the preparations, even water. Salt should never be
served by hand, use a spoon.
11. Never touch prasadam with your feet or step over it.
12. Serve the prasadam from serving buckets.
13. Don’t drag buckets along the floor or make clanging noises with pot handles or
utensils. Serve quietly.
14. After everyone has finished honouring prasadam, clean the place immediately.
29
LESSON NINE
ASSOCIATION WITH MATERIALISTS OR NON-DEVOTEES
Two kinds of materialistic association: Association with Those devoid of Devotion to the Lord
(Mayavadis, Pretenders and Atheists) and Association with Men too much attached to Women.
In the words of Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 22.87):

asat-sanga-tyaga, -- ei vaisnava-acara
'stri-sangi' -- eka asadhu, 'krsnabhakta' ara
To remain unattached to the modes of material nature, one should avoid associating with those who
are asat, materialistic. There are two kinds of materialists. One is attached to women and sense
gratification, and the other is simply a nondevotee. On the positive side is association with
mahatmas, and on the negative side is the avoidance of nondevotees and women-hunters.
(SB 5.5.2 purport)
A Vaisnava should avoid stri-sangi, those who associate loosely with women, and he should also
shun the krsna-abhaktas, those who are not devotees of Krsna. This especially refers to Mayavadis.
(Narada Bhakti Sutra, Chapter 43, purport)
9.1 HOW DOES ONE BECOME ATTRACTED TO BAD ASSOCIATION?
One who is envious of the Lord and His devotees becomes attracted to bad association, gradually
loses control of the senses and falls down into the network of impious life. The innumerable
varieties of nondevotees are like branches sprouting from the single tree of enviousness of the
Supreme Lord, Krsna, and their association should be given up by all means. (SB 11.18.20 purport)
9.2 ASSOCIATION WITH THOSE DEVOID OF DEVOTION TO THE LORD
There are three kinds of nondevotees: the mayavadi, the dharmadhvaji (pretender), and the
nirisvara (atheist). Mayavadis do not accept that the Supreme Lord's form is eternal. They say the
Deity form of the Lord is illusory or maya, and that the jiva is also a product of maya. A
dharmadhvaji is a person who has no devotion or attachment in the heart but makes a show of it
externally. He wears the clothes of a devotee to accomplish materialistic ends. A nirisvara is a
nonbeliever, an atheist. A serious aspirant or sadhaka must shun such bad association. If anyone
argues that criticizing such nondevotees is sadhuninda, his company must also be meticulously
avoided. One has to keep away from bad association and take complete shelter of the holy name.
Only then is love of Godhead ensured.
30
9.2.1 Association with Mayavadis
One should also avoid association with Mayavadis, who simply blaspheme Vaisnavas (devotees).
(Nectar of Instruction, verse 2, purport)
Just like these Mayavadis, they cannot understand that this chanting of Hare Krsna name is actually
getting direct association with Krsna. (SP lecture on SB 3.25.5-6 in Bombay, November 5, 1974)
Prabhupada: Because they get lonely. [Pause.] The living entity must be active. It is his nature.
Even in Brahman he longs for some activity. Always. So in Brahman he cannot stay inactive and he
has no qualification to serve Krsna in Vaikuntha, so he must fall down. You can understand? This
Mayavada is the last trap of maya. Forget Krsna, don't serve Krsna, I am God, you are God.
[Laughs.] But it is not attractive. And Krsna is so attractive. His name, form, pastimes -- with His
cowherd boyfriends or Mother Yasoda or the gopis. So attractive. Anyone who comes in contact
with Krsna -- even by hearing about Him -- becomes mad after His association. [Pause.] So when
Mayavadis hear from Krsna's pure devotees, they also give up their nonsense loneliness and become
devotees. (My Gloriour Master by Bhurijana Dasa, Chapter 10)
9.2.2 Association with Pretenders
There are many pretenders who refuse to work in Krsna consciousness but make a show of
meditation, while actually dwelling within the mind upon sense enjoyment. Such pretenders may
also speak on dry philosophy in order to bluff sophisticated followers, but according to this verse
these are the greatest cheaters. For sense enjoyment one can act in any capacity of the social order,
but if one follows the rules and regulations of his particular status, he can make gradual progress in
purifying his existence. But he who makes a show of being a yogi while actually searching for the
objects of sense gratification must be called the greatest cheater, even though he sometimes speaks
of philosophy. His knowledge has no value, because the effects of such a sinful man's knowledge
are taken away by the illusory energy of the Lord. Such a pretender's mind is always impure, and
therefore his show of yogic meditation has no value whatsoever. (Bg 3.6 Purport)
One has to associate himself with devotees, those who are in Krsna consciousness. One should
search out a society dedicated to Krsna consciousness and learn how to discharge devotional
service. In this way he can cut off his attachment to the material world. One cannot become
detached from the attraction of the material world simply by dressing himself in saffron cloth. He
must become attached to the devotional service of the Lord. (Bg 15.6 purport)
9.2.3 Association with Atheists
Nonbelievers in the existence of the soul are called atheists by followers of Vedic wisdom.
(Bg 2.28 purport)
The last class of duskrti is called asuram bhavam asritah, or those of demonic principles. This class
is openly atheistic. Some of them argue that the Supreme Lord can never descend upon this material
world, but they are unable to give any tangible reasons as to why not. There are others who make
Him subordinate to the impersonal feature, although the opposite is declared in the Gita. Envious of
the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the atheist will present a number of illicit incarnations
manufactured in the factory of his brain. Such persons, whose very principle of life is to decry the
Personality of Godhead, cannot surrender unto the lotus feet of Sri Krsna. (Bg 7.15 purport)
31
Anyone who thinks that God and the demigods are on the same level is called an atheist, or pasandi
(Bg 4.12 purport)
Atheistic men do not believe in the existence of God, and thus they understand everything which is
happening in our daily affairs to be due to physical arrangement and chance. Atheists believe in the
atheistic Sankhya philosophy of the combination of prakrti and purusa. They believe only in matter
and hold that matter under certain conditions of amalgamation gives rise to the living force, which
then appears as purusa, the enjoyer; then, by a combination of matter and the living force, the many
varieties of material manifestation come into existence. Nor do atheists believe in the injunctions of
the Vedas. According to them, all the Vedic injunctions are simply theories that have no practical
application in life. (SB 4.21.27 purport)
9.3 ASSOCIATION WITH MEN TOO ATTACHED TO WOMEN
In Srimad Bhagavatam 3.31.35:
na tathasya bhaven moho

bandhas canya-prasangatah
yosit-sangad yatha pumso
yatha tat-sangi-sangatah
SYNONYMS
na - not; tatha - in that manner; asya - of this man; bhavet - may arise; mohah - infatuation; bandhah
- bondage; ca - and; anya-prasangatah - from attachment to any other object; yosit-sangat - from
attachment to women; yatha - as; pumsah - of a man; yatha - as; tat-sangi -- of men who are fond of
women; sangatah -- from the fellowship.
TRANSLATION
The infatuation and bondage which accrue to a man from attachment to any other object is not as
complete as that resulting from attachment to a woman or to the fellowship of men who are fond of
women.
PURPORT
Attachment to women is so contaminating that one becomes attached to the condition of material
life not only by the association of women but by the contaminated association of persons who are
too attached to them. There are many reasons for our conditional life in the material world, but the
topmost of all such causes is the association of women, as will be confirmed in the following
stanzas. In Kali-yuga, association with women is very strong. In every step of life, there is
association with women. If a person goes to purchase something, the advertisements are full of
pictures of women. (SB 3.31.35)
32
LESSON TEN
DEVOTEE’S ATTITUDES
10.1 A DEVOTEE’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS NON-DEVOTEES
A devotee of the Lord is no one's enemy, although there may be many enemies of a devotee. A
devotee of the Lord does not like to associate with nondevotees, although he has no enmity with
them. He desires association with the devotees of the Lord. This is perfectly natural because birds of
the same feather mix together. And the most important function of a devotee is to have complete
attachment for Lord Sri Krsna, the father of all living beings. As a good son of the father behaves in
a friendly way with all his other brothers, so also the devotee of the Lord, being a good son of the
supreme father, Lord Krsna, sees all other living beings in relation with the supreme father. He tries
to bring back the upstart sons of the father to a saner stage and to get them to accept the supreme
fatherhood of God. (SB 1.19.16 purport)
10.2 A DEVOTEE’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS OTHERS’ METHODS OF RELIGION
We should not criticize others' methods of religion. There are different types of religious systems
operating under different qualities of material nature. Those operating in the modes of ignorance
and passion cannot be as perfect as that system in the mode of goodness. In Bhagavad-gita
everything has been divided into three qualitative divisions; therefore religious systems are
similarly categorized. When people are mostly under the modes of passion and ignorance, their
system of religion will be of the same quality. A devotee, instead of criticizing such systems, will
encourage the followers to stick to their principles so that gradually they can come to the platform
of religion in goodness. Simply by criticizing them, a devotee's mind will be agitated. Thus a
devotee should tolerate and learn to stop agitation. (SB 4.22.24 purport)
10.3 A DEVOTEE’S ATTITUDE IN RECEIVING A GUEST (EVEN AN ENEMY)
The law of reception in the codes of the Vedic principles states that even if an enemy is received at
home, he must be received with all respects. He should not be given a chance to understand that he
has come into the house of an enemy… The reception law enjoins that a poor man, who has nothing
to offer his guest, should be good enough to offer a straw mat for sitting, a glass of water for
drinking and some sweet words. Therefore, to receive a guest, either friend or foe, there is no
expense. It is only a question of good manners. (SB 1.18.28 purport)
The fact is that every householder, regardless of his position or economic condition, can at least
receive saintly guests with great devotion and offer them drinking water, for drinking water is
available always. In India the custom is that even an ordinary person is offered a glass of water if he
suddenly visits and one cannot offer him foodstuff. If there is no water, then one can offer a sitting
place, even if it is on straw mats. And if one has no straw mat, he can immediately cleanse the
ground and ask the guest to sit there. Supposing that a householder cannot even do that, then with
folded hands he can simply receive the guest, saying, "Welcome." And if he cannot do that, then he
should feel very sorry for his poor condition and shed tears and simply offer obeisances with his
whole family, wife and children. In this way he can satisfy any guest, even if the guest is a saintly
person or a king. (SB 4.22.10 purport)
33
10.4 A DEVOTEE’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS PARENTS (AND RELATIVES)
Regarding your manner of behavior with your parents who are not in Krishna Consciousness; I may
inform you that you should treat four different classes of men in four different ways. A devotee
should love God and God's devotees. A devotee should make friendship with devotees. A devotee
should try to enlighten innocent persons, and a devotee should reject opposite elements. As father
and Mother they should be offered proper respect according to social custom, but you cannot accept
their non-Godly instructions. Best thing is, to avoid misunderstanding, to remain silent without any
affirmation or negation of their instructions. We should try to keep our friendship with everyone in
the world, but we cannot sacrifice the principles of Krishna Consciousness on being employed by
some relative of this world. Don't let them know that you do not approve your parents instructions,
but at the same time you should be very careful in dealing with them. If you object to their
instruction and let them know it, then they will feel sorry, sad. (SP Letter to Nandarani, Dayananda
- San Francisco 29 March, 1968)
Just see Prahlada Maharaja. His father tried to kill him many times! At least I don't think your father
is trying to kill you. And after Krishna in the form of Lord Nrsimhadeva came and killed
Hiranyakasipu, Prahlada prayed to Krishna to have mercy on his demon father. So we must take the
instruction to respect our parents, and to be kind and very tolerant and patient with them, and very
soon I promise you everything will be all right.
I am very pleased that you are chanting regularly. This will save you and protect you from all
misfortunes. So chant Krishna's Name regularly, think about Him all the time, and your love for
Him will keep you free from any bondage. Also, you must try somehow to avoid eating any meat,
fish or eggs. Be very strong in this respect, and eventually your parents will appreciate your
determination especially if you are otherwise always very kind to them. (SP Letter to Patty Dorgan
- Delhi 17 November, 1971)
10.5 A DEVOTEE’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS INHABITANTS OF THE HOLY DHAMAS
All the inhabitants of Vrndavana are Vaisnavas. They are all-auspicious because somehow or other
they always chant the holy name of Krsna. Even though some of them do not strictly follow the
rules and regulations of devotional service, on the whole they are devotees of Krsna and chant His
name directly or indirectly. Purposely or without purpose, even when they pass on the street they
are fortunate enough to exchange greetings by saying the name of Radha or Krsna. Thus directly or
indirectly they are auspicious. (CC Adi-lila 5.232 purport)
Whether a gosvami or a tiger or other ferocious animal, everyone's business is the same -- to please
Krsna. Even the tigers are also devotees. This is the specific qualification of Vrndavana. In
Vrndavana everyone is happy. The calf is happy, the cat is happy, the dog is happy, the man is
happy - everyone. Everyone wants to serve Krsna in a different capacity, and thus there is no envy.
One may sometimes think that the monkeys in Vrndavana are envious, because they cause mischief
and steal food, but in Vrndavana we find that the monkeys are allowed to take butter, which Krsna
Himself distributes. Krsna personally demonstrates that everyone has the right to live. This is
Vrndavana life. Why should I live and you die? No. That is material life. The inhabitants of
Vrndavana think, "Whatever is given by Krsna, let us divide it as prasada and eat." This mentality
cannot appear all of a sudden, but it will gradually develop with Krsna consciousness; by sadhana,
one can come to this platform. (SB 10.13.60 purport)
34
Near Govardhana, at Bindu-sarovara, a lake commemorating the place where Radha and Krsna first
met, the devotees swam while Prabhupada bathed from buckets of water in the nearby field. Later,
while Prabhupada took prasadam, the devotees tried to chase away a few stray dogs by throwing
stones and yelling, but Prabhupada stopped them. "Leave them alone," he said, and he began
throwing the dogs prasadam from his plate. (SPL Volume 5)
Prabhupada liked the location(Govindaji temple compound, Jaipur). The only disturbance was the
many monkeys-large, charcoal-faced monkeys with long curling tails. Climbing through the trees
and across the rooftops, they would scamper down unexpectedly to steal whatever they could. The
women cooking for Prabhupada were exasperated by the monkeys' bold forays to steal vegetables
from the kitchen, even capatis right off the fire, and they complained to Srila Prabhupada.
"Neither be their friends nor their enemies," Prabhupada advised. "If you make friends with them,
they will simply be a nuisance. If you become their enemies, they will become very vindictive. Just
maintain a neutral position." (SPL Volume 5)
10.6 A DEVOTEE’S ATTITUDE AS A PREACHER
The author of Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Srila Rupa Gosvami, very humbly submits that he is just
trying to spread Krsna consciousness all over the world, although he humbly thinks himself unfit for
this work. That should be the attitude of all preachers of the Krsna consciousness movement,
following in the footsteps of Srila Rupa Gosvami. We should never think of ourselves as great
preachers, but should always consider that we are simply instrumental to the previous acaryas, and
simply by following in their footsteps we may be able to do something for the benefit of suffering
humanity. (Nectar of Devotion, Introduction)
35
LESSON ELEVEN
ASSOCIATION WITH DEVOTEES
11.1 ROOT CAUSE OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICE
The root cause of devotional service to Lord Krsna is association with advanced
devotees. Even when one's dormant love for Krsna awakens, association with devotees
is still most essential. (CC Madhya-lila 22.83)
11.2 BE JOLLY, COMPASSIONATE AND FRIENDLY
In the Srimad Bhagavatam, Srila Narada Muni explains how a devotee should relate to
others according to their different levels :
TRANSLATION
Every man should act like this: when he meets a person more qualified than himself, he
should be very pleased; when he meets someone less qualified than himself, he should be
compassionate toward him; and when he meets someone equal to himself, he should make
friendship with him. In this way one is never affected by the threefold miseries of this
material world.
PURPORT
Generally, when we find someone more qualified than ourselves, we become envious of him; when
we find someone less qualified, we deride him; and when we find someone equal we become very
proud of our activities. These are the causes of all material tribulations. The great sage Narada therefore
advised that a devotee should act perfectly. Instead of being envious of a more qualified man, one
should be jolly to receive him. Instead of being oppressive to a less qualified man, one should be
compassionate toward him just to raise him to the proper standard. And when one meets an equal,
instead of being proud of one's own acitivities before him, one should treat him as a friend. One
should also have compassion for people in general, who are suffering due to forgetfulness of Krsna.
These important functions will make one happy within this material world. (SB 4.8.34 and purport)
11.3 ADDRESSING DEVOTEES AS ‘PRABHU’
11.3.1 Not be simply spoken by the lips
Advanced devotee never disobey or disrespect another devotee. Disrespect to another devotee is a
great offense. Vaisnava aparadha. Vaisnava aparadha is very serious offense. Therefore we teach to
address amongst the devotees, "Prabhu", "Prabhu", "Such and such Prabhu." This should not be
simply spoken by the lips. It should be realized. Everyone should think other devotee as his prabhu,
master. Not he should try to become master.
(SP Lecture, The Nectar of Devotion - Vrndavana, October 23, 1972)
36
11.3.2 Because he is serving Krsna, he is my master, despite misgivings
Everyone should remember that we are serving Krsna, and everyone should remember, "The other
person is serving Krsna. And because he is serving Krsna, he is not my servant; he is my master."
That should be always in view. Therefore we address, prabhu: "You are my master." We never
address, "You are my servant." (SP Room Conversation -- November 24, 1976, Vrndavana)
We are trained to address Godbrothers as Prabhu, which means Master. This means we shall try to
find out always the serving side of our Godbrothers. Sometimes there are misgivings, but that we
should try to overlook. (SP Letter to Brahmananda - London 15 November, 1969)
11.3.3 Another ISKCON in the Spiritual Sky
If anyone thinks like that, that a pure devotee should be obeyed and no one else, that means he is a
nonsense. We advise everyone to address one another as Prabhu. Prabhu means master, so how the
master should be disobeyed? Others, they are also pure devotees. All of my disciples are pure
devotees. Anyone sincerely serving the spiritual master is a pure devotee, it may be Siddhasvarupa
or others, a-Siddhasvarupa. This must be very clearly stated. It is not only that your Siddhasvarupa
is a pure devotee and not others. Do not try to make a faction. Siddhasvarupa is a good soul. But
others should not be misled. Anyone who is surrendered to the spiritual master is a pure devotee, it
doesn't matter if Siddhasvarupa or non-Siddhasvarupa. Amongst ourselves one should respect
others as Prabhu, master, one another. As soon as we distinguish here is a pure devotee, here is a
non-pure devotee, that means I am a nonsense. Why you only want to be in the spiritual sky with
Siddhasvarupa? Why not all? If Siddhasvarupa can go, why not everyone? Siddhasvarupa will go,
you will go, Syamasundara will go, all others will go. We will have another ISKCON there.
(SP Letter to Tusta Krsna - Ahmedabad 14 December, 1972)
11.4 TOPMOST, INTERMEDIATE AND NEOPHYTE DEVOTEES
11.4.1 Topmost devotee (Uttama-adhikari)
The most advanced devotee sees within everything the soul of all souls, the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna. Consequently he sees everything in relation to the
Supreme Lord and understands that everything that exists is eternally situated within the
Lord. (SB11.2.45)
One who is expert in logic, argument and the revealed scriptures and who has firm faith in
Krishna classified as a topmost devotee. He can deliver the whole world.
(CC Madhya-lila 22.65)
Out of many such Vaisnavas, one may be found to be very seriously engaged in the
service of the Lord and strictly following all the regulative principles, chanting the
prescribed number of rounds on japa beads and always thinking of how to expand the
Krsna consciousness movement. Such a Vaisnava should be accepted as an uttama-adhikari,
a highly advanced devotee, and his association should always be sought.
(Nectar of Instruction, Text 5 purport)
37
11.4.2 Intermediate devotee (Madhyama-adhikari)
An intermediate or second-class devotee, called madhyama-adhikari, offers his love to the

Supreme Personality of Godhead, is a sincere friend to all the devotees of the Lord, shows
mercy to ignorant people who are innocent and disregards those who are envious of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. (SB 11.2.46)
One who is not very expert in argument and logic based on revealed scriptures but who
has firm faith is considered a second-class devotee. He also must be considered most fortunate.
(CC Madhya-lila 22.67)
11.4.3 Neophyte devotee (Kanistha-adhikari)
A prakrta, or materialistic devotee does not purposefully study the scripture and try to
understand the actual standard of pure devotional service. Consequently he does not show
proper respect to advanced devotees. He may, however, follow the regulative principles
learned from his spiritual master or from his family who worships the Deity. He is to be
considered to be on the material platform, although he is trying to advance in devotional
service. Such a person is bhakta-praya(neophyte devotee), or a bhaktabhasa, for he is little
enlightened by Vaisnava philosophy. (SB 11.2.47)
One whose faith is soft and pliable is called a neophyte, but by gradually following the
process, he will rise to the platform of a first-class devotee. One whose faith is not very
strong, who is just beginning, should be considered a neophyte devotee.
(CC Madhya-lila 22.69-70)
11.5 PRAKRTA - SAHAJIYAS
This is the way to cultivate devotional service properly; therefore in this verse Srila Rupa
Gosvami has advised us how to treat various devotees. We can see from practical
experience that there are different types of Vaisnavas. The prakrta-sahajiyas generally chant
the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, yet they are attached to women, money and intoxication.
Although such persons may chant the holy name of the Lord, they are not yet properly
purified. Such people should be respected within one's mind, but their association should be
avoided. Those who are innocent but simply carried away by bad association should be
shown favor if they are eager to receive proper instructions from pure devotees, but those
neophyte devotees who are actually initiated by the bona fide spiritual master and are
seriously engaged in carrying out the orders of the spiritual master should be offered
respectful obeisances." (Nectar of Instruction, Text 5 purport)
38
LESSON TWELVE
12.1 DEVOTIONAL FRIENDSHIP
12.1.1 No Offenses amongst Friends
Sometimes a person simply accepts the fact that his friend will slap his face -- but there is no
question of inferiority in such an action. When friendship and mutual pleasure are the basis of the
relationship, there is no question of insult or inferiority. (SSR, Chapter 8, The Perfection of Self-
realization)
12.1.2 A Mentor Friend
A devotee shows compassion to those poor souls who are wanting in spiritual knowledge by
enlightening them in order to elevate them to Krsna consciousness. That is one of the duties of a
devotee. He should also make friendship with persons who are on an equal level with himself or
who have the same understanding that he does. For a devotee, there is no point in making
friendships with ordinary persons; he should make friendship with other devotees so that by
discussing among themselves, they may elevate one another on the path of spiritual understanding.
This is called ista-gosthi. (SB 3.29.17, purport)
12.1.3 Friendly Well-wisher
Arjuna did not know how many times he may have dishonored Krsna by addressing Him "O my
friend," "O Krsna," "O Yadava," etc., without acknowledging His opulence. But Krsna is so kind
and merciful that in spite of such opulence He played with Arjuna as a friend. Such is the
transcendental loving reciprocation between the devotee and the Lord. The relationship between the
living entity and Krsna is fixed eternally; it cannot be forgotten, as we can see from the behavior of
Arjuna. Although Arjuna has seen the opulence in the universal form, he cannot forget his friendly
relationship with Krsna. (Bg 11.41-42)
12.2 CONCLUDING WORDS: CULTURE AND EDUCATION
"Being cultured, educated, very active and religious means developing natural love for Krsna."
(Caitanya-bhagavata, Antya-lila 3.44) Everyone has dormant love for Krsna, and by culture and
education that has to be awakened. That is the purpose of this Krsna consciousness movement.
Once Lord Caitanya asked Sri Ramananda Raya what the best part of education was, and
Ramananda Raya replied that the best part of education is advancement in Krsna consciousness.
(SB 4.29.50, purport)
39
Group Presentations Guidelines and Topics:
1. The group presentation should be between 10 to 15 minutes, including questions and

answers.
2. The group may change/adjust the suggested topic/s in consultation with the course
facilitator.
3. Presentations should include a short drama.
4. Presentations may include use of charts, pictorial drawings, diagrams, visual aids, power-
point, debates, etc.
5. Presentations should practically apply to situations in ISKCON. Examples from sastra
should be illustrated in a manner that devotees can apply in advancing in Krishna
consciousness.
6. A group may include members from other groups for part of their presentation, eg. for
drama or debate participation.
7. Wherever applicable, the following should be covered in the presentations: Philosophical
points, difficult concepts(if appropriate), relevance to the modern world, Çréla Prabhupäda's
mood and mission, practical challenges for devotees, suggested solutions to challenges and
other points the group may feel are of importance.
GROUP A
Refer to LESSON THREE from pages 10 to 12
Explain ‘niyamägraha’ in relation to ‘eagerness to accept rules and regulations’ and ‘failure to
accept rules and regulations’.
GROUP B
Refer to LESSON THREE from pages 10 to 12
Illustrate ‘breaking a lesser rule for a higher rule’ in relation to ‘all women should be addressed
as “Mother”’.
GROUP C
Refer to LESSON FIVE on pages 23 and 24
Illustrate the differences between ‘imitation’ and ‘following’ in Krishna consciousness.
GROUP D
Refer to LESSON SIX on pages 25 and 26
Illustrate examples of :
- Blasphemy to a Vaisnava for previous sinful activities prior to one’s surrender to Lord Krishna.
- Blasphemy to a Vaisnava for the last traces of his/her previous sins or faults that are almost
rectified.
40
GROUP E
Refer to LESSON SIX on pages 25 and 26
What should you do(or not do) if you are not forgiven, although you sincerely begged for
forgiveness.
GROUP F
Refer to LESSON SEVEN on page 27
Illustrate two examples of wrongly correcting others.
And then illustrate two examples of properly correcting others.
GROUP G
Refer to LESSON SEVEN on page 27
Why is it difficult for a devotee to accept correction or criticism from another devotee?
GROUP H
Refer to LESSON EIGHT on pages 28 and 29
Is it always possible to only eat Krishna prasadam?
GROUP I
Refer to LESSON EIGHT on pages 28 and 29
Make ten common mistakes while serving and honoring prasadam.
GROUP J
Refer to LESSON ELEVEN on pages 36 to 38
Illustrate ways to overcome Mayavadi philosophy in relation to impersonalism amongst
devotees.
41

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INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS

Founder Acarya – His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture

yad yad acarati sresthas

1.1 ETIQUETTE IN CLASS FOR STUDENTS AND FACILITATORS.....5

1.2 STUDENT’S SELF ASSESSMENT.....6

2.1 THE GOAL: ETERNAL IDENTITY.....7

2.2 FOUNDATION OF BHAKTI – SADACARA…..9

3.2 REGULATIVE PRINCIPLES.....10

3.3 RULES AND REGULATIONS.....11

3.3.1 Breaking a Lesser Rule for a Higher Rule.....11

3.3.2 All Women Should be addressed as "Mother…..12

4.1 TWENTY-SIX QUALITIES OF A DEVOTEE.....13

4.2 NOR DOES A DEVOTEE BECOME HIS ENEMY’S ENEMY.....19

5.1 DECORATIONS AND DRESS OF A VAISNAVA.....20

5.2 IMITATION AND FOLLOWING.....23

6.1 VAISNAVA APARADHA ( BLASPHEMY OF A VAISNAVA).....25

7.1 OFFERING CORRECTION.....27

7.2 ACCEPTING CORRECTION…..27

8.1 HONORING PRASADAM…..28

8.2 SERVING PRASADAM.....29

ASSOCIATION WITH MATERIALISTS OR NON-DEVOTEES…30

9.1 HOW DOES ONE BECOME ATTRACTED TO BAD ASSOCIATION?...30

9.2 ASSOCIATION WITH THOSE DEVOID OF DEVOTION TO THE LORD…30

9.3 ASSOCIATION WITH MEN TOO ATTACHED TO WOMEN…32

10.1 A DEVOTEE’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS NON-DEVOTEES…..33

ASSOCIATION WITH DEVOTEES .....36

11.1 ROOT CAUSE OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICE.....36

11.2 BE JOLLY, COMPASSIONATE AND FRIENDLY…..36

11.3 ADDRESSING DEVOTEES AS ‘PRABHU’…..36

11.4 TOPMOST, INTERMEDIATE AND NEOPHYTE DEVOTEES…..37

11.5 PRAKRTA – SAHAJIYAS.....38

12.1 DEVOTIONAL FRIENDSHIP…..39

12.2 CONCLUDING WORDS: CULTURE AND EDUCATION.....39

GROUP PRESENTATIONS GUIDELINES AND TOPICS……..40

1.1 ETIQUETTE IN CLASS FOR STUDENTS AND FACILITATORS

1. We will be punctual for classes.

3. We will value all contributions whether or not we agree with them.

4. We will not borrow strength from status or position.

5. We will discuss issues or behaviour, not people.

6. We will maintain confidentiality. Dissatisfaction can be discussed in this forum only.

Expectations Before the After the

At the end of the course I expect to …………

Grading: A = 81-100%, B = 61-80%, C = 41-60%, D = 21-40%, E = 0-20%

2.1 THE GOAL: ETERNAL IDENTITY

2.1.2 Servant of the Servants

2.1.3 Svarupa, or Real Form, of the Living Entity

2.2.1 Behaving Well (Acara) and Preaching (Pracara)

Srila Sanatana Gosvami glorifies Namacarya Haridasa Thakura

acara', ‘pracara', -- namera karaha ‘dui' karya

2.2.2 Vaisnava Etiquette: Ornament of a Devotee

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu glorifies Srila Sanatana Gosvami:

‘Bhakti-sadäcära ’ means devotional service (bhakti) and good behaviour (sadacara).

3.2 REGULATIVE PRINCIPLES

3.2.1 Chief Regulative Principle

3.2.2 Four Regulative Principles

“Always remember Krishna and never forget Him”

3.3.1 Breaking a Lesser Rule for a Higher Rule

Selected Rules and Regulations for Discussion:

2. One must touch the lotus feet of the Deity.

3. One must circumambulate the temple building at least three times.

6. One should not circumambulate in front of Sri Krsna.

8. One should not cry or howl before the Deity.