How to Recognize a Pure Devotee?

The association of a pure devotee of Krishna is indeed very rare. If we are somehow or other fortunate enough to receive such transcendental mercy, it is the greatest boon. How do we recognize such a great personality in a world that is so full of sophisticated cheaters and con men? By carefully studying the twenty-six qualities of the pure devotee given in the Sri Caitanya Caritamrita we can understand who is a pure devotee and thus know from whom we should learn the transcendental science of self-realization.

The twenty-six qualities of the pure devotee are as follows:

(1) He is very kind to everyone. (2) He does not make anyone his enemy. (3) He is truthful. (4) He is equal to everyone. (5) No one can find any fault in him. (6) He is magnanimous. (7) He is mild. (8) He is always clean. (9) He is without possessions. (10) He works for everyone's benefit. (11) He is very peaceful. (12) He is always surrendered to Krishna. (13) He has no material desires. (14) He is very meek. (15) He is steady. (16) He controls his senses. (17) He does not eat more than required. (18) He is not influenced by the Lord's illusory energy. (19) He offers respect to everyone. (20) He does not desire any respect for himself. (21) He is very grave. (22) He is merciful. (23) He is friendly. (24) He is poetic. (25) He is expert. (26) He is silent.

I was fortunate to meet and take shelter of a pure devotee, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. His mercy has completely transformed my life far, far beyond anything I could ever have imagined. I was seeking spiritual enlightenment, but I was blessed with that which minimizes the value of liberation from the repetition of birth and death, pure Krishna bhakti. Krishna bhakti cannot be realized intellectually. It can only be realized by being blessed by the dust of the feet of Krishna's pure devotee.

Answers According to the Vedic Version

Question: How Does One Get Initiated?...

I read that since Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is still alive through all his teachings that he still qualifies as a spiritual teacher. You can learn from him by reading his books and listening to his lectures. Is this a fact? If so, how could one get initiated?

Daniel

Answer: As a Disciple of Srila Prabhupada's Disciple...

Yes, Srila Prabhupada is fully potent to instruct, bless, and inspire us through his books and through his disciples. His instructions will be the guiding principles for the entire Vaisnava world for many thousands of years. He is teaching us the science of pure Krishna bhakti in a more powerful and effective way than has ever been done before in the history of the universe.

Regarding initiation, the most important step of one's formal entrance into the world of Krishna consciousness, his instruction to us was that after his disappearance the new followers that join his movement should become the disciples of his disciples.

So in this regard, when you feel you are ready to commit yourself to being an initiated follower of Srila Prabhupada's movement, you may choose one of his disciples to accept as your initiating guru. You may contact that guru or your local ISKCON leader and reveal your desire to be initiated. They will then instruct you on how to prepare yourself for initiation. Since I am one of the initiating gurus, you may inquire from me, or you may inquire from your temple president or from any one of my many Godbrothers who are also initiating gurus.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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