Don't Offend a Vaisnava
To be offensive towards a Vaisnava is the greatest of all blunders. In this regard Srila Prabhupada writes as follows:
"While describing the system of protection for the creeper of devotional service, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has especially stressed protection from offenses unto the lotus feet of Vaisnavas. Such offenses are called vaisnava-aparadha. Aparadha means 'offense.' If one commits vaisnava-aparadhas, all of his progress in devotional service will be checked. Even though one is very much advanced in devotional service, if he commits offenses at the feet of a Vaisnava, his advancement is all spoiled. In the sastras it is found that a very great yogi, Durvasa Muni, committed a vaisnava-aparadha and thus for one full year had to travel all over the universe, even to Vaikunthaloka, to defend himself from the offense. At last, even when he approached the Supreme Personality of Godhead in Vaikuntha, he was refused protection. Therefore one should be very careful about committing offenses at the feet of a Vaisnava. The most grievous type of vaisnava-aparadha is called gurv-aparadha, which refers to offenses at the lotus feet of the spiritual master. In the chanting of the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, this gurv-aparadha is considered the most grievous offense."
Therefore we must be always careful to never in any way be disrespectful or offensive to any of Lord Sri Krishna's devotees, because they are all most dear to Him.
Here is a very instructive pastime in this connection:
"Durvasa Muni cursed Ambarish Maharaja who was an exalted devotee of the Lord. King Ambarish was fasting, and he had to break his fast at a certain time. Durvasa Muni had appeared with his disciples and he expressed desire to eat only after bathing. To properly honor his guests, King Ambarish would eat only after his guests had been satisfied. However, it was time for the King to break his fast but the Muni and his disciples had not yet returned from their bath. After consulting the brahmanas, the King accepted only a little sip of water to break his fast. The Muni saw this is as disrespectful and cursed the King, and he plucked a hair from his own head, and created a demon out of it to attack the King. Krishna then sent His glorious sudarshan chakra to protect His devotee. After vanquishing the demon, the discus began to pursue Durvasa Muni. He was baffled. Why was the sudarshan chakra following the Muni? Krishna couldn’t have possibly wanted the Muni dead, could He? The Muni went to Brahma Loka and Shiva Loka seeking protection from the discus, but no one could help Him. Finally, he went to Lord Narayana, who was displeased with the Muni for having offended His devotee. Like in the case of Jagai and Madai, Narayana told the Muni to seek the forgiveness of King Ambarish. The matter was in his hands, not Vishnu’s. Vishnu tells the Muni that He is not independent – He is completely under the control of His loving devotees, and therefore, He could not save the Muni from the chakra. Only King Ambarish could. Thus the Muni offered obeisances unto the King and begged his forgiveness. King Ambarish of course willingly forgave the Muni and thus, the Muni was saved from the wrath of Krishna’s sudarshan chakra."
The conclusion is that if we ever offend a Vaisnava we must humbly beg forgiveness from that Vaisnava. Otherwise our spiritual life will be ruined. Factually speaking offending a Vaisnava is worse than death because it kills one's devotion. One can be killed and not lose His devotion, but offending a Vaisnava is worse than death because it completely destroys one's devotion.
Your servant,
Sukumar
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
"While describing the system of protection for the creeper of devotional service, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has especially stressed protection from offenses unto the lotus feet of Vaisnavas. Such offenses are called vaisnava-aparadha. Aparadha means 'offense.' If one commits vaisnava-aparadhas, all of his progress in devotional service will be checked. Even though one is very much advanced in devotional service, if he commits offenses at the feet of a Vaisnava, his advancement is all spoiled. In the sastras it is found that a very great yogi, Durvasa Muni, committed a vaisnava-aparadha and thus for one full year had to travel all over the universe, even to Vaikunthaloka, to defend himself from the offense. At last, even when he approached the Supreme Personality of Godhead in Vaikuntha, he was refused protection. Therefore one should be very careful about committing offenses at the feet of a Vaisnava. The most grievous type of vaisnava-aparadha is called gurv-aparadha, which refers to offenses at the lotus feet of the spiritual master. In the chanting of the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, this gurv-aparadha is considered the most grievous offense."
Therefore we must be always careful to never in any way be disrespectful or offensive to any of Lord Sri Krishna's devotees, because they are all most dear to Him.
Here is a very instructive pastime in this connection:
"Durvasa Muni cursed Ambarish Maharaja who was an exalted devotee of the Lord. King Ambarish was fasting, and he had to break his fast at a certain time. Durvasa Muni had appeared with his disciples and he expressed desire to eat only after bathing. To properly honor his guests, King Ambarish would eat only after his guests had been satisfied. However, it was time for the King to break his fast but the Muni and his disciples had not yet returned from their bath. After consulting the brahmanas, the King accepted only a little sip of water to break his fast. The Muni saw this is as disrespectful and cursed the King, and he plucked a hair from his own head, and created a demon out of it to attack the King. Krishna then sent His glorious sudarshan chakra to protect His devotee. After vanquishing the demon, the discus began to pursue Durvasa Muni. He was baffled. Why was the sudarshan chakra following the Muni? Krishna couldn’t have possibly wanted the Muni dead, could He? The Muni went to Brahma Loka and Shiva Loka seeking protection from the discus, but no one could help Him. Finally, he went to Lord Narayana, who was displeased with the Muni for having offended His devotee. Like in the case of Jagai and Madai, Narayana told the Muni to seek the forgiveness of King Ambarish. The matter was in his hands, not Vishnu’s. Vishnu tells the Muni that He is not independent – He is completely under the control of His loving devotees, and therefore, He could not save the Muni from the chakra. Only King Ambarish could. Thus the Muni offered obeisances unto the King and begged his forgiveness. King Ambarish of course willingly forgave the Muni and thus, the Muni was saved from the wrath of Krishna’s sudarshan chakra."
The conclusion is that if we ever offend a Vaisnava we must humbly beg forgiveness from that Vaisnava. Otherwise our spiritual life will be ruined. Factually speaking offending a Vaisnava is worse than death because it kills one's devotion. One can be killed and not lose His devotion, but offending a Vaisnava is worse than death because it completely destroys one's devotion.
Durvasa Muni Chased by Krishna's Sudarshan Chakra
Durvasa Muni Begs Forgiveness From Ambarish Maharaja
Video For the Day: Love Krishna's Devotees
Answers by Citing the Vedic Version
Question: True Goal of Dharma
Kindly advise me what exactly is the true goal of dharma?Your servant,
Sukumar
Answer: Awaken Pure Love for Krishna
The only true goal of dharma is to awaken pure love for Krishna within your heart.Sankarshan Das Adhikari
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