View source for Character (CC and Other Books)

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[[Category:Character|1]]
[[Category:Compilations from Books]]
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<div id="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta" class="section" sec_index="2" parent="compilation" text="Sri Caitanya-caritamrta"><h2>Sri Caitanya-caritamrta</h2>
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<div id="CC_Preface_and_Introduction" class="sub_section" sec_index="0" parent="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta" text="CC Preface and Introduction"><h3>CC Preface and Introduction</h3>
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<div id="CCIntroduction_0" class="quote" parent="CC_Preface_and_Introduction" book="CC" index="5" link="CC Introduction" link_text="CC Introduction">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Introduction|CC Introduction]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The word caitanya means "living force," carita means "character," and amṛta means "immortal." As living entities we can move, but a table cannot because it does not possess living force. Movement and activity may be considered signs or symptoms of the living force. Indeed, it may be said that there can be no activity without the living force. Although the living force is present in the material condition, this condition is not amṛta, immortal. The words Caitanya-caritāmṛta, then, may be translated as "the character of the living force in immortality."</p>
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<div id="CCIntroduction_1" class="quote" parent="CC_Preface_and_Introduction" book="CC" index="5" link="CC Introduction" link_text="CC Introduction">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Introduction|CC Introduction]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">From the Caitanya-caritāmṛta we learn how Lord Caitanya taught people to break the shackles of māyā and become immortal. Thus, as mentioned above, the title may be properly translated as "the character of the living force in immortality." The supreme living force is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is also the supreme entity. There are innumerable living entities, and all of them are individuals. This is very easy to understand: We are all individual in our thoughts and desires, and the Supreme Lord is also an individual person. He is different, though, in that He is the leader, the one whom no one can excel.</p>
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<div id="CC_Adi-lila" class="sub_section" sec_index="1" parent="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta" text="CC Adi-lila"><h3>CC Adi-lila</h3>
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<div id="CCAdi387_0" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="313" link="CC Adi 3.87" link_text="CC Adi 3.87">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 3.87|CC Adi 3.87, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">"O my Lord, those influenced by demoniac principles cannot realize You, although You are clearly the Supreme by dint of Your exalted activities, forms, character and uncommon power, which are confirmed by all the revealed scriptures in the quality of goodness and the celebrated transcendentalists in the divine nature."</p>
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<div id="CCAdi71_1" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="951" link="CC Adi 7.1" link_text="CC Adi 7.1">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 7.1|CC Adi 7.1, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Everyone depends upon dharma (religiosity), artha (economic development), kāma (sense gratification) and ultimately mokṣa (salvation), but Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, due to His magnanimous character, can give more than salvation. Therefore in this verse the words hīnārthādhika-sādhakam indicate that although by material estimation salvation is of a quality superior to the inferior interests of religiosity, economic development and sense gratification, above salvation there is the position of devotional service and transcendental love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.</p>
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<div id="CCAdi819_2" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="1135" link="CC Adi 8.19" link_text="CC Adi 8.19">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 8.19|CC Adi 8.19, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">While Śukadeva Gosvāmī was describing the character of Ṛṣabhadeva, he distinguished between bhakti-yoga and liberation by reciting this verse. In relationship with the Yadus and Pāṇḍavas, the Lord acted sometimes as their master, sometimes as their advisor, sometimes as their friend, sometimes as the head of their family and sometimes even as their servant. Kṛṣṇa once had to carry out an order of Yudhiṣṭhira's by carrying a letter Yudhiṣṭhira had written to Duryodhana regarding peace negotiations. Similarly, He also became the chariot driver of Arjuna. This illustrates that in bhakti-yoga there is a relationship established between the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the devotee. Such a relationship is established in the transcendental mellows known as dāsya, sakhya, vātsalya and mādhurya. If a devotee wants simple liberation, he gets it very easily from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as confirmed by Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura.</p>
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<div id="CCAdi1043_3" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="1298" link="CC Adi 10.43" link_text="CC Adi 10.43">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 10.43|CC Adi 10.43, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">The twentieth branch of the Caitanya tree was Haridāsa Ṭhākura. His character was wonderful. He used to chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa 300,000 times a day without fail.</p>
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<div id="CCAdi1084_4" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="1338" link="CC Adi 10.84" link_text="CC Adi 10.84">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 10.84|CC Adi 10.84, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">At Jagannātha Purī he decided to give up his body by falling down beneath a wheel of the Jagannātha ratha, but Caitanya Mahāprabhu saved him. Then Sanātana Gosvāmī met Haridāsa Ṭhākura and heard about the disappearance of Anupama. Sanātana Gosvāmī later described the glories of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Sanātana observed the etiquette of Jagannātha's temple by going along the beach to visit Lord Caitanya, although it was extremely hot due to the sun. He requested Jagadānanda Paṇḍita to give him permission to return to Vṛndāvana. Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu praised the character of Sanātana Gosvāmī, and He embraced Sanātana, accepting his body as spiritual. Sanātana Gosvāmī was ordered by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to live at Jagannātha Purī for one year. When he returned to Vṛndāvana after that time, he again met Rūpa Gosvāmī, and both brothers remained in Vṛndāvana to execute the orders of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.</p>
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<div id="CCAdi10100_5" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="1354" link="CC Adi 10.100" link_text="CC Adi 10.100">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 10.100|CC Adi 10.100, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">Day and night he rendered service within his mind to Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, and for three hours a day he discoursed about the character of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.</p>
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<div id="CCAdi17297_6" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="2232" link="CC Adi 17.297" link_text="CC Adi 17.297">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 17.297|CC Adi 17.297, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu overflooded the entire world by distributing transcendental loving service. No one can understand His character and activities.</p>
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<div id="CCAdi17304_7" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="2239" link="CC Adi 17.304" link_text="CC Adi 17.304">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 17.304|CC Adi 17.304, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">He is Kṛṣṇa, yet He has accepted the mood of the gopīs. How is it so? It is the inconceivable character of the Lord, which is very difficult to understand.</p>
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<div id="CCAdi17304_8" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="2239" link="CC Adi 17.304" link_text="CC Adi 17.304">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 17.304|CC Adi 17.304, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Kṛṣṇa's accepting the part of the gopīs is certainly contradictory according to any mundane calculations, but the Lord, by His inconceivable character, may act like the gopīs and feel separation from Kṛṣṇa, although He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. Such a contradiction can be reconciled only in the Supreme Personality of Godhead because He has energy that is inconceivable (acintya), which can make possible that which is impossible to do (aghaṭa-ghaṭana-patīyasī). Such contradictions are very difficult to understand unless a devotee strictly follows the Vaiṣṇava philosophy under the direction of the Gosvāmīs.</p>
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<div id="CCAdi17305_9" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="2240" link="CC Adi 17.305" link_text="CC Adi 17.305">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 17.305|CC Adi 17.305, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">One cannot understand the contradictions in Lord Caitanya's character by putting forward mundane logic and arguments. Consequently one should not maintain doubts in this connection. One should simply try to understand the inconceivable energy of Kṛṣṇa; otherwise one cannot understand how such contradictions are possible.</p>
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<div id="CC_Madhya-lila" class="sub_section" sec_index="2" parent="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta" text="CC Madhya-lila"><h3>CC Madhya-lila</h3>
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<div id="CCMadhya1197_0" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="196" link="CC Madhya 1.197" link_text="CC Madhya 1.197">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 1.197|CC Madhya 1.197, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">There are two kinds of meat-eaters—one who is born in a family of meat-eaters and one who has learned to associate with meat-eaters. From Śrīla Rūpa and Sanātana Gosvāmīs (formerly Dabira Khāsa and Sākara Mallika) we can learn how one attains the character of a meat-eater simply by associating with meat-eaters. At the present moment in India the presidential offices are occupied by many so-called brāhmaṇas, but the state maintains slaughterhouses for killing cows and makes propaganda against Vedic civilization. The first principle of Vedic civilization is the avoidance of meat-eating and intoxication. Presently in India, intoxication and meat-eating are encouraged, and the so-called learned brāhmaṇas presiding over this state of affairs have certainly become degraded according to the standard given herein by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī.</p>
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<div id="CCMadhya4133_1" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="730" link="CC Madhya 4.133" link_text="CC Madhya 4.133">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 4.133|CC Madhya 4.133, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The difference between the Absolute Truth and relative truth is explained here. Lord Gopīnātha has openly declared herein that He is a thief. He had stolen the pot of sweet rice, and this was not kept a secret because His act of stealing is a source of great transcendental bliss. In the material world, theft is criminal, but in the spiritual world the Lord's stealing is a source of transcendental bliss. Mundane rascals, who cannot understand the absolute nature of the Personality of Godhead, sometimes call Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa immoral, but they do not know that His seemingly immoral activities, which are not kept secret, afford pleasure to the devotees. Not understanding the transcendental behavior of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, these rascals slur His character and immediately fall into the category of miscreants (rascals, lowest among men, demons and those whose knowledge is taken away by the illusory energy).</p>
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<div id="CCMadhya1063_2" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="2142" link="CC Madhya 10.63" link_text="CC Madhya 10.63">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 10.63|CC Madhya 10.63, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “My dear Bhaṭṭācārya, just consider the character of this man who went with Me to South India.</p>
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<div id="CCMadhya1225_3" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="2535" link="CC Madhya 12.25" link_text="CC Madhya 12.25">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 12.25|CC Madhya 12.25, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">People actually expect a sannyāsī to preach and not take part in any social or political matters. If a sannyāsī is subject to public criticism, his preaching will not be fruitful. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu specifically wanted to avoid such criticism so that His preaching work would not be hampered. It so happened that while the Lord was talking to His disciples at that time, the devotee Dāmodara Paṇḍita was present. This Dāmodara Paṇḍita was a very faithful devotee and a staunch lover of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Whenever there was anything that might touch or taint the character of the Lord, Dāmodara Paṇḍita would immediately point it out, not even considering the exalted position of the Lord. It is sometimes said that fools rush in where angels dare not, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu wanted to point out Dāmodara Paṇḍita's foolishness in coming forward to criticize the Lord. This is why the Lord stated that if Dāmodara Paṇḍita would give Him permission, He would go to see the King.</p>
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<div id="CCMadhya12192_4" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="2700" link="CC Madhya 12.192" link_text="CC Madhya 12.192">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 12.192|CC Madhya 12.192, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">"It is not proper for householders to dine with those whose previous birth, family, character and behavior are unknown."</p>
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<div id="CCMadhya14152_5" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="3091" link="CC Madhya 14.152" link_text="CC Madhya 14.152">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 14.152|CC Madhya 14.152, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">“Some of these heroines are very talkative, some are mild, and some are equipoised. Each heroine, according to her own character, increases Śrī Kṛṣṇa's loving ecstasy."</p>
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<div id="CCMadhya14161_6" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="3100" link="CC Madhya 14.161" link_text="CC Madhya 14.161">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 14.161|CC Madhya 14.161, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">“Rādhārāṇī is grown up, and Her character is equipoised. She is always deeply absorbed in ecstatic love and always feeling in the mood of a left-wing gopī."</p>
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<div id="CCMadhya15108_7" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="3304" link="CC Madhya 15.108" link_text="CC Madhya 15.108">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 15.108|CC Madhya 15.108, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">"Although Deity worship is not essential, the material conditioning of most candidates for devotional service requires that they engage in this activity. When we consider their bodily and mental conditions, we find that the character of such candidates is impure and their minds are agitated. Therefore, to rectify this material conditioning the great sage Nārada and others have at different times recommended various kinds of regulations for Deity worship."</p>
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<div id="CCMadhya15141_8" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="3336" link="CC Madhya 15.141" link_text="CC Madhya 15.141">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 15.141|CC Madhya 15.141, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">“"His character is very sweet, and His pastimes are melodious. He is expert in intelligence, and thus He enjoys all His pastimes and mellows.""</p>
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<div id="CCMadhya2116_9" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="4910" link="CC Madhya 21.16" link_text="CC Madhya 21.16">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 21.16|CC Madhya 21.16, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">“Apart from all argument, logic and negative or positive processes, when Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa was present as the Supreme Personality of Godhead at Vṛndāvana, no one could find a limit to His potencies by studying His characteristics and activities."</p>
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<div id="CC_Antya-lila" class="sub_section" sec_index="3" parent="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta" text="CC Antya-lila"><h3>CC Antya-lila</h3>
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<div id="CCAntya2172_0" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="390" link="CC Antya 2.172" link_text="CC Antya 2.172">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 2.172|CC Antya 2.172, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">(2) By chastising Junior Haridāsa, the Lord set the standard for ācāryas, or the heads of institutions propagating the Caitanya cult, and for all actual devotees. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu wanted to maintain the highest standard. (3) Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu instructed that a pure devotee should be simple and free from sinful activities, for thus one can be His bona fide servant. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu taught His followers how to observe the renounced order strictly. (4) Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu wanted to prove that His devotees are exalted and that their character is ideal. He kindly accepts His faithful devotees and teaches them how much tribulation and disturbance can be produced by even a slight deviation from the strict principles of devotional life. (5) By chastising Junior Haridāsa, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu exhibited His mercy toward him, thus showing how elevated was Junior Haridāsa's devotion for Him.</p>
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<div id="CCAntya3Summary_1" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="391" link="CC Antya 3 Summary" link_text="CC Antya 3 Summary">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 3 Summary|CC Antya 3 Summary]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">A summary of the Third Chapter is given by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura as follows. A beautiful young brāhmaṇa girl in Jagannātha Purī had a very handsome son who was coming every day to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. This was not very much to the liking of Dāmodara Paṇḍita, however, who therefore told Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, "If You display so much love for this boy, people will doubt Your character." Hearing these words from Dāmodara Paṇḍita, the Lord sent him to Navadvīpa to supervise the affairs of His mother, Śacīdevī. He also especially requested Dāmodara Paṇḍita to remind His mother that He was sometimes going to her home to accept the food she offered. Thus, following the order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Dāmodara Paṇḍita went to Navadvīpa, taking with him all kinds of prasādam from Lord Jagannātha.</p>
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<div id="CCAntya3104_2" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="493" link="CC Antya 3.104" link_text="CC Antya 3.104">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 3.104|CC Antya 3.104, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">By no means could he find any fault in the character of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Therefore he called for local prostitutes and began a plan to discredit His Holiness.</p>
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<div id="CCAntya3143_3" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="531" link="CC Antya 3.143" link_text="CC Antya 3.143">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 3.143|CC Antya 3.143, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">Seeing the sublime character of the prostitute, everyone was astonished. Everyone glorified the influence of Haridāsa Ṭhākura and offered him obeisances.</p>
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<div id="CCAntya3143_4" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="531" link="CC Antya 3.143" link_text="CC Antya 3.143">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 3.143|CC Antya 3.143, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">It is said, phalena paricīyate: one is recognized by the result of his actions. In Vaiṣṇava society there are many types of Vaiṣṇavas. Some of them are called gosvāmīs, some are called svāmīs, some are prabhus, and some are prabhupāda. One is not recognized, however, simply by such a name. A spiritual master is recognized as an actual guru when it is seen that he has changed the character of his disciples. Haridāsa Ṭhākura actually changed the character of the professional prostitute. People greatly appreciated this, and therefore they all offered obeisances to Haridāsa Ṭhākura and glorified him.</p>
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<div id="CCAntya5Summary_5" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="897" link="CC Antya 5 Summary" link_text="CC Antya 5 Summary">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 5 Summary|CC Antya 5 Summary]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Pradyumna Miśra, a resident of Śrīhaṭṭa, came to see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to hear from Him about Lord Kṛṣṇa and His pastimes. The Lord, however, sent him to Śrīla Rāmānanda Rāya. Śrīla Rāmānanda Rāya was training the deva-dāsī dancing girls in the temple, and when Pradyumna Miśra heard about this, he returned to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. The Lord, however, elaborately described the character of Śrīla Rāmānanda Rāya. Then Pradyumna Miśra went to see Rāmānanda Rāya again to hear about the transcendental truth from him.</p>
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<div id="CCAntya584_6" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="978" link="CC Antya 5.84" link_text="CC Antya 5.84">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 5.84|CC Antya 5.84, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">According to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's philosophy, yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā, sei "guru" haya: ([[Vanisource:CC Madhya 8.128|CC Madhya 8.128]]) anyone who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa can become a spiritual master, without reference to whether or not he is a brāhmaṇa or sannyāsī. Ordinary people cannot understand the essence of śāstra, nor can they understand the pure character, behavior and abilities of strict followers of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's principles. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is creating pure, exalted Vaiṣṇavas even from those born in families considered lower than those of śūdras.</p>
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<div id="CCAntya6320_7" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="1376" link="CC Antya 6.320" link_text="CC Antya 6.320">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 6.320|CC Antya 6.320, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">Svarūpa Dāmodara said, "You eat such nectar every day, but you never offer it to us. What is your character?"</p>
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<div id="CCAntya850_8" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="1605" link="CC Antya 8.50" link_text="CC Antya 8.50">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 8.50|CC Antya 8.50, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Rāmacandra Purī could find no faults in the character of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, for He is situated in a transcendental position as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Ants are generally found everywhere, but when Rāmacandra Purī saw ants crawling in the abode of the Lord, he took it for granted that they must have been there because Caitanya Mahāprabhu had been eating sweetmeats. He thus discovered imaginary faults in the Lord and then left.</p>
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<div id="CCAntya8100_9" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="1652" link="CC Antya 8.100" link_text="CC Antya 8.100">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 8.100|CC Antya 8.100, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not consider the offenses of Rāmacandra Purī, for the Lord considered him His spiritual master. However, his character instructed everyone about the result of offending the spiritual master.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CCAntya8101_10" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="1653" link="CC Antya 8.101" link_text="CC Antya 8.101">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 8.101|CC Antya 8.101, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">The character of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is full of nectar. Hearing about it is pleasing to the ear and mind.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CCAntya8102_11" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="1654" link="CC Antya 8.102" link_text="CC Antya 8.102">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 8.102|CC Antya 8.102, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">I write about the character of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. O readers, please hear with attention, for thus you will easily receive ecstatic love for the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CCAntya9148_12" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="1804" link="CC Antya 9.148" link_text="CC Antya 9.148">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 9.148|CC Antya 9.148, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Advancement in material opulence is not the direct mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; nevertheless, it indicates the indirect mercy of the Lord, for even a person too attached to material prosperity can gradually be detached and raised to the spiritual platform. Then he can offer causeless, purified service to the Lord. When Śrī Caitanya said, āmā haite kichu nahe ("It is not My business to do anything"), He set the ideal example for a person in the renounced order. If a sannyāsī takes the side of a viṣayī, a person engaged in material activities, his character will be criticized. A person in the renounced order should not take interest in material activities, but if he does so out of affection for a particular person, that should be considered his special mercy.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CCAntya10Summary_13" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="1810" link="CC Antya 10 Summary" link_text="CC Antya 10 Summary">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 10 Summary|CC Antya 10 Summary]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The day when all the devotees arrived at Jagannātha Purī, Lord Govinda was enjoying sporting pastimes in the waters of the lake known as Narendra-sarovara. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu also enjoyed the ceremony in the water with His devotees. As previously, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu performed the cleansing ceremony at Guṇḍicā and chanted the famous verse jagamohana-pari-muṇḍā yāu. After kīrtana ended, He distributed prasādam to all the devotees and also took some Himself. Then He lay down at the door of the Gambhīrā to take rest. Somehow or other Govinda, the personal servant of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, crossed over the Lord's body and massaged His feet. Govinda could not go out that day, however, and therefore he was unable to accept prasādam. From the character of Govinda it is to be learned that we may sometimes commit offenses for the service of the Lord, but not for sense gratification.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CCAntya1228_14" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="2099" link="CC Antya 12.28" link_text="CC Antya 12.28">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 12.28|CC Antya 12.28, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">“My dear Lord, Your chastising me is Your causeless mercy. Who within the three worlds can understand Your real character?"</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CCAntya144_15" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="2369" link="CC Antya 14.4" link_text="CC Antya 14.4">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 14.4|CC Antya 14.4, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">All glories to Svarūpa Dāmodara and all the other devotees, headed by Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura! Please give me the strength to describe the character of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" class="section" sec_index="3" parent="compilation" text="Other Books by Srila Prabhupada"><h2>Other Books by Srila Prabhupada</h2>
</div>
<div id="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" class="sub_section" sec_index="0" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya"><h3>Teachings of Lord Caitanya</h3>
</div>
<div id="TLCPrologue_0" class="quote" parent="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" book="OB" index="4" link="TLC Prologue" link_text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter Prologue">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:TLC Prologue|Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter Prologue]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The first mandate that he issued to Prabhu Nityānanda and Haridāsa was this: "Go, friends, go through the streets of the town, meet every man at his door and ask him to sing the name of Hari with a holy life, and you then come and report to me every evening the result of your preaching." Thus ordered, the two preachers went on and met Jagāi and Mādhāi, two most abominable characters. They insulted the preachers on hearing Mahāprabhu's mandate, but were soon converted by the influence of bhakti (devotion) inculcated by their Lord. The people of Nadia were now surprised. They said, "Nimāi Paṇḍita is not only a gigantic genius, but he is certainly a missionary from God Almighty."</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="TLCPrologue_1" class="quote" parent="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" book="OB" index="4" link="TLC Prologue" link_text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter Prologue">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:TLC Prologue|Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter Prologue]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">His followers of the town of Nadia commenced to sing the holy name of Hari in the streets and bazaars. This created a sensation and roused different feelings in different quarters. The bhaktas were highly pleased. The smārta brāhmaṇas became jealous of Nimāi Paṇḍita's success and complained to Chand Kazi against the character of Caitanya as un-Hindu. The Kazi came to Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita's house and broke a mṛdaṅga (khola drum) there and declared that unless Nimāi Paṇḍita ceased to make noise about his queer religion he would be obliged to enforce Mohammedanism on him and his followers. This was brought to Mahāprabhu's notice. He ordered the townspeople to appear in the evening, each with a torch in his hand. This groups, and on his arrival in the Kazi's house, he held a long conversation with the Kazi and in the end communicated into his heart his Vaiṣṇava influence by touching his body. The Kazi then wept and admitted that he had felt a keen spiritual influence which had cleared up his doubts and produced in him a religious sentiment which gave him the highest ecstasy. The Kazi then joined the saṅkīrtana party. The world was astonished at the spiritual power of the Great Lord, and hundreds and hundreds of heretics converted and joined the banner of Viśvambhara after this affair.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="TLCPrologue_2" class="quote" parent="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" book="OB" index="4" link="TLC Prologue" link_text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter Prologue">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:TLC Prologue|Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter Prologue]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">From this time, that is, from his 31 st year, Mahāprabhu continually lived in Purī in the house of Kāśi Miśra until his disappearance in his forty-eighth year at the time of saṅkīrtana in the temple of Ṭoṭā-gopīnātha. During these 18 years, his life was one of settled love and piety. He was surrounded by numerous followers, all of whom were of the highest order of Vaiṣṇavas and who were distinguished from the common people by their purest character and learning, firm religious principles and spiritual love of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. Svarūpa Dāmodara, who had been known by the name of Puruṣottamācārya while Mahāprabhu was in Nadia, joined him from Benares and accepted service as his secretary. No production of any poet or philosopher could be laid before Mahāprabhu unless Svarūpa had passed it as pure and useful. Rāya Rāmānanda was his second mate. Both he and Svarūpa would sing while Mahāprabhu expressed his sentiments on a certain point of worship.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="TLCIntoduction_3" class="quote" parent="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" book="OB" index="6" link="TLC Intoduction" link_text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter Intoduction">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:TLC Intoduction|Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter Intoduction]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The word caitanya means living force. As living entities, we can move, but a table cannot because it does not possess living force. Movement and activity may be considered to be signs or symptoms of the living force. Indeed, it may be said that there can be no activity without the living force. Although the living force is present in the material condition, it is not amṛta, immortal. The words caitanya-caritāmṛta, then, may be translated as "the character of the living force in immortality."</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="TLCIntoduction_4" class="quote" parent="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" book="OB" index="6" link="TLC Intoduction" link_text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter Intoduction">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:TLC Intoduction|Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter Intoduction]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">From Caitanya-caritāmṛta we learn how Caitanya taught people to become immortal, and thus the title may be properly translated as "the immortal character of the living force." The supreme living force is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is also the supreme entity. There are innumerable living entities, and all of them are individual. This is very easy to understand: We are all individual in thought and desires, and the Supreme Lord is also an individual person. He is different, though, in that He is the leader, the one whom no one can excel.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="TLC27_5" class="quote" parent="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" book="OB" index="33" link="TLC 27" link_text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 27">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:TLC 27|Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 27]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Rāmānanda Rāya stated that those who strictly follow the rules and regulations of these eight social divisions can actually satisfy the Supreme Lord, and one who does not follow them certainly spoils his human form of life and glides toward hell. One can peacefully execute the goal of human life simply by following the rules and regulations which apply to one's self. The character of a particular person develops by following the regulative principles in accordance with one's birth, association and education. The divisions of society are so designed that many people of different character can be regulated under them for the peaceful administration of society and for spiritual advancement as well.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Nectar_of_Devotion" class="sub_section" sec_index="1" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Nectar of Devotion"><h3>Nectar of Devotion</h3>
</div>
<div id="NOD1_0" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="6" link="NOD 1" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 1">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 1|Nectar of Devotion 1]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">One who is not in Kṛṣṇa consciousness usually cannot sit silently even for half an hour. The yoga system teaches that if you become silent you will realize that you are God. This system may be all right for materialistic persons, but how long will they be able to keep themselves silent? Artificially, they may sit down for so-called meditation, but immediately after their yogic performance they will engage themselves again in such activities as illicit sex life, gambling, meat-eating and many other nonsensical things. But a Kṛṣṇa conscious person gradually elevates himself without endeavoring for this so-called silent meditation. Simply because he is engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness he automatically gives up all this nonsense and develops a high character. One develops the highest character by becoming a pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa. The conclusion is that no one can truly have any good qualities if he is lacking Kṛṣṇa consciousness.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="NOD1_1" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="10" link="NOD 1" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 1">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 1|Nectar of Devotion 1]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">How Kṛṣṇa becomes attracted by the devotional service of His devotees is described by Nārada in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Seventh Canto, Tenth Chapter, verses 48 and 49. There Nārada addresses King Yudhiṣṭhira while the King is appreciating the glories of the character of Prahlāda Mahārāja. A devotee always appreciates the activities of other devotees. Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja was appreciating the qualities of Prahlāda, and that is one symptom of a pure devotee. A pure devotee never thinks himself great; he always thinks that other devotees are greater than himself.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="NOD4_2" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="13" link="NOD 4" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 4">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 4|Nectar of Devotion 4]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">In the same Hayaśīrṣa-pañcarātra, after Nṛsiṁhadeva wanted to give benedictions to Prahlāda Mahārāja, Prahlāda did not accept any material benediction and simply asked the favor of the Lord to remain His eternal devotee. In this connection, Prahlāda Mahārāja cited the example of Hanumān, the eternal servitor of Lord Rāmacandra, who also set an example by never asking any material favor from the Lord. He always remained engaged in the Lord's service. That is the ideal character of Hanumān, for which he is still worshiped by all devotees. Prahlāda Mahārāja also offered his respectful obeisances unto Hanumān. There is a well-known verse spoken by Hanumān in which he says, "My dear Lord, if You like You can give me salvation from this material existence, or the privilege of merging into Your existence, but I do not wish any of these things. I do not want anything which diminishes my relationship with You as servant to master, even after liberation."</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="NOD7_3" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="17" link="NOD 7" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 7">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 7|Nectar of Devotion 7]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The purport is that one should not accept as a spiritual master someone who is fool number one, who has no direction according to the scriptural injunctions, whose character is doubtful, who does not follow the principles of devotional service, or who has not conquered the influence of the six sense-gratifying agents. The six agents of sense gratification are the tongue, the genitals, the belly, anger, the mind and words. Anyone who has practiced controlling these six is permitted to make disciples all over the world. To accept such a spiritual master is the crucial point for advancement in spiritual life. One who is fortunate enough to come under the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master is sure to traverse the path of spiritual salvation without any doubt.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="NOD16_4" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="87" link="NOD 16" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 16">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 16|Nectar of Devotion 16]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">It has been seen that a so-called devotee proclaims himself a follower of Nanda, Yaśodā or the gopīs, while at the same time his abominable attraction for mundane sex life is visible. Such a manifestation of divine love is mere imitation and has no value. When one is actually spontaneously attracted to the loving principles of the gopīs, there will be found no trace of any mundane contamination in his character. Therefore, in the beginning, everyone should strictly follow the regulative principles of devotional service, according to the injunctions of the scriptures and the spiritual master. Only after the stage of liberation from material contamination can one actually aspire to follow in the footsteps of the devotees in Vṛndāvana.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="NOD17_5" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="90" link="NOD 17" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 17">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 17|Nectar of Devotion 17]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">As for ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa, there is a statement in the Seventh Canto, Fourth Chapter, verse 36, of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, in which Nārada addresses King Yudhiṣṭhira, "My dear King, it is very difficult to describe the character of Prahlāda. He developed a natural attraction for Kṛṣṇa, and whatever I can explain about his character will simply be an arrangement of words; his actual character is impossible to describe." This means that Nārada himself admitted that the natural development of Prahlāda's ecstatic love was by the grace of Lord Kṛṣṇa.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="NOD18_6" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="94" link="NOD 18" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 18">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 18|Nectar of Devotion 18]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The senses are always desiring sense enjoyment, but when a devotee develops transcendental love for Kṛṣṇa his senses are no longer attracted by material desires. This state of mind is called detachment. There is a nice example of this detachment in connection with the character of King Bharata. In the Fifth Canto, Fourteenth Chapter, verse 43, of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam it is stated, "Emperor Bharata was so attracted by the beauty of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa that even in his youthful life he gave up all kinds of attachments to family, children, friends, kingdom, etc., as though they were untouchable stools."</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="NOD22_7" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="150" link="NOD 22" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 22">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 22|Nectar of Devotion 22]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">A person who becomes well known due to his spotless character is called famous. It is stated that the diffusion of Kṛṣṇa's fame is like the moonshine, which turns darkness into light. In other words, if Kṛṣṇa consciousness is preached all over the world, the darkness of ignorance and the anxiety of material existence will turn into the whiteness of purity, peacefulness and prosperity.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="NOD23_8" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="173" link="NOD 23" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 23">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 23|Nectar of Devotion 23]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">In this connection, the following statement given by Indra, the King of heaven, is very significant: "My dear Lord, I admit that I have committed great offenses unto You, but I cannot express my feelings of regret, being bewildered at seeing Your extraordinary chivalrous spirit, Your endeavor to protect Your devotees, Your determination, Your steadiness in lifting the great hill of Govardhana, Your beautiful bodily features and Your astonishing characteristic of being pleased simply by accepting the prayers of Your devotees and offenders." The above statement by the King of heaven is an exact corroboration of Kṛṣṇa's being dhīrodātta. Many learned scholars have agreed to also accept Lord Rāmacandra as dhīrodātta, but all of Lord Rāmacandra's qualities are also included in the character of Lord Kṛṣṇa.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="NOD23_9" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="176" link="NOD 23" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 23">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 23|Nectar of Devotion 23]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">A person who is very envious, proud, easily angered, restless and complacent is called dhīroddhata by learned scholars. Such qualities were visible in the character of Lord Kṛṣṇa, because when He was writing a letter to Kālayavana, Kṛṣṇa addressed him as a sinful frog. In His letter Kṛṣṇa advised Kālayavana that he should immediately go and find some dark well for his residence, because there was a black snake named Kṛṣṇa who was very eager to devour all such sinful frogs. Kṛṣṇa reminded Kālayavana that He could turn all the universes to ashes simply by looking at them.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="NOD23_10" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="176" link="NOD 23" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 23">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 23|Nectar of Devotion 23]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Once, while fighting with a demon who was appearing as a deer, Kṛṣṇa challenged him in this way: "I have come before you as a great elephant named Kṛṣṇa. You must leave the battlefield, accepting defeat, or else there is death awaiting you." This challenging spirit of Kṛṣṇa's is not contradictory to His sublime character; because He is the Supreme Being, everything is possible in His character.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="NOD24_11" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="178" link="NOD 24" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 24">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 24|Nectar of Devotion 24]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">It is said that a person is great if he is decorated with the qualities of being very merciful toward the unfortunate, very powerful, superior, chivalrous, enthusiastic, expert and truthful. These decorations were manifested in the character of Kṛṣṇa during His govardhana-līlā. At that time the whole tract of land in Vṛndāvana was being disturbed by the rains sent by Indra, as described elsewhere. At first Kṛṣṇa thought, "Let Me retaliate against this vengeance of Indra by destroying his heavenly kingdom," but later on, when He thought of the insignificance of the King of heaven, Kṛṣṇa changed His mind and felt merciful toward Indra. No one is able to tolerate the wrath of Kṛṣṇa, so instead of retaliating against Indra, He simply showed His compassion for His friends in Vṛndāvana by lifting the whole of Govardhana Hill to protect them.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="NOD32_12" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="261" link="NOD 32" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 32">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 32|Nectar of Devotion 32]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">When transcendental humors in relationship with Kṛṣṇa become mixed (e.g., when the relationships with Kṛṣṇa in friendship, servitorship and parental love become mixed together), the result is called mixed humor or flavor. Such mixed transcendental flavors are manifested by such devotees as Uddhava, Bhīma and Mukharā, the personal attendant of mother Yaśodā. Although devotional humors are sometimes found in mixtures, a particular humor is always found to be a prominent and constant factor. That prominent humor is to be accepted as the devotee's main relationship with Kṛṣṇa. For example, Uddhava is in relationship with Kṛṣṇa as a friend, but in Uddhava's character a trace of servitude to Kṛṣṇa is also visible. Such friendship is called friendship in reverence. The friendship typified by Śrīdāmā and Sudāmā, however, is the standard of friendship without any tinge of reverence.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="NOD33_14" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="273" link="NOD 33" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 33">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 33|Nectar of Devotion 33]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">In all such circumstances the ecstatic dread is the steady or constant factor. Such dread is caused either by offenses committed or by dreadful circumstances. Offenses may be committed in varieties of ways, and the dread is felt by the person who has committed the offense. When dread is caused by a fearful object, this fearful object is generally a person who is fearsome in his features, nature and influence. An example of an object which caused ecstatic dread is the Pūtanā witch. Dread may be caused by mischievous demoniac characters, such as King Kaṁsa, and it may be caused by great powerful demigods, such as Indra or Śaṅkara.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="NOD40_13" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="285" link="NOD 40" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 40">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 40|Nectar of Devotion 40]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">No one should claim his eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa unless he is liberated. In the conditioned state of life, the devotees have to execute the prescribed duties as recommended in the codes of devotional service. When one is mature in devotional service and is a realized soul, he can know his own eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa. One should not artificially try to establish some relationship. In the premature stage it is sometimes found that a lusty, conditioned person will artificially try to establish some relationship with Kṛṣṇa in conjugal love. The result of this is that one becomes prākṛta-sahajiyā, or one who takes everything very cheaply. Although such persons may be very anxious to establish a relationship with Kṛṣṇa in conjugal love, their conditioned life in the material world is still most abominable. A person who has actually established his relationship with Kṛṣṇa can no longer act on the material plane, and his personal character cannot be criticized.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Nectar_of_Instruction" class="sub_section" sec_index="2" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Nectar of Instruction"><h3>Nectar of Instruction</h3>
</div>
<div id="NOI3_0" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Instruction" book="OB" index="4" link="NOI 3" link_text="Nectar of Instruction 3">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOI 3|Nectar of Instruction 3, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">There are certainly many good qualities among fruitive actors, philosophical speculators and mystic yogīs, but all good qualities automatically develop in the character of a devotee. No extraneous endeavor is needed. As confirmed by Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (5.18.12), all the good qualities of the demigods manifest progressively in one who has developed pure devotional service. Because a devotee is not interested in any material activity, he does not become materially contaminated. He is immediately situated on the platform of transcendental life.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="NOI7_1" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Instruction" book="OB" index="8" link="NOI 7" link_text="Nectar of Instruction 7">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOI 7|Nectar of Instruction 7, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">The holy name, character, pastimes and activities of Kṛṣṇa are all transcendentally sweet like sugar candy. Although the tongue of one afflicted by the jaundice of avidyā (ignorance) cannot taste anything sweet, it is wonderful that simply by carefully chanting these sweet names every day, a natural relish awakens within his tongue, and his disease is gradually destroyed at the root.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Krsna_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" class="sub_section" sec_index="4" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead"><h3>Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead</h3>
</div>
<div id="KB29_0" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="33" link="KB 29" link_text="Krsna Book 29">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 29|Krsna Book 29]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">"Not only should a woman be faithful and chaste to her husband, but she should also be affectionate to the friends of her husband, obedient to the father and mother of her husband, and affectionate to the younger brothers of her husband. And most importantly, a woman must take care of her children. In this way, Kṛṣṇa explained the duty of a woman. He also stressed the point of serving the husband: “Even if he is not of very good character, or even if he is not very rich or fortunate, or even if he is old or invalid on account of continued diseases, whatever her husband's condition, a woman should not divorce her husband if she actually desires to be elevated to the higher planetary systems after leaving this body. Besides that, it is considered abominable in society if a woman is unfaithful and goes searching for another man. Such habits will deter a woman from being elevated to the heavenly planets, and the results of such habits are very degrading."</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB32_1" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="36" link="KB 32" link_text="Krsna Book 32">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 32|Krsna Book 32]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">"You have forsaken all kinds of social and religious obligations; you have given up all connection with your parents. Without caring for social convention and religious obligations, you have come to Me and loved Me, and I am so much obliged to you that I cannot treat you as ordinary devotees. Do not think that I was away from you. I was near to you. I was simply seeing how much you were anxious for Me in My absence. So please do not try to find fault with Me. Because you consider Me so dear to you, kindly excuse Me if I have done anything wrong. I cannot repay your continuous love for Me, even throughout the lifetimes of the demigods in the heavenly planets. It is impossible to repay you or show enough gratitude for your love; therefore please be satisfied by your own pious activities. You have displayed exemplary attraction for Me, overcoming the greatest difficulties arising from family connections. Please be satisfied with your highly exemplary character, for it is not possible for Me to repay My debt to you."</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB32_2" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="36" link="KB 32" link_text="Krsna Book 32">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 32|Krsna Book 32]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The exemplary character of devotional service manifested by the devotees of Vṛndāvana is the purest type of devotion. It is enjoined in authoritative śāstras that devotional service must be ahaitukī and apratihatā. This means that devotional service to Kṛṣṇa cannot be checked by political or religious convention. The stage of devotional service is always transcendental. The gopīs particularly showed pure devotional service toward Kṛṣṇa, so much so that Kṛṣṇa Himself remained indebted to them. Lord Caitanya thus said that the devotional service manifested by the gopīs in Vṛndāvana excelled all other methods of approaching the Supreme Personality of Godhead.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB47_3" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="51" link="KB 47" link_text="Krsna Book 47">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 47|Krsna Book 47]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī wanted to give specific reasons why She was dissatisfied with Kṛṣṇa and His messenger. She addressed the bumblebee, “Your master Kṛṣṇa is exactly of your quality. You sit down on a flower, and after tasting a little honey you immediately fly away and sit on another flower and taste. Similarly, only once did your master Kṛṣṇa give Me the chance to taste the touch of His lips, and then He left Me altogether. I know also that the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī, who is always in the midst of the lotus flower, is constantly engaged in Kṛṣṇa's service. But I do not know how she has become so captivated by Kṛṣṇa and why she is so much attached to Kṛṣṇa, although she knows His actual character. Maybe she is so much captivated by Kṛṣṇa's sweet words that she cannot understand His real character. As far as We are concerned, We are more intelligent than the goddess of fortune. We are not going to be cheated anymore by Kṛṣṇa or His messengers.”</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB52_5" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="56" link="KB 52" link_text="Krsna Book 52">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 52|Krsna Book 52]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Rukmiṇī had written to Kṛṣṇa and said, “These are the words of Princess Rukmiṇī: ‘My dear Kṛṣṇa, O infallible and most beautiful one, any human being who happens to hear about Your transcendental form and pastimes immediately absorbs through his ears Your name, fame and qualities; thus all his material pangs subside, and he fixes Your form in his heart. Through such transcendental love for You, he always sees You within himself; and by this process all his desires are fulfilled. Similarly, I have heard of Your transcendental qualities. I may be shameless in expressing myself directly, but You have captivated me and taken my heart. You may doubt my steadiness of character, since how could an unmarried young girl like me approach You without any shame? But my dear Mukunda, You are the supreme lion among human beings, the supreme person among persons. Any girl, though not yet having left her home, or even any woman of the highest chastity, would desire to marry You, being captivated by Your unprecedented character, knowledge, opulence and position. I know that You are the husband of the goddess of fortune and are very kind toward Your devotees; therefore I have decided to become Your eternal maidservant. My dear Lord, I dedicate my life and soul unto Your lotus feet. I have selected Your Lordship as my husband, and I therefore request You to accept me as Your wife.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB54_6" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="58" link="KB 54" link_text="Krsna Book 54">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 54|Krsna Book 54]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Śrī Balarāma informed Rukmiṇī that kṣatriyas are typical emblems of the materialistic way of life; they become puffed up whenever there is a question of material acquisition. Therefore, when there is a fight between two belligerent kṣatriyas for kingdom, land, wealth, women, prestige or power, they try to put one another into the most abominable condition. Balarāma instructed Rukmiṇī that her affection toward her brother Rukmī, who had created enmity with so many persons, was a perverse consideration befitting an ordinary materialist. Her brother's character was not at all admirable, considering his treatment of his friends, and yet Rukmiṇī, as an ordinary woman, was affectionate toward him. He was not fit to be her brother, and still Rukmiṇī was lenient toward him.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB57_7" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="61" link="KB 57" link_text="Krsna Book 57">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 57|Krsna Book 57]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Being inspired by all the members of the conspiracy, Śatadhanvā one night entered the house of Satrājit and killed him while he was sleeping. Śatadhanvā was a sinful man of abominable character, and although due to his sinful activities he was not to live for many days, he decided to kill Satrājit while Satrājit was sleeping at home. When he entered the house to kill Satrājit, all the women there cried very loudly, but in spite of their great protests, Śatadhanvā mercilessly butchered Satrājit without hesitation, exactly as a butcher kills an animal in the slaughterhouse.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB59_8" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="63" link="KB 59" link_text="Krsna Book 59">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 59|Krsna Book 59]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The story of Bhaumāsura—how he kidnapped and made captive sixteen thousand princesses by collecting them from the palaces of various kings and how he was killed by Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord of wonderful character—is all described by Śukadeva Gosvāmī to King Parīkṣit in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Generally, the demons are always against the demigods. This demon, Bhaumāsura, having become very powerful, took by force the umbrella from the throne of the demigod Varuṇa. He also took the earrings of Aditi, the mother of the demigods. He conquered a portion of heavenly Mount Meru and occupied the portion known as Maṇi-parvata. The King of the heavenly planets, Indra, therefore came to Dvārakā to complain about Bhaumāsura before Lord Kṛṣṇa.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB60_9" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="64" link="KB 60" link_text="Krsna Book 60">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 60|Krsna Book 60]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">In Vṛndāvana, many gopīs were attracted to Me, and now I have left them, and they are living but are simply crying for Me in separation. I have heard from Akrūra and Uddhava that since I left Vṛndāvana all My cowherd boyfriends, the gopīs and Rādhārāṇī, and My foster father, Nanda Mahārāja, are simply crying constantly for Me. I have left Vṛndāvana for good and am now engaged with the queens in Dvārakā, but I am not well behaved with any of you. So you can very easily understand that I have no steadiness of character; I am not a very reliable husband. The net result of being attracted to Me is to acquire a life of bereavement only.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB60_10" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="64" link="KB 60" link_text="Krsna Book 60">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 60|Krsna Book 60]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">You mistakenly heard about My having very exalted character, although factually I was nothing more than a beggar. Without seeing Me and My actual position, simply by hearing about Me, you selected Me as your husband. That was not very rightly done. Therefore, since it is better late than never, I advise you that you may now select one of the great kṣatriya princes and accept him as your life's companion, and you may reject Me.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB60_11" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="64" link="KB 60" link_text="Krsna Book 60">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 60|Krsna Book 60]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">My dear chaste and pious wife, I have tested, on the basis of strict chastity, your love for your husband, and you have passed the examination most successfully. I have purposely agitated you by speaking many words not applicable to your character, but I am surprised to see that not a pinch of your devotion to Me has been deviated from its fixed position.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB64_12" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="68" link="KB 64" link_text="Krsna Book 64">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 64|Krsna Book 64]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">At this time, Lord Kṛṣṇa was present among His relatives who were members of the kṣatriya class. To teach them through the exemplary character of King Nṛga, He said, “Even though a kṣatriya king may be as powerful as fire, it is not possible for him to usurp the property of a brāhmaṇa and utilize it for his own purpose."</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB82_13" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="86" link="KB 82" link_text="Krsna Book 82">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 82|Krsna Book 82]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">As stated in the Īśopaniṣad, viṣṇu-tattva cannot be contaminated by any sinful activity. Yet although Lord Paraśurāma is fully powerful and uncontaminated, in order to exhibit ideal character He performed great sacrifices at Samanta-pañcaka to atone for His so-called sinful killing of the kṣatriyas. By His example, Lord Paraśurāma established that the killing art, although sometimes necessary, is not good. Lord Paraśurāma considered Himself culpable for the sinful killing of the kṣatriyas; therefore, how much more culpable are we for such abominable unsanctioned acts.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB83_14" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="87" link="KB 83" link_text="Krsna Book 83">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 83|Krsna Book 83]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Lord Kṛṣṇa, in order to establish His pure character, fought with Jāmbavān and rescued the Syamantaka jewel, which He later delivered to my father. My father was very much ashamed and sorry for accusing Lord Kṛṣṇa of his brother's death.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB84_15" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="88" link="KB 84" link_text="Krsna Book 84">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 84|Krsna Book 84]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Dear Lord, You are enjoying Your pastimes in the role of a human being, concealing Your real character of transcendental opulence; therefore, none of the kings present here, even the members of the Yadu dynasty, who constantly mingle with You, eat with You and sit with You, can understand that You are the original cause of all causes, the soul of everyone, the original cause of all creation.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB87_16" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="91" link="KB 87" link_text="Krsna Book 87">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 87|Krsna Book 87]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">These four brahmacārīs, the Kumāras, are recognized scholars in the Vedas and other śāstras. Their unlimited volumes of knowledge, backed by austerities and penances, are exhibited by their sublime, ideal character. They are very amiable and gentle in behavior, and for them there is no distinction between friends, well-wishers and enemies. Being transcendentally situated, such personalities as the Kumāras are above all material considerations and are always neutral in respect to material dualities.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB89_17" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="93" link="KB 89" link_text="Krsna Book 89">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 89|Krsna Book 89]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The brāhmaṇa therefore said, “No one should offer respects or worship to a king whose only business is envy. Such a king spends his time either hunting and killing animals in the forest or killing citizens for criminal acts. He has no self-control and possesses bad character. If such a king is worshiped or honored by the citizens, the citizens will never be happy.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Renunciation_Through_Wisdom" class="sub_section" sec_index="5" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Renunciation Through Wisdom"><h3>Renunciation Through Wisdom</h3>
</div>
<div id="RTW17_0" class="quote" parent="Renunciation_Through_Wisdom" book="OB" index="9" link="RTW 1.7" link_text="Renunciation Through Wisdom 1.7">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:RTW 1.7|Renunciation Through Wisdom 1.7]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Most factory workers and other laborers cannot maintain a good character and thus slide down to depravities. And if such derelicts increase in population, the world has no chance for a prosperous and fortunate future. But if the owners give their laborers and office staff prasādam, then both the givers and the receivers will gradually become purified and more attracted to the Supreme Lord.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="RTW23_1" class="quote" parent="Renunciation_Through_Wisdom" book="OB" index="15" link="RTW 2.3" link_text="Renunciation Through Wisdom 2.3">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:RTW 2.3|Renunciation Through Wisdom 2.3]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The Lord's devotees can save even those whom the Lord Himself rejects. This is their unique character. Therefore the devotees of the Lord arrange various means to save the fallen, reprobate souls from perdition. In fact, they live among these spiritual derelicts to encourage them toward spiritual perfection, using any means at hand-even tricks.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="RTW212_2" class="quote" parent="Renunciation_Through_Wisdom" book="OB" index="24" link="RTW 2.12" link_text="Renunciation Through Wisdom 2.12">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:RTW 2.12|Renunciation Through Wisdom 2.12]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The sinful and the destitute can understand their mistakes and misfortune only by Lord Kṛṣṇa's mercy. Once they begin to repent for their sins and surrender to the Lord, they are saved; they become purified and start manifesting saintly characteristics. And if even after a person takes to the devotional process some vestige of immorality remains in his character, that also will soon be eradicated by the Lord's grace.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="RTW31_3" class="quote" parent="Renunciation_Through_Wisdom" book="OB" index="27" link="RTW 3.1" link_text="Renunciation Through Wisdom 3.1">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:RTW 3.1|Renunciation Through Wisdom 3.1]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The foolish brāhmaṇa tried to impose his own interpretations on the excellences of the holy name and concluded that Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura was a mere sentimentalist. He insolently rebuked the saint in public and tried to ridicule his explanations and character.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="RTW33_4" class="quote" parent="Renunciation_Through_Wisdom" book="OB" index="29" link="RTW 3.3" link_text="Renunciation Through Wisdom 3.3">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:RTW 3.3|Renunciation Through Wisdom 3.3]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">As we rise higher, ego and desire appear no longer as truths: they are falsehoods disfiguring the true person and the true will. The struggle between the powers of light and the powers of darkness is a truth here, but it becomes less and less of a truth as one rises higher, and in the supermind it has no truth at all. Other truths remain, but change their character, importance, and place in the whole.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="RTW34_5" class="quote" parent="Renunciation_Through_Wisdom" book="OB" index="30" link="RTW 3.4" link_text="Renunciation Through Wisdom 3.4">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:RTW 3.4|Renunciation Through Wisdom 3.4]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">In his essay entitled "Yoga," Śrī Aurobindo does not recommend destroying desire but rather changing its character. It is a perennial truth that the jīva is by nature an eternal servant of Lord Kṛṣṇa. The jīva has no other identity, whether he is conditioned or liberated. His position is similar to that of a citizen of a country: he is always subject to the government laws, whether he is in or out of jail. When he is inside the jail, all his activities are painful, but as a free citizen he feels content in everything he does. It is merely a matter of changing his character.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="RTW35_6" class="quote" parent="Renunciation_Through_Wisdom" book="OB" index="31" link="RTW 3.5" link_text="Renunciation Through Wisdom 3.5">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:RTW 3.5|Renunciation Through Wisdom 3.5]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Nowhere do the Vedic scriptures say that one has to annihilate desire in order to comprehend the Upaniṣadic statement sarvaṁ khalv idaṁ brahma. But there are many statements recommending that the character of desire should be transformed.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="RTW45_7" class="quote" parent="Renunciation_Through_Wisdom" book="OB" index="37" link="RTW 4.5" link_text="Renunciation Through Wisdom 4.5">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:RTW 4.5|Renunciation Through Wisdom 4.5]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">O my Lord, those influenced by demoniac principles cannot realize You, although You are clearly the Supreme by dint of Your exalted activities, forms, character, and uncommon power, which are confirmed by all the revealed scriptures in the quality of goodness and the celebrated transcendentalists in the divine nature.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="RTW45_8" class="quote" parent="Renunciation_Through_Wisdom" book="OB" index="37" link="RTW 4.5" link_text="Renunciation Through Wisdom 4.5">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:RTW 4.5|Renunciation Through Wisdom 4.5]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">But if by some good fortune they come in touch with a pure devotee and hear from him with faith about the Lord's transcendental name, qualities, pastimes, and so on, then they will certainly be cleansed of their contamination and become inspired and attracted by the Lord's glorious character, and finally they will surrender to Him fully.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Message_of_Godhead" class="sub_section" sec_index="6" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Message of Godhead"><h3>Message of Godhead</h3>
</div>
<div id="MOG2_0" class="quote" parent="Message_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="3" link="MOG 2" link_text="Message of Godhead 2">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:MOG 2|Message of Godhead 2]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Such a karma-yogī views everything in relation to the Absolute, and therefore he engages everything in the transcendental service of the Absolute. He observes all living entities as so many transcendental servitors of the absolute Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. His perfect spiritual vision cannot but penetrate the encagement of every material body, just as a red-hot iron cannot but burn everything that it contacts. Thus, the karma-yogī sets an example of transcendental character, by engaging everyone and everything in the transcendental service of the Personality of Godhead.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Light_of_the_Bhagavata" class="sub_section" sec_index="7" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Light of the Bhagavata"><h3>Light of the Bhagavata</h3>
</div>
<div id="LOB2_0" class="quote" parent="Light_of_the_Bhagavata" book="OB" index="3" link="LOB 2" link_text="Light of the Bhagavata 2">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:LOB 2|Light of the Bhagavata 2, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Although a damned government of the people may be given a good or fancy name, if the people are not good they cannot have good government, regardless of which party governs the administration. Therefore good character in the consciousness of the mass of people is the first principle necessary for a good government and equal distribution of wealth.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LOB2_1" class="quote" parent="Light_of_the_Bhagavata" book="OB" index="3" link="LOB 2" link_text="Light of the Bhagavata 2">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:LOB 2|Light of the Bhagavata 2, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">When disobedient leaders lead the disobedient people, the whole atmosphere of the administration becomes polluted and full of dangers, as when a blind man leads several other blind men. The state taxes, therefore, should be spent to build the character of the people in general. That will bring happiness to the citizens of the state.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Sri_Isopanisad" class="sub_section" sec_index="8" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Sri Isopanisad"><h3>Sri Isopanisad</h3>
</div>
<div id="ISO17_0" class="quote" parent="Sri_Isopanisad" book="OB" index="19" link="ISO 17" link_text="Sri Isopanisad 17">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:ISO 17|Sri Isopanisad 17, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura explains these verses in this way: "One should regard a devotee of Kṛṣṇa to be on the right path of the saints, even though such a devotee may seem to be su-durācāra, 'a person of loose character.' One should try to understand the real purport of the word su-durācāra. A conditioned soul has to act for double functions—namely for the maintenance of the body and again for self-realization.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>