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[[Category:Pure Devotees of God|2]]
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<div class="section" id="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is" text="Bhagavad-gita As It Is"><h2>Bhagavad-gita As It Is</h2></div>

<div class="sub_section" id="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" text="BG Chapters 7 - 12"><h3>BG Chapters 7 - 12</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="BG" link="BG 7.20" link_text="BG 7.20, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:BG 7.20 (1972)|BG 7.20, Purport]]:''' In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam it is recommended that whether one is a pure devotee and is free from all material desires, or is full of material desires, or desires liberation from material contamination, he should in all cases surrender to Vāsudeva and worship Him.</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="BG_Chapters_13_-_18" text="BG Chapters 13 - 18"><h3>BG Chapters 13 - 18</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="BG" link="BG 18.66" link_text="BG 18.66, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:BG 18.66 (1972)|BG 18.66, Purport]]:''' In other words, devotional service to Kṛṣṇa, in full consciousness, is the most confidential part of knowledge, and this is the essence of the whole Bhagavad-gītā. Karma-yogīs, empiric philosophers, mystics and devotees are all called transcendentalists, but one who is a pure devotee is the best of all.</div>
</div>

<div class="section" id="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="Srimad-Bhagavatam"><h2>Srimad-Bhagavatam</h2></div>

<div class="sub_section" id="SB_Canto_1" text="SB Canto 1"><h3>SB Canto 1</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 1.2.7" link_text="SB 1.2.7, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 1.2.7|SB 1.2.7, Purport]]:'''  In conclusion, one who is a pure devotee has all other good qualities, namely knowledge, detachment, etc., but one who has only knowledge or detachment is not necessarily well acquainted with the principles of the bhakti cult. Bhakti is the supermost occupation of the human being.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 1.7.43" link_text="SB 1.7.43, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 1.7.43|SB 1.7.43, Purport]]:''' But in spite of all this, Draupadī desired that Aśvatthāmā be at once released, and it was all the same a good sentiment for her. This means that a devotee of the Lord can tolerate all sorts of tribulation personally, but still such devotees are never unkind to others, even to the enemy. These are the characteristics of one who is a pure devotee of the Lord.</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="SB_Canto_2" text="SB Canto 2"><h3>SB Canto 2</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 2.9.30" link_text="SB 2.9.30, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 2.9.30|SB 2.9.30, Purport]]:''' And because the pure devotees of the Lord are surrendered souls, they are above the illusory snares of māyā. Because Lord Brahmā is a pure devotee, even though the first dominating deity in the material world and therefore able to do many wonderful things, he would never, like the nondevotee with a poor fund of knowledge, have the audacity to think of becoming one with the Lord.</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="SB_Canto_3" text="SB Canto 3"><h3>SB Canto 3</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 3.7.39" link_text="SB 3.7.39, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 3.7.39|SB 3.7.39, Purport]]:''' Sūris are great scholars, but they may not always be anagha, or spotless. The anagha-sūri is one who is a pure devotee of the Lord. Those who are not pure devotees of the Lord, or who want to be on an equal level with Him, are not anagha-sūri.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 3.25.41" link_text="SB 3.25.41, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 3.25.41|SB 3.25.41, Purport]]:''' It is indicated herein that the cycle of birth and death cannot be stopped unless one is a pure devotee of the Supreme Lord. It is said, hariṁ vinā na mṛtim taranti. One cannot surpass the cycle of birth and death unless one is favored by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 3.29.32" link_text="SB 3.29.32, Translation">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 3.29.32|SB 3.29.32, Translation]]: Better than the brāhmaṇa who knows the purpose of the Vedas is he who can dissipate all doubts, and better than him is one who strictly follows the brahminical principles. Better than him is one who is liberated from all material contamination, and better than him is a pure devotee, who executes devotional service without expectation of reward.'''</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="SB_Canto_4" text="SB Canto 4"><h3>SB Canto 4</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 4.23.39" link_text="SB 4.23.39, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 4.23.39|SB 4.23.39, Purport]]:''' This cosmic manifestation, which is compared to an ocean of nescience, is also resting on the lotus feet of the Lord. As such, this great ocean of nescience is minimized by a person who is a pure devotee. One who has taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord need not cross over the ocean, for he has already crossed it by virtue of his position at the Lord's lotus feet.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 4.24.76" link_text="SB 4.24.76, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 4.24.76|SB 4.24.76, Purport]]:''' It is especially significant that Lord Śiva is a pure devotee of Lord Vāsudeva. Vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ: "Amongst all Vaiṣṇavas, Lord Śiva is the topmost."</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 4.29.51" link_text="SB 4.29.51, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 4.29.51|SB 4.29.51, Purport]]:''' "Even if a brāhmaṇa is very learned in Vedic scriptures and knows the six occupational duties of a brāhmaṇa, he cannot become a guru, or spiritual master, unless he is a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However, if one is born in a family of dog-eaters but is a pure devotee of the Lord, he can become a spiritual master." The conclusion is that one cannot become a spiritual master unless he is a pure devotee of the Lord.</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="SB_Canto_5" text="SB Canto 5"><h3>SB Canto 5</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 5.5.18" link_text="SB 5.5.18, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 5.5.18|SB 5.5.18, Purport]]:''' Unless one is a pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa, he cannot save himself from the path of repeated birth and death.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 5.13.25" link_text="SB 5.13.25, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 5.13.25|SB 5.13.25, Purport]]:''' It is a fact that if one takes shelter of a pure devotee, one attains all perfection, even if the association is a short one. A sādhu is a pure devotee of the Lord.</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="SB_Canto_6" text="SB Canto 6"><h3>SB Canto 6</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 6.1.1" link_text="SB 6.1.1, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 6.1.1|SB 6.1.1, Purport]]:''' The word asaṁsṛti is very important in this connection. Saṁsṛti refers to continuing on the path of birth and death. Asaṁsṛti, on the contrary, refers to nivṛtti-mārga, or the path of liberation, by which one's birth and death cease and one gradually progresses to Brahmaloka, unless one is a pure devotee who does not care about going to the higher planetary systems, in which case one immediately returns home, back to Godhead, by executing devotional service (tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9]).</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 6.17.2-3" link_text="SB 6.17.2-3, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 6.17.2-3|SB 6.17.2-3, Purport]]:''' It is to be understood that Mahārāja Citraketu, although surrounded by beautiful women from Vidyādhara-loka, did not forget to glorify the Lord by chanting the holy name of the Lord. It has been proved in many places that one who is not contaminated by any material condition, who is a pure devotee engaged in chanting the glories of the Lord, should be understood to be perfect.</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="SB_Canto_7" text="SB Canto 7"><h3>SB Canto 7</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 7.9.2" link_text="SB 7.9.2, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 7.9.2|SB 7.9.2, Purport]]:''' Not only is a pure devotee of Nārāyaṇa like Prahlāda Mahārāja unafraid of any dangerous condition of material life, but also if the Lord appears to mitigate the fear of a devotee, the devotee maintains his status of fearlessness in all circumstances.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 7.10.11" link_text="SB 7.10.11, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 7.10.11|SB 7.10.11, Purport]]:''' A devotee does not have to desire material opulence, but if he is a pure devotee, there is ample opportunity for him to enjoy material happiness also, without personal endeavor.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 7.15.2" link_text="SB 7.15.2, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 7.15.2|SB 7.15.2, Purport]]:''' "Even though a person is a very learned scholar of the Sanskrit Vedic literatures, he is not accepted as My devotee unless he is pure in devotional service. However, even though a person is born in a family of dog-eaters, he is very dear to Me if he is a pure devotee who has no motive to enjoy fruitive activity or mental speculation. Indeed, all respect should be given to him, and whatever he offers should be accepted. Such devotees are as worshipable as I am." (Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 10.127)</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 7.15.25" link_text="SB 7.15.25, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 7.15.25|SB 7.15.25, Purport]]:''' If one is a pure devotee acting under the directions of the guru, one easily gets the mercy of the Supreme Lord and thus becomes immediately situated on the transcendental platform.</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="SB_Canto_8" text="SB Canto 8"><h3>SB Canto 8</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 8.4.6" link_text="SB 8.4.6, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 8.4.6|SB 8.4.6, Purport]]:'''  One who is a pure devotee (anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam [Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.1.11]), who acts according to the śāstra and the words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, certainly becomes purified. Like Gajendra, he assumes a spiritual body and returns home, back to Godhead.</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="SB_Canto_9" text="SB Canto 9"><h3>SB Canto 9</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 9.4.66" link_text="SB 9.4.66, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 9.4.66|SB 9.4.66, Purport]]:''' In this verse, the word sama-darśanāḥ is significant. The pure devotee is actually equal toward everyone, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (18.54): brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā na śocati na kāṅkṣati/ samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu. Universal brotherhood is possible when one is a pure devotee (paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ [Bg. 5.18]).</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 9.11.19" link_text="SB 9.11.19, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 9.11.19|SB 9.11.19, Purport]]:''' The Vaikuṇṭha planets are covered by the brahmajyoti, and therefore one cannot properly understand what those Vaikuṇṭha planets are unless one is a pure devotee.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 9.11.25" link_text="SB 9.11.25, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 9.11.25|SB 9.11.25, Purport]]:''' The Lord is merciful to everyone, and He knows how to show His favor to each individual person according to his capacity. One who abides by the order of the Lord is a pure devotee.</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="SB_Canto_10.1_to_10.13" text="SB Canto 10.1 to 10.13"><h3>SB Canto 10.1 to 10.13</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 10.1.5-7" link_text="SB 10.1.5-7, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 10.1.5-7|SB 10.1.5-7, Purport]]:''' Kṛṣṇa consciousness is beneficial to everyone, whether one is a pure devotee or a nondevotee. This is the glory of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 10.1. Additional Notes for this Chapter" link_text="SB 10.1. Additional Notes for this Chapter, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 10.1. Additional Notes for this Chapter|SB 10.1. Additional Notes for this Chapter, Purport]]:'''  One who is always busy serving Kṛṣṇa, in whatever condition he may live, is understood to be liberated even in this life. Such a person, who is a pure devotee, does not need to change his body; indeed, he does not possess a material body, for his body has already been spiritualized.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 10.2.8" link_text="SB 10.2.8, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 10.2.8|SB 10.2.8, Purport]]:''' Everything rests upon Him and yet does not rest upon Him. This can be explained only through the acintya-bhedābheda philosophy. Such truths cannot be understood, however, unless one is a pure devotee, for the Lord says in Bhagavad-gītā (18.55), bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ: "One can understand the Supreme Personality as He is only by devotional service."</div>
</div>

<div class="section" id="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta" text="Sri Caitanya-caritamrta"><h2>Sri Caitanya-caritamrta</h2></div>

<div class="sub_section" id="CC_Adi-lila" text="CC Adi-lila"><h3>CC Adi-lila</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="CC" link="CC Adi 7.5" link_text="CC Adi 7.5, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:CC Adi 7.5|CC Adi 7.5, Purport]]:''' Śrī Gaurāṅga, Śrī Nityānanda, Śrī Advaita, Śrī Gadādhara and Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura are all on the same platform, but in spiritually distinguishing between them one should understand that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the form of a devotee, Nityānanda Prabhu appears in the form of a devotee’s spiritual master, Advaita Prabhu is the form of a bhakta (devotee) incarnation, Gadādhara Prabhu is the energy of a bhakta, and Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura is a pure devotee.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="CC" link="CC Adi 7.18–19" link_text="CC Adi 7.18–19, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:CC Adi 7.18–19|CC Adi 7.18–19, Purport]]:''' The loving services in parental love, fraternity and servitude are included in conjugal love of God. In conclusion, therefore, every confidential devotee is a pure devotee of the Lord.</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="CC_Madhya-lila" text="CC Madhya-lila"><h3>CC Madhya-lila</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="CC" link="CC Madhya 13.67" link_text="CC Madhya 13.67, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 13.67|CC Madhya 13.67, Purport]]:''' As confirmed in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, one cannot see the expansions of the transcendental forms of the Lord unless one is a pure devotee of the Lord.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="CC" link="CC Madhya 14.217" link_text="CC Madhya 14.217, Translation">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 14.217|CC Madhya 14.217, Translation]]: “Svarūpa Dāmodara is a pure devotee of Vṛndāvana. He does not even know what opulence is, for he is simply absorbed in pure devotional service.”'''</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="CC" link="CC Madhya 15.106" link_text="CC Madhya 15.106, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 15.106|CC Madhya 15.106, Purport]]:''' When one is situated on the neophyte platform, one cannot understand the devotional ingredients of a pure, unalloyed devotee. However, when the novice engages in devotional service—especially in Deity worship—and follows the order of a bona fide spiritual master, he is a pure devotee. Anyone can take advantage of hearing about Kṛṣṇa consciousness from such a devotee and thus gradually become purified. In other words, any devotee who believes that the holy name of the Lord is identical with the Lord is a pure devotee, even though he may be in the neophyte stage. By his association, others may also become Vaiṣṇavas.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="CC" link="CC Madhya 17.48–49" link_text="CC Madhya 17.48–49, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 17.48–49|CC Madhya 17.48–49, Purport]]:''' Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and no one can claim His potency. Nonetheless, if one is a pure devotee, hundreds and thousands of men can be purified by his vibration. This potency is within every living being, provided he chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra offenselessly and without material motives.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="CC" link="CC Madhya 19.50" link_text="CC Madhya 19.50, Translation">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 19.50|CC Madhya 19.50, Translation]]: “[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] ‘Even though a person is a very learned scholar of the Sanskrit Vedic literatures, he is not accepted as My devotee unless he is pure in devotional service. Even though a person is born in a family of dog-eaters, he is very dear to Me if he is a pure devotee who has no motive to enjoy fruitive activities or mental speculation. Indeed, all respects should be given to him, and whatever he offers should be accepted. Such devotees are as worshipable as I am.”’'''</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="CC" link="CC Madhya 22.51" link_text="CC Madhya 22.51, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 22.51|CC Madhya 22.51, Purport]]:''' One has to associate with such a mahātmā, who has accepted Kṛṣṇa as the supreme source of the entire creation. Without being a mahātmā, one cannot understand Kṛṣṇa’s absolute position. A mahātmā is rare and transcendental, and he is a pure devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa.</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="CC_Antya-lila" text="CC Antya-lila"><h3>CC Antya-lila</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="CC" link="CC Antya 3.192" link_text="CC Antya 3.192, Purport">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:CC Antya 3.192|CC Antya 3.192, Purport]]:''' Śrīla Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura has said, muktiḥ svayaṁ mukulitāñjali sevate ‘smān: liberation stands at one’s door, ready to render any kind of service, if one is a pure devotee with unflinching faith and reverence.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="CC" link="CC Antya 9.75" link_text="CC Antya 9.75, Translation">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:CC Antya 9.75|CC Antya 9.75, Translation]]: “Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka is a pure devotee who worships You only for Your satisfaction. He does not care about his personal happiness or distress, for that is the business of a materialist.'''</div>
</div>

<div class="section" id="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Other Books by Srila Prabhupada"><h2>Other Books by Srila Prabhupada</h2></div>

<div class="sub_section" id="Nectar_of_Devotion" text="Nectar of Devotion"><h3>Nectar of Devotion</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="OB" link="NOD 1" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 1">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:NOD 1|Nectar of Devotion 1]]:''' In the Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 19.151) it is said, "By the mercy of the spiritual master who is a pure devotee and by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa one can achieve the platform of devotional service. There is no other way."</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" text="Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead"><h3>Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="OB" link="KB 27" link_text="Krsna Book, Chapter 27">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:KB 27|Krsna Book, Chapter 27]]:'''  The real purport is that when a person is a pure devotee but at the same time, by miscalculation, wants to lord it over material nature, the Lord shows His special mercy by taking away all material opulences until at last he surrenders unto the Supreme Lord.</div>
</div>

<div class="section" id="Lectures" text="Lectures"><h2>Lectures</h2></div>

<div class="sub_section" id="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" text="Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures"><h3>Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="Lec" link="Lecture on SB 5.5.16 -- Vrndavana, November 4, 1976" link_text="Lecture on SB 5.5.16 -- Vrndavana, November 4, 1976">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 5.5.16 -- Vrndavana, November 4, 1976|Lecture on SB 5.5.16 -- Vrndavana, November 4, 1976]]:''' While Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was touring in the southern India, in the Ranganātha temple He saw one brāhmaṇa. He was reading Bhagavad-gītā. So many persons were coming and criticizing him, "Well, brāhmaṇa, how you are reading Bhagavad-gītā?" So he did not reply. So Caitanya Mahāprabhu approached him and He saw the brāhmaṇa was reading Bhagavad-gītā and tears gliding down. So He could understand that "Here is a pure devotee." So He asked him, "Well, brāhmaṇa, what you are reading?" So he said, "Sir, I cannot read. I am illiterate. I am illiterate and I cannot read what is Bhagavad-gītā, especially Sanskrit." His neighbors were criticizing him. They knew that "This brāhmaṇa is illiterate, and he is making a show of reading Bhagavad-gītā." So they were criticizing. But Caitanya Mahāprabhu, He could understand that "Here is a pure devotee."</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="Lec" link="Lecture on SB 6.2.9-10 -- Allahabad, January 15, 1971" link_text="Lecture on SB 6.2.9-10 -- Allahabad, January 15, 1971">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 6.2.9-10 -- Allahabad, January 15, 1971|Lecture on SB 6.2.9-10 -- Allahabad, January 15, 1971]]:''' Yes. A pure devotee, satāṁ nindā, a pure devotee who is trying to spread the holy name of God, if somebody becomes envious upon him, that person is a great offender. So another devotee should be very much angry upon such person. Krodha bhakta-dveṣi-jane. Bhakta-dveṣi means one who is envious of a pure devotee. And who is a pure devotee? Who is trying to spread the holy name of the Lord all over the world.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="Lec" link="Lecture on SB 6.3.18-19 -- Gorakhpur, February 12, 1971" link_text="Lecture on SB 6.3.18-19 -- Gorakhpur, February 12, 1971">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 6.3.18-19 -- Gorakhpur, February 12, 1971|Lecture on SB 6.3.18-19 -- Gorakhpur, February 12, 1971]]:''' Doesn't matter whether he was in the beginning. Because even a person, ordinary person, ordinarily, he is not contaminated. He lives aloof from this material existence. But for sometimes, even if he is influenced, that doesn't matter. As soon as he comes to his real position, he is a pure devotee. There is no question of tracing his past history.</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="Nectar_of_Devotion_Lectures" text="Nectar of Devotion Lectures"><h3>Nectar of Devotion Lectures</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="Lec" link="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 23, 1972" link_text="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 23, 1972">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 23, 1972|The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 23, 1972]]:'''  When we are further advanced, we do not see only Kṛṣṇa, but we see His devotees also. We can recognize, "Here is a pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa." But in the lower stage, a, the devotee's concerned with the Deity worship, but he does not take much care of the devotees.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="Lec" link="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 1, 1972" link_text="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 1, 1972">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 1, 1972|The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 1, 1972]]:''' And out of many millions of jñānīs who are trying to realize his self by philosophical speculation, brahma-jñāna, so one mukta, or liberated soul, is better. And out of many thousands of liberated souls, it is said by Caitanya Mahāprabhu, it is very rare to find out a pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa.
The conclusion is, a pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa is picked up out of many, many liberated persons.</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="Arrival_Addresses_and_Talks" text="Arrival Addresses and Talks"><h3>Arrival Addresses and Talks</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="Lec" link="Arrival Lecture -- Gainesville, July 29, 1971" link_text="Arrival Lecture -- Gainesville, July 29, 1971">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:Arrival Lecture -- Gainesville, July 29, 1971|Arrival Lecture -- Gainesville, July 29, 1971]]::''' But, as Prahlāda Mahārāja was a great devotee and his father was a great nondevotee, so much so that his father was killed by Nṛsiṁhadeva, but Prahlāda Mahārāja, when he was ordered by the Lord to take some benediction, he said that "I am not a merchant, Sir, that by giving You some service I'll take some return. Please excuse me.'' Nṛsiṁhadeva was very much satisfied: "Here is a pure devotee.''</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="General_Lectures" text="General Lectures"><h3>General Lectures</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="" link="Pandal Lecture -- Bombay, April 10, 1971" link_text="Pandal Lecture -- Bombay, April 10, 1971">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:Pandal Lecture -- Bombay, April 10, 1971|Pandal Lecture -- Bombay, April 10, 1971]]::''' If you associate with devotees, with pure devotees... And who is a pure devotee?

: anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ
: jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam
: ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānu-
: śīlanaṁ bhaktir uttamā

[Brs. 1.1.11]
Those who are executing devotional service without any material desire. Not that I render service to Kṛṣṇa to fulfill some material desires. That is not pure devotee.</div>
</div>

<div class="section" id="Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" text="Conversations and Morning Walks"><h2>Conversations and Morning Walks</h2></div>

<div class="sub_section" id="1974_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" text="1974 Conversations and Morning Walks"><h3>1974 Conversations and Morning Walks</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="Con" link="Morning Walk -- June 11, 1974, Paris" link_text="Morning Walk -- June 11, 1974, Paris">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:Morning Walk -- June 11, 1974, Paris|Morning Walk -- June 11, 1974, Paris]]:'''

Paramahaṁsa: My question is: A pure devotee, when he comments Bhagavad-gītā, someone who never sees him physically, but he just comes in contact with his commentary, explanation, is this the same thing?

Prabhupāda: Yes. You can associate with Kṛṣṇa by reading Bhagavad-gītā. And these saintly persons, they have given their explanations, comments. So where is the difficulty? Everyone is helping you.</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="1975_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" text="1975 Conversations and Morning Walks"><h3>1975 Conversations and Morning Walks</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="Con" link="Morning Walk -- May 11, 1975, Perth" link_text="Morning Walk -- May 11, 1975, Perth">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:Morning Walk -- May 11, 1975, Perth|Morning Walk -- May 11, 1975, Perth]]:'''

Devotee (1): So how is it that Lord Brahmā is a pure devotee...

Prabhupāda: No, he is not pure devotee.

Devotee (1): He's not.

Prabhupāda: Anyone who is in the material world, he is not pure devotee. He has to become a pure devotee. But there are pure devotees. They come. They are not subjected to all this. They come for the deliverance of the fallen souls. They are above Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva.

Devotee (2): So, Śrīla Prabhupāda, isn't Lord Brahmā the original spiritual master in our sampradāya?

Prabhupāda: Yes. But we should take that it was his līlā to show that "Even I am subjected. How much you should take risk here." We should take like that because he's our guru. We should not take him that he was subjected to lusty desires, but he made a show that "Even I am also subjected." And he gave up this, changed the body for that. Therefore we should not observe if there is a show of fault of the guru. We should take a different way. Tejīyasāṁ na doṣāya [SB 10.33.29]. Just like the sun is soaking water from urine, but we should not imitate that, that "We also, let us take urine." Then you'll die. He can do so. Tejīyasāṁ na doṣāya. The sun can do that. Still he is not affected. Everyone knows the sun soaks water from the urine. But should you imitate that: "Oh, let me take urine"? No. It is not for you. That is advised. Īśvaranam, those who are īśvaras, the controllers, there is no fault. You should not imitate them; simply you should imitate their instruction. Not that their activities which we may not understand, why he is doing that.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="Con" link="Morning Walk -- May 22, 1975, Melbourne" link_text="Morning Walk -- May 22, 1975, Melbourne">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:Morning Walk -- May 22, 1975, Melbourne|Morning Walk -- May 22, 1975, Melbourne]]:'''

Madhudviṣa: But would that mean that a person who is a pure devotee doesn't have to die?

Prabhupāda: No, die... Pure or nonpure, nobody dies.

Madhudviṣa: Though his material body dies.

Prabhupāda: Yes. But a pure devotee goes back to home. There is no more material body. That is the... So we are advocating that you come to this stage where you will not to have accept this material body. Then you are really happy. And if you want to enjoy the flickering, illusory māyā, then you are subjected to the māyā. You are enjoying as American. Then you enjoy as a dog. That is māyā's control. But if you don't enjoy material things then you become purified. You come to the eternal life, back to home, back to Godhead. But they are not willing to give up this material enjoyment. That is the defect. So it requires education. It requires knowledge. It requires training.</div>
</div>

<div class="section" id="Correspondence" text="Correspondence"><h2>Correspondence</h2></div>

<div class="sub_section" id="1969_Correspondence" text="1969 Correspondence"><h3>1969 Correspondence</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="Let" link="Letter to Krsna dasa -- Los Angeles 5 August, 1969" link_text="Letter to Krsna dasa -- Los Angeles 5 August, 1969">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:Letter to Krsna dasa -- Los Angeles 5 August, 1969|Letter to Krsna dasa -- Los Angeles 5 August, 1969]]:''' So far as sacred thread ceremony is concerned, Bhagavad-gita accepts that anyone, from any place, if he is a pure devotee of Lord Krishna, he is above the position of brahmana.</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="1972_Correspondence" text="1972 Correspondence"><h3>1972 Correspondence</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="Let" link="Letter to Radhavallabha -- Bombay 6 January, 1972" link_text="Letter to Radhavallabha -- Bombay 6 January, 1972">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:Letter to Radhavallabha -- Bombay 6 January, 1972|Letter to Radhavallabha -- Bombay 6 January, 1972]]:'''  I am very glad to know that you are seriously taking to Srimati Tulasi Devi worship. Tulasi Devi is a pure devotee of Krishna and she should be treated with the same respect given to all Krishna's pure devotees. Simply by worshiping her faithfully, a devotee can get himself free of from all material miseries.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="Let" link="Letter to Radhavallabha -- Bombay 6 January, 1972" link_text="Letter to Radhavallabha -- Bombay 6 January, 1972">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:Letter to Radhavallabha -- Bombay 6 January, 1972|Letter to Radhavallabha -- Bombay 6 January, 1972]]:''' Tulasi Devi never goes back to Godhead, she is always with Godhead. She is a pure devotee and thus she has appeared on this planet to render service to Krishna by being offered in all temples throughout the world by being offered up to the lotus feet of Krishna.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="Let" link="Letter to Tusta Krsna -- Ahmedabad 14 December, 1972" link_text="Letter to Tusta Krsna -- Ahmedabad 14 December, 1972">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:Letter to Tusta Krsna -- Ahmedabad 14 December, 1972|Letter to Tusta Krsna -- Ahmedabad 14 December, 1972]]:''' 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. Of course, Mr. Nair must stay.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="Let" link="Letter to Tusta Krsna -- Ahmedabad 14 December, 1972" link_text="Letter to Tusta Krsna -- Ahmedabad 14 December, 1972">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:Letter to Tusta Krsna -- Ahmedabad 14 December, 1972|Letter to Tusta Krsna -- Ahmedabad 14 December, 1972]]:''' As for your next question, can only a few pure devotees deliver others, anyone, if he is a pure devotee he can deliver others, he can become spiritual master. But unless he on that platform he should not attempt it. Then both of them will to go to hell, like blind men leading the blind.</div>
</div>

<div class="quote" book="Let" link="Letter to Frederico Lourenco -- Mayapur 14 October, 1974" link_text="Letter to Frederico Lourenco: — Mayapur 14 October, 1974">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:Letter to Frederico Lourenco -- Mayapur 14 October, 1974|Letter to Frederico Lourenco: — Mayapur 14 October, 1974]]:''' So the importance is stressed on the bhakti, the devotion. Krishna does not accept anything unless one is a pure devotee of Krishna. How to become a pure devotee of Krishna, you have to chant Hare Krishna and follow the four regulative principles of no meat eating, intoxication, illicit sex, or gambling, and you have to follow a guru who is expert in the science of devotional service.</div>
</div>

<div class="sub_section" id="1976_Correspondence" text="1976 Correspondence"><h3>1976 Correspondence</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="Let" link="Letter to Pranada -- Delhi 27 March, 1976" link_text="Letter to Pranada -- Delhi 27 March, 1976">
<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:Letter to Pranada -- Delhi 27 March, 1976|Letter to Pranada -- Delhi 27 March, 1976]]:''' "Even if a brahmana is very learned in Vedic literatures and knows the six occupational duties of a brahmana, he cannot become a guru or spiritual master unless he is a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However, if one is born in a family of dog-eaters but is a pure devotee of the Lord, he can become a spiritual master.''</div>
</div>
</div>