Category:Becoming a Vaisnava - Devotees of God
Theme Analysis
Śrīla Prabhupāda presents the status of a Vaisnava as the pinnacle of spiritual evolution, transcending even the elevated position of a brahmana. The analysis of these quotes reveals that while a brahmana may understand the impersonal Brahman, a Vaisnava enters into a personal relationship with Lord Visnu. Crucially, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that this exalted status is not hereditary; through the bona fide process of initiation and chanting, anyone—regardless of their past sinful life or social background—can become a purified devotee. This transformation is described as the highest welfare work, as a single Vaisnava in the family can deliver fourteen generations of ancestors.
- The Universal Definition: A Vaisnava is one who serves Visnu; Śrīla Prabhupāda confirms that anyone, including those from dog-eating families or sinful backgrounds, can attain this status through proper initiation.
- Beyond the Brahmana: While being a brahmana involves knowledge of the Absolute Truth, becoming a Vaisnava means realizing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, which is the "post-graduate" stage of spiritual life.
- The Power of Transformation: The quotes cite historical examples—such as the hunter Mrigari and a prostitute delivered by Haridasa Thakura—to prove that the association of a pure devotee can turn even the most fallen souls into saintly persons.
- Family Deliverance: Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights the immense benefit of this path, noting that if one member of a family becomes a Vaisnava, they liberate not only themselves but their entire lineage.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Universal Eligibility for Becoming a Vaiṣṇava.
Subcategories
This category has only the following subcategory.
Pages in category "Becoming a Vaisnava - Devotees of God"
The following 75 pages are in this category, out of 75 total.
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- Bhaktivinoda Thakura has said that a Vaisnava is he who has helped others become Vaisnavas
- If one's son becomes a Vaisnava in the family, he can deliver fourteen generations, up and down. That is the verdict. Not only verdict, this is the version in the Srimad-Bhagavatam
- Sanatana Gosvami says that as bell metal can turn to gold when mixed with mercury in a chemical process, so, by the bona fide diksa, or initiation method, anyone can become a Vaisnava
A
- A progressive brahmana must necessarily become a Vaisnava, for a Vaisnava is a self-realized, learned brahmana
- A Vaisnava is addressed as maha-bhaga, which means "fortunate." One who becomes a Vaisnava and is God conscious is understood to be greatly fortunate
- A Vaisnava, therefore, should be fully qualified. As stated in the Bhagavatam, anyone who has become a Vaisnava has developed all the good qualities of the demigods. There are twenty-six qualifications mentioned in the Caitanya-caritamrta
- Above that situation of impersonal Brahman understanding, he comes to the platform of understanding Lord Visnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; then he becomes a Vaisnava. This is the perfectional process
- Actually, we are seeing practically how by chanting this holy name of the Lord, Hare Krsna mantra, how nasty people are becoming purified, Vaisnava, brahmana. Actually nasty
- Anyone who becomes a Vaisnava accepted by the first-class Vaisnava, or uttama-adhikari Vaisnava, is already considered a brahmana, regardless of his birth or past deeds
- Anyone who has become a Vaisnava, a devotee of the Lord, he is giving the greatest service to the family. Because in relationship with him, his father, mother, anyone, they will be liberated
B
- Before becoming a Vaisnava, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya was a mental speculator (jnani), and being such, he always cut jokes with Vaisnavas. A Vaisnava never agrees with the speculative system of the jnanis
- Bhaktivedanta has no difficulty. The things are already there. Simply you have to present them as it is. That's all. You become Vaisnava. Where is the difficulty? And as soon as you change, become over-intelligent, everything spoiled
- By formality he (Arjuna) did not become a Vaisnava or chanting. But he was always thinking of Krsna. Therefore he is certified as the foremost yogi. Yoginam api sarvesam - BG 6.47
- By that only qualification, that he's not a Vaisnava, he cannot become guru, whereas, on the other's hand. If a person, sva-pacah means coming of the family of dog-eaters, candala - if he has become a Vaisnava, you can accept him as guru
- By the grace of Prahlada Maharaja, all his class friends, the sons of the demons, became Vaisnavas
E
- Even a brahmana is also under the control of material nature. But the same brahmana, when he becomes a Vaisnava, a devotee, he becomes the best of the brahmanas
- Even practicing the Vaisnava principles to a small extent can save one from the greatest danger of material existence. Thus Kasyapa Muni planned to instruct his wife Diti to become a Vaisnava because he wanted to save the life of Indra
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- Going to a church or mosque is also pious (catur-vidha bhajante mam janah sukrtino 'rjuna (BG 7.16)). Therefore those who begin in this way will one day become pure Vaisnavas
- Great loss. He (Dr. Rao) will get again good birth to become Vaisnava. There is no doubt. He was initiated. Again he will get chance
H
- Haridasa Thakura also spoke with a young woman, a prostitute, in the dead of night, but the woman could not deviate his mind. Instead, she became a Vaisnavi, a pure devotee, by the benediction of Haridasa Thakura
- He (Caitanya) has openly said that anyone - doesn't matter in what, which family or in which country he has taken his birth, anyone who knows this science of Krsna, he's eligible to become a Vaisnava or a spiritual master
- He (Kesava Kasmiri) surrendered unto Him (Lord Caitanya) and later became a pure Vaisnava in the sampradaya of Nimbarka. He wrote Kaustubha-prabha, a commentary on the Vedanta commentary of the Nimbarka-sampradaya, which is known as the Parijata-bhasya
- He (the muslim tailor) became one of the foremost Vaisnava adherents of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
- Here a Hindu coming from very respectable brahmana family and another man is coming from the dog-eater's family. It doesn't matter. As soon as one becomes Vaisnava he is classless society
I
- I simply want to see that you, your wife and your whole family become perfect Vaisnavas, Krsna's devotees. Remain in your position and try to understand the philosophy - that will make you perfect
- Ideal stage of human perfection is to become a brahmana-vaisnava like Sudama Vipra
- If a devotee very strictly follows the methods of Deity worship, he will naturally and quickly become a pure Vaisnava
- If some percentage of Americans become Vaishnavas, it will be wonderful for the future of the world. It will be a great example for the world
- If you associate with the hippies, you will become hippie. If you associate with the Vaisnava, you become Vaisnava. That is practical
- In our Krsna consciousness movement we are simply teaching our students to become fit brahmanas and Vaisnavas
- In the brahmana stage, one's understanding of the Absolute Truth is mainly based on the impersonal view. When a brahmana, however, rises to the platform of personal understanding of the Supreme Godhead, he becomes a Vaisnava
- It is requested that all our devotees in the ISKCON community become pure Vaisnavas, so that by their mercy all the people of the world will be transferred to Vaikunthaloka, even without their knowledge
- It is the duty of a father to become a Vaisnava and raise his children to become Vaisnavas; then even if by chance the father falls into a hellish life in his next birth, such a son can deliver him, as Maharaja Prthu delivered his father
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- My father never prayed that "My son may become very rich man." He never prayed like that. Actually, his ardent desire that his son may become a Vaisnava. And my Guru Maharaja's training has put me this position
- My point is: by serving the Supreme Lord, one gives the best service to the family, because if one becomes a Vaisnava, pure Vaisnava, the whole family, up to fourteen generations, they become liberated
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- Narada gave them (the hunter & his wife) 1 Tulasi plant, & they sat down near the Tulasi plant, & he advised that "Go on chanting HK mantra." In the meantime, in the village it was advertised that - The hunter has become a Vaisnava. Let us go and see him
- Narada Muni asked him (the hunter) that, "You sit down on this bank of Ganges,& here is the tulasi plant. You worship it, & I'll send your food. Don't be worried." So next morning it was declared in the village - That heinous hunter has become a Vaisnava
- No, I don't want some to be sudra; I want everyone to become Vaisnava
O
- Once one becomes a pure Vaisnava, he transcends all material conceptions of life. Thus Kasyapa Muni tried to transform his wife (Diti) into a Vaisnavi so that she might give up the idea of killing Indra
- One must become a Vaisnava. Otherwise, his so-called ideas and interpretation has no value. Has no value. Just like in your country, South India, Dr. Radhakrishnan, he has done so many works. But to tell you frankly, it is useless labor
- One who understands the Personality of Godhead also knows the impersonal feature of the Supreme, which is Brahman. Therefore one who becomes a Vaisnava is already a brahmana
P
- Parvata Muni was surprised, that, This man was hunting and killing animal half. Now, because he has become a Vaisnava, he is not prepared to kill even an ant
- People should be trained to become Vaisnavas through the system of varna and asrama, as they were during the reign of Lord Ramacandra, when everyone was fully trained to follow the varnasrama principles
S
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission is to kill the demon - not by life but by their heinous activities. Anyone who comes to be killed by Caitanya Mahaprabhu, his heinous, nefarious activities becomes killed and he becomes a Vaisnava, just like Jagai-Madhai
- Stalwart, highly advanced Vaisnava devotees are not interested in seeing prostitutes, but when a prostitute or any other fallen soul becomes a Vaisnava, stalwart Vaisnavas are interested in seeing them
T
- The material world is full of danger (padam padam yad vipadam (SB 10.14.58)). Therefore one must become a Vaisnava and think of Visnu constantly. This is made easier by the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra
- The news that the hunter had become a Vaisnava spread all over the village. Indeed, all the villagers brought alms and presented them to the Vaisnava who had formerly been a hunter
- The so-called brahmanas claim that one who is not born into a brahmana family cannot receive the sacred thread and cannot become a high-grade Vaisnava. But we do not accept such a theory, because it is not supported by Rupa Gosvami
- There is necessity of creating brahmanas and Vaisnava. This movement is meant for that purpose. So be careful. Don't be turned again to sudra and mlecchas. Go on making progress to become pure Vaisnava
- They are so fools that the Americans, they have come here to become Vaisnava and starvation and they have become religious
- This Janmastami ceremony is observed by all Hindus. Irrespective of becoming Vaisnava or not, this ceremony is observed in India every home. Just like in your Western countries the Christmas is observed in every home
- This Krsna consciousness movement is trying to do that, trying everyone to become a bona fide brahmana. Without becoming a brahmana you cannot become Vaisnava. So this reformatory process is recommended in the sastras
- To be brahmin means spiritually graduate, and vipra means spiritually intermediate, and initiation means spiritually he is school leaving certificate, and to become a Vaisnava means to pass M.A. examination in spiritual science
- To become Vaisnava, is not so easy. If Vaisnava, to become Vaisnava is so easy, why so many fall down? It is not easy
- To remain the dictator she (Indira Ghandi) requires spiritual knowledge. Otherwise it will be another disaster. If she wants to remain the dictator, then she must be a spiritual man. She must become a Vaisnavi
- Transcendental vibrations are very much effective when chanted among Aryans, but even though one does not belong to the Aryan family, he will become a Vaisnava simply by hearing the mantra because the vibration has great influence over everyone
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- We are soliciting, "Please come here in this Hare Krsna Land and just become a brahmana-vaisnava, and we shall try to serve you by giving you good place," but nobody is coming. Therefore it is very difficult to revive the old varnasrama-dharma culture
- When from Brahma understanding, impersonal Brahma understanding, he comes to the platform of understanding Visnu, Lord Visnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he becomes a Vaisnava. That is the perfectional process
- When one perfectly understands the Absolute Truth he is called a brahmana. And when the brahmana reaches further perfection, he becomes a Vaisnava, or a devotee
- Whoever met Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu became a Vaisnava, and whoever met that Vaisnava also became a Vaisnava. In this way, all the towns and villages became Vaisnava, one after the other
- Without knowledge of Brahman, one cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore a Vaisnava is already a brahmana, whereas a brahmana may become a Vaisnava
Y
- You are Americans, and they are responding. You are responding means Americans responding. So do very carefully, and if one fourth of America becomes Vaisnava, the whole world will change. They are the leading nation
- You do not be disappointed by the activities of some envious person. Nirmatsara. Anyone who is contaminated by envy, he cannot become Vaisnava
- You know the story of Haridasa. He was young man at that time, and one man instigated a prostitute, young prostitute, to deviate him, but she was unable. On the other hand, the prostitute became a Vaisnavi