Category:Character of a Devotee of God
Theme Analysis
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the character of a devotee (vaiṣṇava-caritra) is as pure and spotless as the Supreme Lord Himself. The quotes in this category highlight the inseparable relationship between devotional service and good qualities. While one does not strive separately for good character, all the qualities of the demigods automatically manifest in a person who has pure devotion.
- Tolerance and Compassion: A primary characteristic of a sādhu is titikṣā (tolerance) and kāruṇya (compassion). Examples like Lord Śiva, Prahlāda Mahārāja, and even Jesus Christ are cited to show how great souls tolerate personal insults while remaining kind to others.
- Spotless Purity: A devotee cannot be of bad character because Kṛṣṇa is pavitram (pure). Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that if one claims to be a devotee but acts nonsensically, they are not a high-class devotee. A true vaiṣṇava is free from duplicity and envy.
- Glorifying the Devotee: Hearing about the character of pure devotees (like Dhruva Mahārāja, Pṛthu Mahārāja, and Prahlāda Mahārāja) is as beneficial as hearing about the Lord Himself. In fact, the Lord is more pleased when His devotees are glorified.
- Verification of Character: Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that a devotee is tested by their character—truthfulness, cleanliness, and magnanimity. Even demons like Kaṁsa could trust the word of a pure devotee like Vasudeva.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Character of a Devotee of God.
Subcategories
This category has the following 4 subcategories, out of 4 total.
H
Pages in category "Character of a Devotee of God"
The following 45 pages are in this category, out of 45 total.
A
- A Vaisnava is always tolerant, and Lord Siva is considered the topmost Vaisnava, so his character, as shown in this scene (in SB 4.2.33), is excellent
- Although Kamsa was a sinful demon, he believed that Vasudeva would never deviate from his word. The character of a pure devotee like Vasudeva is such that even so great a demon as Kamsa firmly believed in his words and was satisfied
- Anyone who hears the narration of Dhruva Maharaja, and who repeatedly tries with faith and devotion to understand his pure character, attains the pure devotional platform and executes pure devotional service
H
- He (Arjuna) was saintly by character, and therefore he wanted to deal with them (the aggresors) in saintliness. This kind of saintliness, however, is not for a ksatriya. BG 1972 purports
- He (Hanuman) always remained engaged in His service. That is the ideal character of Hanuman, for which he is still worshiped by all devotees. Prahlada Maharaj also offered his respectful obeisances unto Hanuman
- He (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura) says that the word nr means "by all the local people" and that samsasya means "of he (Ambarisa) whose character was glorified"
- He thinks that he is the best devotee. Devotional service executed in this way is not pure; it is mixed and is of the lowest grade, tamasah. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura advises that a Vaisnava who is not of good character should be avoided
- Hearing the topics of the Lord and hearing of the character and activities of the pure devotee have the same result, namely, the development of devotional service
- How we are testing the purity of sodium chloride? From the books. Similarly, here is the characteristic of pure devotee. The characteristic. You test whether he's truthful, "He's not truthful, sir," then he's not pure devotee
I
- If anyone hears about the activities of the Lord's devotee, he can achieve the same result. There is no difference between the activities and character of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and those of His pure devotees
- If we glorify the devotees, the character of the devotees, before the Lord, He's more pleased than to glorify Himself, directly
- In this verse (SB 4.12.48) it is especially recommended that Dhruva Maharaja's character be discussed in a society of the twice-born, which refers to the qualified brahmanas, ksatriyas and vaisyas
- It is said by Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura that even if one is a Vaisnava, if he is not of good character his company should be avoided, although he may be offered the respect of a Vaisnava
- It is said, vaisnavera kriya mudra vijneha na bujhaya: even the most learned person cannot understand the value of a Vaisnava. There is always a possibility for so-called jnanis and yogis to be mistaken when studying the character of a Vaisnava
M
- Maharaja Pariksit is not satisfied with only material knowledge. He is inquisitive about the character and activities of the great souls, the devotees of the Lord
- Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, whatever you have asked from me about the great reputation and character of Dhruva Maharaja I have explained to you in all detail. Great saintly persons and devotees very much like to hear about Dhruva Maharaja
- Maitreya continued: The greatest of all devotees, Maharaja Prthu, was very powerful, and his character was liberal, magnificent and magnanimous. Thus I have described him to you as far as possible
O
- O greatly fortunate (Vyasadeva), pious philosopher, your name and fame are universal, and you are fixed in the Absolute Truth with spotless character and infallible vision. I (Narada) ask you to meditate upon the activities of the Personality of Godhead
- One should especially seek the society of brahmanas who are elevated to the position of Vaisnavas. Thus discussion of Srimad-Bhagavatam, which describes the character and pastimes of devotees and the Lord, is very quickly effective
P
- Persons who hear from a spiritual master with great labor and for a long time must hear from the mouths of pure devotees about the character and activities of pure devotees
- Prahlada Maharaja, the topmost devotee of the Lord, is a reservoir of all the good qualities of great personalities. His character and activities have delivered all the fallen members of his demoniac family
S
- Seeing the sublime character of the prostitute, everyone was astonished. Everyone glorified the influence of Haridasa Thakura and offered him obeisances
- Seeing this (universal brotherhood), one does not envy, exploit or trouble another living entity. Thus one who is a devotee of Krsna automatically develops all good qualities, for he is in the proper consciousness
- Sila means character, very nice character. A devotee cannot be bad character. Because Krsna is param brahma param dhama pavitram (BG 10.12) - pavitra means pure - so impure cannot approach Him. That is not possible
- Since I (Krsna) found no one else as highly elevated as you (Devaki, then Prsni) in simplicity and other qualities of good character, I appeared in this world as Prsnigarbha, or one who is celebrated as having taken birth from Prsni - SB 10.3.41
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to prove that His devotees are exalted and that their character is ideal
- Such symptoms (his bodily limbs quivering and his mouth drying up) in Arjuna were not due to weakness but to his softheartedness, a characteristic of a pure devotee of the Lord. BG 1972 purports
- Sukadeva Gosvami continued: After hearing about the activities and character of Prahlada Maharaja, Yudhisthira Maharaja, the most respectful king among exalted personalities, again inquired from the great saint Narada Muni in a mood of great pleasure
- Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear King, how shall I glorify the character of Bali Maharaja? The SPG, the master of the three worlds, who is most compassionate to His own devotee, stands with club in hand at Bali Maharaja's door
T
- That is the characteristic of devotee. What the Lord says, the devotee will say. He will not make any addition, alteration, and amalgamate and comment
- The devotee's desirable qualities are described to be twenty-six in number. They are stated as follows: No one can find fault in his character and he is magnanimous, mild and always clean, internally and externally
- The great sage Maitreya continued: Being thus worshiped by Maharaja Prthu, the four Kumaras, who were masters of devotional service, became very pleased. Indeed, they appeared in the sky and praised the character of the King, and everyone observed them
- There are certainly many good qualities among fruitive actors, philosophical speculators and mystic yogis, but all good qualities automatically develop in the character of a devotee. No extraneous endeavor is needed
- There cannot be any duplicity in the character of a Vaisnava
- There Narada addresses King Yudhisthira while the King is appreciating the glories of the character of Prahlada Maharaj. A devotee always appreciates the activities of other devotees
- This process of chanting the narrations of the life and character of Prthu Maharaja is recommended for conquering kings if they want to fulfill their desire to rule the world
- Those who are engaged in the service of Krsna, he is sadhu. It is not simply by changing dress. Sadhu means sadhavah sadhu-bhusanam. Sadhu means honest, sadacari, good character
W
- We find these two characters in the life of Lord Jesus. He was very much tolerant, at the same time kind to the people in general. You see
- When He first appeared before Prthu Maharaja, He was not touching the ground of this earth, but when He was fully satisfied with the behavior and character of King Prthu, He immediately acted as the Supreme Personality of Godhead Narayana from Vaikuntha