Category:Most Exalted Devotees of God
Theme Analysis
Śrīla Prabhupāda uses the title "most exalted" to describe devotees who exemplify the pinnacle of spiritual realization and character. Foremost among them is Lord Śiva, whom he repeatedly identifies as the vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ, the greatest Vaiṣṇava, worthy of worship by all Kṛṣṇa devotees. Other historical examples include Prahlāda Mahārāja, who transcended his demoniac birth; King Ambarīṣa, who spiritualized his entire kingdom; and Vāsudeva Datta, whose compassion for the conditioned souls was unmatched. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that true exaltation is characterized by extreme humility—thinking oneself lower than everyone else—and a complete lack of envy. Even a neophyte devotee or a poor man like Kholāveca Śrīdhara can be considered most exalted if their devotion is sincere.
- Lord Śiva: He is the most exalted Vaiṣṇava and demigod, knowing the glories of the Lord better than even Brahmā.
- Humility: The defining quality of an exalted devotee is that they think themselves lower than everyone else.
- Historical Greats: Prahlāda, Ambarīṣa, and Vāsudeva Datta are cited as prime examples of exalted souls.
- Superiority of Bhakti: Out of millions of scholars and yogīs, the devotee of Viṣṇu is the most exalted.
- Transformation: Hearing Kṛṣṇa's pastimes can transform a lusty person into a most exalted devotee.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Most Exalted Devotees of God.
Subcategories
This category has the following 4 subcategories, out of 4 total.
Pages in category "Most Exalted Devotees of God"
The following 23 pages are in this category, out of 23 total.
A
- A devotee of Lord Krsna does not disrespect Lord Siva, but worships Lord Siva as the most exalted devotee of Lord Krsna
- Although a Vaisnava is the most exalted person, he is prideless and gives all respect to everyone, knowing everyone to be the resting place of Krsna
- Although Hiranyakasipu performed such a severe austerity, he remained a Daitya and a Raksasa, whereas Prahlada Maharaja, although born of the same Daitya father, became the most exalted devotee and was personally protected by the Supreme Lord
D
- Devotees are the most exalted personalities as the servants of Krsna, still they think themselves lower than everyone
- Devotees are the most exalted personalities as the servants of Krsna, still they think themselves lower than everyone, and that humble attitude is their credit
- Durvasa Muni said: I am very pleased with you, my dear King. At first I thought of you as an ordinary human being and accepted your hospitality, but later I could understand, by my own intelligence, that you are the most exalted devotee of the Lord
H
- He (Kholaveca Sridhara) was a great devotee of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is a typical example of how a poor man with no material possessions can become a most exalted devotee of the Lord
- He (Vasudeva Datta) was far, far above philanthropists, philosophers and fruitive actors. He was the most exalted personality to ever show mercy to the conditioned souls. This is not an exaggeration of his transcendental qualities. It is perfectly true
I
- If a bona fide listener hears of Krsna's pastimes with the gopis, which seem to be lusty affairs, the lusty desires in his heart, which constitute the heart disease of the conditioned soul, will be vanquished, and he will become a most exalted devotee
- In the next life he (the maidservant's son) was Narada Muni, the most exalted of Vaisnavas and the most important guru and acarya of Vaisnavas
- Isavasyam idam samam yat kinca jagatyam jagat. Bali Maharaja was undoubtedly the most exalted devotee, whereas previously he had maintained a misunderstanding due to false prestige
O
- Of all the gopis, Srimati Radharani is the topmost. Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami are the most exalted servitors of Srimati Radharani and Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Those who adhere to their service are known as rupanuga devotees
- Out of many millions of learned Vedanta scholars, there may be one visnu-bhakta, or devotee of Lord Visnu. It is he who is most exalted
- Out of three kinds of men - the karmis, jnanis and bhaktas - the bhakta is described herein (SB 4.24.57) as the most exalted. Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati has sung: kaivalyam narakayate tridasa-pur akasa-puspayate (Caitanya-candramrta)
S
- Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has made the following observations. Lord Siva, being the most exalted Vaisnava and one of the most powerful demigods, is able to do anything he desires
- Such devotee, no matter he has not advanced yet to the highest level of spiritual understanding, still he is to be considered the most exalted personality never mind he has got any temporary frailties