The right attitude and behavior can liberate us. But wrong thinking and acting can bind us in samsara for time eternal. Yatris visiting Vraja, and especially devotees living in Vrindavana for Karttika or longer, must be very, very careful not to and never to offend any Vrajavasi or saintly person, be he/she a resident or pilgrim, yatri.
Vraja Dhama is the most bhakti-charged holy place in the entire universe. Any contact with this holy land of love, lila and merriment will benefit us. However, we must always be careful about offending the Vrajavasis or any devotees. Let’s hear from shastra more about the subject of devotees living in Vrindavana and Vaisnava aparadha, so we can obtain the best results from our visit to Vraja Dhama.
In the Gopala-tapani Upanisad (uttara 48-49), Bhagavan Sri Krishna Himself glorifies the exceptional position of the devotees living in Vrindavana, saying:
“I am the object of worship for all the Vrajavasis (aham pujaniyo vai vraja nivasibhih). Just by living in Vrindavana, they become devoted to Me, even if they are devoid of any dharma (tad dharma gati hina), and addicted to wicked behavior because of being devoured by Kali-yuga (kalina grasita).
“My devotee who lives in Vraja Mandala is as dear to me as Lakshmi, Shiva and his followers, You [Brahma], the Catuh Kumaras, and even My own self (tvam saha putrais ca rudro ganaih saha shriya abhiyukto aham tatha bhakto mama priyah).”
After describing the super five, most amazingly powerful and beneficial bhakti-angas (nama sankirtana, sadhu sanga, murti seva, bhagavata shravana and vrindavana vasa), Srila Rupa Goswamipada says that even a little relationship with these 5 items will produce divine ecstasy, bhava, IF one is intelligent and offense less, svalpa api sambandha sad dhiyam bhava janmane. (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.238)
It is correct that sad dhiyam means “with intelligence”. However, our Gaudiya Vaisnava mahajana acharya, Sri Jiva Goswamipada, says the Sanskrit phrase sad dhiyam here in the above verse means “non-offensive persons” (niraparadha chittanam).
Srila Rupa Goswamipada’s quote establishes the merciful nature and the immense power of Vraja vasa. But there is caution; a reminder to never offend anyone. Then living in Vrindavana will grant us bhava bhakti, divine joy and rapturous bliss eternal in the loving seva of Radha Govinda Yugala.
While teaching Krishna bhakti-tattva to Srila Rupa Goswamipada, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu compared the growth of love of Krishna in one’s heart to a flowering creeper, lata. Then when explaining the perils of aparadha, Mahaprabhu warned that offending a Vaisnava will uproot one’s personal bhakti-lata, break the stems and shrivel its leaves, upade va chinde tara shuki yaya pata. (Cc. 2.9.156) Certainly, this is another warning about the dire results of offenses to devotees. We must be very careful about this—Vaisnava savadhana!
Hari Bhakti Vilasa (10.310-312) citing Skanda Purana says, “A Vaisnava offender loses his opulence, reputation, his sons, the results of his pious activities, and he goes to hell, nashyanti artha dharma yashah sutah patanani shat. Just see, offenses will annihilate everything we have, even us.
Vaisnava aparadha is very critical. But unfortunately, it is very prevalent in today’s envy-filled world. Even just a simple everyday hearing ill of a Vaisnava can finish us. The Srimad Bhagavatam states “if you hear offenses against a Vaisnava, you must immediately run away. Otherwise, you will lose all your piety and go to hell, nindam shrnvan yati adhah sukrti cyutah (SB 10.74.40).
We should not interpret this statement to suit our ego convenience or social standing. Shastra is commanding us to “Run Away”. Thus, we must literally run away from whomever is offending a Vaisnava, without worrying what “others will think”.
Even if it hurts, pinches our egos, deflates our pride or challenges our conditioning, the safe position is to always surrender to Bhagavan Sri Krishna, His teachings and commands. Then everything will turn out perfectly. In all circumstances, let Sri Krishna, Sri Guru and Shastra be our guide. By this we will gain everything and lose nothing of value.
These authoritative statements of Bhagavan Sri Krishna, Shukadeva Goswami, Hari Bhakti Vilasa and Srila Rupa Goswamipada should thoroughly convince everyone about the absolute necessity of completely avoiding any type of Vaisnava aparadha (there are six by the way) at any cost. While in Vraja or anywhere, we should always live by the golden rule and all will be sublime: Love All, Respect All and Serve All.
May all the beauty, the color and care, sweetness, joy and purity of Krishna bhakti flow into our hearts, and then stream in all directions as we move through the land of loving enchantment, Sridhama Vrindavana.
Vraja Dhama ki jai! Vrajavasis ki jai!
Radha-Govinda Gaura bhakta vrnda ki jai!
Jai Jai Sri Radhe!
By Mahanidhi Swami