Offering obeisances and respecting Vaishnavas

Śrī Vaiṣṇava Praṇāma 

vāñchā-kalpatarubhyaś ca kṛpā-sindhubhya eva ca

patitānāḿ pāvanebhyo vaiṣṇavebhyo namo namaḥ 

I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaishnava devotees of the Lord. They are just like desire trees who can fulfill the desires of everyone. They are oceans of mercy and are the purifiers of the fallen souls.

Offering obeisances to devotees is important in Krishna consciousness because it enables us to make rapid advancement and also helps create and uphold loving relationships between devotees.

It is mandatory to offer obeisances to one’ guru on entering and leaving his presence. One offers obeisances to the guru with the particular pranama mantra mentioning his name.

Also, one should offer obeisances to a sannyasi at least the first time one sees him during the day. It is a good practice to offer obeisances individually to all devotees- particularly senior devotees upon seeing them for the first time during the day.

Generally, when offered obeisances, a devotee returns them. One who is very senior in the community of devotees may not always return obeisances offered by those who are much junior. Rather, such senior devotees may offer blessings and good wishes for the other’s spiritual advancement.

This etiquette is particularly observed by sannyasis and initiating gurus.

If one ever speaks inconsiderate words or behaves improperly towards a Vaishnava, he should upon realizing his mistake, immediately offer obeisances to that Vaishnava and beg for his forgiveness.

Respecting Vaishnavas

Vaishnavas refer to people who are dear to and belong to Lord Vishnu.

“araadhanaam sarvesaam visnor araadhanam param tasmaat parataram devi tadiyaanaam samarcanam”  Lord Siva told goddess Durga, “My dear Devi, although the Vedas mention the worship of demigods, the worship of Lord Vishnu is topmost and is ultimately recommended. However, above the worship of Lord Vishnu is the rendering of service to Vaishnavas, who are related to Lord Vishnu.” Padma Purana 

We can understand how easy it is to receive the mercy of the Lord by serving and pleasing His devotees. We should always maintain a humble attitude and pay obeisances to the Vaishnavas. One should always consult senior Vaishnavas when making important decisions, take their blessings before starting any significant venture, and feel dependent on their mercy.

Etiquettes must be observed while dealing with devotees senior to you. For example, if they are preaching to some one, you should take their permission before you express your point. You should not argue or neglect them.

With devotees of the same level, you should be very friendly, serving them assisting them and encouraging them. But we should address them with respect as “Prabhu”.

To those who are junior to us, we should serve them by guiding them, encouraging them and enlightening them.

We should never let familiarity lead to contempt for devotees. If we always remember that they are Vaishnavas, then we will remain respectful to them. Even if sometimes we feel offended by any devotee, we should try to forgive them for this is very pleasing to Krishna and will help us to become tolerant and humble. This is possible if we remember that Krishna is very interested to purify us and to make us into pure and sweet devotees.

If devotees are undergoing some problems in their spiritual life, or are experiencing some emotional turmoil due to material difficulties, we must help them with our words and in deeds. We should not ignore them and say that they are in maya, but should extend our love , encouragement and friendship to revive them.

Devotee women should be given all respect and addressed as “Mataji”. A Brahmachari should see every woman as his mother and a grihastha should see every woman except his wife as his mother.

By just learning to relate with Vaishnavas , we can make tangible spiritual advancement, because we can develop true humility and a service attitude.

Man- Woman association

In the modern age, free mixing between men and women is encouraged. However traditional cultures around the world carefully restricted association between the sexes. Without such precautions, basic morality cannot be maintained. Krishna conscious persons are advised to be careful in this regard. Even among devotees, it is best to maintain some reserve while dealing with the opposite gender. In the Bhakti Vriksha program, for preaching purposes one has to deal personally with all the members, but for giving close association and for counselling, it is better that men deal with men and women deal with women.

In this modern, disturbed age, it is often difficult for husband and wife to live peacefully together. But when they start doing devotional activities and services together, especially preaching and bringing up people in Krishna consciousness together as in the Bhakti Vriksha program, family life becomes very happy and blessed. We have discussed this elaborately in the book, “The Third Partner.

Vaishnava appearance

Although dressing as a Vaishnava is not essential(inward consciousness being more important than external appearance), it is important. Just as a policeman wears his uniform so that he will be recognized and dealt with as such, so a devotee dresses in devotee attire to proclaim to the world his commitment to Krishna consciousness.

Dressing like Vaishnavas, naturally we feel more like Vaishnavas. This helps us to always remember that we are Vaishnavas and so our conduct also will be exemplary act in a dignified way.

It is easier to explain about Krishna consciousness to whomever we meet as they will automatically recognize that we are spiritually inclined , have some faith and are following some spiritual principles; and they will be curious to hear from us.

On the other hand western dress automatically tends to put us in a different frame of mind. Western dress is associated with western standards, with a way of life based on lust and greed; therefore it is best avoided. If one feels uncomfortable appearing as a Vaishnava in public, at least he can dress in devotee clothes at home, when visiting different Krishna conscious programs and when practicing Krishna consciousness at home.

Standard Vaishnava appearance is as follows:

For men: Tilak, neck beads, short and neatly kept hair, face cleanly shaven, with no beard, moustache, or sideburns, and wearing dhoti in a kach(the part of the dhoti tucked in at the back.)

On the upper part of the body one should wear a traditional –style kurta, or collarless buttoned shirt. T-shirts with non- devotional pictures or words are not suitable for Vaishnava dress.

Leather shoes, clothes and bags should not be used as they promote violence to cows.

Neatly attired, the Vaishnava appears like a perfect aristocratic gentleman engaged in the service of Krishna.

For women: Traditional Indian dress (sari) is best, with tilak, and neck beads. The sari should cover the body well and the hair should be parted in the middle and braided.