Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.2.44
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesHonor Devotees and Seek Advancing Association
“Mahārāja Nimi said: Now please tell me in greater detail about the devotees of the Supreme Lord. What are the natural symptoms by which I can distinguish between the most advanced devotees, those on the middle level and those who are neophytes? What are the typical religious activities of a Vaiṣṇava, and how does he speak? Specifically, please describe those symptoms and characteristics by which Vaiṣṇavas become dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
What the purport teaches
- Mahārāja Nimi humbly asks about the character, behavior and speech of devotees. He wants to understand the distinctions between beginning, intermediate and most advanced Vaiṣṇavas.
- Anyone who faithfully chants the holy name of Kṛṣṇa should be considered a Vaiṣṇava. Such a devotee should receive respect at least within one’s mind.
- For practical advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one should associate at least with an intermediate devotee. The mercy of a first-class devotee makes perfection in devotional service very easily attainable.
Try this today
Today, consciously offer respect within your mind to a devotee who faithfully chants Kṛṣṇa’s holy name.
Ask yourself
Am I honoring those who chant Kṛṣṇa’s name while seeking association that helps my devotional service grow?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.