Antya3.186

TEXT 186

mukti’ tuccha-phala haya namabhasa haite

SYNONYMS

’mukti—liberation; tuccha-phala—insignificant result; haya—is; nama-abhasa haite—from a glimpse of awakening of offenseless chanting of the holy name.

TRANSLATION

"Liberation is the insignificant result derived from a glimpse of awakening of offenseless chanting of the holy name.

Antya3.187

TEXT 187

mriyamano harer nama

grnan putropacaritam

ajamilo ’py agad dhama

kim uta sraddhaya grnan

SYNONYMS

mriyamanah—dying; hareh nama—the holy name of the Supreme Lord; grnan—chanting; putra-upacaritam—though spoken for his son; ajamilah—Ajamila; api—also; agat—attained; dhama—the spiritual world; kim uta—what to speak of; sraddhaya—with faith and reverence; grnan-chanting.

TRANSLATION

"While dying, Ajamila chanted the holy name of the Lord, intending to call his son Narayana. Nevertheless, he attained the spiritual world. What then to speak of those who chant the holy name with faith and reverence?’

PURPORT

Antya3.188

TEXT 188

ye mukti bhakta na laya, se krsna cahe dite"

SYNONYMS

ye—which; mukti—liberation; bhakta—a devotee; na laya—does not take; se—that; krsna—Lord Krsna; cahe dite—wants to offer.

TRANSLATION

"Liberation, which is unacceptable for a pure devotee, is always offered by Krsna without difficulty.

Antya3.189

TEXT 189

salokya-sarsti-sarupya-

samipyaikatvam apy uta

diyamanam na grhnanti

vina mat-sevanam janah

SYNONYMS

salokya—to live on the same planet; sarsti—to acquire the same opulence; sarupya—to achieve the same bodily features; samipya—to live always near the Supreme Lord; ekatvam—to merge into the existence of the Lord; api—even; uta—certainly; diyamanam—being offered; na grhnanti—do not take; vina—without; mat-sevanam—My service; janah—the devotees.

TRANSLATION

“My devotees do not accept salokya, sarsti, sarupya, samipya, or oneness with Me-even if I offer these liberations-in preference to serving Me.’ ”

PURPORT

Antya3.190

TEXT 190

’gopala cakravarti’ nama eka-jana

majumadarera ghare sei arinda pradhana

SYNONYMS

gopala cakravarti—Gopala Cakravarti; nama—named; eka-jana—one person; majumadarera ghare—at the residence of Hiranya and Govardhana Majumadara; sei—he; arinda pradhana—the chief tax collector.

TRANSLATION

At the house of Hiranya and Govardhana Majumadara, a person named Gopala Cakravarti was officially the chief tax collector.

Antya3.191

TEXT 191

gaude rahi’ patsaha-age arinda-giri kare

bara-laksa mudra sei patsara thani bhare

SYNONYMS

gaude rahi’-living in Bengal; patsaha-age—on behalf of the emperor; arinda-giri kare—acts as the chief tax collector; bara-laksa—twelve hundred thousand; mudra—coins; sei—he; patsara thani—for the emperor; bhare—collects.

TRANSLATION

This Gopala Cakravarti lived in Bengal. His duty as chief tax collector was to collect 1,200,000 coins to deposit in the treasury of the emperor.

Antya3.192

TEXT 192

parama-sundara, pandita, nutana-yauvana

namabhase ’mukti’ suni’ na ha-ila sahana

SYNONYMS

parama-sundara—very beautiful; pandita—learned; nutana—new; yauvana—youth; nama-abhase—by the glimpse of awakening of pure chanting of the holy name; mukti—liberation; suni’-hearing; na ha-ila sahana—could not tolerate.

TRANSLATION

He had handsome bodily features, and he was learned and youthful, but he could not tolerate the statement that simply by glimpsing the awakening of the Lord’s holy name one can attain liberation.

PURPORT

Antya3.193

TEXT 193

kruddha hana bale sei sarosa vacana

"bhavukera siddhanta suna, panditera gana

SYNONYMS

kruddha hana—becoming very angry; bale—said; sei—he; sa-rosa vacana—angry words; bhavukera—of an emotional person; siddhanta—conclusion; suna—just hear; panditera gana—O assembly of learned scholars.

TRANSLATION

This young man, Gopala Cakravarti, became very angry upon hearing the statements of Haridasa Thakura. He immediately criticized him. “O assembly of learned scholars,” he said, "just hear the conclusion of the emotional devotee.

Antya3.194

TEXT 194

koti-janme brahma-jnane yei ’mukti’ naya

ei kahe,--namabhase sei ’mukti’ haya"

SYNONYMS

koti-janme—after millions upon millions of births; brahma-jnane—by absolute knowledge; yei—which; mukti naya—liberation is not possible; ei—this person; kahe—says; nama-abhase—simply by the awakening of a glimpse of the pure chanting of the holy name; sei—that; mukti—liberation; haya—becomes possible.

TRANSLATION

“After many millions upon millions of births, when one is complete in absolute knowledge, one still may not attain liberation, yet this ma says that one may attain it simply by the awakening of a glimpse of the holy name.”

Antya3.195

TEXT 195

haridasa kahena,--kene karaha samsaya?

sastre kahe,--namabhasa-matre ’mukti’ haya

SYNONYMS

haridasa kahena—Haridasa Thakura said; kene—why; karaha samsaya—are you doubtful; sastre kahe—it is stated in the revealed scriptures; nama-abhasa matre—simply by a glimpse of the chanting of the holy name; mukti haya—there is liberation.

TRANSLATION

Haridasa Thakura said, "Why are you doubtful? The revealed scriptures say that one can attain liberation simply by a glimpse of offenseless chanting of the holy name.

Antya3.196

TEXT 196

bhakti-sukha-age ’mukti’ ati-tuccha haya

ataeva bhakta-gana ’mukti’ nahi laya

SYNONYMS

bhakti-sukha—transcendental bliss derived from devotional service; age—before; mukti—liberation; ati-tuccha—extremely insignificant; haya—is; ataeva—therefore; bhakta-gana—pure devotees; mukti—liberation; nahi laya—do not accept.

TRANSLATION

"For a devotee who enjoys the transcendental bliss of devotional service, liberation is most insignificant. Therefore pure devotees never desire to achieve liberation.

Antya3.197

TEXT 197

tvat-saksatkaranahlada-

visuddhabdhi-sthitasya me

sukhani gospadayante

brahmany api jagad-guro

SYNONYMS

tvat—You; saksat-karana—by meeting; ahlada—of pleasure; visuddha—spiritually purified; abdhi—in an ocean; sthitasya—situated; me—of me; sukhani—happiness; gospadayante—is like a calf’s hoofprint; brahmani—derived from understanding of impersonal Brahman; api—also; jagat-guro—O master of the universe.

TRANSLATION

“My dear Lord, O master of the universe, since I have directly seen You, my transcendental bliss has taken the shape of a great ocean. Being situated in that ocean, I now realize all other so-called happiness, including even brahmananda, to be like the water contained in the hoofprint of a calf.’ ”

PURPORT

This verse is quoted from the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya (14.36).

Antya3.198

TEXT 198

vipra kahe,--"namabhase yadi ’mukti’ naya

tabe tomara naka kati’ karaha niscaya"

SYNONYMS

vipra kahe—the brahmana said; nama-abhase—simply by the awakening of offenseless chanting of the holy name; yadi—if; mukti naya—liberation is not attainable; tabe—then; tomara—your; naka—nose; kati’-I shall cut off; karaha niscaya—take it as certain.

TRANSLATION

Gopala Cakravarti said, “if one is not liberated by namabhasa, then you may be certain that I shall cut off your nose.”

Antya3.199

TEXT 199

haridasa kahena,--"yadi namabhase ’mukti’ naya

tabe amara naka katimu,--ei suniscaya"

SYNONYMS

haridasa kahena—Haridasa Thakura said; yadi—if; nama-abhase—simply by the awakening of the holy name of the Lord; mukti naya—mukti is not available; tabe—then; amara—my; naka—nose; katimu—I shall cut off; ei—this; suniscaya—certain.

TRANSLATION

Then Haridasa Thakura accepted the challenge offered by Gopala Cakravarti. “If by namabhasa liberation is not available,” he said, “certainly I shall cut off my nose.”

Antya3.200

TEXT 200

suni’ sabha-sad uthe kari’ hahakara

majumadara sei vipre karila dhikkara

SYNONYMS

suni’-hearing; sabha-sat—all the members of the assembly; uthe—got up; kari’ haha-kara—making a tumultuous sound; majumadara—Hiranya and Govardhana Majumadara; sei vipre—unto that brahmana who was their servant; karila—made; dhik-kara—chastisement.

TRANSLATION

All the members of the assembly who had heard the challenge were greatly agitated, and they got up, making a tumultuous sound. Hiranya and Govardhana Majumadara both immediately chastised the brahmana tax collector.

Antya3.201

TEXT 201

balai-purohita tare karila bhartsana

"ghata-patiya murkha tuni bhakti kanha jana?

SYNONYMS

balai-purohita—the priest named Balarama Acarya; tare—unto Gopala Cakravarti; karila—did; bhartsana—chastisement; ghata-patiya—interested in the pot and the earth; murkha—fool; tuni—you; bhakti—devotional service; kanha—what; jana—do know.

TRANSLATION

The priest named Balarama Acarya chastised Gopala Cakravarti. “You are a foolish logician,” he said, "What do you know about the devotional service of the Lord?

PURPORT

The philosophy enunciated by the Mayavadis is called ghata-patiya philosophy. According to this philosophy, everything is one, everything is earth, and therefore anything made of earth, such as different pots, is also the same earth. Such philosophers see no distinction between a pot made of earth and the earth itself. Since Gopala Cakravarti was a ghata-patiya logician, a gross materialist, what could he understand about the transcendental devotional service of the Lord?

Antya3.202

TEXT 202

haridasa-thakure tuni kaili apamana!

sarva-nasa habe tora, na habe kalyana"

SYNONYMS

haridasa-thakure—unto Haridasa Thakura; tuni—you; kaili—did; apamana—insult; sarva-nasa—destruction of everything; habe—there will be; tora—your; na—not; habe—will be; kalyana—auspicious result.

TRANSLATION

“You have insulted Haridasa Thakura. Thus there will be a dangerous position for you. You should not expect anything auspicious.”

Antya3.203

TEXT 203

suni’ haridasa tabe uthiya calila

majumadara sei vipre tyaga karila

SYNONYMS

suni’-hearing; haridasa—Haridasa Thakura; tabe—then; uthiya calila—got up and began to go away; majumadara—Hiranya and Govardhana Majumadara; sei vipre—this tyaga karila—kicked out.

TRANSLATION

Then Haridasa Thakura got up to leave, and the Majumadaras, the masters of Gopala Cakravarti, immediately dismissed Gopala Cakravarti from their service.

Antya3.204

TEXT 204

sabha-sahite haridasera padila carane

haridasa hasi’ kahe madhura-vacane

SYNONYMS

sabha-sahite—with all the members of the assembly; haridasera—of Haridasa Thakura; padila carane—fell down at the lotus feet; haridasa—Haridasa Thakura; hasi’-smiling; kahe—said; madhura-vacane—in a sweet voice.

TRANSLATION

With all the members of the assembly, the two Majumadaras fell at the lotus feet of Haridasa Thakura. Haridasa Thakura was smiling, however, and he spoke in a sweet voice.

Antya3.205

TEXT 205

"toma-sabara dosa nahi, ei ajna brahmana

tara dosa nahi, tara tarka-nistha mana

SYNONYMS

toma-sabara—of all of you; dosa—fault; nahi—there is not; ei—this; ajna—ignorant; brahmana—so-called brahmana; tara dosa nahi—he is also not at fault; tara—his; tarka-nistha—accustomed to speculation; mana—mind.

TRANSLATION

“None of you are at fault,” he said. "Indeed, even this ignorant so-called brahmana is not at fault, for he is accustomed to dry speculation and logic.

Antya3.206

TEXT 206

tarkera gocara nahe namera mahattva

kotha haite janibe se ei saba tattva?

SYNONYMS

tarkera—by argument and logic; gocara—appreciable; nahe—is not; namera—of the holy name; mahattva—the glory; kotha haite—from where; janibe—will know; se—he; ei—this; saba—all; tattva—truth.

TRANSLATION

"One cannot understand the glories of the holy name simply by logic and argument. Therefore this man cannot possibly understand the glories of the holy name.

Antya3.207

TEXT 207

yaha ghara, krsna karuna kusala sabara

amara sambandhe duhkha na ha-uka kahara"

SYNONYMS

yaha ghara—go to your homes; krsna karuna—may Lord Krsna bestow; kusala sabara—blessings to everyone; amara sambandhe—on my account; duhkha—unhappiness; na ha-uka—may there not be; kahara—of anyone.

TRANSLATION

“All of you may now go to your homes. May Lord Krsna bestow his blessings upon you all. Do not be sorry because of my being insulted.”

PURPORT

From this statement by Haridasa Thakura, it is understood that a pure Vaisnava never takes anyone’s insults seriously. This is the teaching of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu:

trnad api sunicena
taror api sahisnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harih

“One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and ready to offer all respects to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.” A Vaisnava is always tolerant and submissive like trees and grass. He tolerates insults offered by others, for he is simply interested in chanting the holy name of the Lord without being disturbed.

Antya3.208

TEXT 208

tabe se hiranya-dasa nija ghare aila

sei brahmane nija dvara-mana kaila

SYNONYMS

tabe—thereupon; se—that; hiranya-dasa—Hiranya Majumadara; nija—own; ghare—to home; aila—returned; sei—that; brahmane—to Gopala Cakravarti; nija—own; dvara—door; mana—prohibition; kaila—issued.

TRANSLATION

Then Hiranya dasa Majumadara returned to his home and ordered that Gopala Cakravarti not be admitted therein.

Antya3.209

TEXT 209

tina dina bhitare sei viprera ’kustha’ haila

ati ucca nasa tara galiya padila

SYNONYMS

tina dina—three days; bhitare—within; sei—that; viprera—of the brahmana; kustha—leprosy; haila—appeared; ati—very; ucca—raised; nasa—nose; tara—his; galiya—melting; padila—fell.

TRANSLATION

Within three days that brahmana was attacked by leprosy, and as a result his highly raised nose melted away and fell off.

Antya3.210

TEXT 210

campaka-kali-sama hasta-padanguli

konkada ha-ila saba, kusthe gela gali’

SYNONYMS

campaka—of a golden-hued flower; kali—buds; sama—like; hasta-pada-anguli—fingers and toes; konkada ha-ila—became crumpled; saba—all; kusthe—because of leprosy; gela gali’-melted away.

TRANSLATION

The brahmana’s toes and fingers were beautiful like golden-colored campaka buds, but because of leprosy they all withered and gradually melted away.

Antya3.211

TEXT 211

dekhiya sakala loka haila camatkara

haridase prasamsi’ tanre kare namaskara

SYNONYMS

dekhiya—seeing; sakala loka—all people; haila—became; camatkara—astonished; haridase—Haridasa Thakura; prasamsi’-praising; tanre—unto him; kare—offer; namaskara—obeisances.

TRANSLATION

Seeing the condition of Gopala Cakravarti, everyone was astonished. Everyone praised the influence of Haridasa Thakura and offered him obeisances.

Antya3.212

TEXT 212

yadyapi haridasa viprera dosa na la-ila

tathapi isvara tare phala bhunjaila

SYNONYMS

yadyapi—although; haridasa—Haridasa Thakura; viprera—of the brahmana; dosa—offense; na—did not; la-ila—take seriously; tathapi—still; isvara—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tare—unto him; phala—the result of insulting a Vaisnava; bhunjaila—made to suffer.

TRANSLATION

Although Haridasa Thakura, as a Vaisnava, did not take seriously the brahmana’s offense, the Supreme Personality of Godhead could not tolerate it, and thus he made the brahmana suffer the consequences.

Antya3.213

TEXT 213

bhakta-svabhava,--ajna-dosa ksama kare

krsna-svabhava,--bhakta-ninda sahite na pare

SYNONYMS

bhakta-svabhava—the characteristic of a pure devotee; ajna-dosa—offense by an ignorant rascal; ksama kare—excuses; krsna-svabhava—the characteristic of Krsna; bhakta-ninda—blaspheming the devotees; sahite na pare—cannot tolerate.

TRANSLATION

A characteristic of a pure devotee is that he excuses any offense by an ignorant rascal. The characteristic of Krsna, however, is that He cannot tolerate blasphemy of His devotees.

PURPORT

trnad api sunicena
taror api sahisnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harih

Antya3.214

TEXT 214

viprera kustha suni’ haridasa mane duhkhi haila

balai-purohite kahi’ santipura aila

SYNONYMS

viprera—of the brahmana; kustha—leprosy; suni’-hearing; haridasa—Haridasa Thakura; mane—within the mind; duhkhi haila—became unhappy; balai-purohite—unto Balarama Acarya; kahi’-speaking; santipura aila—came to Santipura.

TRANSLATION

Haridasa Thakura was unhappy when he heard that the brahmana Gopala Cakravarti had been attacked by leprosy. Thus after informing Balarama Acarya, the priest of Hiranya Majumadara, he went to Santipura, the home of Advaita Acarya.

Antya3.215

TEXT 215

acarye miliya kaila dandavat pranama

advaita alingana kari’ karila sammana

SYNONYMS

acarye miliya—meeting Advaita Acarya; kaila—offered; dandavat pranama—obeisances and respects; advaita—Advaita Acarya; alingana kari’-embracing; karila sammana—showed respect.

TRANSLATION

Upon meeting Advaita Acarya, Haridasa Thakura offered Him respect and obeisances. Advaita Acarya embraced him and showed respect to him in return.

Antya3.216

TEXT 216

ganga-tire gonpha kari’ nirjane tanre dila

bhagavata-gitara bhakti-artha sunaila

SYNONYMS

ganga-tire—on the bank of the Ganges; gonpha kari’-constructing a small cavelike residence; nirjane—in a solitary place; tanre—unto him; dila—offered; bhagavata—of Srimad-Bhagavatam; gitara—of Bhagavad-gita; bhakti-artha—the real meaning of devotional service; sunaila—spoke to him.

TRANSLATION

On the bank of the Ganges, in a solitary place, Advaita Acarya made a cavelike home for Haridasa Thakura and spoke to him about the real meaning of Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita in terms of devotional service.

Antya3.217

TEXT 217

acaryera ghare nitya bhiksa-nirvahana

dui jana mili’ krsna-katha-asvadana

SYNONYMS

acaryera ghare—at the house of Advaita Acarya; nitya—daily; bhiksa-nirvahana—accepting food as alms; dui jana—the two of them; mili’-meeting together; krsna-katha—discourses on the subject matter of Krsna; asvadana—tasting.

TRANSLATION

Haridasa Thakura accepted food daily at the house of Advaita Acarya. Meeting together, the two of them would taste the nectar of discourses on the subject matter of Krsna.

Antya3.218

TEXT 218

haridasa kahe,--"gosani, kari nivedane

more pratyaha anna deha’ kon prayojane?

SYNONYMS

haridasa kahe—Haridasa Thakura said; gosani—my dear Advaita Acarya; kari nivedane—let me submit one prayer; more—unto me; prati-aha—daily; anna deha’-You give food; kon prayojane—what is the necessity.

TRANSLATION

Haridasa Thakura said, "My dear Advaita Acarya, let me submit something before Your Honor. Every day You give me alms of food to eat. What is the necessity of this?

Antya3.219

TEXT 219

maha-maha-vipra etha kulina-samaja

nice adara kara, na vasaha bhaya laja!!

SYNONYMS

maha-maha-vipra—great, great brahmanas; etha—here; kulina-samaja—aristocratic society; nice—to a low-class person; adara kara—You show honor; na vasaha—You do not care for; bhaya laja—fear or shame.

TRANSLATION

"Sir, You are living within a society of great, great brahmanas and aristocrats, but without fear or shame You adore a lower-class man like me.

Antya3.220

TEXT 220

alaukika acara tomara kahite pai bhaya

sei krpa kariba,--yate mora raksa haya"

SYNONYMS

alaukika acara-uncommon behavior; tomara-Your; kahite-to speak; pai bhaya-I am afraid; sei krpa-that favor; kariba-kindly do; yate-by which; mora-my; raksa-protection; haya-there is.

TRANSLATION

“My dear sir, Your behavior is uncommon. Indeed, sometimes I am afraid to speak to You. But please favor me by protecting me from the behavior of society.”

PURPORT

While Haridasa Thakura was staying under the care of Advaita Acarya, he was afraid of the behavior of society in Santipura, Navadvipa, which was full of exceedingly aristocratic brahmanas, ksatriyas and vaisyas. Haridasa Thakura was born in a Mohammedan family and was later recognized as a great Vaisnava, but nevertheless the brahmanas were very critical of him. Thus Haridasa Thakura was afraid that Advaita Acarya would be put into some difficulty because of His familiarity with Haridasa Thakura. Sri Advaita Acarya treated Haridasa Thakura as a most elevated Vaisnava, but others, like Ramacandra Khan, were envious of Haridasa Thakura. Of course, we have to follow in the footsteps of Advaita Acarya, not caring for people like Ramacandra Khan. At present, many Vaisnavas are coming to our Krsna consciousness movement from among the Europeans and Americans, and although a man like Ramacandra Khan is always envious of such Vaisnavas, one should follow in the footsteps of Sri Advaita Acarya by treating all of them as Vaisnavas. Although they are not as exalted as Haridasa Thakura, such Americans and Europeans, having accepted the principles of Vaisnava philosophy and behavior, should never be excluded from Vaisnava society.

Antya3.221

TEXT 221

acarya kahena,--"tumi na kariha bhaya

sei acariba, yei sastra-mata haya

SYNONYMS

acarya kahena—Advaita Acarya said; tumi—you; na—not; kariha—do; bhaya—fear; sei acariba—I shall behave in that way; yei—whatever; sastra-mata—sanctioned by the revealed scriptures; haya—is.

TRANSLATION

Advaita Acarya replied, "My dear Haridasa, do not be afraid. I shall behave strictly according to the principles of the revealed scriptures.

PURPORT

Srila Advaita Acarya was not afraid of the strict brahminical culture and customs of society. As stated in the sastric injunctions, which are the true medium of evidence or proof, anyone can go back to Godhead, even if born of a low family. Krsna says in Bhagavad-gita:

mam hi partha vyapasritya
ye ’pi syuh papa-yonayah
striyo vaisyas tatha sudras
te ’pi yanti param gatim

Antya3.222

TEXT 222

tumi khaile haya koti-brahmana-bhojana"

eta bali, sraddha-patra karaila bhojana

SYNONYMS

tumi khaile—if you eat; haya—there is; koti-brahmana-bhojana—feeding ten million brahmanas; eta bali—saying this; sraddha-patra—the dish offered to the forefathers; karaila bhojana—made to eat.

TRANSLATION

“Feeding you is equal to feeding ten million brahmanas,” Advaita Acarya said. “Therefore, accept this sraddha-patra.” Thus Advaita Acarya made him eat.

PURPORT

Sraddha is prasada offered to the forefathers at a certain date of the year or month. The sraddha-patra, or plate offered to the forefathers, is then offered to the best of the brahmanas in society. instead of offering the sraddha-patra to any other brahmana, Advaita Acarya offered it to Haridasa Thakura, considering him greater than any of the foremost brahmanas. This act by Sri Advaita Acarya proves that Haridasa Thakura was always situated in a transcendental position and was therefore always greater than even the most exalted brahmana, for he was situated above the mode of goodness of the material world. Referring to the Bhakti-sandarbha, verse 177, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura quotes the following statements from the Garuda Purana in this connection:

brahmananam sahasrebhyah
satra-yaji visisyate
satra-yaji-sahasrebhyah
sarva-vedanta-paragah

sarva-vedanta-vit-kotya
visnu-bhakto visisyate
vaisnavanam sahasrebhya
ekanty eko visisyate

“A brahmana qualified to offer sacrifices is better than an ordinary brahmana and better than such a brahmana is one who has studied all the Vedic scriptures. Among many such brahmanas, one who is a devotee of Lord Visnu is the best; and among many such Vaisnavas, one who fully engages in the service of the Lord is the best.”

bhaktir asta-vidha hy esa
yasmin mlecche ’pi vartate
sa viprendro muni-sresthah
sa jnani sa ca panditah
tasmai deyam tato grahyam
sa ca pujyo yatha harih

“There are many different kinds of devotees, but even a Vaisnava coming from a family of mlecchas or yavanas is understood to be a learned scholar, complete in knowledge, if he knows the Vaisnava philosophy. He should therefore be given charity, for such a Vaisnava is as worshipable as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

na me ’bhaktas catur-vedi
mad-bhaktah sva-pacah priyah
tasmai deyam tato grahyam
sa ca pujyo yatha hy aham

Lord Krsna says, “Even if a nondevotee comes from a brahmana family and is expert in studying the Vedas, he is not very dear to Me, whereas even if a sincere devotee comes from a low family of meat-eaters, he is very dear to Me. Such a sincere pure devotee should be given charity, for he is as worshipable as I.”