Below we have two separate quotes from Jaiva Dharma(Bhaktivinode Thakur) which should prove to everybody the folly of “bad association”. There is a common saying-“the road to hell is paved with good intentions” and it also applies to us devotees who are in ignorance of all the very subtle aspects of this great Vaisnava philosophy.
Srila Prabhupada has often spoken of spiritual life as like a “razors edge” or as the line of demarcation on a floor where light and shadow(darkness) meet. How fine is that point? Very fine. Verily this application of our energy towards pleasing the Supreme Lord is not meant for “the less intelligent” as we have to become thoroughly familiar with all her subtle aspects.
A personal experience--I had on one occasion (about 20 years ago) to take part in some Hari nama sankirtan led by one iskcon “guru-sannyasi”, and afterwards I felt completely unfocused/bewildered in my mind, or spaced out I think is the term we used to us for that. I had never felt like that after any kirtans I led or attended. I only could conclude that it was due to “the momentary association” I had then with these iskcon devotees who all were following this bogus guru/kali-cela.
So this experience was confirmed to me by the Acaryas words and warnings of advice that if we want to develop actual God or Krsna Consciousness, we better well be very careful of whom we associate with. It is not that all who dress in dhoti and sari are devotees, otherwise why does Bhaktivinode call them Kali chelas?
Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, Kali-cela. He indicates that there are other Vaishnavas, pseudo-Vaishnavas, with tilaka on their nose and kunti beads around their neck. Such a pseudo-Vaishnava associates with money and women and is jealous of successful Vaishnavas. Although passing for a Vaishnava, his only business is earning money in the dress of a Vaishnava”. (CC.Madhy.,Ch.1, Text 218 / 220, purport)
Hare Krsna
damaghosa das
One must taste the nectar of devotion by reason, argument and knowledge, and then he must pass it on to others. One should not think that Krishna consciousness is mere sentimentality. The dancing and singing are all scientific. There is science, and there is also loving reciprocation. – On the Way to Krishna 4: The Roads of the Foolish and the Wise
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1.) An envious person is generally very self opinionated-hence if he hears praises or explanations about the science of pure bhakti he will immediately start an unnecessary argument, which will be of use to neither you nor to him.Instead of such barren debates, one should simple restrain ones dealings to a social level with such persons.
If someone whimsically proposes to include the envious persons into the ranks of the balisa,(innocent or ignorant) so that compassionate association may be practiced upon them, then such a person should first understand that this course of action would be very detrimental to his own spiritual progress. It is essential for the madhyama to act according to these 4 guidelines as any slackness in this regard will culminate in malpractice, increased lethargy and apathy towards executing spiritual discipline. In the end the deviation will become too overwhelming.
Thus in accordance with scriptural injunctions the prime duties of a madhyama vaisnava are to cultivate love for the Lord, friendship with pure devotees, compassion for the innocent and aloofness from the envious.
2.) Jaiva Dharma by Bhaktivinode Thakur—Nitya Dharma part 12—Elucidation of namapardaha
pg 384 of book translation by Sarvabhavana das
(This book has many conversations and debates between Vaisnavas and all other types of religious and spiritual people, and what follows is one of them.)
This is a conversation between two great souls the disciple is Vijaya and his guru is Raghunatha das babaji…..
“Vijaya-Gurudeva I now undersand that the mayavadis karmis jnanis and yogis in general are all namapradhis. Should a suddha bhakta participate in Harinama sankirtan with them?”
Raghjunatha- das babaji- “Vaisnavas are advised not to join an assembly of chanters that comprises a majority of namaparadhis, and also if the lead singer is a namaparadhi. Howeve in a kirtan group consisting mainly of suddha bhaktas and bhaktas upon the platform of namabhasa there is all good reason to participate. And such participation will bring great satisfaction and spiritual bliss.”