View source for Overcoming the Desire for False Material Praise

In the material world, the dynamic of offering and accepting adoration is heavily polluted by ignorance and false ego. By carefully studying the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda, one learns that true spiritual advancement requires complete detachment from worldly accolades. A genuine Vaiṣṇava remains undisturbed by both honor and dishonor, reserving all glorification for the Supreme Lord and His dedicated servants.

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=== The Animalistic Nature of Material Praise ===
Mundane society constantly creates heroes out of politicians, businessmen, and scholars who are devoid of spiritual knowledge. Evaluating this phenomenon, Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently compares such material leaders to large beasts who are simply being glorified by smaller animals. From the transcendental perspective of ''bhakti'', any person disconnected from the Supreme Lord is acting on the platform of a ''paśu'', or an animal, making their mutual praise entirely meaningless.

* [[Vaniquotes:A person who has no connection with Krsna consciousness may be a very great personality in so-called human society, but actually he is no better than a great animal. Such big animals are generally praised by other animals like dogs, hogs camels and asses|A person who has no connection with Krsna consciousness may be a very great personality in so-called human society, but actually he is no better than a great animal. Such big animals are generally praised by other animals like dogs, hogs camels and asses.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:According to Bhagavata direction, these Nobel Prize winners are exactly like dogs, camels, hogs - sva-vid-varaha-ustra - and asses. And they are praised by similar animals. That's all|According to Bhagavata direction, these Nobel Prize winners are exactly like dogs, camels, hogs - sva-vid-varaha-ustra - and asses. And they are praised by similar animals. That's all.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Anyone who is not a devotee, Krsna conscious devotee of God, then he may be in a exalted post, but he is praised by some people who are exactly like sva. Sva means dog|Anyone who is not a devotee, Krsna conscious devotee of God, then he may be in a exalted post, but he is praised by some people who are exactly like sva. Sva means dog.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The so-called modern leader, he is a pasu, animal. And who exalts them? Sva-vid-varahostra-kharah: other lower animals like dogs, the hogs, sva-vid-varaha, camel and ass. So one big animal is being praised by these kinds of animals|The so-called modern leader, he is a pasu, animal. And who exalts them? Sva-vid-varahostra-kharah: other lower animals like dogs, the hogs, sva-vid-varaha, camel and ass. So one big animal is being praised by these kinds of animals.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The conditioned souls' greatness is like that of a young husband and wife who, though uneducated, praise one another and become attracted to their own temporary beauty. This kind of greatness is appreciated only by low-class men with no qualifications|The conditioned souls' greatness is like that of a young husband and wife who, though uneducated, praise one another and become attracted to their own temporary beauty. This kind of greatness is appreciated only by low-class men with no qualifications.]]

=== The Danger of Accepting Unearned Adoration ===
Conditioned souls harbor a deep-seated desire to be worshiped and praised, even when they lack genuine qualifications. Accepting such false prestige is highly dangerous, and Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that it serves only to inflate one's material pride and ensure future falldowns. A wise individual understands that allowing followers to offer unearned praise is not a blessing, but rather a profound insult to one's actual spiritual standing.

* [[Vaniquotes:A responsible personality like Brahmaji refuses to be addressed as the Supreme Lord by his disciples or subordinates, but foolish persons praised by men of the nature of dogs, hogs, camels and asses feel flattered to be addressed as the Supreme Lord|A responsible personality like Brahmaji refuses to be addressed as the Supreme Lord by his disciples or subordinates, but foolish persons praised by men of the nature of dogs, hogs, camels and asses feel flattered to be addressed as the Supreme Lord.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Although Prthu Maharaja was factually an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he rejected those praises because the qualities of the Supreme Person were not yet manifest in him|Although Prthu Maharaja was factually an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he rejected those praises because the qualities of the Supreme Person were not yet manifest in him.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:How could an intelligent man competent enough to possess such exalted qualities allow his followers to praise him if he did not actually have them?|How could an intelligent man competent enough to possess such exalted qualities allow his followers to praise him if he did not actually have them?]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If a man who does not factually possess the attributes of a great personality engages his followers in praising him with the expectation that such attributes will develop in the future, that sort of praise is actually an insult|If a man who does not factually possess the attributes of a great personality engages his followers in praising him with the expectation that such attributes will develop in the future, that sort of praise is actually an insult.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Praising a man by saying that if he were educated he might have become a great scholar or great personality is nothing but a process of cheating. A foolish person who agrees to accept such praise does not know that such words simply insult him|Praising a man by saying that if he were educated he might have become a great scholar or great personality is nothing but a process of cheating. A foolish person who agrees to accept such praise does not know that such words simply insult him.]]

=== Maintaining Equanimity Amidst Honor and Dishonor ===
The dualities of the material world relentlessly manifest as waves of public adoration and sudden condemnation. In order to remain steady on the path of liberation, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a devotee must become completely indifferent to these external judgments. By staying firmly fixed in transcendental consciousness, the practitioner avoids the trap of the false ego and accepts both praise and blame as insignificant temporary illusions.

* [[Vaniquotes:Because he (the conditioned soul) has this wrong conception of life, he is subjected to dualities like praise and chastisement|Because he (the conditioned soul) has this wrong conception of life, he is subjected to dualities like praise and chastisement.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He (pure devotee) is not interested in the praise or condemnation of people engaged in material activities|He (pure devotee) is not interested in the praise or condemnation of people engaged in material activities.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He who is wise and holds praise and blame to be the same; who is unchanged in honor and dishonor, who treats friend and foe alike, who has abandoned all fruitive undertakings-such a man is said to have transcended the modes of nature. BG 14.22-25 - 1972|He who is wise and holds praise and blame to be the same; who is unchanged in honor and dishonor, who treats friend and foe alike, who has abandoned all fruitive undertakings-such a man is said to have transcended the modes of nature.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In the material world, one who is unaffected by whatever good or evil he may obtain, neither praising it nor despising it, is firmly fixed in perfect knowledge|In the material world, one who is unaffected by whatever good or evil he may obtain, neither praising it nor despising it, is firmly fixed in perfect knowledge.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The pure devotee, however, is always callous to praise or condemnation by ordinary people. Actually, the devotee's activities are on the transcendental plane|The pure devotee, however, is always callous to praise or condemnation by ordinary people. Actually, the devotee's activities are on the transcendental plane.]]

=== The Vaiṣṇava Standard of Avoiding Self-Aggrandizement ===
In the community of pure devotees, self-promotion and seeking personal glory are strictly prohibited. The standard taught by Śrīla Prabhupāda dictates that a sincere servant should always be eager to highlight the wonderful service rendered by others. Cultivating this humble Vaiṣṇava mentality protects the devotee from committing offenses, particularly the grave mistake of praising oneself before the Deity of the Lord.

* [[Vaniquotes:Everyone should be friendly for the service of the Lord. Everyone should praise another's service to the Lord and not be proud of his own service. This is the way of Vaisnava thinking, Vaikuntha thinking|Everyone should be friendly for the service of the Lord. Everyone should praise another's service to the Lord and not be proud of his own service. This is the way of Vaisnava thinking, Vaikuntha thinking.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Generally we don't praise or eulogize somebody or criticize somebody. That is not our business. Our business is Krsna consciousness, God consciousness, always thinking that we are eternal servant of Krsna|Generally we don't praise or eulogize somebody or criticize somebody. That is not our business. Our business is Krsna consciousness, God consciousness, always thinking that we are eternal servant of Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The offenses in Deity worship are: (ee) to praise oneself before the Deity, and (ff) to blaspheme the demigods. In the worship of the Deity, these thirty-two offenses should be avoided|The offenses in Deity worship are: (ee) to praise oneself before the Deity, and (ff) to blaspheme the demigods. In the worship of the Deity, these thirty-two offenses should be avoided.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One should not be proud to hear himself praised before the Deity. (29) One should not blaspheme the demigods. (30) One should not be unkind to others before the Deities|One should not be proud to hear himself praised before the Deity. (29) One should not blaspheme the demigods. (30) One should not be unkind to others before the Deities.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One should not cover himself with a blanket. (17) One should not talk enviously of others before the Deity. (18) One should not praise others before the Deity. (19) One should not use slang before the Deity|One should not cover himself with a blanket. (17) One should not talk enviously of others before the Deity. (18) One should not praise others before the Deity. (19) One should not use slang before the Deity.]]

=== Directing All Glorification Toward the Supreme Lord ===
Every beautiful, powerful, and magnificent manifestation in the universe originates directly from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, as Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly instructed, the only worthy recipient of our ultimate praise is the supreme creator Himself. Rather than marveling at the temporary mechanical arrangements of material nature, the enlightened soul dedicates all their words to singing the glories of Kṛṣṇa.

* [[Vaniquotes:One has to glorify the Supreme Lord, praising His holy name, His eternal form, His transcendental qualities and His uncommon pastimes|One has to glorify the Supreme Lord, praising His holy name, His eternal form, His transcendental qualities and His uncommon pastimes.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One should not be amazed by the mechanical arrangement of the complicated engine or dynamo, but one should praise the engineer who creates such a wonderful working machine. That is the difference between the devotee and the nondevotee|One should not be amazed by the mechanical arrangement of the complicated engine or dynamo, but one should praise the engineer who creates such a wonderful working machine. That is the difference between the devotee and the nondevotee.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:When all the Prajapatis were ordered to create by Lord Brahma, we chanted these prayers in praise of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and became completely free from all ignorance. Thus we were able to create different types of living entities|When all the Prajapatis were ordered to create by Lord Brahma, we chanted these prayers in praise of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and became completely free from all ignorance. Thus we were able to create different types of living entities.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The demigods from heaven showered flowers on Lord Narayana, praising Him with shouts of 'All glories!' and 'All thanksgiving!' and they offered their obeisances to the Lord|The demigods from heaven showered flowers on Lord Narayana, praising Him with shouts of 'All glories!' and 'All thanksgiving!' and they offered their obeisances to the Lord.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Especially in this age, the mind becomes disturbed, and due to so much agitation, the process of seeing the Lord within the mind is interrupted. When there is sound vibrated praising the transcendental pastimes of the Lord, however, one is forced to hear|Especially in this age, the mind becomes disturbed, and due to so much agitation, the process of seeing the Lord within the mind is interrupted. When there is sound vibrated praising the transcendental pastimes of the Lord, however, one is forced to hear.]]

=== The Spiritual Value of Praising Devotees ===
While material praise is condemned, glorifying those who have surrendered their lives to the Lord is highly auspicious. Observing the pastimes of the Lord, Śrīla Prabhupāda describes how demigods, sages, and pure devotees naturally celebrate the spiritual success and fortune of other Vaiṣṇavas. This culture of genuine appreciation encourages spiritual growth and spreads transcendental joy throughout the community.

* [[Vaniquotes:Actually, all these boys were demigods descended from higher planets to assist Krsna in His pastimes. The demigods garbed in the dress of the cowherd boys were encouraging Krsna in His dancing, just as one artist encourages another with praise|Actually, all these boys were demigods descended from higher planets to assist Krsna in His pastimes. The demigods garbed in the dress of the cowherd boys were encouraging Krsna in His dancing, just as one artist encourages another with praise.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Durvasa Muni, the greatly powerful mystic, was indeed satisfied when freed from the fire of the Sudarsana cakra. Thus he praised the qualities of Maharaja Ambarisa and offered him the highest benedictions|Durvasa Muni, the greatly powerful mystic, was indeed satisfied when freed from the fire of the Sudarsana cakra. Thus he praised the qualities of Maharaja Ambarisa and offered him the highest benedictions.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, when everyone was thus praising Dhruva Maharaja, the King was very happy & he had Dhruva and his brother seated on the back of a she-elephant. Thus he returned to his capital, where he was praised by all classes of men|Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, when everyone was thus praising Dhruva Maharaja, the King was very happy and he had Dhruva and his brother seated on the back of a she-elephant. Thus he returned to his capital, where he was praised by all classes of men.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The boy began to cry and dance, and he chanted, "Krsna! Krsna!" Upon seeing his bodily symptoms and his chanting and dancing, all the devotees praised him for his great spiritual fortune|The boy began to cry and dance, and he chanted, "Krsna! Krsna!" Upon seeing his bodily symptoms and his chanting and dancing, all the devotees praised him for his great spiritual fortune.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Seeing the Lord's special mercy upon King Prataparudra, the devotees praised the King's good fortune, and their minds became open and blissful|Seeing the Lord's special mercy upon King Prataparudra, the devotees praised the King's good fortune, and their minds became open and blissful.]]

=== Praising the Spiritual Master and Pure Activities ===
The bona fide spiritual master acts as the direct representative of the Lord, carrying the message of liberation to the fallen souls. For this reason, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the ''guru'' must be honored and praised as much as the Supreme Lord. By chanting the holy name and glorifying the pure activities of the disciplic succession, the devotee rapidly cuts the knots of material attachment and achieves the perfection of life.

* [[Vaniquotes:In his verses praising the spiritual master, Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura writes: "The spiritual master is honored as much as the Supreme Lord because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord|In his verses praising the spiritual master, Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura writes: "The spiritual master is honored as much as the Supreme Lord because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord."]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The actions of devotees who have surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord and who constantly chant the holy name of the Lord are praised by the demigods and the residents of Siddhaloka|The actions of devotees who have surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord and who constantly chant the holy name of the Lord are praised by the demigods and the residents of Siddhaloka.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Brahma had come to praise Priyavrata for his high standard of renunciation, austerity, penance and devotion so that he would not be deviated from devotional service, even though he would accept household life|Brahma had come to praise Priyavrata for his high standard of renunciation, austerity, penance and devotion so that he would not be deviated from devotional service, even though he would accept household life.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Brahma praises Kardama because he carried out the orders of the spiritual master in toto and without cheating|Brahma praises Kardama because he carried out the orders of the spiritual master in toto and without cheating.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Sanatana Gosvami has praised the chanting of the holy name as follows in his Brhad-bhagavatamrta (1.1.9): all glories to the all-blissful holy name of Sri Krsna, which causes the devotee to give up all conventional religious duties, meditation & worship|Sanatana Gosvami has praised the chanting of the holy name as follows in his Brhad-bhagavatamrta (1.1.9): all glories to the all-blissful holy name of Sri Krsna, which causes the devotee to give up all conventional religious duties, meditation and worship.]]

=== Conclusion ===
The quest for worldly adoration is a major stumbling block for anyone attempting to cross the ocean of material existence. Through the profound instructions of Śrīla Prabhupāda, it is evident that true glory belongs solely to the Supreme Lord and His pure devotees. By abandoning the cheap praise of materialistic society and adopting the humble disposition of a Vaiṣṇava, a sincere soul quickly attains eternal peace and spiritual perfection.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Praise|Praise]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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