View source for Accepting Devotees of God Beyond Caste

The movement of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is universal, breaking down the barriers of caste, creed, and nationality. Śrīla Prabhupāda rigorously defends the principle that a devotee of the Lord is never to be judged by their material background. Whether one is born in a ''brāhmaṇa'' family or a family of dog-eaters, once they are initiated and engaged in the service of Kṛṣṇa, they are to be accepted as pure Vaiṣṇavas. To discriminate against a devotee based on their birth is a direct affront to the Lord.

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=== Transcendental Status ===
A fundamental tenet of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is that the body of a devotee is not material. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that when a person fully engages in the service of the Lord, their body becomes transcendental. Therefore, one must not view a Vaiṣṇava with a mundane vision. Citing the example of Haridāsa Ṭhākura, who was born in a Muslim family but accepted as the ''nāmācārya'' by Lord Caitanya, Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that seeing a devotee in terms of caste or race leads to a hellish destination.

* [[Vaniquotes:The body of a devotee who tries his best to work very hard for the satisfaction of Krsna by fully engaging in the Lord's service must be accepted as transcendental|The body of a devotee who tries his best to work very hard for the satisfaction of Krsna by fully engaging in the Lord's service must be accepted as transcendental.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Although Srila Haridasa Thakura was born in a Muslim family, he was accepted as a properly initiated brahmana|Although Srila Haridasa Thakura was born in a Muslim family, he was accepted as a properly initiated brahmana.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One should accept a Vaisnava as transcendental. In this way one can be saved; otherwise, one is surely awaiting a hellish life|One should accept a Vaisnava as transcendental. In this way one can be saved; otherwise, one is surely awaiting a hellish life.]]

=== Universal Acceptance ===
Śrīla Prabhupāda faced criticism from caste ''brāhmaṇas'' in India for initiating Westerners. However, he counters this by establishing that anyone who follows the principles of Vaiṣṇava behavior is a ''brāhmaṇa''. The followers of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are duty-bound to accept devotees from all parts of the world, recognizing their spiritual elevation rather than their ethnic origin. To deny this is to be envious and foolish.

* [[Vaniquotes:The European and American devotees in the Krsna consciousness movement are sometimes accepted as brahmanas, but the so-called caste brahmanas are very much envious of them|The European and American devotees in the Krsna consciousness movement are sometimes accepted as brahmanas, but the so-called caste brahmanas are very much envious of them.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Following in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Advaita Acarya, we can accept a devotee from any part of the world and recognize him as a brahmana as soon as he is qualified due to following the principles of Vaisnava behavior|Following in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Advaita Acarya, we can accept a devotee from any part of the world and recognize him as a brahmana as soon as he is qualified due to following the principles of Vaisnava behavior.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Those who are actually devotees and followers of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu must accept devotees from all parts of the world as pure Vaisnavas. They should be accepted not artificially but factually|Those who are actually devotees and followers of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu must accept devotees from all parts of the world as pure Vaisnavas. They should be accepted not artificially but factually.]]

=== Necessity of Shelter ===
Accepting a devotee is not just a matter of social etiquette; it is a spiritual necessity. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that one cannot overcome the struggle for existence without the help of a pure devotee. By accepting the guidance of a realized soul, one receives the secret to success. Kṛṣṇa Himself is more pleased when His devotee is accepted and served than when He is worshiped directly.

* [[Vaniquotes:No one can get out of this struggle for existence, which is full of miseries, without accepting a pure devotee of the Lord|No one can get out of this struggle for existence, which is full of miseries, without accepting a pure devotee of the Lord.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:You have to take shelter of a person who is a devotee of Krsna, and you have to serve. That means you have to accept a devotee, a true devotee, a pure devotee, as your guide. That is our process|You have to take shelter of a person who is a devotee of Krsna, and you have to serve. That means you have to accept a devotee, a true devotee, a pure devotee, as your guide. That is our process.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One must accept the pure devotee, the representative of God, as one's guru and then offer him all the respects one would offer the Supreme Personality of God. This is the secret of success. For one who adopts this method, the perfect process is revealed|One must accept the pure devotee, the representative of God, as one's guru and then offer him all the respects one would offer the Supreme Personality of God. This is the secret of success. For one who adopts this method, the perfect process is revealed.]]

=== Conclusion ===
The vision of a pure devotee is equal because they see the soul, not the body. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches us to adopt this same vision, accepting those who have surrendered to Kṛṣṇa as His intimate associates. By discarding the prejudice of caste and accepting the association of the Lord's servants, we open the door to our own deliverance.

=== 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:Accepting Devotees of God|Accepting Devotees of God]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])
[[Category:Vanipedia Gemini - Articles]]
[[Category:Vanipedia Articles - Devotees of God]]
[[Category:Vanipedia Articles - Humility, Tolerance, and Vaiṣṇava Etiquette]] 
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