The Qualities of Great Saints
The presence of great saints and pure devotees of God is the most purifying force within the material world. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently explains that these exalted personalities are defined not by material mystic powers or physical appearances, but by their unwavering tolerance, complete freedom from material desires, and constant engagement in the transcendental loving service of the Supreme Lord. By seeking their association and following in their footsteps, as directed in scriptures like Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.47.61, anyone can immediately make considerable advancement in spiritual life and break free from the illusion of māyā.
Teachings Overview
Great saints and devotees of the Lord carry the supreme purifying potency, sanctifying even the holy places by their very presence. Their association, known as sādhu-saṅga, is the essential catalyst for all spiritual advancement, requiring one to hear from them submissively and follow their exemplary footsteps.
Key Teachings
- A true saint is defined by ultimate tolerance and freedom from material desires.
- The association of great devotees immediately advances one in spiritual life.
- Holy places are purified by the presence of exalted saintly personalities.
- Authentic spiritual progress relies on following the path established by these great souls.
The Defining Qualities of a Saint
Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that a bona fide saint is not recognized by artificial displays or external dress, but by an absolute dedication to the Supreme Lord and unparalleled tolerance toward all material dualities.
Defining Characteristics
"Who is a saint? A saint is called who is very tolerant, tolerant - tolerant to the utmost. You have got very good example of Lord Jesus Christ, a great saint or sadhu also. He was, of course, more than sadhu."
"Pure devotees or great saintly persons who desire to achieve the highest goal in life and who are completely free from all material desires for sense gratification engage constantly in the transcendental service of Your lotus feet."
"The science of satisfying the Supreme Lord can be learned as described here (in SB 7.14.2): saksad upasita maha-munin. The word maha-munin refers to great saintly persons or devotees."
The Power of Hearing and Association
To truly benefit from the presence of great saintly persons, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes the absolute necessity of submissive hearing and genuine association, which is the foundational principle of bhakti-yoga.
Submissive Hearing and Association
"My Guru Maharaja used to say that, "Do not try to see a saintly person. You try to hear a saintly person." If you see a long beard and very strong man, "He is a great sadhu. Oh. That's it." No."
Śrīla Prabhupāda warns against superficial spiritual judgment.
"The association of a great saintly person (sadhu-sanga) is very important, because even if one is not advanced in knowledge, simply by association with a great saintly person one can immediately make considerable advancement in spiritual life."
Purifying the Holy Places
While ordinary people visit places of pilgrimage to cleanse themselves of sinful reactions, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that it is actually the exalted devotees who maintain and restore the purity of these sacred locations.
The Sanctification of Pilgrimage Sites
"It is said, tirthi-kurvanti tirthani. A tirtha, or holy place, is a place where great saintly personalities visit or reside. Although the holy places were already places of pilgrimage, they were all purified by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s visit."
"The presence of the great saints disinfects the accumulated sins, and thus the holy places continue to remain sanctified by the grace of the devotees and saints present there."
Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates the spiritual disinfection process.
Following in Their Footsteps
Rather than attempting to invent new religious systems or philosophies, Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs that sincere seekers must rigorously follow the authorized path established by great saints and previous ācāryas.
Accepting the Authorized Path
"One should accept a bona fide spiritual master, and from the bona fide spiritual master inquire about one's transcendental occupational duties (sad-dharma-prccha) and follow in the footsteps of great saintly persons, devotees."
Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs on finding proper spiritual guidance.
"The rules and regulations as described in the sastra-being above these defects (imperfect senses, the propensity for cheating, certainty of committing mistakes, etc.) are accepted without alteration by all great saints, acaryas, and great souls."
Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights the perfection of scriptural rules.
"You hear different types of philosophy from different sources. Na casav munir yasya matam na bhinnam. One cannot be accepted as a great saintly person unless he puts forward his own theory. Therefore, mahajano yena gatah sa panthah."
Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies the reliable path of spiritual authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can one overcome material engagements?
Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs that material attachments only cease when one constantly engages the mind in Kṛṣṇa, following the example of exalted devotees.
Why do saintly persons establish Deity worship?
Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that exalted devotees establish Deity worship to protect and spiritually elevate those who are less advanced.
Why is material opulence considered dangerous for spiritual life?
Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that excessive material wealth often leads to arrogance and the dangerous tendency to commit offenses against exalted devotees.
How long should one engage in the service of the Lord?
Śrīla Prabhupāda affirms that devotional service must continue as long as the physical body functions, emphasizing the urgency of our limited time.
Conclusion
The wisdom contained in this category underscores the unparalleled value of great saints and devotees in human society. Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently reminds us that their association, instructions, and very presence offer the surest path out of material entanglement. By submissively hearing from them and walking in their footsteps, any sincere soul can attain the supreme destination of loving service to the Lord.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
This article is a focused summary of teachings found in the Vaniquotes category Great Saints - Devotees of God. We invite readers to study the full compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings in their direct, verbatim form.