Fool’s Paradise

Introduction

Excerpts from a lecture by Çréla Gour Govinda Mahäräja Çrémad-Bhägavatam 9.15.39-40 Bhubaneswar, 26 December, 1994.

“...All the great virtues manifest in a Vaiñëava’s body, for it is said that all of Kåñëa’s virtues are transferred to His devotee. These transcendental qualities are the characteristics of pure Vaiñëavas, and though they cannot be described fully, I shall try to give some indication of them. Devotees are compassionate; they never deliberately create enmity; they are truthful in words and deeds and without prejudice; they are blameless, magnanimous, mild, clean, and uninterested in material possessions or ambition. Engaged in welfare work for everyone, they are peaceful; they have taken complete shelter of Kåñëa and are not influenced by lust. They are harmless, steady, and have overcome the six cardinal sins – lust, anger, greed, envy, illusion and jealousy. They eat only as much as required, and are not inebriated. Devotees are respectful and without false prestige; they are grave, compassionate, friendly, poetic, expert and silent...”

A Pure Devotee Has All Good Qualities

yasyästi bhaktir bhagavaty akiïcanä sarvair guëais tatra samäsate suräù