Are All Vaishnavas Above Criticism?
BY: GEORGE A. SMITH
Nov 04, CALIFORNIA, USA (SUN) — If I say that a Vaisnava is “asslike” or that he is behaving like a dancing dog for the entertainment of beautiful women, does that doom me?
Not unless the answer to the first question asked, has been answered in the affirmative by the authorities of our tradition. If being a Vaisnava immediately elevated one above all criticism I might indeed be worried, especially in light of Parts 1 through 6 of my series, "What I Think of Narayana Maharaja", and the soon to be released Part 7.
Surprisingly, however, the answer to my question as to whether being a Vaishnava automatically elevates one beyond all criticism is “No”, and the person who has provided that answer is someone whom you all, ISKCON, Narayana Maharaja, Gaudiya Math, even the Rtviks accept at being a spiritual authority beyond challenge: his name is Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur.
How do I know that Bhaktivinoda Thakur condones the criticism of even Vaisnavas? Because he tells us who the Vaishnavas are and then goes on to criticize them.
In his book Sri Krsna-samhita, Bhaktivinoda Thakur lists different types of Vaishnavas, some of which we are not used to thinking of as being Vaishnavas at all. Such as those who are materialists. Even though he includes them as Vaisnavas, he goes on to criticize them, referring to them as being 'asslike Vaishnavas'.
Up to the stage of uttama adhikari, none are above criticism. Below that, many of them are in Maya, all the time, and even worship it! They are Vaisnavas but are also described as materialists, asslike Vaishnavas.
While reading, I noticed that although the list of Vaishnavas was very broad and inclusive, there were some types of people that just didn’t make the list: pedophiles and murderers, for instance. Drunken madmen and crazed druggies were also noticeably absent. I also did not see where the despoilers of ones guru’s mission were included among Vaishnavas.
While reading, I observed the one thing that was a constant, that distinguished all the various types of people that Srila Bhaktivinoda was referring to as being Vaisnavas was that they all were seeking for the truth, and it was this that compelled and propelled them higher and higher until they finally arrived at that point where they were beyond criticism. Seeking for the truth, not trying to hide it, seemed to be the single constant and characteristic of a Vaishnava -- not threatening those who had found it that if they try to reveal it, they will be cast into prison, thrown down to Hell, what to mention being demonized and name called.
On my own account I take no offence at being called a dog, for a dog is famed the world over for it’s unconditional love and unwavering devotion to its master.
My master is so humble, he does not take offence, even if you keep him a virtual prisoner in a room that would make even a healthy cow sick, even if you murder him, poison him to death. But when you rob and rape his children and then drive them out of his house, the house they built for him, to perish in the wilderness, and threaten them that if they speak the truth you will prosecute them or have Krsna cast them into Hell, or put a bullet through their heads if all else fails to silence them. At this my master takes offence.
I am only a dog and dogs do not see very well, but we have keen hearing. I hear my master's voice from beyond the grave. “Speak!” “Speak the truth. Wake them!”
Poor fools, they think my master dead, they think they are a caravan, and that the truth is but a petty annoyance that has no power to stop them.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Haribol
