We Are Meant to Praise

“Persons who hear from a spiritual master with great labor and for a long time must hear from the mouths of pure devotees about the character and activities of pure devotees.  Pure devotees always think within their hearts of the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead, who awards His devotees liberation.” – Bhag. 3.13.4

In his Bhaktivedanta Purport, Srila Prabhupada writes, “Such pure devotees of the Lord are as glorious as the Lord; they are, in fact, recommended by the Lord as more worshipable than He Himself.  Worship of the devotee is more potent than worship of the Lord.

However, Prabhupada writes, “It is therefore the duty of the transcendental students to hear of pure devotees, as explained by similar devotees of the Lord, because one cannot explain about the Lord or His devotee unless one happens to be a pure devotee himself.”

Does this mean we should not remember and glorify Srila Prabhupada until we become pure devotees?  I don’t think this is the intended meaning.  But I should recognize that my own appreciation of Srila Prabhupada is very limited.  Only a pure devotee can fully understand the nature of pure Vaisnavas, but if we follow the principles of prayer and glorification as given by the great acaryas, then we too can raise our tiny voices in praise of our spiritual master.  This affirmation was expressed by the “professional reciters” who were praising King Prhtu:

“Although we are unable to glorify you adequately, we nonetheless have a transcendental taste to glorify your activities.  We shall try to glorify you according to the instructions received from authoritative sages and scholars.  Whatever we speak, however, is always inadequate and very insignificant.” – Bhag. 4.16.3 

Discussion of the activities of mahatmas will help us to become better devotees.  When a young disciple of Srila Prabhupada’s sent him an original poem, “Eight Verses in Praise of My Spiritual Master,” Prabhupada replied that it was “very nice and thoughtful.”  He encouraged his disciple to continue praising the Vaisnavas:

“May Krishna bless you to improve more and more in writing the glories of our previous acaryas and the Lord.  Be engaged in glorifying the парампары system and your life will be glorified automatically thousands of times.”  – Letter August 14, 1971 

The Supreme Lord and His liberated associates are beyond the estimation of even other great souls such as Lord Brahma and Lord Siva.  But it is our duty to pray, although we are inadequate, in order to purify ourselves.  Prabhupada writes, “As stated by Prahlad Maharaj, everyone should glorify the Lord according to his own ability.  If we are sincere and serious devotees, the Lord will give us the intelligence to offer prayers properly.”  (Bhag. 4.16.2 Purport)

In teaching Sanatana Goswami the regulations of devotional service, Lord Caitanya also advised that when a disciple comes before the spiritual master, he should speak appropriate praises.  So there’s no question of “waiting until you become a pure devotee.”  We are meant to praise, to give thanks, to repeat the teachings of Prabhupada and to please the devotees by remembrances of His Divine Grace.