Brahmana and Vaisnava

 Brahmana and Vaisnava, by Haripada dasa

Srila Prabhupada always said that you have to be conscious first and then Krishna conscious. A conscientious person is one who lives in the mode of goodness, for a person to live in the mode of goodness they have to live a life without sins and strictly follow the 4 regulative principles: 1- Do not eat meat, fish or eggs , 2- No gambling, 3- No illicit sex, only sex with your own wife to procreate and 4- No intoxication, no tea, no coffee, no tobacco and no alcohol. By chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra one will have spiritual strength to follow these four rules and regulations, the first thing Srila Prabhupada did is to give the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, and by chanting it one obtains the necessary strength and purification to be able to lead a life sinless and follow the 4 rules and regulations above. When Srila Prabhupada performed the first initiations in New York, then he put a piece of paper written in his own handwriting in the temple, on the paper it was said that all initiates must follow these 4 rules and regulations, and the devotees asked Srila Prabhupada what is there to follow those 4 rules and regulations? and Srila Prabhupada very happily replied that it is good that they have asked me, yes, those 4 rules and regulations must be followed.

In the Bhagavatam, 7, 11, 14 the 6 brahminical activities are said, by practicing them one becomes a brahmana: 1- Study the Sacred Scriptures or sastras, 2- Teach the sastras to others, 3- Worship the Deities, 4 - Teach others to worship the Deities, 5- Receive charity, and 6- Give charity.

In the verses of Srimad Bhagavatam, first canto, chapter 2, verses 17 to 21, the entire process of Krishna consciousness is explained in a scientific way. By serving Srila Prabhupada with faith, love, attachment and gratitude one acquires the 26 qualities of a Vaisnava: 1) He is always kind to everyone, 2) He does not seek quarrels, 3) His interest lies in the essence of life , which is spiritual, 4) He is equal to everyone, 5) No one can find fault with him, 6) His mind is magnanimous, 7) His mind is always pure, 8) His mind is always sharp, 9) His mind He is always devoid of material obsessions, 10) He is a benefactor to all living entities, 11) He is peaceful, 12) He is always surrendered to Krishna, 13) He has no material desires, 14) He is very humble, 15) He is always fixed on his purpose, 16) He has triumphed over the six material qualities such as lust and anger, 17) He does not eat more than he needs, 18) He is always prudent, 19) He is always respectful to others, 20) He does not demand respect for himself, 21) He is serious, 22) He is merciful, 23) He is friendly, 24) He is poetic, 25) He is expert and 26) He is silent. (The teachings of Lord Chaitanya, chapter XII, The Devotee).