Text Seven 65

When one thus criticizes a pure devotee, he commits an
offense (vaisnava-aparddha) that is very obstructive and
dangerous for those who desire to advance in Krsna con-
sciousness. A person cannot derive any spiritual benefit
when he offends the lotus feet of a Vaisnava. Everyone
should therefore be very careful not to be jealous of an em-
powered Vaisnava, or a Suddha-vaisnava. It is also an
offense to consider an empowered Vaisnava an object of dis-
ciplinary action. It is offensive to try to give him advice or to
correct him. One can distinguish between a neophyte
Vaisnava and an advanced Vaisnava by their activities. The
advanced Vaisnava is always situated as the spiritual master,
and the neophyte is always considered his disciple. The
_ Spiritual master must not be subjected to the advice of a dis-
| ciple, nor should a spiritual master be obliged to take in-
structions from those who are not his disciples. This is the
sum and substance of Srila Ripa Gosvami’s advice in the
sixth verse.

TEXT SEVEN

waraMarraartearaaat-
ratraaaaes a Ua FI
frearuaad ay aa gar
GUA HATTA ARTISTS I 9

syat krsna-nama-caritadi-sitapy avidya-
pittopatapta-rasanasya na rociké nu

