Text 74) The Lord’s Attempt to Go to Vrndavana 197

yanhara darsane mukhe dise krsna-nama
tanhdre janiha tumi ‘vaisnava-pradhana’

SYNONYMS

yanhara darsane—by the sight of whom; mukhe—in the mouth; aise —auto-
matically awakens; krsna-nama—the holy name of Krsna; tanhare—him; janiha—
must know; tumi—you; vaisnava-pradhana—the first-class Vaisnava.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, ‘A first-class Vaisnava is he whose very
presence makes others chant the holy name of Krsna.”

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that if an observer immediately
remembers the holy name of Krsna upon seeing a Vaisnava, that Vaisnava should
be considered a maha-bhagavata, a first-class devotee. Such a Vaisnava is always
aware of his Krsna conscious duty, and he is enlightened in self-realization. He is
always in love with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, and this love is
without adulteration. Because of this love, he is always awake to transcendental
realization. Because he knows that Krsna consciousness is the basis of knowledge
and action, he sees everything connected with Krsna. Such a person is able to
chant the holy name of Krsna perfectly. Such a mahd-bhdagavata Vaisnava has the
transcendental eyes to see who is sleeping under the spell of maya, and he
engages himself in awakening sleeping conditioned beings by spreading the
knowledge of Krsna consciousness. He opens eyes that are closed by forgetful-
ness of Krsna. Thus the living entity is liberated from the dullness of material en-
ergy and is engaged fully in the service of the Lord. The madhyama-adhikari
Vaisnava can awaken others to Krsna consciousness and engage them in duties
whereby they can advance. It is therefore said in Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya-
lila, Chapter Six, verse 279):

lohake yavat sparsi’ hema nahi kare
tavat sparsa-mani keha cinite na pare

“One cannot understand the value of touchstone until it turns iron into gold.”
One should judge by action, not by promises. A maha-bhdagavata can turn a living
entity from abominable material life to the Lord’s service. This is the test of a
mahda-bhagavata. Although preaching is not meant for a mahd-bhdagavata, a maha-
bhagavata can descend to the platform of madhyama-bhagavata just to convert
others to Vaisnavism. Actually a mahd-bhagavata is fit to spread Krsna conscious-
ness, but he does not distinguish where Krsna consciousness should be spread
