370 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 5, Ch. 10
fixed in your determination, but I have committed an offense.
Because of this, even though I may be as strong as Lord Siva, I
shall be vanquished without delay due to my offense at the lotus
feet of a Vaisnava.
PURPORT
Maharaja Rahaigana was very intelligent and conscious of the in-
auspicious effects arising from insulting a Vaisnava. He was therefore
very anxious to be excused by Jada Bharata. Following in the footsteps of
Maharaja Rahugana, everyone should be very cautious not to commit an
offense at the lotus feet of a Vaisnava. Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura in
the Caitanya-bhagavata (Madhya 13) says:
Stilapani-sama yadi bhakta-ninda kare
bhagavata pramana —tathapi sighra mare
hena vaisnavere ninde sarvajria ha-i
se janera adhah-pdata sarva-sastre ka-i
“Even if one is as strong as Lord Siva, who carries a trident in his hand,
one will nonetheless fall down from his spiritual position if he tries to in-
sult a Vaisnava. That is the verdict of all Vedic scriptures.” He also says
this in Caitanya-bhagavata (Madhya 22).
vaisnavera ninda karibeka yadra gana
tdra raksé sdmarthya nahika kona jana
Stlapani-sama yadi vaisnavere ninde
tathapiha nasa yaya—kahe sdstra-vrnde
iha nd maniya ye sujana nindé kare
Janme janme se papistha daiva-dose mare
“One who blasphemes a Vaisnava cannot be protected by anyone. Even if
a person is as strong as Lord Siva, if he blasphemes a Vaisnava, he is sure
to be destroyed. This is the verdict of all sastras. If one does not care for
