200 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 7, Ch. 15

Krsna. Such devotees, who are fully peaceful, are extremely rare.”
(Bhag. 6.14.5) A Vaisnava is in a higher position than a jfani, and
therefore Advaita Acarya selected Haridasa Thakura to be the person to
accept His charity. The Supreme Lord also says:

na me bhaktas catur-vedi
mad-bhaktah sva-pacah priyah
tasmai deyam tato grahyam
sa ca piijyo yatha hy aham

“Even though a person is a very learned scholar of the Sanskrit Vedic
literatures, he is not accepted as My devotee unless he is pure in devo-
tional service. However, even though a person is born in a family of dog-
eaters, he is very dear to Me if he is a pure devotee who has no motive to
enjoy fruitive activity or mental speculation. Indeed, all respect should
be given to him, and whatever he offers should be accepted. Such
devotees are as worshipable as I am.” (Hari-bhakti-vilasa 10.127)
Therefore, even if not born in a brahmana family, a devotee, because of
his devotion to the Lord, is above all kinds of brahmanas, whether they
be karma-kandis or jndna-kandis.

In this regard, it may be mentioned that brdhmanas in Vrndavana
who are karma-kandis and jridna-kdndis sometimes decline to accept in-
vitations to our temple because our temple is known as the avigareji tem-
ple, or “Anglican temple.” But in accordance with the evidence given in
the Sdstra and the example set by Advaita Acarya, we give prasdda to de-
votees regardless of whether they come from India, Europe or America.
It is the conclusion of the sdstra that instead of feeding many jndna-
kandi or karma-kandi brahmanas, it is better to feed a pure Vaisnava,
regardless of where he comes from. This is also confirmed in Bhagavad-
gita (9.30):

api cet sudurdacaro
bhajate mém ananya-bhak
sddhur eva sa mantavyah
samyag vyavasito hi sah

“Even if one commits the most abominable actions, if he is engaged in
devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly
