Association of Nondevotees - an essential subject

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Psychologists and social & behavioral scientists agree with the old adages: 'birds of a feather flock together' as well as 'we are known by the company we keep.' Our friends have an important influence over our feelings, thinking, and behavior. The noted benefits of surrounding oneself with good association include stronger self-confidence and will power, improved health and longevity, better financial planning and decision making in general. In spiritual life, intimate association is perhaps even more important. We rely on fellow devotees, our selected sanga or inner circle, to help us to uphold our religious vows and beliefs. If one makes close relationships with nondevotees, those who do not support one's practice, it is more than likely that one's faith will suffer and in time may be lost all together. It is said that those who are not on the path of transcendence, the nondevotees, do not manifest good qualities, on the contrary, they are typically consumed with mundane topics and self-destructive habits. The nondevotees live a life of self-defeating patterns and are unable to extricate themselves from lower desires, and are thus incapable of uplifting others. Their association leads one further into darkness and illusion.

Srila Prabhupada's books, lectures, conversations and letters offer a comprehensive presentation of this essential subject as seen in the Vaniquotes Association of Nondevotees category. An introduction from his books is given below in the following 8 quotes.

Quotes from Srila Prabhupada's books


vanipedia.org 		That a devotee of the Lord is the only perfect living being is explained herein by Mahārāja Parīkṣit. A devotee of the Lord is no one's enemy, although there may be many enemies of a devotee. A devotee of the Lord does not like to associate with nondevotees, although he has no enmity with them. He desires association with the devotees of the Lord. This is perfectly natural because birds of the same feather mix together. (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.19.16)



vanipedia.org 		It should be understood that a madhyama-adhikārī, a second-class devotee, is fully convinced of Kṛṣṇa consciousness but cannot support his convictions with śāstric reference. A neophyte may fall down by associating with nondevotees because he is not firmly convinced and strongly situated. (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā Madhya 22.71)



vanipedia.org 		A Vaiṣṇava, a devotee, should simply discard intimate association with nondevotees. One should carefully avoid eating food offered by nondevotees. Indeed, a devotee should be very strict in not accepting food from a nondevotee, especially food prepared in restaurants or hotels or on airplanes. (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 12.195)



vanipedia.org 		What is unholy association? It is association with one who is too much attached to women and with one who is not a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa. These are unholy persons. One is advised to associate with the holy devotees of the Lord and carefully avoid the association of unholy nondevotees. Those who are pure devotees of Kṛṣṇa are very careful to keep aloof from the two types of nondevotees." (Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 12)



vanipedia.org 		The first business of a Vaiṣṇava is to give up the association of persons who are not devotees of Kṛṣṇa and who are too attached to material things—wife, children, bank balance and so on. Prahlāda Mahārāja also prays to the Personality of Godhead that he may avoid the association of nondevotees attached to the materialistic way of life. If he must be attached to someone, he prays to be attached only to a devotee. (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.18.10)



vanipedia.org 		Unless one follows the spiritual master's instructions concerning the regulative principles and chanting and hearing the holy name of the Lord, one cannot become a pure devotee. By one's mental concoctions, one falls down. By associating with nondevotees, one breaks the regulative principles and is thereby lost. (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 19.157)



vanipedia.org 		A devotee's most formidable enemy is association with women in an enjoying spirit. Association with nondevotees is also condemned because it is also a formidable enemy on the path of devotional service. One has to fully surrender unto the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa and give up attraction for women and nondevotees. (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 22 Summary)



vanipedia.org 		"Association with a devotee, the mercy of Kṛṣṇa, and the nature of devotional service help one to give up all undesirable association and gradually attain elevation to the platform of love of Godhead." This verse refers to the association of pure devotees, the mercy of Kṛṣṇa and the rendering of devotional service. All these help one give up the association of nondevotees and the material opulence awarded by the external energy, māyā. (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 24.104)


Association of Nondevotees - explore more within this category.

Vanipedia has now over 903 introductory articles compiled from Srila Prabhupada's books under the series titled Essential Subjects. All these articles can be seen in the Table of Content on the right side of this article and also here in this Umbrella Category. Browse through them to relish the breadth and depth of Srila Prabhupada's teachings - There is a subject for everyone.


   
 

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