26 Qualities of a Devotee

A.C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPADA – People are thinking in a different way: “Why shall I love God only? Why shall I love God? I shall love my family. I shall love my country. I shall love my…” But no, you cannot love all of these things. It is not possible, because you are missing the central point. These are facts. Harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-guna. However materially or academically qualified he may be, one who does not love God cannot have any good qualifications. Why? Manorathenasati dhavato bahih—because he’ll simply speculate on the mental plane and fall under the spell of the material energy.

But it is clearly stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, yasyasti bhaktih bhagavaty akincana—as a person becomes advanced in devotional service, automatically he develops all good qualities. The Chaitanya Charitamrita gives a list of twenty-six qualities of a devotee:

1. He is very kind to everyone.

2. He does not make anyone his enemy.

3. He is truthful.

4. He is equal to everyone.

5. No one can find any fault in him.

6. He is magnanimous.

7. He is mild.

8. He is always clean.

9. He is without possessions.

10. He works for everyone’s benefit.

11. He is very peaceful.

12. He is always surrendered to Krishna.

13. He has no material desires.

14. He is very meek.

15. He is steady.

16.He controls his senses.

17. He does not eat more than required.

18. He is not influenced by the Lord’s illusory energy.

19. He offers respect to everyone.

20. He does not desire any respect for himself.

21. He is very grave.

22. He is merciful.

23. He is friendly.

24. He is poetic.

25. He is expert.

26. He is silent.

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After all, what is the meaning of Krishna consciousness? Is it just some kind of sentiment or fanaticism? No. It is a science. If you follow the rules and regulations, then automatically all these good qualities develop. You can actually see. And as soon as these qualities are there, then you actually become a lover of your country; you become a lover of your fellow man. You become a friend to everyone, a lover of God—everything. So just imagine if each and every person became like that….

Of course, it is not expected that each and every person will become like that. However, if only ten percent of the world’s population becomes Krishna conscious, then it is guaranteed that we will have peace in the world. Why? Because ekas candrah—we do not require many moons in the sky. One moon is sufficient to drive away the darkness. Varam eko guni putro nirgunena satena kim. Canakya Pandita says that it is better to have one qualified son than to have hundreds of fools. The modern civilization is going on in that way—godless civilization. But if some percentage of the civilized human beings become Krishna conscious, that will bring world peace. Otherwise it is not possible. Krishna consciousness is therefore a necessity.