HT MT

The Mad elephant offense

Pundarika Vidyanidhi has other namesSri Vidyanidhi, Acaryanidhi, Bhaktyanidhi, and Premanidhi (given by Lord Caitanya). Simply by hearing his name, said Sri Gaura, the whole world becomes purified. Premanidhi's pure devotion caused Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to sometimes cry profusely and call out loudly, Bop, (father) Pundarika! Pundarika is My father, My dearmost friend. When will I see him again? Pundarika Vidyanidhi is King Vrsabhanu, Sri Radha's father, in Vrndavana lila. He was disciple of Sri Madhavendra Puri.

Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi arrives in Sri Navadvipa in disguised form

Besides Mukunda, nobody knew that Pundarika Vidyanidhi was a pure Vaisnava.

Today, I will introduce you to a most exceptional Vaisnava, said Mukunda, as he took Gadadhara Pandit to meet Pundarika Vidyanidhi.

They found Pundarika reclining on an opulent brass bed covered with red satin sheets, silk pillows, and topped with a threetiered canopy. A gem-studded pan box stuffed with fragrant spices and betel nuts waited within arm's reach. Two shiny brass spitoons stood as silent sentries beside the bed. Seeing the mirror stained red from his chewing pan, Pundarika laughed heartily. Two servants cooled him with peacock fans.

Gahadhar Pandit in mind

Was this a Vaisnava or a prince wallowing in luxury wondered Gadadhara Pandit? Doubts arose in Gadadhara's mind about Pundarika's spiritual status. Reading his mind, Mukunda decided to reveal the highly exalted transcendental identity of Pundarika Vidyanidhi.

Mukunda reveals the truth

Mukunda recited Srimad Bhagavatam (10.6.35): Always hankering to taste the blood of small children, Putana came to kill baby Krishna. However, because she offered her breast to the Supreme Lord Putana attained the greatest blessing of being accepted as a mother of Sri Krishna.

Hearing this verse totally transformed Pundarika Vidyanidhi. A Ganges river of tears flooded his eyes. Perspiration rained from his body, his hairs stood erect. He ripped off his embroidered silk shirt and wildly thrashed his legs about. Rolling on the ground, he wailed, The Lord is infinitely merciful. Yet He deprives me of His mercy. His clothes, brass bed, fine bedsheets, mirror, spitoons, all his opulent trappings were ripped to shredssmashed to bits. Ten men tried but couldn't restrain the force of Pundarika's ecstasy. The manifestations of Pundarika Vidyanidhi's pure love for Krishna competed with one another for some time. Finally, his spiritual emotions reached their peak and he lost external unconscious.

Realizing the offence

After witnessing this spectacular display of transcendental feelings Gadadhara Pandit realized his offense in misjudging Pundarika Vidyanidhi to be a materialistic devotee.

Remedy for the offences

To rectify his mistake he wanted to take initiation from Pundarika Vidyanidhi. Six hours later, Sri Pundarika returned to external consciousness. Now he seemed calm and composed. Happily he initiated Gadadhara Pandit.

Whoever recites or hears the following narration of the meeting of Pundarika Vidyanidhi and Sri Gadadhara Pandit will receive the treasure of love of God. (Sri Caitanya Bhagavata)

Krishna never tolerates

Nsihadeva became very angry for killing, because He was angry because Hirayakaipu teased his devotee, Prahlda, so much. Therefore, He was very, very angry. Vaiava apardha. If anyone offends a Vaiava, a pure devotee of Ka, he is the greatest offender. Ka never excuses. That I explained yesterday. It is very... Vaiava apardha is the greatest dangerous offense.

Caitanya Mahprabhu in His teaching to Sri Rpa Goswm

He has especially, vaiava-apardha ht mt, you are doing everything. He has compared Vaiava apardha as mad elephant. He has very nicely metaphorically explained this. Just like you have a nice garden, very good garden, you are watering, you are giving protection, giving manure, everything. But if in that garden a mad elephant enters, then it will destroy everything, all your labor will go to hell immediately. It will destroy everything. Similarly, you may do anything very nicely; but if you commit offense at the feet of a pure Vaiava, then all your assets will be immediately vanquished. Vaiava apardha. Because Ka is very angry.

Upadesamrita on Hati Mata

If we consider the bodily defects of a Vaisnava, we should understand that we are committing an offense at the lotus feet of the Vaisnava. An offense at the lotus feet of a Vaisnava is very serious. Indeed, r Caitanya Mahprabhu has described this offense as ht-mt, the mad elephant offense. A mad elephant can create a disaster, especially when it enters into a nicely trimmed garden. One should therefore be very careful not to commit any offense against a Vaisnava. Every devotee should be ready to take instructions from a superior Vaisnava, and a superior Vaisnava must be ready to help an inferior Vaisnava in all respects. One is superior or inferior according to his spiritual development in Krsna consciousness. One is forbidden to observe the activities of a pure Vaisnava from a material point of view. For the neophyte especially, considering a pure devotee from a material point of view is very injurious. One should therefore avoid observing a pure devotee externally, but should try to see the internal features and understand how he is engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. In this way one can avoid seeing the pure devotee from a material point of view, and thus one can gradually become a purified devotee himself.

Upadesamrita on Hati Mata

When one thus criticizes a pure devotee, he commits an offense (vaisnavaapardha) that is very obstructive and dangerous for those who desire to advance in Krsnaconsciousness. A person cannot derive any spiritual benefit when he offends the lotus feet of a Vaisnava. Everyone should therefore be very careful not to be jealous of an empowered Vaisnava, or a uddhavaisnava. It is also an offense to consider an empowered Vaisnava an object of disciplinary action. It is offensive to try to give him advice or to correct him. One can distinguish between a neophyte Vaisnava and an advanced Vaisnava by their activities. The advanced Vaisnava is always situated as the spiritual master, and the neophyte is always considered his disciple. The spiritual master must not be subjected to the advice of a disciple, nor should a spiritual master be obliged to take instructions from those who are not his disciples. This is the sum and substance of rla Rpa Gosvm's advice in the sixth verse.

For various reasons, common people do not easily develop faith in exalted personalities who are still living, whereas they tend to develop great faith in the activities of mahajanas who have passed away.
-Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur Mahasay Jaiva Dharma, Ch.12