Let us discuss the ten offenses briefly.

The First Offense

 Sri Padma Purân says – “When we blaspheme the devotees we supremely offend the Holy Name. The devotees who steadfastly chant the Holy Name are preaching the glory of Sri Nâm-Prabhu to the world; how can the Holy Name tolerate the blasphemy of such devotees?”

 Amongst all the offenses this one is the strongest, hence we call it Mahad-aparâdh or ‘great offense’. Mostly it is this offense that obstructs us, although we firmly chant the Holy Name and practice devotion. It is the chief offense to the Holy Name; therefore the preceptors have posted it on top of the list.

Srimad-Bhâgavatam says –

“nindanam dosha kirtanam”

 Meaning – ” ‘Nindâ‘ or ‘blasphemy’ means ‘to glorify¹ someone’s fault’.”

 When our speech shows disrespect, intolerance, envy or violence towards a devotee – it is ‘nindâ‘. Just censuring a devotee is ‘great offense’ – then we can easily guess what huge offense we will commit if we treat him with envy and violence.

 Often we think that if a devotee does something foul, then why should it be wrong to criticize? For are we not speaking out fact? To tell you the truth, even thinking like this amounts to an offense. The scriptures have stated that “nindâ means ‘to discuss a fault’ ” – the question whether it is true or false does not arise. The scriptures say – “suchakasyaapi tad-bhavet” – this means “do not discuss a devotee’s fault”.

Here it is natural for us to raise this question. Who is a sâdhu? The answer is – “‘Sâdhu’ refers to those who have taken the shelter of ‘Bhâgavat-dharma‘. A devotee has forsaken even the desire for liberation; he has accepted the path of devotional practice solely to gain the service of Sri Krishna’s lotus feet – so he is ‘sâdhu’.”

 Srila Vishwanâth Chakravartipâd has written in Mâdhurya-Kâdambini – “We should not think that only those who are kind, peaceful, tolerant and are endowed with all good qualities are devotees or ‘sâdhus‘ in the real sense – if we blaspheme them, we commit an offense; however, there is no problem if we criticize those who do not have such sterling qualities.”

Actually, even if “sarvâchâra-vivarjitâh shathadhiyo vrâtyâ jagad-vanchakâh” – the ones who are devoid of all etiquettes, are big frauds and are cheating the entire world – if they worship Sri Bhagavân – we should count them as ‘sâdhus’. This is because we should never blaspheme a devotee who adores Sri Bhagavân exclusively, even though he may be evil. We have to accept him as a ‘sâdhu’. Sri Krishna has Himself instructed Arjun –

“O Arjun, If one is extremely evil – that is – harms others, steals others’ property and wife – yet worships me exclusively (does not worship anyone other than me, does not practice any other path such as gyân or karma, resorting only to bhakti, does not wish to attain anyone other than me) – accept him as a ‘sâdhu’. After all, he has taken to the best path (meaning – he has decided, whether I go to hell or get a lower form of life – I will worship none other than Sri Krishna), so he is a ‘sâdhu’.” – (B.G.9.30)

If we blaspheme such a devotee we are bound to commit offence. Then we need not stress how much aparâdh we will commit if we criticize a good devotee. When we see a bad devotee, we may criticize him, so the Lord has called him a ‘sâdhu’ so that we remember not to blaspheme him. Whether we speak or hear bad about a devotee – both are offenses. Therefore if someone blasphemes a devotee, we should close our ears, remember Sri Bhagavân and leave that place. Sriman-Mahâprabhu has illuminated this subject more in detail.

 The Lord said -“If I hear even once Sri Krishna-nâm from someone’s lips, he is worthy of worship and the best of all.” – (C.C.Madhya.15.106)

 “Hence, one who says Sri Krishna-nâm once – I consider him a Vaishnav and revere him.” – (C.C.Madhya.15.111)

 There is none who has not uttered Sri Krishna-nâm even once, so we should forsake all criticisms. Then it will be easy for us to save ourselves from this ‘great offense’.

 The Lord said – “No purpose is served by criticizing; sin is all that we gain. As a result, the one who does not criticize is the most blessed of all.”

 “The one who does not criticize and constantly chants Sri Krishna-nâm, he alone is invincible, his consciousness has awakened and he shall conquer Sri Krishna easily.” – (Sri Chaitanya Bhâgabat)

  (to be continued)

¹ Here it means to speak aloud