Avoiding the 10 Offenses Pt.1

We recite the 10 offenses to the Holy names in the temple morning program but what do they really mean? How does this relate to my own spiritual life?

Here is the first in a series of discussions on this very important aspect of chanting.

satam ninda namnah paramam aparadham vitanute

yatah khyatim yatam katham u sahate tad-vigarham

To blaspheme devotees who have dedicated their lives to chanting the holy name of the Lord. The holy name, who is identical with Krsna, will never tolerate such blasphemous activities.

1. Blaspheming devotees (sadhu-ninda)

A sadhu is anyone who is surrendering to Krishna. One who shows gross irreverence or disrespect to those devotees who have dedicated their lives to Krishna is compared to a mad elephant (hati mata), which comes and tramples the creeper of devotion.

Examples of criticising a devotee:

     * He has a lower social status
* His manners are not yet so polished
* He eats too much prasadam
* He had previously had very bad habits
* He has been weak and temporarily gave up devotional service

A devotee should be like the honey bee that always looks for the nectar and not like the fly that always looks for stool or open sores. One associates with whatever qualities he focuses on, and thus he cultivates those qualities.

How to counter-act the offence - Humbly approach that devotee, offer obeisances, and ask forgiveness.

From http://www.iskcon.com/basics/tenoffences.html

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