We should also understand that when we speak of good qualities, we speak of the standard that has been given to us by the Lord. We cannot speculate or fabricate what is a good quality and what is not a good quality.
(Caitanya Caritamrita Lectures Book, Adi Lila: 8.33–49 Kiev—April 29, 2000, Pg 83)
A maha-bhagavata devotee sees how everyone else is serving Krishna, but not himself. Sometimes, by the desire of the Lord, he steps down to the second-class platform to preach and introduce Krishna consciousness to others, although he is not inclined to push himself forward. In such a way, a Vaisnava always keeps himself humble; he never thinks himself to be anything but an instrument to be used only under a higher order.
(Caitanya Caritamrita Lectures Book, Adi Lila: 8.33–49 Kiev—April 29, 2000, Pg 76)
A Vaisnava is always anxious to glorify whatever good qualities he sees in others. Therefore, when he sees these good qualities, his natural tendency is to expand them. Such glorification is not false praise; it is how a genuine and humble devotee sees others, seeing himself as very fallen. We can just see how opposite the non-devotee mentality is. As soon as a proud person sees a small fault, his natural tendency is to want to expand it. He wants to broadcast it to the world. This is due to pride. He always wants to push himself forward as someone who is to be recognized. However, a Vaisnava always tries to stay in the background. If he comes forward, it is only because of an order; otherwise, he is not very anxious.
(Caitanya Caritamrita Lectures Book, Adi Lila: 8.33–49 Kiev—April 29, 2000, Pg 76)
Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami says that it appears that Lord Caitanya is personally speaking through the writings of Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakura. This is something that is very noteworthy in the writings of Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami. It is a very integral part of Vaisnava culture to glorify Vaisnavas. It is such an integral part because generally Vaisnavas do not like to criticize. It is extremely difficult for them to even hear or speak criticism of others; it is painful for their heart. They do not want to speak it, and they also do not even want to see anything that they could criticize. The natural quality of Vaisnavas is that they always want to see and magnify the good qualities of other Vaisnavas. By doing this, they remove attention from themselves. This is very commonly seen throughout the writings of the Vaisnava acaryas, as well as in their personal dealings with others.
(Caitanya Caritamrita Lectures Book, Adi Lila: 8.33–49 Kiev—April 29, 2000, Pg 75)
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta used to say that one should read Sri Caitanya-bhagavata a hundred times. This is how a Vaisnava actually relishes hearing the pastimes of the Lord. He says that every time the devotee hears these different pastimes of the Lord, especially from realized souls, he becomes increasingly satisfied.
(Caitanya Caritamrita Lectures Book, Adi Lila: 8.33–49 Kiev—April 29, 2000, Pg 74)
It is our duty to repeat that which we have heard from the previous acaryas, but when compiling literature, one must be very careful not to present things in such a way to surpass the achievements of the previous acaryas. In other words, one should always be thinking of following in the footsteps of the previous acaryas. He should never think that his writings or his commentaries surpass that which has already been presented. This is the principle of disciplic succession. He should think that whatever he is writing or performing is by the grace of the previous acaryas.
(Caitanya Caritamrita Lectures Book, Adi Lila: 8.33–49 Kiev—April 29, 2000, Pg 65)
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Swami says that (Cc. Adi 7.92, Purport): a devotee gives the non-devotees his association but is not affected by their misbehavior.” He is not affected because he is deriving his spiritual satisfaction in the association of devotees. This higher taste actually protects him, and he therefore goes out and gives association to non-devotees and is unaffected by their association. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura also makes this same point that even a householder, in executing household duties, has to work and deal with non-devotees. Nevertheless, he says, “Working and dealing with non-devotees does not mean associating with them. ‘Association’ means that there is affection for the non-devotional qualities. When we start developing affection for the non-devotional qualities, then we are associating with them, and there is danger of becoming contaminated.” We can protect ourselves by affection for the association of devotees. Affection for associating with devotees is centered on hearing and chanting the glories of the Lord, and we derive satisfaction from those activities.
Caitanya Caritamrita Lectures Book, Adi Lila 7.62-92 Donetsk—June 17, 2000, Page 61
Rupa Gosvami says in his Lalasamayi that one has to develop eagerness within the heart for this taste and the association of the Lord and become greedy for it. We can associate with the Lord by hearing about His pastimes and by associating with His devotees. When a person has attracted the attention of the spiritual master by devotional service, the spiritual master authorizes such a devotee to deliver fallen souls in all possibilities. So, when one derives some satisfaction from association with devotees, one should go out and give it to others. This is the essence of these teachings. Isvara Puri said to Lord Caitanya, “Yes, dance and chant with devotees. Furthermore, go out and preach the value of this chanting. By this process, you will be able to deliver others.”
Caitanya Caritamrita Lectures Book, Adi Lila 7.62-92 Donetsk—June 17, 2000, Page 61
As we advance on this path, gradually attachments go away. We then become fixed and develop an attraction to the Lord. When that attraction to the Lord is developed, real devotion and devotional service can begin. We begin to execute devotional service out of spontaneous attraction to the Lord. However, until we come to that platform, we have to derive this pleasure from the association of those who already have it. Therefore, the Srimad-Bhagavatam states that in the association of these devotees, one has to hear, and this will give one some attraction to hearing and chanting. If we want to develop the taste, then we have to serve such persons. One way of serving is by hearing. Isvara Puri said to Lord Caitanya, “I am obliged to You because You heard me. You took up my instructions. You are chanting and dancing, experiencing this taste. This is actual service.”
Caitanya Caritamrita Lectures Book, Adi Lila 7.62-92 Donetsk—June 17, 2000, Page 60
Prabhupada would often quote a verse from the Eleventh Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam that explains that just as a person who is engaged in eating experiences pleasure, nourishment, and relief from his hunger, similarly, a person engaged in service to the Lord experiences devotion to the Lord, direct perception of the Lord, and detachment from material senses. These three things come simultaneously for a person who is engaged in service to the Lord. Therefore, one knows that he is advancing and becoming detached from the body if he sees that he is becoming more and more conscious of the Lord and of the desires within his heart. He should know that the obstacles are the attachments within the heart. As a result of this attachment, one will not experience a higher taste. When one becomes freed from attachments, he begins to experience some superior taste.
Caitanya Caritamrita Lectures Book, Adi Lila 7.62-92 Donetsk—June 17, 2000, Page 60