Haridāsa Ṭhākura
Advaita Prabhu happened to be at that time the president of the brāhmin society, very learned scholar and Vaiṣṇava; and He was entrusted to be the president of brāhmin society in Śāntipūra. So when He performed the ritualistic ceremony after the death of His father, funeral ceremony, He offered the first prasādam to Haridāsa Ṭhākura.
So Haridāsa Ṭhākura was little shy accepting that, “Advaita Prabhu, You have exalted me in so many ways, but You . . .” Because according to the smārta-vidhāna, when one is performing the funeral ceremony of his father, the first portion would be offered to the best of the brāhmins. So it was offered to Haridāsa Ṭhākura. So Haridāsa Ṭhākura felt little shyness that, “Advaita Prabhu, You love me. That is all right. But You are doing all these things. You may be socially ostracized.” So Advaita Prabhu said: “No. By feeding you, I am feeding one crores of best brāhmins. And let any brāhmin come to Me, I shall convince him.” That was His statement.
So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is so nice that we can accept anyone—it doesn’t matter wherefrom he’s coming—and make him a pure Vaiṣṇava. And following the footsteps of Advaita Prabhu, Caitanya Mahāprabhu, these Vaiṣṇavas from foreign countries, those who are actually purified by the process of initiation, they should be accepted. They should not be neglected.
(721106 – Lecture NOD – Vrndavana)
“My dear Sir, Your behavior is uncommon. Indeed, sometimes I am afraid to speak to You. But please favor me by protecting me from the behavior of society.”
PURPORT
While Haridāsa Ṭhākura was staying under the care of Advaita Ācārya, he was afraid of the behavior of the society in Śāntipura, Navadvīpa, which was full of exceedingly aristocratic brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas. Haridāsa Ṭhākura was born in a Muslim family and was later recognized as a great Vaiṣṇava, but nevertheless the brāhmaṇas were very critical of him. Thus Haridāsa Ṭhākura was afraid that Advaita Ācārya would be put into some difficulty because of His familiarity with Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Śrī Advaita Ācārya treated Haridāsa Ṭhākura as a most elevated Vaiṣṇava, but others, like Rāmacandra Khān, were envious of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Of course, we have to follow in the footsteps of Advaita Ācārya, not caring for people like Rāmacandra Khān. At present, many Vaiṣṇavas are coming to our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement from among the Europeans and Americans, and although men like Rāmacandra Khān are always envious of such Vaiṣṇavas, one should follow in the footsteps of Śrī Advaita Ācārya by treating all of them as Vaiṣṇavas. Although they are not as exalted as Haridāsa Ṭhākura, such Americans and Europeans, having accepted the principles of Vaiṣṇava philosophy and behavior, should never be excluded from Vaiṣṇava society.
Śrāddha ceremony means to offer foodstuff to Viṣṇu, and with the prasādam, to the forefathers or father it is offered, so that by eating prasādam, if he is in ghost life or in hellish life, he’ll be delivered. This is called śrāddha.
So it is the duty of the son, śrāddha ceremony. And Advaita, Advaitācārya, He was also performing the śrāddha ceremony, and He offered the prasādam, the remnants of foodstuff, to Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Haridāsa Ṭhākura was in Śāntipura, and he was chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra day and night, and when he was to take some prasādam he used to come to Advaitācārya’s place and take prasādam there. So one day Haridāsa Ṭhākura asked Advaitācārya that, “Why You are giving me prasādam?” Means he presented himself that, “I am coming from Muhammadan family, but why You take so much care upon me? You are giving me prasādam, You are taking so much care, You are making a cottage for me. Why? You are one of the leaders of the brāhmaṇa in Śāntipura, all very exalted learned brāhmaṇas, and if You are taking so much care upon me, then they may criticize You, blaspheme You. So I think You should not do this. I don’t want that You may be criticized or I may be criticized.”
So Advaitācārya said, “No, no, no. I’m not doing anything against the śāstras, so nobody can criticize. I’m doing nothing against the śāstra.” So in the śāstras . . . Jīva Gosvāmī also has given quotation from the śāstra that it doesn’t matter from which family a person is coming, but if he’s a pure devotee, he should be taken all care, and he should be offered charity, he should be offered prasādam. All care should be taken for him. There is śāstra indication. So Advaitācārya said that, “I am doing the right thing. And by feeding you, I am feeding daily many millions of brāhmaṇas by feeding you.” These are statement in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta. So this offering prasādam, the putra, a right putra is meant for offering prasādam to Viṣṇu so that his forefather and father may be delivered. That is the system of putra.
(740805 – Lecture SB 01.05.24 – Vrndavana)