Overview
Continuing with the explanation on the twenty-six qualities of a devotee by Prabhupāda Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. In this article ‘A Devotee is Pure (Sajjana – Śuci)’ from Sajjana Toṣaṇī (Vol.20, Issue 10) published in 1917, Sarasvatī Ṭhākura gives a brief description of the quality of purity, concluding that all things related to Kṛṣṇa are pure, and those that are opposed to Him are impure.
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The concept of purity varies according to inclination. What one person considers pure, another may consider as impure, according to their analysis. That which a person possessing material desires with a sense of purity may deem as clean, a devotee of Bhagavān cannot accept as clean. What the karmī designates as pure does not align with the definition of purity according to a devotee. According to the opinion of the jṣānī, who identifies himself as identical with the formless Brahman, purity is external – which is specified as impure according to the analysis of the devotees. The devotees are not obliged to refer to the virtuous conduct found in the karma and jṣāna-śāstra, as pure. The selfishness of those possessing mundane desires, the craving for results by the karmī, and the renunciation of the jṣānī are not equally revered by the devotee. The devotees say that they are not compelled to give instructions on the matter of purity under the influence of the tastes of the non-devotees.
The place where there is no hari-kathā is a place which is unclean. The time when there is no service to Hari is a time which is impure, the subject who is devoid of the process of bhajana is indeed defiled. In the beginning, middle, and final sections of the most sacred Mahābhārata, Rāmāyaṇa, and the Vedas, Hari is sung about everywhere. Since all those pure śāstras contain narrations singing the qualities of Hari, all those śāstras themselves are pure, and by reading all those śāstras, the jīvas are blessed.
The devotees say that wherever there is no reverence for hari-kathā, impurity dwells there. The devotees always accept Hari as the object of all their endeavours. Wherever Hari is not the main topic, that place is not seen to be pure in the eyes of the devotees. Sādhus always reject topics that do not focus on Kṛṣṇa, considering it to be impure knowledge. Bhagavān alone is the only source of all purity. Where there is no mention of Bhagavān, such a subject is completely filled with impurity. From the māyika perspective, the karmī attributes purity to water, fire, and the sun – in reality, if one does not see a connection to Hari in them, then those objects can never be considered as pure. The devotees say that any topic other than Kṛṣṇa is merely an unclean pasturing ground. Kṛṣṇa alone is the centre of all purity, and the devotee of Kṛṣṇa is truly replete with the virtues of purity.
The analysis of purity and impurity regarding things like bananas, radish, plantain, and the concepts of purity and impurity concerning uncooked rice and boiled rice, and other various distinctions, arise when considering purity. However, devotees know that things related to Hari are pure, and objects that are opposed to the service of Hari are considered impure. In consideration of varṇa, concepts of purity and impurity based on various mundane practices, are superficial. The eternal concepts of the Vaiṣṇavas are nourished by pure conduct in all regards.
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