Example of a Vaishnava
Nanada Kumar: In India, we were challenged by opulent prasadam, which translated into dysentery for most of us. For example, our host in Surat, Mr. Bhagubhai Jariwala, an elderly banker gentleman, was adamant about serving us seconds and thirds. We stayed in his home for a couple of weeks, and many of us were sick. Not being trained in the Vedic system from birth, we weren't quite up to standard. We didn't keep our little ashram in his house very clean. There were many ways that he could have found fault with us.
Occasionally a devotee would rudely call for more prasadam, "Hey, bring me more." On the last day of our stay, this gentleman gave each devotee an envelope with fifty-one rupees in it, which was a lot for us at that time. No one had ever done that before. Then he spoke. He was in his seventies, a small man with a thin, beautiful body, beautiful clear eyes, and a loving countenance.
He said, "I am honored that you have been at my home and I have been able to serve you." He started sobbing and said, "I really hope that you can forgive me for all the offenses I've committed against you." Prabhupada looked at us, his eyes opened, and he said, "This is an example of a Vaishnava. This is the quality of a Vaishnava."
Occasionally a devotee would rudely call for more prasadam, "Hey, bring me more." On the last day of our stay, this gentleman gave each devotee an envelope with fifty-one rupees in it, which was a lot for us at that time. No one had ever done that before. Then he spoke. He was in his seventies, a small man with a thin, beautiful body, beautiful clear eyes, and a loving countenance.
He said, "I am honored that you have been at my home and I have been able to serve you." He started sobbing and said, "I really hope that you can forgive me for all the offenses I've committed against you." Prabhupada looked at us, his eyes opened, and he said, "This is an example of a Vaishnava. This is the quality of a Vaishnava."
Reference: Memories Anecdotes of a Modern Day Saint - Volume 2 by Siddhanta Dasa
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