PURPORT

"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge, and religiousness-these are the qualities by which the brahmanas work." (Bg. 18.42) These qualities are manifest in the body of a Vaisnava. Therefore a perfect Vaisnava is also a perfect brahmana, as indicated here by the words brahmanyah sila-sampannah. A Vaisnava is always determined to understand the Absolute Truth, and to understand the Absolute Truth one needs to have full control over his senses and mind. Prahlada Maharaja possessed all these qualities. A Vaisnava is always a well-wisher to everyone. The six Gosvamis, for example, are described in this way: dhiradhira-jana-priyau. They were popular with both the gentle and the ruffians. A Vaisnava must be equal to everyone, regardless of one's position. Atmavat: a Vaisnava should be like Paramatma. Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese 'rjuna tisthati. Paramatma does not hate anyone; indeed, He is in the heart of a brahmana, but he is also even in the heart of a pig. As the moon never refuses to distribute its pleasing rays even to the home of a candala, a Vaisnava never refuses to act for everyone's welfare. Therefore a Vaisnava is always obedient to the spiritual master (arya). The word arya refers to one who is advanced in knowledge. One who is deficient in knowledge cannot be called arya. At the present, however, the word arya is used to refer to those who are godless. This is the unfortunate situation of Kali-yuga.