develop qualities of demigods

Prahlada Maharaja also said, naisam matis tavad urukramaṅghrim (Bhag. 7.5.32). Unless one takes the dust of the lotus feet of a pure Vaisnava on one's head, one cannot understand what the Supreme Personality of Godhead is, and unless one knows the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one's life remains imperfect. A great soul who has fully surrendered to the Supreme Lord after understanding Him fully and after repeatedly undergoing austerities and penances for many, many lives is very rare. The crown of a king is simply a big load if the king or head of the state does not actually bear the dust of the lotus feet of brahmanas and Vaisnavas. In other words, if a liberal king like Prthu Maharaja does not follow the instructions of brahmanas and Vaisnavas or does not follow the brahminical culture, he is simply a burden on the state, for he cannot benefit the citizens. Maharaja Prthu is the perfect example of an ideal chief executive. (More...)

A devotee acquires all the good qualities of the demigods; he is gunayanam, the reservoir of all good qualities. His only asset is good behavior, and he is grateful. Gratitude for the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is one of the qualities of brahmanas and Vaisnavas. Everyone should feel grateful to the Supreme Personality of Godhead because He is maintaining all living entities and supplying all their necessities. As stated in the Vedas, eko bahunam yo vidadhati kaman: the Supreme One is supplying all necessities to the living entities (Katha Up. 2.2.13). The living entity who is therefore grateful to the Supreme Personality of Godhead is certainly qualified with good characteristics. (More...)

Prthu Maharaja's talks before the Kumaras were very laudable because of so many qualifications. A speech should be composed of selected words, very sweet to hear and appropriate to the situation. Such speech is called meaningful. All these good qualifications are present in Prthu Maharaja's speech because he is a perfect devotee. It is said, yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akincana sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah: "For one who has unflinching devotional faith and is engaged in His service, all good qualities become manifest in his person." (Bhag. 5.18.12) Thus the Kumaras were very much pleased, and Sanat-kumara began to speak as follows. (More...)

In the Adi-lila of Caitanya-caritamrta, Chapter Eight, there is a description of some of the qualities of devotees. For example, Sri Pandita Haridasa is described as being very well-behaved, tolerant, peaceful, magnanimous and grave. In addition, he spoke very sweetly, his endeavors were very pleasing, he was always patient, he respected everyone, he always worked for everyone's benefit, his mind was free of duplicity, and he was completely devoid of all malicious activities. These are all originally qualities of Krsna, and when one becomes a devotee they automatically become manifest. Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja, the author of Caitanya-caritamrta, says that all good qualities become manifest in the body of a Vaisnava and that only by the presence of these good qualities can one distinguish a Vaisnava from a non-Vaisnava. Krsnadasa Kaviraja lists the following twenty-six good qualities of a Vaisnava: (1) He is very kind to everyone. (2) He does not make anyone his enemy. (3) He is truthful. (4) He is equal to everyone. (5) No one can find any fault in him. (6) He is magnanimous. (7) He is mild. (8) He is always clean. (9) He is without possessions. (10) He works for everyone's benefit. (11) He is very peaceful. (12) He is always surrendered to Krsna. (13) He has no material desires. (14) He is very meek. (15) He is steady. (16) He controls his senses. (17) He does not eat more than required. (18) He is not influenced by the Lord's illusory energy. (19) He offers respect to everyone. (20) He does not desire any respect for himself. (21) He is very grave. (22) He is merciful. (23) He is friendly. (24) He is poetic. (25) He is expert. (26) He is silent. (More...)

The processes of speculative knowledge and renunciation are not practically the chief items for acquiring a higher standard of devotional service. One doesnot have to take to the principles of nonviolence and sense control, although there are rules and regulations for acquiring these qualities in other processes. Without being engaged in the practice of such processes, a devotee develops such high qualities simply by discharging devotional service to the Lord. In Srimad Bhagwatam [11.20.31], Eleventh Canto, the Lord says that for those who are actually engaged in the devotional service of the Lord there is no necessity for cultivating speculative knowledge or renunciation. (More...)