Srila Prabhupada: So therefore Sanātana Gosvāmī has forbidden strictly, that
avaiṣṇava-mukhodgīrṇaṁ pūtaṁ-hari-kathāmṛtam, śravaṇaṁ na kartavyam
(Padma Purāṇa):
“Don’t hear from the professional men who are not situated in the Vaiṣṇava behavior.”
One must be…, behavior in Vaiṣṇava. Sadācāra-sampannaḥ. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura has warned that “Don’t mix it with Vaiṣṇava who is not well trained up, well behaved.” You can offer him respect. A Vaiṣṇava offers respect even to the ant. That is another thing.
But he has warned, “Don’t mix with them, these professional, so-called Vaiṣṇava, sahajiyās.” This is warned.
Avaiṣṇava-mukhodgīrṇaṁ pūta-hari-kathāmṛtam, śravaṇaṁ na kartavyam:
“You should not hear.”
“Eh? What is the wrong there? The Kṛṣṇa-kathā is there.”
No, Kṛṣṇa-kathā is there just like milk is there, but if it is touched by the lips of a serpent, it is no more to be taken. It has become poison.
So unless one is situated as pure Vaiṣṇava in his dealing, in his behavior, inside and outside, he should not become a preacher because it will not be effective; neither one should hear from such person.
But people in general, they cannot understand, but those who are preaching, they must be very sincere, the same way, rūpa-raghunātha pade, haibe ākuti.
They should read the literatures, the instruction, just like Upadeśāmṛta, The Nectar of Instruction. We should follow, strictly follow. Then pṛthivīṁ sa śiṣyāt (Upadeśāmṛta 1). Then you’ll be able to preach and make disciples all over the world. This is the injunction. That is called gosvāmī. Don’t be cheap preacher, cheap guru. No. That is not good. It is not possible.
(Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam 7.9.28 – Mayapur, March 6, 1976)
BY: SRI VRINDAVAN DAS
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust