Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

Its not pushing, its a friendly touch during mutual obeisances.

yeah, he is just putting his hand on the fellas back.

But why would anyone do that?
I can understand that a senior/superior would push down a junior/inferior. But otherwise??

Its a friendly gesture. Theres nothing else to it.

I am not sure I understand why you have an issue with this. And why would you think a devotee would push another devotee donw?

baker>>I can understand that a senior/superior would push down a junior/inferior.

This is not the activity of humble Vaisnavas they do not physically push anyone. The more senior a devotee the more humble they should be, seeing in reality their fallen position and being totally dependent on Sri Guru and Sri Krishna. Unfortunately in some institutions we now see and equate advancement with external position and service these should never be confused with ones attachment to the lotus feet of Sri Guru and Sri Krishna.

The picture above shows nothing more than a friendly touch, like a pat on the back or the shoulder. These two devotees are probably great friends. Actually if you follow the link its a series of pictures of Radanath and other devotees in London, they are all very touchy feely with hugs and embraces, so it kinda of explains it when you see this picture in context with the rest.

[quote][cite] Hari Bhakta dasa:[/cite]I am not sure I understand why you have an issue with this. And why would you think a devotee would push another devotee donw?[/quote]

In Catholic church, it is not so uncommon that a senior/superior will physically chastise a junior/inferior, right during service. One can get slapped or at least be meanly looked at.[br]
So seeing that picture, I was worried that something similar might be happening among devotees.[br][br]

I have heard of devotees pushing down people; for example if one doesnt bow at the appropriate time, one can expect to be pushed down.

[quote][cite] manasi_seva:[/cite]The picture above shows nothing more than a friendly touch, like a pat on the back or the shoulder.[/quote]

But why would anyone do that during paying obeisances??
[br][br]

[quote]These two devotees are probably great friends. Actually if you follow the link its a series of pictures of Radanath and other devotees in London, they are all very touchy feely with hugs and embraces, so it kinda of explains it when you see this picture in context with the rest.[/quote]

I know. I have even seen a video of sannyasis dancing, and one large-bodied sannyasi picked up Radhanath Swami under his shoulders and spun him around the way children do, while the other sannyasis were laughing and smiling and singing and dancing around ...[br][br]
I have gotten the impression that devotees in general, and especially sannyasis are supposed to be detached, and I understood this to mean they are not into hugging people and such.

Detached from materialism but attached to devotees:

O My mother, O virtuous lady, these are the qualities of great devotees who are free from all attachment. You must seek attachment to such holy men, for this counteracts the pernicious effects of material attachment. (SB 3.25.24)

Yes as VEDA has pointed out, detachment from materialism, detachment from the results of ones activities. Not detached as in aloof and cold to others. Sri Chaintanya Mahaprabhu on many occasions embraced other devotees so its not uncommon event to see devotees being kind hearted, playful and even to hug or embrace.

Okay. The right way to "accept" obeisances is to touch person in return, usually on the shoulder or on the back. One should not accept someones dandavats and just walk off, you may fall down if you keep doing it I was told. In this care one devotee did pay obeisances to another and that another person did touch him on the back but then in return started paying his obeisances back, doing both (eg paying obeisances back and touching one on the back is the safest way). I do not know if I made a lot of sense... but that how it works, the science of accepting and paying obeisances. New devotees should be explained the details (like do not do it with the mouth full of prasadam or do not do it in a dirty place... because it makes it harder on the other person to reciprocate).