“This is the Definition of Sadhu”

Prabhupada, New York, July 20, 1966: “This is the definition of sadhu. Saint, who is a saint? A saint is called who is very tolerant, tolerant, tolerant to the utmost.
You have got very good example of Lord Jesus Christ, a great saint, or sadhu also. He was, of course, more than sadhu. Now, just see his behavior, how much tolerant he was. He was being crucified and he was praying God, “O Lord, forgive these people, what they are doing.” That, this is the significance of sadhu. Titiksavah karunikah. For their personal sake, they’re always very tolerant, but they are very kind to all people, all living entities, very kind. In spite of their all disadvantages, they try to give something, real knowledge, to the people in general. Karunikah. And suhrdah sarva-dehinam. And a sadhu is not a friend of a particular class, particular community or particular country. No. A sadhu, a saint, is he who is friend of all, not only of human being, even of animals and less than animals. These are the qualification of sadhu. Ajata-satravah.

And they have no enemies. Or they are not anyone’s enemy. Everyone’s friend. Enemy, of course, even the greatest man, you will find some enemy. This is the nature of this world. Even the most perfect man will have some enemy. So that is different thing. But the sadhu, the saint, is no, no one’s enemy. He’s friend of everyone. Titiksavah karunikah suhrdah sarva-dehinam, ajata-satravah santah. Ajata… They are nobody’s enemy, and santa, always peaceful. These are the qualifications of sadhu.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUjUFvJ31F8

Now, here the Lord says that “I come, or My representative comes…” Why? Paritranaya sadhunam. Sadhunam. The Lord is very much anxious for the saintly persons. Who have sacrificed everything for the service of the Lord, they are very, very dear to the Lord.

Lord cannot tolerate any insult, or any, I mean to say, misbehave to a sadhu. Although sadhu, they do not, I mean to say, mind if they are insulted, they do not mind, but the Lord will never tolerate if a sadhu is… Just like a small boy, your child, if somebody slaps him in the street… That boy may excuse, “Oh, all right,” but his father and mother will never tolerate. “Why you have slapped my son?” That is the nature. Similarly, the sadhu, who is a great devotee of the Lord, they might be tolerant. You can crucify him, can do any misbehavior to him. He’s never angry. But God will never tolerate. We must always remember that. He has got special protection, special vision, on the sadhu.

You’ll find in the Bhagavad-gita that, that… Samo ’ham sarva… Samo ’ham sarva-bhutesu na me dvesyo ’sti na priyah. The Lord says, “I am equal to everyone.” Otherwise, how He can be God. He is equal to everyone. Yes. “I am equal to everyone. Nobody’s My enemy and nobody’s My friend.” Samo ’ham sarva-bhutesu na me dvesyo ’sti na priyah: “Nobody’s My enemy. Nobody’s My friend. I am equal to everyone.” But ye tu bhajanti mam bhaktya tesu te mayi: “But anyone who is devoted to Me, oh, I have got particular attention for him.” Although He’s neutral, still, the person who is devotee, who’s always thinking of Krishna, Krishna consciousness, oh, there is a special protection, special. Therefore Lord Krishna declares… You’ll find in the Bhagavad-gita, kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati: “My dear Kaunteya, Arjuna, you can declare it in the, to the world that My devotee will be never vanquished, never be vanquished.”
Full Lecture: http://causelessmercy.com/t/t/660720BG.NY.htm