Introduction

Based on the teachings of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedänta Swämi Prabhupäda, the etiquettes we need to observe in our day to day dealings are presented in this blog.

Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu instructed Sanätana Gosvämi as follows:

yadyapio tumi hao jagat-pävana

tomä-sparçe pavitra haya deva-muni-gaëa

tathäpi bhakta-svabhäva—maryädä-rakñaëa

maryädä-pälana haya sädhura bhüñaëa

My dear Sanätana, although you are the deliverer of the entire universe and although even the demigods and great saints are purified by touching you, it is the characteristic of a devotee to observe and protect the Vaiñëava etiquette. Maintenance of the Vaiñëava etiquette is the ornament of a devotee. [CC Antya 4.129-130]

maryädä-laìghane loka kare upahäsa

iha-loka, para-loka—dui haya näça

If one transgresses the laws of etiquette, people make fun of him, and thus he is vanquished in both this world and the next. [CC Antya 4.131]

Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu instructed Sanätana Gosvämé to write Vaiñëava Småti (Hari-bhakti-viläsa) and this is explained in Çré Caitanya-caritämåta Madhya-lélä. To read those instructions click here.

Here we present the Vaiñëava Etiquettes as described in the teachings of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedänta Swämi Prabhupäda under the following headings.

1. Appearance of a Vaiñëava (dress, tilaka, kaëöhi-mälä, çikhä)

2. Temple Hall Etiquettes 

3. Cleanliness rules to be followed

4. Aspects of Sädhana Bhakti

5. Etiquettes connected to Prasädam

6. Etiquettes to be observed in dealing with other Vaiñëavas

7. Etiquettes to be followed while rendering devotional service

8. Organizational Disciplines to be followed in ISKCON