4- The description of a devotee of Vishnu

The sages said: —

1. O highly intelligent one, tell us, what are the characteristics of those persons who are devoted to Vasudeva and who are called Vaishnavas, devotees of Vishnu?

2. O Suta, the most excellent one among those who know all topics, recount all this to us. What does the lord the conceiver and creator of living beings do unto them?

Suta said:

3. Formerly, the sage M&rkandeya was asked by Ambarisha the same topic as has been mentioned by you now. I shall precisely recount the same to you.

Markandeya said:

4. O king, listen. What you ask me is pertinent. Narayana is present there where the devotee of Vishnu stays.

5. Vishnu is remembered as their diety everywhere. When he is being eulogised, a Vaishnava invariably feels an emotional thrill.

6-7. He who is delighted on seeing persons endowed with devotion of Vishnu, and those who perform rites laid down in Shrutis and Smrutis is eulogised as a Vaishnava. On seeing them his body shivers and perspires. Drops of tears are seen in his eyes. A Vaishnava does not wear more clothes than what are needed for his body's protection.

8. On seeing a devotee of Vishnu coming, the Vaishnava, standing face to face, performs obeisance as though towards Vasudeva himself.

9-10. He should be known as the devotee. He will be victorious in the three worlds who speaks with forbearance even on hearing harsh words. He who puts on scents, fragrant flowers etc. on his head thinking that every thing belongs to Vishnu is known as Vaishnava.

11-13a. Endowed with affection he shall perform only auspicious rites in the holy centre of Vishnu. He shall worship the idol of Vishnu perpetually with a purified soul. He shall the be known as a devotee of Vishnu. Mentally, verbally and physically he is devoted to Narayana for ever. Indeed, he is a great Bhagavata devotee of the lord.

13b- 14a. He who offers food and duly propitiates another devotee of Vishnu in accordance with his ability, is really a Vaishnava.

14b-16a. If a scholar devoted to Vishnu accepts the food from anyone with a delighted mind, that food is undoubtedly one that goes into the 'mouth of Vishnu. Vishnu the soul of the Universe, the favourite of his devotees, becomes more pleased than from his own worship, when he sees the same being done to his devotee.

16b-2 1. On seeing a Vaishnva who is devoted to Vishnu and who has burned all his sins, even Devas become afraid. They bow down to him before proceeding on their own ways. Listen to an ancient anecdote that demonstrates prowess of a devotee of Vishnu. On seeing the son of Bhrugu who was a devotee and a Vaishnava who had buried his sins, Yama stood up with palms joined in reverence and bowed to him. Hence, a man shall devoutly worship Vaishnavas in the same manner as they Worship Vishnu. He undoubtedly attains nearness to Vishnu. A devotee of Vishnu surpasses thousands of other devotees. A devotee of Rudra is far better than thousands of other devotees of Vishnu. There is certainly no one greater than the devotee of Rudra in this world. Hence, by all means one shall worship a Vaishnava or a devotee of Rudra for achieving virtue, love, wealth and salvation.