Avoid Offenders-Story of the Needle and the Sieve

"A person who calls one Vaishnava 'a big Vaishnava' and another Vaishnava a 'little Vaishnava' may be peaceful and happy for now, but for how long will he remain peaceful and happy? One should avoid a person who offends Vaishnavas, even if that person is otherwise very qualified. A little association with an offender will make one fall down."

The Needle and the Sieve

"Bhakti-devi completely disappears by committing Vaishnava aparadha. Vaishnava aparadha means to blaspheme, find fault, criticize or speak ill of devotees. Generally, this is done out of fear and enviousness. Vaishnava aparadha takes place where there are fear and enviousness."

"When Vaishnava aparadha is committed the offender will become very angry with that Vaishnava. He's afraid of that Vaishnava because he is a very powerful Vaishnava. Therefore, he thinks, 'He's making rapid advancement and I'm not making such advancement.' He becomes afraid and envious of that Vaishnava."

"Fear comes and therefore he criticizes, finds fault, and speaks ill of that Vaishnava. He commits Vaishnava aparadha and becomes angry with that Vaishnava. It is only because of enviousness of that Vaishnava that this hatred and criticism arises. And therefore, he speaks ill of that Vaishnava and concocts stories. The sieve is full of a thousand holes and he's criticizing the needle, 'Hey needle, there is a hole in your back.'"

"Are you perfect yourself? If you have some defects yourself, then why do you find fault with others? Sages say don't see bad in others, but see the bad in yourself. If you have that nature or tendency to see bad, then see what bad is there in yourself. But see the good in others."

"If you find something good in some person, then just accept that. Think, 'Yes, that is good in him. Let me accept that.' Close your eyes on the bad things, and open your eyes to the good things. Paramhamsas never see anything bad. In their vision everything is related to Krishna. Speaking ill of others is a great anartha for the sadhaka who has come to the path of bhajana."

From the book Maha-Mantra Yoga by HH.Mahanidhi Swami