Paribhāṣā

bhāgavatāpachāram

பாகவதாபசாரம்

Also known as: bhagavatapacharma, offence against devotee, bhagavata apacharam

Meaning

An offence committed against a devotee of Bhagavān; considered far graver in Śrī Vaiṣṇava doctrine than an offence against Bhagavān himself.

Detailed Explanation

Bhāgavatāpachāram — Offence Against Devotees

Bhāgavatāpachāram (bhāgavata + apachāra — offence against a devotee) is the gravest category of transgression in Śrī Vaiṣṇava ethics. Piḷḷai Lōkāchārya states in Śrī Vacana Bhūṣaṇam that while Bhagavān can forgive offences directed at himself, he cannot easily overlook injuries done to his devotees — because his devotees are dearer to him than his own self.

An apachāram (offence) includes disrespect, slander, disregard, or causing harm to a bhāgavata — even unknowingly. The tradition cites the examples of those who insulted Nammāzhvār or other Āzhvārs and suffered the consequences of such transgressions.

In Yathīndra Pravaṇa Prabhāvam, Māmunigaḷ's life is shown as a counter-model: his profound reverence for all bhāgavatas, regardless of their social position, was itself a teaching against any possible bhāgavatāpachāram. The Śrī Vaiṣṇava community is thus enjoined to treat every devotee with utmost respect.

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