A Vaisnava strictly follows this principle of being humbler than the grass and more tolerant than a tree, expecting no honor from others but offering honor to everyone. In this way, a Vaisnava is simply interested in chanting about the Supreme Personality of Godhead and glorifying Him. Haridasa Thakura epitomized this foremost order of Vaisnavism.

Krsna, however, cannot tolerate any insults or blasphemy against a Vaisnava. For example, Prahlada Maharaja was chastised by his father, Hiranyakasipu, in so many ways, but although Prahlada tolerated this, Krsna did not. The Lord therefore came in the form of Nrsimha-deva to kill Hiranyakasipu. Similarly, although Srila Haridasa Thakura tolerated the insult by Gopala Cakravarti, Krsna could not. The Lord immediately punished Gopala Cakravarti by making him suffer from leprosy. While instructing Srila Rupa Gosvami about the many restrictive rules and regulations for Vaisnavas, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has very vividly described the effects of offenses at the lotus feet of a Vaisnava. Yadi vaisnava-aparadha uthe hati mata (Madhya 19.156). Offending or blaspheming a Vaisnava has been described as the greatest offense, and it has been compared to a mad elephant. When a mad elephant enters a garden, it ruins all the creepers, flowers and trees. Similarly, if a devotee properly executing his devotional service becomes an offender at the lotus feet of his spiritual master or another Vaisnava, his devotional service is spoiled.

From Srila Prabhupada’s purport to Cc Antya 3.213, The Glories of Srila Haridasa Thakura