A Sanatan-Dharma follower (a Vaisnava) is one who has surrendered unto the only proven God, Lord Vishnu (Krishna)
Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja, the author of Caitanya-caritamrta, says that all good qualities become manifest in the body of a Vaisnava and that only by the presence of these good qualities can one distinguish a Sanatan-Dharma follower (Vaisnava) from a non-Vaisnava. Krsnadasa Kaviraja lists the twenty-six qualities of a Sanatan-Dharma follower (a Vaisnava):
- He is very kind to everyone
- He does not make anyone his enemy
- He is truthful
- He is equal to everyone
- No one can find any fault in him
- He is magnanimous
- He is mild
- He is always clean
- He is without possessions
- He works for everyone’s benefit
- He is very peaceful
- He is always surrendered to Krishna
- He has no material desires
- He is very meek
- He is steady
- He controls his senses
- He does not eat more than required
- He is not influenced by the Lord’s illusory energy
- He offers respect to everyone
- He does not desire any respect for himself
- He is very grave
- He is merciful
- He is friendly
- He is poetic
- He is expert
One must strive to develop all the above good qualities.