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| Guru Tattva |
By His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Promod Puri Goswami Maharaja
Srila Krsnadas Kaviraja Gosvami in Caitanya Caritamrta has written about the principle of Sri Guru. The Supreme
Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna externally takes the form of the spiritual master to give mercy to all the
devotees. The Supreme Lord, who is the receiver of all worship and adoration (visaya vigraha), instead now
plays the role of Spiritual master as a servitor to the Supreme Lord (asraya vigraha). Never does the spiritual
master equate himself as the Supreme Lord to be served by one and all but reveals his identity as the servant
of the servant of Lord Chaitanya (Krishna). Sriman Mahaprabhu has coined the verse: 'gopih bhartuh pada
kamalayor das das anu dasah', I am the servant of the servant of Lord Krishna. Though the spiritual master
humbly thinks himself as the servant of Lord Chaitanya his sober disciples should understand him to be the
transcendental expansion of Sri Chaitanya (Krishna), or His most confidential servitor. As Lord Krishna informs
His beloved disciple Uddhava:
acaryam mam vijaniyan navamanyeta karhicit
na martya-buddhyasuyeta sarva-deva-mayo guru'
Oh Uddhava! The spiritual master is known to be My very form. At no time should one neglect or disrespect the
Guru as an ordinary mortal by envy, nor should he be viewed as having any faults. For this reason the Guru is
the sum total of the demigods.
Two important verses in regard of service to Guru are illustrated:
sayam pratarupaniya bhaiksyam tasmai nivedayet
yacchanyad-apy anujnatamupaunjita samyatah
The disciple, by collection of alms (begging) in the morning and evening, should first offer this to the spiritual
master. Then, only after obtaining his permission can he partake of these cooked grains in a disciplined manner.
susrusamana acaryam sadopasita nicavet
yajna-sayyasamasthanair natidure krtanjalih
One who is fixed in service to his spiritual master should humbly follow him while he is walking, to be vigilant
while he is sleeping, at the time of his rest to massage his legs voluntarily and at the time of his sitting should
wait nearby for his order with folded hands. The Guru is the most beloved of Lord Mukunda. The evidence for
this is illustrated in the following verses:
'gurum-varam mukunda prestatve smara' in 'Manah Siksa' by Srila Raghuantha Das, by Srila Jiva Gosvami in his
'Bhakti Sandarbha' (216/5):
suddha bhaktah sriguruh sri sivasya ca bhagavata
saha abheda drsthim tat priyatam matve naiva manyante'
and by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura in his 'Gurv astakam:
saksad dharitvena samasta sastrai uktas tatha bhavyate eva sadbhih
kintu prabho yah priya eva tasya vande guroh sri caranaravindam
"I offer my respectful obeisances to the spiritual master who is the non-different expansion of the Supreme, as
meditated upon by the saintly people and also acts the dearest servitor of the Supreme Lord. Furthermore the
Guru can be termed as the non-different expansion of Sri Radharani. Our most and compassionate spiritual
master has referred to himself as Sri Varsabhanavi Dayita Das, meaning the one who is dearmost to Srimati
Radhika engaged unalloyed in the service of Sri Krishna. He has revealed himself in his original identity as
Nayana manjari, following in the footsteps of Srimati Radhika's beloved servant Sri Rupa Manjari (Sri Rupa
Gosvami). In this way he is glorified.
tevam gopika vrsayavestan ayantikehasi
sevadhikarini guro nija pada padma
dasyam pradaya kuru mam vraja kanane sri
radhanghri-sevanarase sukhinim sukhabdhe
O Gurudeva! You are immersed in an ocean of bliss and you can award transcendental service. You are the
gopika beloved of Srimati Radhika. Please bestow on me the shelter of your lotus feet, so that I can be
ecstatically engaged in the transcendental service of the Queen of Vraja, Srimati Radharani. His pranam
mantras are:
namah om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate bhaktisiddhanta sarasvati iti namine
sri varsavhanavi devi dayitaya krpabdhaye
krsna sambandha vijnana dayine prabhave namah
madhuryajvala premadya sri rupanuga bhaktida
sri goura karuna sakti vigrahaya namas tu te
namas te gauracani sri murtaye dinatarine
rupanuga viruddhapa siddhanta dvanta harine
Meaning : "I offer my respectful obeisances unto his Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati who is very dear to
Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet." "I offer my respectful obeisances to Sri Varsabhanavi Devi
Dayita who is favored by Srimati Radharani and who is an ocean of mercy, delivering the science of Krishna."
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto you, the personified form of Lord Caitanya's mercy, who delivers the
devotional service enriched with the conjugal love of Sri Radha and Krishna in the line of Srila Rupa Gosvami."
"I offer my obeisances unto you who are the personified teachings of Lord Chaitanya the deliverer of the fallen
souls. You never compromise with any teachings deviating from that as enunciated by Srila Rupa Gosvami."
As Narottama das Thakura has expressed his obedience to the messages of Srila Rupa Gosvami, Srila
Prabhupada has similarly shown the same mood of obedience to Srila Rupa Gosvami, praying for his service
birth after birth. I too, in this vein, pray wholeheartedly to be the servant of my beloved spiritual master, birth
after birth.
In Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Kavi, one of the nine great rsis, explains to King Nimi: The Supreme Lord has given
instructions in the most simple fashion by which even the most ignorant people can take such advantage of this
knowledge. These sets of instructions are termed as 'bhagavat dharma'. In the sincere following of these
religious principles, the human being cannot be hindered by any impediments, so much so, as a man running
with his eyes shut cannot slip and fall down. The living entity, by the influence of the external energy of the
Lord, becomes forgetful of his original identity. This results in the pure soul being bewildered by the attachment
to the body ,mind and intelligence and being absorbed in these false coverings become subject to fear.
Therefore the discriminating and sober person should, by shelter of the spiritual master knowing him to be the
Lord's confidential associate, engage in unalloyed devotional service of the Supreme Lord as the way to
counteract this fear."
The main process of devotion is chanting of the Holy Names which can reveal the transcendental nature of the
Lord's birth and activities. Srila Prabhupada, informs us, that one of the nine Yogendra says:' The mature
disciple should inquisitively approach a bona-fide spiritual master of pacified urges and well versed in scriptures.
He should by submission and inquiry, study the ancient doctrines from him. In Srimad Bhagavatam (11/3/22)
tatra bhagavatan dharman siksed gurvatmadaivatah
amayaya anuvrtya yai tusyed atma 'tmado harih
"One should always view the spiritual master as the expansion of Lord Hari and one's best friend and well
wisher. Only be obedient service of Srila Gurudeva without any hypocrisy can he be able to please Lord Hari in
which case all the principles of 'bhagavta-dharma' will become automatically understood."
Srila Prabhupada has written: The disciple, after having accepted the shelter of the spiritual master, should not
view the spiritual master in a material perspective but should engage wholeheartedly in his service. By the force
of illusion, if the disciple demeans the position of the spiritual master or tries to act superior in relation to him,
then very little fruit or gain is obtained, rather the reverse occurs after such acceptance of a guru.
The knowledge of being servant of the Supreme Lord by an aspirant, leads to service of the Lord. When the
Lord, seeing such earnest striving, becomes pleased, one becomes qualified to be the servant of the spiritual
master and by this relentless, faithful service to the Guru, the Supreme Lord's mercy is attained. The verse
below is relevant:
yasya deva para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau
tasyaite kathita hy arthah prakasante mahatmanah
Meaning: "One who has unflinching faith in the Supreme Lord and the spiritual master, all the purports of the
scriptures become revealed." This means, all one's misgivings and doubts are instantly vanquished at that
time.. These stages are listed in the instructions of Srila Rupa Gosvami: Firstly, acceptance of spiritual master
and then inquiring submissively from him, following which, one engages in devotional service in the footsteps of
the pure devotees. Consequently, one becomes entitled to hear the pure scripture called Srimad Bhagavatam
and begins to do so. Gradually, the devotees become entrenched in the service of Lord Krishna, by deliberation
of the purports of the verses of this scripture. At that stage they give up all types of fruitive work and become
established as the servant of the Supreme Lord Krishna: This is the message of the Ancient religion
(Bhagavat-Dharma). Such a person is not confined by the dictates of fruitive work, dry knowledge, or other
deviant behavior. In this world, to obtain a spiritual master who not only practices but propagates this Ancient
religion is very rare.
On the disappearance of Lord Gaura-sundara His sublime teachings gradually have become distorted, together
with the stress on pure devotion becoming diminished. By His sweet will, His merciful potency has appeared in
the form of two effulgent stalwart leaders to carry out the rectification of the fallen people of Kali -yuga. They
were Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and his ideal representative Srila Sarasvati Thakura. The Six Gosvamis had
condensed the messages of the Vedas, Itihasa, Purana, etc. in their writings, and these two 'Acaryas' fathered
the relevant material from these works and published them in various languages like Bengali,, Hindi and English
in the form of periodicals and journals. By their inspiration, many temples have been constructed with the
emphasis on service to the Deity form of the Lord and the chanting of the Holy Names as the ideal process for
this age of Kali. Discourses on the Holy Books like Chaitanya Caritamrta are also being carried out daily in these
temples. In addition Srila Prabhupada, by means of dioramas and exhibitions, has used scientific techniques to
implement the preaching of Sriman Mahaprabhu's message untiringly. In spite of their great efforts to effect the
propagation of the divine message of Sriman Mahaprabhu, the ordinary people in their fallen condition seem to
relish the paths opposed to the mood of pure devotion, which has made the pure devotees become
compassionate at the sight of such people wallowing in ignorance. The present times advertise many false
gurus who by giving indulgence to the whimsical desires of their disciples attempt to obtain a large number of
followers. These so called magnanimous personalities, being respected as the self effulgent leaders for the
present Age, have only succeeded in stifling the devotional mood of the general masses. In this way, these
impostors have denied their followers of any success or hope of happiness.
The Supreme Lord is present internally as the Supersoul in the heart (Caitya Guru) and externally as the
spiritual master to bless the fallen conditioned soul. (Srimad Bhagavatam 11/29/6) Uddhava speaks:
naivapanyanty apachitim kavaya tavesa
barhmayasapi krtamrddam udah smarantah
yo' antarbahis tanubhritam asubham vidhunvan
na acarya caitaya vapusa svagatim vyanakti
Meaning: "You are present in Your form externally as the initiating and instructing spiritual master giving
guidance to Your disciples, with the help of model personal behavior and internally existing as the Supersoul in
the heart (Caitya guru), warding off the attraction of your devotees towards sense-gratification together with
enlightening them of their original position. The learned devotees, remembering Your grace, become
overwrought with joy and are not able to repay their debt to you even in one life-span of Lord Brahma."
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti has explained this verse:
"If anyone says that the Supreme Lord is awarding the four-fold aims of life to his devout votaries is not free
from limiting adjuncts but is conditional, the answer is no, not exactly that. Once cannot say this because even
the very practice of devotion is only possible by His mercy alone, for the myriad ways the Lord helps the
individual and promotes his welfare cannot be repaid. The learned sages who are living long lives, like Lord
Brahma, cannot repay their debt to Him even In the least and on remembering His grace become overcome by
bliss. That is this beneficial help of the Supreme Lord? The Lord externally in the form of initiating and instructing
spiritual master or Acarya, guides the aspiring soul by giving him initiation into the Holy Mantra and practical
instructions on the practice of devotion, and internally as the Supersoul in the heart (Caitya Guru), He gives
them the intelligence 'aham dadami buddhi yogam tam', (see Bhagavat-gita 10.10) b which they can attain Him.
In this way by giving the aspirant proper discriminative intelligence, He inspires the devotee to strive in his
devotions to the point whereby he eventually achieves the transcendental association of the Lord in his original
body. If the Lord in the heart does not help remove the obstacles present in the heart and inspire the spiritual
aspirant to pure devotion internally, that candidate will never be successful even in millions of years of striving
to achieve that stage. As the internal 'Caitya' Guru, the Lord gives them fixed intelligence to proceed on.
Further, He, as the external spiritual master, by the shelter of his lotus feet instructs the candidate on pure
devotional practice by virtue of his personal model example. Therefore the spiritual aspirant, in following the
footsteps of Sri Guru very rigidly and by persevering in such devotions, will result in pleasing the Guru. The
spiritual master in being pleased, will automatically warrant the grace of the Supreme Lord.
This type of fortune is denied to one who does not take to the exclusive shelter of the bona fide spiritual
master. In this context, the persons under the category of fruitive workers, dry scholars and ascetics are not
ideal as spiritual masters. In taking to the shelter of such people, material enjoyment, liberation or perfection
may be obtained. But because in all these paths the gross and subtle desires to satisfy one's own senses exist
and not quite the pure desires for serving the senses of Lord Krsna, consequently pure devotion will never
result. Fruitive work not done in relation to the service of the Lord instead increases the bondage of the living
entity to the material world. In the path of dry knowledge, the desire for devotion is absent, but that of
liberation exists, which is even more dangerous than the material enjoyment sought by the fruitive workers.
This class of people tries to eradicate all differences between the devotee, the practice of devotion and the
Supreme Lord (knower, knowledge and known) in their deviant analysis. When one accepts the monastic
axioms like 'aham brahamasmi' or 'tattva asi', etc., and by impersonal knowledge tries to merge in the
unqualified Brahman as one's highest objective, then these practices are not conducive but rather destroy
devotion to the very roots The devotee shuns away form such people because the aspirations of such people
to merge altogether in the void, attaining impersonal liberation, is worse than death. The devotees of Lord
Vishnu usually are desirous of obtaining the four fold liberations which are:
1. (sarsti) equal opulence with the Lord
2. (sarupa) have the same form of the Lord
3. (samipya) residing near the Lord
4. (salokya) staying in the same planet of the Lord
However, the unalloyed devotees of Lord Krishna reject all these types of liberation in favor of pure devotional
service to the Lord. They will not even accept such liberation if given to them unasked. Evidence of this is found
in the verses of Srimad Bhagavatam (1/20/31-34). In the Srimad Bhagavatam, the spotless Purana, love of
Godhead has been defined as the highest goal of life above the four-fold aims. Usually, the fruitive workers
aspire for piety, wealth and satisfaction of their senses accordingly. The impersonalists try to merge in the
unqualified Brahman for salvation, while the ascetic (yogis) also try to merge with the qualified form of the
Supersoul in the heart. One of the invocatory prayers of Srimad Bhagavatam runs beginning with 'Dharma
projjita kaitava'. This has been explained by Srila Kavirja Gosvami saying:
ajnanatamer nama kahiye kaitvava (CC.)
Srila Sridhar Gosvami, in his commentary, has enlightened us about the word 'pro' as that by which even the
very desire for liberation is rejected. Srila Krsnadas Kaviraja has named all that which misleads the pure soul of
its constitutional function as servant of the Lord, to be cheating tendencies (kaitava). Other than the original
desire to satisfy the senses of Lord Krishna, all else comes under the realm of cheating tendencies and as 'bad
association' which should be rejected. The only goal for the sincere aspirant is Lord Krishna and His devotional
service, while other desires are listed as bad association. Consequently, piety, wealth, satisfaction of desires
and liberation are all cheating tendencies-gross ignorance (ajnana tamah) of which liberation is the greatest
cheating tendency. The spiritual master by delivering transcendental knowledge awakens the disciple form his
ignorant state. The aspirant, on receiving initiation (diksa), becomes aware of his own real nature, the truth of
the Supreme Lord, the means of accomplishment and the goal. In this way, freeing himself from the clutches of
the illusory energy by proper striving in devotional practice, he finally remains entrenched in steady devotion to
Lord Krishna. Uddhava, the jewel of the devotees, addresses Lord Krishna in this manner:
"O Lord! Your lotus feet are the resort of all saintly people and are the cause of unlimited bliss, while the other
categories of aspirants, who are seeking dry knowledge, accumulations of pious work or mystic powers, do not
take to the shelter of Your lotus feet and thereby become vanquished by Your external energy. Oh! Acyuta, You
are the Absolute friend of all living entities. In Your incarnation as Lord Rama, Your lotus feet were given the
greatest reverence by the demigods. They placed their jewel crown in adoration on Your lotus feet yet You only
formed friendly relationships with the monkeys, what to speak of men or demigods? You showed subservience
to unalloyed devotees like Nanda Baba, the gopis, Vali, who all exhibited loving servitorship to You. This is not
an amazing sight, for pure devotees who practice intense devotion to You are the object of Your grace and You
are completely subjugated by them. The categories of devotees who are completely devoid of desires for pious
work, knowledge and mysticism only can conquer You. In Your expansion as Lord Rama, You established loving
relations eagerly with the monkeys. In Vrindavana too, You dallying with these lower animals like the cows,
exhibited Your affection for them. An example being how you stole butter from Your house to feed the monkeys.
What type of knowledge or mysticism have they practiced that You have become won over by them? On the
contrary, amongst the impersonalists, there is not even a trace of the existence of such delightful pastimes.
Hence, we, being Your loyal servants, do not accept all these false processes of knowledge and mysticism.
Especially, those who have understood that unlimited mercy You have given to devotees like Prahlad Maharaja
and Bali, can never be deviated from devotion to Your lotus feet in pursuance of any lesser goal like liberation.
Chandogya Upanisad states (6/14/2).:
acaryavan puruso veda
The living entity who has taken to the lotus feet of a self-realized soul can understand the Supreme Lord.
Who is Acarya? As Manu Samhita states:- The twice-born who performs the upanayan ritual on his disciple and
teaches him the purports of the Vedas is called an 'Acarya' (realized spiritual master).
Achinoti yah 'sastrartham acare sthapayatyapi
Svayam acarate yasmad acarya stena kirtitah
One who has realized the conclusions of the scriptures and teaches these to others by dint of his own model
behavior is the self-realized Guru (Acarya).
In this context if some arrogant pundit, whilst browsing through the Vedas and not finding proper mention of Sri
Krishna dismisses the Vedas, then he is not exhibiting the proper conduct of an Acarya for blaspheming the
scriptures. The Lord Himself declares in Gita, "I am the knower, the compiler and the end of all the Vedas". The
Gita, as written by Sri Vyasadeva, is the cream of the Upanisads and this purport of the Vedas contain two
important verses, mahavakya, namely: man mana bhava mad-bhakto mad -yaji mam namaskuru and sarva
dharman parityaja mam ekam saranam vraja, which is that ultimately: One should surrender to Lord Sri Krishna
with devotion for attaining the prime goal of life. The genuine Acarya explains the purports of the scriptures in
terms of pure devotion, 'acaryam bhaktisamsanat' and this is the meaning of Acarya.
Next, the meaning of the word 'Guru' is explained. 'Gu' means darkness of ignorance and 'Ru' means that which
dissipates such darkness, or in other words, one who takes away the dense darkness of ignorance by giving
transcendental knowledge to the disciple is called Guru. The Guru has the Supreme Lord stationed in his heart
and does not differentiate other living entities with himself. In this sense, he is most magnanimous, thereby
achieving his qualification as 'Guru'. The spiritual master, having the form of the Absolute Truth firmly
entrenched in his pure heart, is able to transmit pure knowledge to the disciple by initiation (diksa), without
himself being reduced or minimized in any way. This is the inconceivable potency of the Supreme Lord. By this
potency too, He can manifest in his absolute form both in the heart of the Guru and disciple at the same time.
In Srimad-Bhagavatam the sage Prabuddha says:
tasmad gurum prapadyeta jijnasuh sreyah uttamam
sabde pare ca nisantam barhmanyo pasam asrayam
To obtain his highest welfare, one should approach and take shelter of a self-realized spiritual master who is
well-versed with knowledge of the scriptures and free from all vices like attachment and anger. The amassing of
pious merit to enjoy in this life and hereafter is after all a temporary affair and opposed to the true goal. It is
imperative that the spiritual master be conversant with the purports of the revealed scriptures otherwise, if he
is not able to clear the doubts of the disciples, inevitably the disciple will tend to become unsatisfied and may
then become indifferent, or lack faith in the spiritual master. "Para brahma nisnatah" here refers to the
necessity of the spiritual master being thoroughly convinced of the Absolute Transcendence by personal
realization and experience; if not, his mercy will not be of much value nor will it bear any fruit. Another symptom
of the bona fide spiritual master is that he is free form lust, anger, greed which is consonant with his spiritual
awakening.
In Hari Bhakti Vilas, Srila Sanatana Gosvami quotes:
"A Guru who understands the actual conclusions of the revealed scripture has the ability to dissipate the
doubts of the disciple. Furthermore, the Guru himself should be in a position to be able to experience the deep
spiritual truths and be stoic in his understanding, otherwise he will never be able to impart true understanding
to the disciple. The identity of such a spiritual master is peaceful and serene, whereby all base urges like lust
etc. have been pacified. In addition he is resolute in the uninterrupted devotional service of the Lord such as
the limbs of devotion like hearing and chanting. One should take shelter of such a genuine spiritual master.
The dynasty from the first-born Svayambhuva Manu and Satarupa begins with their children, two sons,
Priyavarta and Uttanapada and three daughters, Akunti, Devahuti and Prasuti respectively. These daughters
were handed to the progenitors Ruci, Kadamba and Daksa from whom the whole human race descended. From
the direct succession of King Priyavrata was King Rshaba, son of King Nabhi. He was an expansion of the
Supreme Lord Vasudeva and an empowered incarnation. He has 100 sons, the eldest of which was King
Bharatha. The region in which we are staying is named after this King Bharata. Of the seven islands of this
lotus-like Bhu-Mandala planetary system is Jambudvipa, which can be divided into nine regions. The Ajnaba
region of this island of Jambudvipa is Bharata-varsa. At the end of Dvarpara-yuga the Supreme Lord graciously
advents in this region of Bharata-varsa and executes human-like pastimes. It is by the great mercy of the
Supreme Lord that we are born in a most pious region compared to the doorway of the spiritual world. Hence
the sober intelligent person should not waste a moment, but endeavor hard for self-realization, for this human
body is but temporary and only for some brief period of time. There is no certainty when death will catch up with
us, therefore as long as we are endowed with living consciousness, for that period we should endeavor for the
highest. This rare human form of life should not be wasted in vain but positively used in devotional service to
the Supreme Lord.
In Srimad Bhagavatam (11 / 9 / 29), labdha sudurlabham idam, Lord Dattatreya has warned us to be vigilant in
making use of this valuable human body. Once, the song of King Yayati, Yadu, happened to meet a serene sage
wandering fearlessly and unattached. The curious Kind Yadu then inquired form this sage Dattatreya the cause
of his blissful nature. Lord Dattatreya then informed Yadu that in the acceptance of twenty-four instructing
spiritual masters like the Earth, sea, bee, mountain, etc,. he had become self-realized and succeeded in
becoming detached by this process. (Diksa Guru is one but there can be many siksa Gurus). Lord Krishna,
before enacting His disappearance pastimes from this mortal world, retold this story of Dattatreya to His
confidential associate Uddhava. He also told Uddhava that devotion is superior to all other processes like works
and knowledge for the unalloyed devotees of Lord Krishna disdain to accept even liberation in exchange for the
bliss of pure devotional service. In this context too, the verse "nrdehamadyam" has been explained. ( 11 / 20 /
19). After obtaining this rare human body which is compared to a boat, the spiritual master, who is navigator of
that boat, and the favorable wind in the form of the causeless mercy of the Lord, if one dies not strive to cross
over this ocean of material existence then he is a killer of his own soul.
Sri Srila Prabhupada comments on this verse: -
This precious human body can secure us our highest welfare and there is no other way. It is obtained only after
evolution through countless lifetimes in this universe. The spiritual master, being proficient in the science of
Krishna consciousness, can serve as the navigator of this boat. The favorable wind which propels this human
boat into eternity is the causeless mercy of the Lord. One who cannot understand the value of this human body
or the spiritual master as the ideal navigator and does not aspire to seek the mercy of the Lord, is killer of his
own soul because of gross ignorance of his own welfare. Conclusively, taking shelter of the spiritual master to
engage in devotional service is of primary importance. In Srimad Bhagavatam (11 / 10 / 5) Sri Krishna tells
Uddhava:-
madabhijnam gurum santam upasita madatmakam
One should engage in the service of a self-realized spiritual master who knows Me in truth and is absorbed in
Me : Srila Sanatana Gosvami defines the term 'madabhijnam':- He who, experiencing My natural affection for My
devotees thereby knows Me in truth is called 'madabhijnam". One who has absorbed his mind in Me is termed
madatmakam.
Manduka Sruti states:
tad vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet
smaitpanih 'strotiryam brahma nistham
The disciple with sacrificial implements in his hand should, approach the self-realized master to attain the
highest knowledge. In the Bhagavad-gita (4.3) "tad viddhi paripatena praiprasnena sevaya" has defined these
sacrificial implements as submission, service and inquiry. 'Tad' refers to the Supreme Lord. In other words for
knowledge of the Supreme Lord one should approach the bona fide spiritual master and offer prostrated
obeisances to him in a mood of submission. He should then proceed to serve the Guru like a menial servant to
his satisfaction. Then he should humbly inquire about the qualities and form of the Supreme Truth with His
multifarious energies. The other relevant questions will be: From where and why have I come to this material
world, and how can I be freed from this material attraction?
The Katha Sruti (2 / 3/ 14) states:
uttisthata jagrata prapya varam nibodhata
Meaning: Wake up! Arise ! Take shelter of the self realized soul and understand your original identity: thus
enforcing the need of a spiritual master. The Svetasvatara Sruti (1 /23) beginning with "yasya deva para bhaktir
yatha deve tatha gurau" states:- To one who has unflinching faith in the spiritual master and devotion to the
Supreme Lord, all the scriptures become revealed to him. To understand and be enlightened by the revealed
scriptures necessitates the mercy of Srila Gurudeva which is available only by devotion to his lotus feet and not
otherwise.
Sriman Mahaprabhu, in His teachings to Srila Rupa Gosvami remarks:
brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan ji va
guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti lata bi ja
As a result of diverse fruitive activities, the different living entities are wandering in myriad wombs within the
universe. By dint of previous pious works, one becomes greatly fortunate to undertake devotional service to the
Lord. By the mercy of both the spiritual master and the Supreme Lord, he receives the creeper of devotion
which is initial faith in devotional practices. The spiritual practitioner installs this creeper of devotion in budding
stage in the core of his heart and waters it by the process of hearing and chanting, doing the work of a
transcendental gardener. The mercy of Sri Guru coming into play, the creeper sprouts and slowly growing
traverses the boundary of the material universe into the spiritual Vaikuntha planets and on reaching there, with
renewed efforts, the creeper rises over to reach the Lotus feet of Sri Krishna in Goloka Vrndavana. At this point
too, the process of hearing and chanting becomes ever more intense. The ripened fruit of that huge creeper of
devotion matures as love of Godhead.
During the cultivation of devotional practice, the aspirant should be especially careful to ward off the mad
elephant offense or blaspheming against the pure devotees of the Supreme Lord. Such an offense will damage
the tender creeper and curtail devotion. Besides, there is the tendency for side branches to sprout form the
main branch during cultivation of devotion, which impels one to stray away from the goal. These are
sense-gratification, liberation, desire for profit, fame and distinction, rivalry and enviousness, etc. These
activities do not contribute to the growth of the main creeper of pure devotion In that precarious condition, only
implicit obedience to the spiritual master can enable us to necessarily weed out these impediments (anarthas).
Love of Godhead is achieved by single-minded pure devotion which is above the common four-gold aims up to
liberation. It is to be stressed that the main ingredient for advancement is the mercy of the spiritual master,
which is in turn automatically obtained by unconditional surrender to his lotus feet. The living entity, in his pure
identity, is the servant of Lord Krishna. By forgetfulness of this identity, he has become entangled by the
illusory material modes of nature. The only way to escape from this material entanglement is devotional service
to the Lord, through the media of the spiritual master. In Srimad-Bhagavatam 10 /27 /32) Prayers of the Vedas:
vijita hrsikavayubhira danta manas turagam
ya iha yatanti yantum atilolam upayakhidhidah
vyasanasatanvitah samavahaya guruscaranam vanija
ivaja santyakrtakarnadhara jaladhou
Oh Lord who is not born! Without the direct shelter of a spiritual master, all efforts to control one's turbulent
mind, whether one has apparently done so by his own effort or not been able to do so, is of no avail! He will
simply experience misery and difficulties at every step like the trader who tries to cross the ocean in a vessel
devoid of an experienced navigator. The qualities of a spiritual master are mentioned elaborately in the Mantra
Muktabali Sutras.
The spiritual master usually comes from a pure dynasty or lineage of high ancestry. He himself by nature is pure
of heart. He can be in any stage of life, in his status as officiating Guru. He is free from anger. He is well versed
in the Vedas and understands the purports of all scriptures. He is free from malice to any living creature. He
looks kindly on all living entities; his speech is sweet and beneficial; he is faithful to his dress and engages in
the welfare of all living entities. He is sober, self-satisfied, without hankering for any unwanted desire. He is
brimming with all nice qualities like affection and generosity. He worships the Deity steadfastly. He is
affectionate to his disciples, he is grateful, he performs homage understanding its significance. He is merciful to
all, possesses a purified mind and can defeat all opposing deviant conclusions to pure devotion. In Agastya
Samhita too, the spiritual master is described as one who is peaceful, free from desires of sense gratification,
who controls his mind and body, engages in scriptural study, expert in revelation of the scriptures, the best of
all brahmanas (twice-born), understands the meaning and use of Mantras, can dispel all the doubts of his
disciples, understand deep truths, always engaged in purifying himself, has achieved perfection in conducting
sacrifices, is truthful, austere and usually is in the class of a householder.
The Visnu Smrti describes that the spiritual master who always extract service and wealth of a disciple and
hankers for prestige and fame is not worthy of being a spiritual master.
guruvo bhavah santi 'sisyavittaparakah
durlabhah sadgurudeva 'sisyasantaparakah (Puranas)
Lord Mahadeva speaks" "Oh Devi! There are many so-called spiritual masters who are just bent on seizing the
wealth of their disciples, but the spiritual mater who takes away the miseries and afflictions of the devotee is
very rare." Further, in Visnu smrti, the symptoms of a genuine spiritual master are mentioned as being very
compassionate to all beings, self-satisfied and not dependent on others, resplendent with all obvious good
qualities, engaged in the welfare of other living entities free from all desires, having achieved all perfection,
replete with all knowledge especially regarding pure devotional conclusions of scriptures, who can cut off the
doubts of the disciples, not lazy but always absorbed in Sri Krishna's service.
When Ramananda Raya humbly submitted himself as being of sudra birth to Sriman Mahaprabhu, the Lord
replied:
kiba vipra kiva jyasi, sudra kene nay
yei krsna tattva vetta, sei guru haya
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura writes in his commentary: "The Lord Sriman Mahaprabhu says: I never think that just
because I have been born from a brahmin family and have taken the renounced order of life, it is not proper for
Me to take instruction on religious principles from one of inferior birth, i.e. sudra. It is a fact that by the
'varnasrama' system of society, the 'brahmin Guru' is recommended for instruction on religious principles and for
giving initiation. The highest spiritual knowledge relates to the truth about Sri Krishna. Thus to be a Guru able
to impart such knowledge is based solely on the contention, whether or not he has realized in truth the science
of Krishna consciousness and is independent of whether he is in the designation of a sudra, householder or the
renounced order. In the Hari Bhakti Vilas, it is stated that if a high-born capable spiritual master is present, it is
not befitting to take Krishna mantra from a low class person. This rule is however reserved only for the common
lay men who are compelled to follow the formal dictates of religious principles. Especially, for them to make
progress necessitates a 'brahmin Guru' by which some spiritual merit can be secured by these people. The
devotees (Vaisnavas) are above this rule.
Those who sincerely take to devotion in either of the path of formal regulated principles or spontaneous
devotion, should take the shelter of such a self-realized soul, irregardless of his birth or station (stage of life).
Many concrete proofs have been quoted from Padma Purana, for example:- "A pure devotee of the Supreme
Lord, who is born form a low caste is a great soul and not considered of low-class, while one devoid of devotion
to Lord Janardana, though of high birth, is considered sudra. The six brahminical practices are performing
sacrifice oneself, conducting such sacrifices, study of scriptures, teaching of such spiritual knowledge, welfare
activities like distribution of knowledge and lastly, acceptance of wealth. A brahmin expert in all such activities
including even the science of Mantra, cannot be a guru if he is a non-devotee, while a low-class candela who is
devoted to Lord Visnu can qualify to be a 'Guru". Again, a twice born, proficient in scriptural lore and able to
elucidate their purports in various ways, that brahmin, if he is not a devotee, does not qualify to take the 'Guru'
position. One who is born in the first three classes of Brahmin (priests), ksatriya (noble class), vaisya (farmer),
can be naturally eligible to be the guru of the other fourth class namely sudra (servant) class and other lower
classes. On the other hand, the dearmost devotee of the Supreme Lord, even though born from a sudra class,
can be easily accepted as spiritual master of all the other higher classes. This is verified by the verse below:
nica-jati jhane krsna-bhajane ayogya
sat-kula-vipra nahe bhajane yogya
yei bhaje sei bda, abhakta-hina, chara
krsna-bhajane nahi jai-kuladi vicara
I surrender in submission to Srila Sanatana Prabhu who gives transcendental knowledge. He who is always
feeling the distresses of others have induced me to mercifully drink the highest nectar of devotion endowed
with renunciation, whilst in my depraved state of blind ignorance and doubt. Sri Rsabhadeva gives the following
instruction to his sons (5/5/18)
gurur na sa syat
sva-jano na sa syat
pita na sa syaj janani na sa syat
daivam na tat syan na patis ca sa syan
na mocayed yah samupeta-mrtyum
"One who cannot save his dependents from the impending face of death in the form of this miserable material
world, cannot be considered as Guru. A father who cannot liberate his children is not a father and should not
beget children. Similarly a mother, if she cannot rescue her children from illusion, should not bother to give birth
to a child. A demigod should not accept worship and offerings from the votaries if he cannot deliver them. A
husband should not be accepted in marriage in he cannot save the wife." In short, one should reject all such
'gurus' who cannot liberate us from the material illusory energy culminating in death. Just as previous times, the
corresponding examples are given as in the case of Maharaja Bali who rejected his Guru "Sukracarya'. The
devotee Prahlada Maharaja rejected his own father King Hiranyakasipu. Bharata rejected his own mother
Kaikeyi. King Katvanga rejected the demigods. Also, the wives of the ritualistic brahmanas gave up the
association of their husbands on seeing their indifference to Lord Krishna.
Simply to be a great scholar is not the criteria to be a spiritual master. Lord Krsna addresses Uddhava in Srimad
Bhagavatam (11/11/28):
sabdha brahmani nisnto na nisnayat pare yadi
sramas tasya srama phalo hrdhenum iva raksatah
The meaning of the verse is, one who is erudite in scriptural study and engrosses himself in scriptural
expositions but does not delineate it in connection with the Supreme Lord, does not reap any fruit or merit as
keeping a cow who does not give milk. 'Nisnata' means to practice devotion to the Supreme Lord and 'na
nisnayatah' means one who is not expert in understanding devotion to the Supreme Lord. In this respect, the
utility of qualities like austerity, knowledge and high birth will be only useful it they induce one to engage in
devotional service to the Supreme Lord and by themselves are merely secondary qualities . In Hari Bhakti
Suddhodaya, Srila Krsnadas Kaviraja has commented that one has burnt all his resultant sinful actions by
intense devotional service, and whose character is spotless, is worthy of veneration by learned people, even if
he comes form a very low birth (candala). For one who is completely devoid of devotion to the Lord, his high
birth, knowledge of scriptures, muttering of Mantras and austerity resemble the ornaments on a dead body. In
Padma Purana it is stated :-
grhta visnu diksako visnu puja paro narah
vaisnavo'bhitah 'bhijnairo' itaro' smad avaisnava
A person who is initiated into the Vishnu Mantra and is dedicated to worship of Lord Vishnu and learned in
devotional service is a devotee (Vaisnava) while other are non devotees. In Pancharatra it is declared that one
who receives a Mantra from a non-devotee will pave his way to hell and the only remedy for this is again to
accept the Vishnu mantra again from a devotee.
In Hari Bhakti Vilas, there are stern warnings against whimsically rejecting a self-realized spiritual master.
(4/141-143) For example: Those persons who whimsically reject a bona fide guru for a disciplic succession, or a
Guru who has realized the purports of the Vedas is considered so ungrateful that even the flesh-eating birds
and animals will not eat his body. One who rejects his true spiritual master unrightfully has already renounced
the Supreme Lord at the same time, and the results of this atrocious action is that his actual knowledge and
learning will become contaminated and slowly dwindle away.
Another statement from scripture states that, the person is lowest among human beings who after deliberately
accepting a guru at first, later reject him altogether. He will have to burn in hell for one million kalpas as
atonement for this.
In actual fact, all these fearful statements in regard to rejection of a spiritual master refer only to the case
when the Guru was genuine or bona fide. On the contrary worldly gurus who are deviant from the true paths,
shows enmity to the true devotees, or are simply famous public personalities can be rejected in the
consideration that these gurus will not help us to achieve our spiritual objective. Srila Jiva Gosvami in Bhakti
Sandarbha explains :-
paramartha guruasrayo vyavarika
gururadi parityagenapi kartavyah
Meaning: An incompetent spiritual master who is worldly-minded and accepted on convenience for name sake
should be rejected and a self-realized soul who can impart spiritual knowledge is to be chosen. Further, in the
Bhakti Sandarbha it is written:
vaisnavavidvesi cet parityajya eva
guror apya baliptasyeti smaranat
The purport being, if a spiritual master is antagonistic to the devotees, or if he is an ordinary materialistic sense
enjoyer, then he should be rejected. Such a guru, not having had any real symptoms of a devotee, will also
incur fault for awarding the Mantra in an unauthorized manner and will have to glide towards the hellish region
as a consequence. The best course in this situation is to approach a great soul for guidance in humble
submission. The famous verse in Mahabharata as quoted by Sri Jiva in his Bhakti Sandarbha commentary is
stated:-
guruapya baliptasya karya akaryam ajanatah
utpathapratipannasya parityago vidhiyate
One who is attached to sense gratification, who is indecisive of what is proper and not proper action and
whose ways have deviated from the path of pure devotion, in other words a 'guru' by name only should be
rejected. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has mentioned when one has to reject a Guru in his Harinam Cintamani:-
tabe yadi ei rupa ghatana kabu haya
asat-sange furura yogyata naya ksaya
prathame chilena tini sadguru-pradhana
pare nama-apvaradhe hoia hata jnana
viasnava vidvesa kari chadi nama-rasa
krame krame han artha-kaminira vasa
sei gur chadi sisya sri krsna krpaya
sad guru labhiya punah suddha-nama gaya
In Jaiva Dharma, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura writes: The initiating Guru (Diksa) is usually not to be given up but
for two specific reasons can be renounced. Firstly when the disciple ignorantly accepts without any examination
a Guru without consideration of his spiritual advancement and knowledge together with, whether or not he
observes Vaishnava etiquette and conduct. Later when he understands his own dilemma and that no spiritual
merit can be accomplished, that spiritual master needs naturally to be rejected. Narada Pancaratra's verdict:-
yo vyakti nyayarahitam anyayena srnoti yah
tavubhau narakam ghoram vrajatah kalam aksayam
One who speaks in a manner contrary to the revealed conclusions of scripture and the disciple who strictly
upholds such distorted conclusions, will both go down to the darkest well of hellish existence. The second
reason by which a disciple can be allowed to reject the initiating Guru is the instance when at the time of
initiation the Guru could have been very pure of conduct and learned in Vaisnava conclusions. Gradually by force
of bad association, he may become converted to be an Impersonalist or a reviler of the Vaisnavas
(blasphemous). Such a spiritual master should be rejected.
If one's spiritual master is neither an offender of the Vaisnavas, an impersonalist or attached to sinful activities
then it is not warranted to reject such spiritual master simply on the grounds of his insufficient knowledge.
Rather the proper etiquette is to keep adoring him as spiritual master but to take permission from him to
approach another great self-realized soul for "Siksa" and to learn the higher spiritual truths from such an
instructing spiritual master.
In the Hari Bhakti Vilas, the symptoms of a genuine Guru, one posing as a Guru including the characteristics of a
disciple, have been elaborately explained at length. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura writes, one of model character
and strong faith is eligible to become a disciple. Similarly the genuine Guru is of saintly character, understands
the devotional conclusions, simple, not greedy in the least, free from any tinge of Impersonalism and naturally
expert in all activities. Generally a brahmin possessing all good qualities can accept disciples from other castes.
In the absence of such brahmins however, devotees from other castes who are spiritually advanced can be
selected as Guru. The basis of this injunction overrules the ordinary 'varnasrama' rules regarding superiority on
the basis of seminal birth. One who understands the science of the Supreme Lord is eligible to become a
spiritual master. The usual caste brahmins at most may be able to get some extra material facilities by their
superior birth, but the pure devotee can truly function as Guru.
The scriptures have specific rules according to as and when the disciple may be accepted in the light of trial. The
fact of the matter is when the Guru sees the disciple as a fit candidate and when the disciple has strong faith in
the purity of his Guru, then only will the flow of mercy take place between the Guru and the disciple.
The 'Hari Bhakti Vilas' mentions that a person who eats too much, procrastinates, is greedy for things not in
connection with Sri Krishna, argumentative (in connection with this Jamini, Sugata, Nastika, Vagna, Kapila and
Gautama with their followers are persons who practice agrumentation-hetuvada), wicked nature, strongly
critical as well as relishing the misdemeanors of others, defamer, serve unworthy people, black teeth, black lips,
who has foul odor emanating from his mouth, has bad qualities, is fond of amassing goods even though already
having a sufficient amount, without hair or with excess of hair, are not the symptoms befitting an 'Acarya'
(teacher). All of one's wealth and opulence will diminish in the acceptance of such an unqualified Guru.
In Mantra Muktabali, the appropriate qualities of a disciple are described. He should be born in a good family, be
modest, opulent, possessed of loving disposition, truthful of pure character, very intelligent, free from
arrogance, have given up lust and anger, surrendered to his Guru, with his mind, body and words, always
devoted to the Supreme Lord, free from disease, freed from all kinds of sinful activities, sincere in honoring his
elders and brahmins, of controlled senses, very youthful and compassionate. All these qualities make one
eligible to be a disciple.
In the Srimad-Bhagavatam (11/10/6) it is stated:-
amaniyamatsaro dakso nirmamo drdsauhrdhah
asatvarohartha jijnasur anusuyara amoghavak
"The servant of the guru should be free from pride, not lazy or egoistic with the sense of 'me' and 'mine' in
relation with wife and children, very devoted to Guru, not negligent, devoted to inquiry about the Supreme
Truth, free from enviousness, not wasting time in loose conversations; all these qualities are befitting a
disciple". On the other hand, in Agastya Samhita, the symptoms of an unworthy disciple are described as one
who is lazy, dirty, who endeavors uselessly, naughty, miserly, poor, sickly, afflicted with diseases, attached to
sense objects, eager for sense-delights, envious, gazes lustfully at other's wives, shows enmity to learned
people, foolish, rides himself to be highly scholarly, fallen in his vows, struggles to earn his livelihood, probes at
others faults, bent on the downfall of others, glutton, always engaged in vile actions, sinful and not very willing
to give up such despicable behavior and who cannot hear the beneficial instructions of Sri Guru; all these
people are definitely not eligible to become disciples.
If being tempted by greed the spiritual master ventures to initiate all such unworthy people, he will incur the
wrath of the demigods, consequently, being bereft of all wealth and opulence. Not only that, he will have to go
to the hellish planets after which he will take birth in the animal species. Therefore, one has to be careful not to
accept disciples of this type. The standing injunction is that the guru should examine a disciple for at least one
year.
taupr vat sarvasema kmatamupmua svabhavayoh
turuta sisyata ceti nanyathaiveti niscayah
The Guru should carefully examine his disciple while staying together with him and observing his qualities and
character to judge whether he can be a fit candidate. Similarly, the disciple should examine the Guru
accordingly. Other than this, there is no alternative way of knowing this fact. Without this recommended
stipulation, one should not agreeable give initiation to anyone on mere request.
Further, there are spiritual statements to the effect that just as a King is responsible for his subjects having to
suffer for their wrong actions, the man for the sins of his wedded wife, in the same manner the sins committed
by the disciples will have to be borne by the spiritual master. Hence one has to be careful of awarding initiation
to an unqualified person.
Notwithstanding, a powerful spiritually oriented person is not restricted by any scripture and does not have to
consider who is worthy or unworthy. A fortunate person on receiving his benign glance can be nullified of many
births of sinful activities and will be able to make rapid progress by the impetus of the Holy Names. The mercy of
Srila Haridas Thakura in a lonely forest was such that even a prostitute was converted by his purity. A Muslim
tailor became perfect by helping to sow the cloth of Srivas Pandit. By the incredible mercy of Srila Sarana Murari,
a dead body was infused with life and later became his own disciple. Srila Rasikananda Thakura's compassion
was such that even material objects were invigorated with consciousness and ordinary forest animals became
blessed to chant the Holy Names. Thus the potential self-effulgent 'Acarya' can surcharge others with energy,
himself remaining unchanged in power and not affected in any way. Hari Bhakti Vilas too, a description about
service to the spiritual master is mentioned. The Kurma Purana explains, the disciple has constantly to carry the
water pot of the Guru, pluck the sacrificial ingredients like khusa grass, kusum, etc. As a menial servant of his
Guru. He should always clean the temple of his spiritual master, anoint the body of his guru with sandalwood
and wash his cloth. The garlands, resting place, sandals, sitting cloth (asana), eating utensils and the shadow
of Srila Gurudeva should never be stepped over or treated with disrespect. One should not go out anywhere
without the guru's permission. One should always engage in activities dear to the spiritual master. One should
never point or stretch his legs in the direction of Srila Gurudeva. In proximity to him, yawning, loud laughter and
loud exclamations should be given up, also the practice of cracking one's knuckles. Furthermore, the son of the
spiritual master, his wife, relatives or other acquaintances should be treated with equal respect.
In Devi Tantra, Lord Siva says, the resting place of the spiritual master, his seating place, sandals, foot-rest,
palanquin, bath -water and shadow should never be slighted or utilized. One should never worship any third
person in front of Srila Gurudeva, nor should one try to equate oneself with him. In front of him, one should
renounce erudite expositions of the scriptures nor maintain a superior attitude in relation to him. Also he should
never give spiritual initiation to others while the spiritual master is present.
In Devya Agama, Narada Rsi states, whenever one obtains the vision of Srila Gurudeva, he should immediately,
with folded hands, fall down in prostrated obeisances (like a falling tree) to the Guru. In no event should he be
contemptible to the instructions of his Guru. The Manu Smrti states, that one indirectly or out of hearing should
not address the Guru by his first name or try to imitate his movement, speech and mannerisms. One should
maintain his humble stance as the disciple of his Guru on the occasion of the Guru being in proximity with his
Guru. One should not even go to the house of one's parents if it doesn't meet with the Guru's approval.
In Narada Pancharatra, the way in which the name of the spiritual master is to be utilized is explained. One
should never simply utter the syllables of the Guru's name disrespectfully or carelessly at any time or place.
With a bowed head and folded hands, one should firstly, with the pranam 'om', then with the title '108'
complete with the word 'visnu pada' has to be uttered, before mentioning his name respectfully. It is also
stated that one should never advise the spiritual master on any matter nor should he breach the instructions
laid out by him. One should not eat anything that has not been offered to Sri Guru nor should he eat any food
without his prior permission. On the arrival of the spiritual master, instantly one should bow in front of him
reverently and should accompany respectfully when he is walking. One should never remain seated on a
pedestal or asana in front of him. Whatever is very dear to oneself should be first offered to the spiritual master
and only after being granted by the guru, should he utilize it for himself.
In Visnu Smrti, it is said even when threatened or oppressed by the spiritual master, one should never cause
him any pain in return. One should never criticize him in any way or work against his welfare. In the event of
the disciple not engaging in the service of the guru even after taking the holy syllables and by the guru no
having examined the disciple before, both are liable for punishment, being guilty. Narada Pancharatra states in
this regard:
Yo vyakti nya yarahitam anyayena srnoti yah.
Srila Santana Gosvami writes in the Bhakti Hari Vilas:-
pariksam bina gutrusevadinam bina ca mantrasya kathane
grahne ca mahanartha iti likhati yo baktiti
In not going through the preliminary examination period, both the guru and the disciple face the prospect of
going to a terrible hell for a long time. As stated in Agamas, the son of a born-brahmin, without going through
the ritual of upanayana (brahmin thread) is not allowed to worship either the Salagrama Sila or study the
Vedas. In the same say, the uninitiated person is not allowed to worship the Deity with the uttering of Mantras.
For this process, one has to undergo the rite of initiation. The commentary by Srila Sanatana Gosvami says:
pradhanatvena sri-visundiksagrahanat sri-srivasyapi
samyak stutivisayam iti bhavah
In the way Lord Visnu is the Supreme Lord, one who undergoes initiation into the Visnu Mantra, is even
praiseworthy by the best of all devotees-Lord Siva. In Visnu Yamala it is even mentioned that for any uninitiated
person, all his works will go to naught. One who does not undergo spiritual initiation is destined for animal
births. Diksa (initiation) is termed by the knowers of the truth as that which destroys all sins and gives
transcendental knowledge. In Tattva Sagara, just as bell metal is converted by a chemical process into gold
similarly by the process of initiation, all human beings attain to brahminhood.
yatha kanchautam yati kamsyam rasavvidhanathah
thata diksavidhanena dvijatvam jayate nrnam
Srila Sanatana Gosvami writes nrnam: sarvesameva vijatvam viprata.
By the process of spiritual initiation one attains the brahminhood. One who desires the highest goal should
take to spiritual initiation under a bona fide spiritual master and practice devotional service to the Lord. All
beings have a right for devotion to the Lord, it being the eternal constitutional function of the soul. In Srimad
Bhagavatam Lord Krishna informs His brahmin friend (Bhag 10.50.34):
naham ijya prajyatibyam tapas upasamena va
tusyeyam sarvabhutatma guru susrusaya yatha
The way I become satisfied with a person who is devoted and cent per cent obedient to his guru is far more
than just following their filial duties according to their different stages of life like celibate monk, householder,
renounced order, etc. The great soul Prahlada Maharaja instructs his fellow companions and friends. (Bhag
7/7/10):
Guru susrusaya bhaktya sarva lobharpanena ca
One in forgoing all motives for fame and false prestige in the mood of a servant, in humble submission and
surrender to the lotus feet of Sri Guru will gain firm attraction to the lotus feet of the Lord. Nothing is greater
than service to Sri Guru which is the highest religious principle. All the evil tendencies like lust and anger
including all impurities can be easily dissipated by pure devotion to the Guru. The 11th Vilas, Hari Bhakti Vilas
describes the service to please the Guru is the foremost of all vows. Padma Purana informs us that one who
worships his spiritual master above his own father will definitely be a guest in the world of Brahma. In other
places we have the Guru is himself Lord Brahma. He is Lord Visnu and He is Sankara also, He is comparable to
the Supreme Brahman which entails that all should worship him. In Vamana Kalpe, Lord Brahma describes: yo
mantrati, sa guruh, ksat yo guroh sa hari smrtah, The mantra is the form of the spiritual master and the guru is
the form of Lord Hari. To whom the guru is pleased, Lord Hari becomes pleased with him.
One should not sit on the same sitting place or even on a higher level than the spiritual mater. The spiritual
master is the sum total of all demigods, also he is verily the form of Sri Hari but in all respects considered the
most confidential servitor of the Lord. The Supreme Lord, to teach us the method of practice of devotional
service, has appeared externally in the form of Srila Gurudeva, also demonstrating the proper course of
conduct. The Supreme Lord illuminates the truth of himself by his mercy potency who is Srila Gurudeva, His
confidential associate. Just as we pray to Sri Srila Prabhupada with the prayer as: Sri gaura karuna sakti
vigrahaya namas tu te In the verse tad-vijnanartham sa gurum eva abhigavcet. 'tad vijnana' here means
knowledge of the Supreme Lord. To illustrate further in Gita, the verse "tad-viddhi paripatena:" states to get
knowledge of the Supreme Lord one should approach and take shelter of the spiritual master. The spiritual
master is always exhibiting the most appropriate example, for he is engaged eternally in the service of the
Deity as in dressing the Deity etc. and also cleaning the temple etc.
In this way he engages al his devoted followers in such spiritual services. He is expert in helping the sakhis in
the delightful conjugal pastimes of the Divine Couple Sri Sri Radha Krishna and is very dear to Them. Such a
spiritual master is my most worshipable object. In doing service to Sri Gurudeva, if it limits the service to Sri
Krishna, the guru can never be pleased. Tulasi leaves are to be offered only in his hand in is position as
confidential servitor of the Lord. Sri Tulasi Devi is free to serve the pure devote according to her own accord, but
it is not within our authority to place a pure devotee of the Lord Krishna on the feet of another confidential
servitor .
In showing oneself as being too clever would result in the spiritual master becoming vexed. The scriptures have
declared that if the spiritual Lord becomes angry with any disciple, the spiritual master as intermediary can
pacify the Lord and save the disciples. Conversely, on the Guru becoming angry, nobody can save that person.
Hence, one should always try to please the spiritual master; yasya prasadasd bhagavat prasada yasya prasada na
gatih kuto api. If the spiritual master becomes pleased then the Lord becomes pleased and if the Guru becomes
displeased then there is no destination for that wretched person.
The disciple should be vigilant that by some strict of enviousness, he does not offensively deem his Guru to be
an ordinary mortal.
yasya saksasd bhagavaty jnan dipaprade gurau
martyasadhih srutam tsya sarvam kunjarah sauchavat
In viewing his spiritual master as an ordinary mortal, all that the disciple has learned or heard from his spiritual
master, including the Mantras received will be null and void just as the example of the futile bathing of the
elephant, for the spiritual master is the external manifestation of Lord Visnu and the deliverer of transcendental
knowledge. The disciple should be very attentive and submissive to the lotus feet of Sri Guru at all times, by
both inquiry and service in receiving the divine messages of the Ancient Religion (Bhagavad-dharma) from him.
Gradually in this way he will make progress in devotions. Even after the disappearance of Srila Gurudeva, his
surrendered disciple will always receive his shower of mercy unobserved by others. Sri Srila Prabhupada is
always fond of the servant of his servant and is always protecting such a person at all times. Though he is in
his eternal pastimes engaged in the blissful service of the Divine Couple, he is fondly showering the weak
disciples with his mercy at every step.
This merciful potency is always protecting me and awarding me complete fearlessness. Thus it is with a happy
note to mention that I am not without shelter. He does not neglect me in spite of many faults committed
unknowingly at his lotus feet. He will never forsake me ever. He is the ocean of mercy without limit. In his
presence whilst on this planet, he has even shed tears for me seeing my ignorance and even now he is being
most compassionate in this regard. His deep affection for me is still flowing and is not restricted because he is
not physically present. Certainly he will protect me always as he is doing now and has done previously. He is
my Lord birth after birth and not only this brief life-span. He is my worshipable deity and I am his eternal
servant of the servant.
In my mistakes, would he not disciple me? Definitely! Just as a mother annoyed at seeing the naughty pranks of
her child gives him a slap but after, while seeing the boy crying, will she be able to sit unaffected? In the same
way, even after chiding me, can my eternal master even neglect me? After my rectification, he will definitely
award me the shade of his lotus feet which are cooling as a million moons. I have no other destination except
for his lotus feet. To those who are bereft and lowly, his lotus feet are the only fearless shelter. In the three
worlds, what else can be more painful than separation from him! Who else can look after me in this loving
fashion, Oh merciful Prabhupada! I am the eternal servant of the servitor of your lotus feet. Please accept me
as the dust of your lotus feet.
TOP
Srila Krsnadas Kaviraja Gosvami in Caitanya Caritamrta has written about the principle of Sri Guru. The Supreme
Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna externally takes the form of the spiritual master to give mercy to all the
devotees. The Supreme Lord, who is the receiver of all worship and adoration (visaya vigraha), instead now
plays the role of Spiritual master as a servitor to the Supreme Lord (asraya vigraha). Never does the spiritual
master equate himself as the Supreme Lord to be served by one and all but reveals his identity as the servant
of the servant of Lord Chaitanya (Krishna). Sriman Mahaprabhu has coined the verse: 'gopih bhartuh pada
kamalayor das das anu dasah', I am the servant of the servant of Lord Krishna. Though the spiritual master
humbly thinks himself as the servant of Lord Chaitanya his sober disciples should understand him to be the
transcendental expansion of Sri Chaitanya (Krishna), or His most confidential servitor. As Lord Krishna informs
His beloved disciple Uddhava:
acaryam mam vijaniyan navamanyeta karhicit
na martya-buddhyasuyeta sarva-deva-mayo guru'
Oh Uddhava! The spiritual master is known to be My very form. At no time should one neglect or disrespect the
Guru as an ordinary mortal by envy, nor should he be viewed as having any faults. For this reason the Guru is
the sum total of the demigods.
Two important verses in regard of service to Guru are illustrated:
sayam pratarupaniya bhaiksyam tasmai nivedayet
yacchanyad-apy anujnatamupaunjita samyatah
The disciple, by collection of alms (begging) in the morning and evening, should first offer this to the spiritual
master. Then, only after obtaining his permission can he partake of these cooked grains in a disciplined manner.
susrusamana acaryam sadopasita nicavet
yajna-sayyasamasthanair natidure krtanjalih
One who is fixed in service to his spiritual master should humbly follow him while he is walking, to be vigilant
while he is sleeping, at the time of his rest to massage his legs voluntarily and at the time of his sitting should
wait nearby for his order with folded hands. The Guru is the most beloved of Lord Mukunda. The evidence for
this is illustrated in the following verses:
'gurum-varam mukunda prestatve smara' in 'Manah Siksa' by Srila Raghuantha Das, by Srila Jiva Gosvami in his
'Bhakti Sandarbha' (216/5):
suddha bhaktah sriguruh sri sivasya ca bhagavata
saha abheda drsthim tat priyatam matve naiva manyante'
and by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura in his 'Gurv astakam:
saksad dharitvena samasta sastrai uktas tatha bhavyate eva sadbhih
kintu prabho yah priya eva tasya vande guroh sri caranaravindam
"I offer my respectful obeisances to the spiritual master who is the non-different expansion of the Supreme, as
meditated upon by the saintly people and also acts the dearest servitor of the Supreme Lord. Furthermore the
Guru can be termed as the non-different expansion of Sri Radharani. Our most and compassionate spiritual
master has referred to himself as Sri Varsabhanavi Dayita Das, meaning the one who is dearmost to Srimati
Radhika engaged unalloyed in the service of Sri Krishna. He has revealed himself in his original identity as
Nayana manjari, following in the footsteps of Srimati Radhika's beloved servant Sri Rupa Manjari (Sri Rupa
Gosvami). In this way he is glorified.
tevam gopika vrsayavestan ayantikehasi
sevadhikarini guro nija pada padma
dasyam pradaya kuru mam vraja kanane sri
radhanghri-sevanarase sukhinim sukhabdhe
O Gurudeva! You are immersed in an ocean of bliss and you can award transcendental service. You are the
gopika beloved of Srimati Radhika. Please bestow on me the shelter of your lotus feet, so that I can be
ecstatically engaged in the transcendental service of the Queen of Vraja, Srimati Radharani. His pranam
mantras are:
namah om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhutale
srimate bhaktisiddhanta sarasvati iti namine
sri varsavhanavi devi dayitaya krpabdhaye
krsna sambandha vijnana dayine prabhave namah
madhuryajvala premadya sri rupanuga bhaktida
sri goura karuna sakti vigrahaya namas tu te
namas te gauracani sri murtaye dinatarine
rupanuga viruddhapa siddhanta dvanta harine
Meaning : "I offer my respectful obeisances unto his Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati who is very dear to
Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet." "I offer my respectful obeisances to Sri Varsabhanavi Devi
Dayita who is favored by Srimati Radharani and who is an ocean of mercy, delivering the science of Krishna."
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto you, the personified form of Lord Caitanya's mercy, who delivers the
devotional service enriched with the conjugal love of Sri Radha and Krishna in the line of Srila Rupa Gosvami."
"I offer my obeisances unto you who are the personified teachings of Lord Chaitanya the deliverer of the fallen
souls. You never compromise with any teachings deviating from that as enunciated by Srila Rupa Gosvami."
As Narottama das Thakura has expressed his obedience to the messages of Srila Rupa Gosvami, Srila
Prabhupada has similarly shown the same mood of obedience to Srila Rupa Gosvami, praying for his service
birth after birth. I too, in this vein, pray wholeheartedly to be the servant of my beloved spiritual master, birth
after birth.
In Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Kavi, one of the nine great rsis, explains to King Nimi: The Supreme Lord has given
instructions in the most simple fashion by which even the most ignorant people can take such advantage of this
knowledge. These sets of instructions are termed as 'bhagavat dharma'. In the sincere following of these
religious principles, the human being cannot be hindered by any impediments, so much so, as a man running
with his eyes shut cannot slip and fall down. The living entity, by the influence of the external energy of the
Lord, becomes forgetful of his original identity. This results in the pure soul being bewildered by the attachment
to the body ,mind and intelligence and being absorbed in these false coverings become subject to fear.
Therefore the discriminating and sober person should, by shelter of the spiritual master knowing him to be the
Lord's confidential associate, engage in unalloyed devotional service of the Supreme Lord as the way to
counteract this fear."
The main process of devotion is chanting of the Holy Names which can reveal the transcendental nature of the
Lord's birth and activities. Srila Prabhupada, informs us, that one of the nine Yogendra says:' The mature
disciple should inquisitively approach a bona-fide spiritual master of pacified urges and well versed in scriptures.
He should by submission and inquiry, study the ancient doctrines from him. In Srimad Bhagavatam (11/3/22)
tatra bhagavatan dharman siksed gurvatmadaivatah
amayaya anuvrtya yai tusyed atma 'tmado harih
"One should always view the spiritual master as the expansion of Lord Hari and one's best friend and well
wisher. Only be obedient service of Srila Gurudeva without any hypocrisy can he be able to please Lord Hari in
which case all the principles of 'bhagavta-dharma' will become automatically understood."
Srila Prabhupada has written: The disciple, after having accepted the shelter of the spiritual master, should not
view the spiritual master in a material perspective but should engage wholeheartedly in his service. By the force
of illusion, if the disciple demeans the position of the spiritual master or tries to act superior in relation to him,
then very little fruit or gain is obtained, rather the reverse occurs after such acceptance of a guru.
The knowledge of being servant of the Supreme Lord by an aspirant, leads to service of the Lord. When the
Lord, seeing such earnest striving, becomes pleased, one becomes qualified to be the servant of the spiritual
master and by this relentless, faithful service to the Guru, the Supreme Lord's mercy is attained. The verse
below is relevant:
yasya deva para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau
tasyaite kathita hy arthah prakasante mahatmanah
Meaning: "One who has unflinching faith in the Supreme Lord and the spiritual master, all the purports of the
scriptures become revealed." This means, all one's misgivings and doubts are instantly vanquished at that
time.. These stages are listed in the instructions of Srila Rupa Gosvami: Firstly, acceptance of spiritual master
and then inquiring submissively from him, following which, one engages in devotional service in the footsteps of
the pure devotees. Consequently, one becomes entitled to hear the pure scripture called Srimad Bhagavatam
and begins to do so. Gradually, the devotees become entrenched in the service of Lord Krishna, by deliberation
of the purports of the verses of this scripture. At that stage they give up all types of fruitive work and become
established as the servant of the Supreme Lord Krishna: This is the message of the Ancient religion
(Bhagavat-Dharma). Such a person is not confined by the dictates of fruitive work, dry knowledge, or other
deviant behavior. In this world, to obtain a spiritual master who not only practices but propagates this Ancient
religion is very rare.
On the disappearance of Lord Gaura-sundara His sublime teachings gradually have become distorted, together
with the stress on pure devotion becoming diminished. By His sweet will, His merciful potency has appeared in
the form of two effulgent stalwart leaders to carry out the rectification of the fallen people of Kali -yuga. They
were Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and his ideal representative Srila Sarasvati Thakura. The Six Gosvamis had
condensed the messages of the Vedas, Itihasa, Purana, etc. in their writings, and these two 'Acaryas' fathered
the relevant material from these works and published them in various languages like Bengali,, Hindi and English
in the form of periodicals and journals. By their inspiration, many temples have been constructed with the
emphasis on service to the Deity form of the Lord and the chanting of the Holy Names as the ideal process for
this age of Kali. Discourses on the Holy Books like Chaitanya Caritamrta are also being carried out daily in these
temples. In addition Srila Prabhupada, by means of dioramas and exhibitions, has used scientific techniques to
implement the preaching of Sriman Mahaprabhu's message untiringly. In spite of their great efforts to effect the
propagation of the divine message of Sriman Mahaprabhu, the ordinary people in their fallen condition seem to
relish the paths opposed to the mood of pure devotion, which has made the pure devotees become
compassionate at the sight of such people wallowing in ignorance. The present times advertise many false
gurus who by giving indulgence to the whimsical desires of their disciples attempt to obtain a large number of
followers. These so called magnanimous personalities, being respected as the self effulgent leaders for the
present Age, have only succeeded in stifling the devotional mood of the general masses. In this way, these
impostors have denied their followers of any success or hope of happiness.
The Supreme Lord is present internally as the Supersoul in the heart (Caitya Guru) and externally as the
spiritual master to bless the fallen conditioned soul. (Srimad Bhagavatam 11/29/6) Uddhava speaks:
naivapanyanty apachitim kavaya tavesa
barhmayasapi krtamrddam udah smarantah
yo' antarbahis tanubhritam asubham vidhunvan
na acarya caitaya vapusa svagatim vyanakti
Meaning: "You are present in Your form externally as the initiating and instructing spiritual master giving
guidance to Your disciples, with the help of model personal behavior and internally existing as the Supersoul in
the heart (Caitya guru), warding off the attraction of your devotees towards sense-gratification together with
enlightening them of their original position. The learned devotees, remembering Your grace, become
overwrought with joy and are not able to repay their debt to you even in one life-span of Lord Brahma."
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti has explained this verse:
"If anyone says that the Supreme Lord is awarding the four-fold aims of life to his devout votaries is not free
from limiting adjuncts but is conditional, the answer is no, not exactly that. Once cannot say this because even
the very practice of devotion is only possible by His mercy alone, for the myriad ways the Lord helps the
individual and promotes his welfare cannot be repaid. The learned sages who are living long lives, like Lord
Brahma, cannot repay their debt to Him even In the least and on remembering His grace become overcome by
bliss. That is this beneficial help of the Supreme Lord? The Lord externally in the form of initiating and instructing
spiritual master or Acarya, guides the aspiring soul by giving him initiation into the Holy Mantra and practical
instructions on the practice of devotion, and internally as the Supersoul in the heart (Caitya Guru), He gives
them the intelligence 'aham dadami buddhi yogam tam', (see Bhagavat-gita 10.10) b which they can attain Him.
In this way by giving the aspirant proper discriminative intelligence, He inspires the devotee to strive in his
devotions to the point whereby he eventually achieves the transcendental association of the Lord in his original
body. If the Lord in the heart does not help remove the obstacles present in the heart and inspire the spiritual
aspirant to pure devotion internally, that candidate will never be successful even in millions of years of striving
to achieve that stage. As the internal 'Caitya' Guru, the Lord gives them fixed intelligence to proceed on.
Further, He, as the external spiritual master, by the shelter of his lotus feet instructs the candidate on pure
devotional practice by virtue of his personal model example. Therefore the spiritual aspirant, in following the
footsteps of Sri Guru very rigidly and by persevering in such devotions, will result in pleasing the Guru. The
spiritual master in being pleased, will automatically warrant the grace of the Supreme Lord.
This type of fortune is denied to one who does not take to the exclusive shelter of the bona fide spiritual
master. In this context, the persons under the category of fruitive workers, dry scholars and ascetics are not
ideal as spiritual masters. In taking to the shelter of such people, material enjoyment, liberation or perfection
may be obtained. But because in all these paths the gross and subtle desires to satisfy one's own senses exist
and not quite the pure desires for serving the senses of Lord Krsna, consequently pure devotion will never
result. Fruitive work not done in relation to the service of the Lord instead increases the bondage of the living
entity to the material world. In the path of dry knowledge, the desire for devotion is absent, but that of
liberation exists, which is even more dangerous than the material enjoyment sought by the fruitive workers.
This class of people tries to eradicate all differences between the devotee, the practice of devotion and the
Supreme Lord (knower, knowledge and known) in their deviant analysis. When one accepts the monastic
axioms like 'aham brahamasmi' or 'tattva asi', etc., and by impersonal knowledge tries to merge in the
unqualified Brahman as one's highest objective, then these practices are not conducive but rather destroy
devotion to the very roots The devotee shuns away form such people because the aspirations of such people
to merge altogether in the void, attaining impersonal liberation, is worse than death. The devotees of Lord
Vishnu usually are desirous of obtaining the four fold liberations which are:
1. (sarsti) equal opulence with the Lord
2. (sarupa) have the same form of the Lord
3. (samipya) residing near the Lord
4. (salokya) staying in the same planet of the Lord
However, the unalloyed devotees of Lord Krishna reject all these types of liberation in favor of pure devotional
service to the Lord. They will not even accept such liberation if given to them unasked. Evidence of this is found
in the verses of Srimad Bhagavatam (1/20/31-34). In the Srimad Bhagavatam, the spotless Purana, love of
Godhead has been defined as the highest goal of life above the four-fold aims. Usually, the fruitive workers
aspire for piety, wealth and satisfaction of their senses accordingly. The impersonalists try to merge in the
unqualified Brahman for salvation, while the ascetic (yogis) also try to merge with the qualified form of the
Supersoul in the heart. One of the invocatory prayers of Srimad Bhagavatam runs beginning with 'Dharma
projjita kaitava'. This has been explained by Srila Kavirja Gosvami saying:
ajnanatamer nama kahiye kaitvava (CC.)
Srila Sridhar Gosvami, in his commentary, has enlightened us about the word 'pro' as that by which even the
very desire for liberation is rejected. Srila Krsnadas Kaviraja has named all that which misleads the pure soul of
its constitutional function as servant of the Lord, to be cheating tendencies (kaitava). Other than the original
desire to satisfy the senses of Lord Krishna, all else comes under the realm of cheating tendencies and as 'bad
association' which should be rejected. The only goal for the sincere aspirant is Lord Krishna and His devotional
service, while other desires are listed as bad association. Consequently, piety, wealth, satisfaction of desires
and liberation are all cheating tendencies-gross ignorance (ajnana tamah) of which liberation is the greatest
cheating tendency. The spiritual master by delivering transcendental knowledge awakens the disciple form his
ignorant state. The aspirant, on receiving initiation (diksa), becomes aware of his own real nature, the truth of
the Supreme Lord, the means of accomplishment and the goal. In this way, freeing himself from the clutches of
the illusory energy by proper striving in devotional practice, he finally remains entrenched in steady devotion to
Lord Krishna. Uddhava, the jewel of the devotees, addresses Lord Krishna in this manner:
"O Lord! Your lotus feet are the resort of all saintly people and are the cause of unlimited bliss, while the other
categories of aspirants, who are seeking dry knowledge, accumulations of pious work or mystic powers, do not
take to the shelter of Your lotus feet and thereby become vanquished by Your external energy. Oh! Acyuta, You
are the Absolute friend of all living entities. In Your incarnation as Lord Rama, Your lotus feet were given the
greatest reverence by the demigods. They placed their jewel crown in adoration on Your lotus feet yet You only
formed friendly relationships with the monkeys, what to speak of men or demigods? You showed subservience
to unalloyed devotees like Nanda Baba, the gopis, Vali, who all exhibited loving servitorship to You. This is not
an amazing sight, for pure devotees who practice intense devotion to You are the object of Your grace and You
are completely subjugated by them. The categories of devotees who are completely devoid of desires for pious
work, knowledge and mysticism only can conquer You. In Your expansion as Lord Rama, You established loving
relations eagerly with the monkeys. In Vrindavana too, You dallying with these lower animals like the cows,
exhibited Your affection for them. An example being how you stole butter from Your house to feed the monkeys.
What type of knowledge or mysticism have they practiced that You have become won over by them? On the
contrary, amongst the impersonalists, there is not even a trace of the existence of such delightful pastimes.
Hence, we, being Your loyal servants, do not accept all these false processes of knowledge and mysticism.
Especially, those who have understood that unlimited mercy You have given to devotees like Prahlad Maharaja
and Bali, can never be deviated from devotion to Your lotus feet in pursuance of any lesser goal like liberation.
Chandogya Upanisad states (6/14/2).:
acaryavan puruso veda
The living entity who has taken to the lotus feet of a self-realized soul can understand the Supreme Lord.
Who is Acarya? As Manu Samhita states:- The twice-born who performs the upanayan ritual on his disciple and
teaches him the purports of the Vedas is called an 'Acarya' (realized spiritual master).
Achinoti yah 'sastrartham acare sthapayatyapi
Svayam acarate yasmad acarya stena kirtitah
One who has realized the conclusions of the scriptures and teaches these to others by dint of his own model
behavior is the self-realized Guru (Acarya).
In this context if some arrogant pundit, whilst browsing through the Vedas and not finding proper mention of Sri
Krishna dismisses the Vedas, then he is not exhibiting the proper conduct of an Acarya for blaspheming the
scriptures. The Lord Himself declares in Gita, "I am the knower, the compiler and the end of all the Vedas". The
Gita, as written by Sri Vyasadeva, is the cream of the Upanisads and this purport of the Vedas contain two
important verses, mahavakya, namely: man mana bhava mad-bhakto mad -yaji mam namaskuru and sarva
dharman parityaja mam ekam saranam vraja, which is that ultimately: One should surrender to Lord Sri Krishna
with devotion for attaining the prime goal of life. The genuine Acarya explains the purports of the scriptures in
terms of pure devotion, 'acaryam bhaktisamsanat' and this is the meaning of Acarya.
Next, the meaning of the word 'Guru' is explained. 'Gu' means darkness of ignorance and 'Ru' means that which
dissipates such darkness, or in other words, one who takes away the dense darkness of ignorance by giving
transcendental knowledge to the disciple is called Guru. The Guru has the Supreme Lord stationed in his heart
and does not differentiate other living entities with himself. In this sense, he is most magnanimous, thereby
achieving his qualification as 'Guru'. The spiritual master, having the form of the Absolute Truth firmly
entrenched in his pure heart, is able to transmit pure knowledge to the disciple by initiation (diksa), without
himself being reduced or minimized in any way. This is the inconceivable potency of the Supreme Lord. By this
potency too, He can manifest in his absolute form both in the heart of the Guru and disciple at the same time.
In Srimad-Bhagavatam the sage Prabuddha says:
tasmad gurum prapadyeta jijnasuh sreyah uttamam
sabde pare ca nisantam barhmanyo pasam asrayam
To obtain his highest welfare, one should approach and take shelter of a self-realized spiritual master who is
well-versed with knowledge of the scriptures and free from all vices like attachment and anger. The amassing of
pious merit to enjoy in this life and hereafter is after all a temporary affair and opposed to the true goal. It is
imperative that the spiritual master be conversant with the purports of the revealed scriptures otherwise, if he
is not able to clear the doubts of the disciples, inevitably the disciple will tend to become unsatisfied and may
then become indifferent, or lack faith in the spiritual master. "Para brahma nisnatah" here refers to the
necessity of the spiritual master being thoroughly convinced of the Absolute Transcendence by personal
realization and experience; if not, his mercy will not be of much value nor will it bear any fruit. Another symptom
of the bona fide spiritual master is that he is free form lust, anger, greed which is consonant with his spiritual
awakening.
In Hari Bhakti Vilas, Srila Sanatana Gosvami quotes:
"A Guru who understands the actual conclusions of the revealed scripture has the ability to dissipate the
doubts of the disciple. Furthermore, the Guru himself should be in a position to be able to experience the deep
spiritual truths and be stoic in his understanding, otherwise he will never be able to impart true understanding
to the disciple. The identity of such a spiritual master is peaceful and serene, whereby all base urges like lust
etc. have been pacified. In addition he is resolute in the uninterrupted devotional service of the Lord such as
the limbs of devotion like hearing and chanting. One should take shelter of such a genuine spiritual master.
The dynasty from the first-born Svayambhuva Manu and Satarupa begins with their children, two sons,
Priyavarta and Uttanapada and three daughters, Akunti, Devahuti and Prasuti respectively. These daughters
were handed to the progenitors Ruci, Kadamba and Daksa from whom the whole human race descended. From
the direct succession of King Priyavrata was King Rshaba, son of King Nabhi. He was an expansion of the
Supreme Lord Vasudeva and an empowered incarnation. He has 100 sons, the eldest of which was King
Bharatha. The region in which we are staying is named after this King Bharata. Of the seven islands of this
lotus-like Bhu-Mandala planetary system is Jambudvipa, which can be divided into nine regions. The Ajnaba
region of this island of Jambudvipa is Bharata-varsa. At the end of Dvarpara-yuga the Supreme Lord graciously
advents in this region of Bharata-varsa and executes human-like pastimes. It is by the great mercy of the
Supreme Lord that we are born in a most pious region compared to the doorway of the spiritual world. Hence
the sober intelligent person should not waste a moment, but endeavor hard for self-realization, for this human
body is but temporary and only for some brief period of time. There is no certainty when death will catch up with
us, therefore as long as we are endowed with living consciousness, for that period we should endeavor for the
highest. This rare human form of life should not be wasted in vain but positively used in devotional service to
the Supreme Lord.
In Srimad Bhagavatam (11 / 9 / 29), labdha sudurlabham idam, Lord Dattatreya has warned us to be vigilant in
making use of this valuable human body. Once, the song of King Yayati, Yadu, happened to meet a serene sage
wandering fearlessly and unattached. The curious Kind Yadu then inquired form this sage Dattatreya the cause
of his blissful nature. Lord Dattatreya then informed Yadu that in the acceptance of twenty-four instructing
spiritual masters like the Earth, sea, bee, mountain, etc,. he had become self-realized and succeeded in
becoming detached by this process. (Diksa Guru is one but there can be many siksa Gurus). Lord Krishna,
before enacting His disappearance pastimes from this mortal world, retold this story of Dattatreya to His
confidential associate Uddhava. He also told Uddhava that devotion is superior to all other processes like works
and knowledge for the unalloyed devotees of Lord Krishna disdain to accept even liberation in exchange for the
bliss of pure devotional service. In this context too, the verse "nrdehamadyam" has been explained. ( 11 / 20 /
19). After obtaining this rare human body which is compared to a boat, the spiritual master, who is navigator of
that boat, and the favorable wind in the form of the causeless mercy of the Lord, if one dies not strive to cross
over this ocean of material existence then he is a killer of his own soul.
Sri Srila Prabhupada comments on this verse: -
This precious human body can secure us our highest welfare and there is no other way. It is obtained only after
evolution through countless lifetimes in this universe. The spiritual master, being proficient in the science of
Krishna consciousness, can serve as the navigator of this boat. The favorable wind which propels this human
boat into eternity is the causeless mercy of the Lord. One who cannot understand the value of this human body
or the spiritual master as the ideal navigator and does not aspire to seek the mercy of the Lord, is killer of his
own soul because of gross ignorance of his own welfare. Conclusively, taking shelter of the spiritual master to
engage in devotional service is of primary importance. In Srimad Bhagavatam (11 / 10 / 5) Sri Krishna tells
Uddhava:-
madabhijnam gurum santam upasita madatmakam
One should engage in the service of a self-realized spiritual master who knows Me in truth and is absorbed in
Me : Srila Sanatana Gosvami defines the term 'madabhijnam':- He who, experiencing My natural affection for My
devotees thereby knows Me in truth is called 'madabhijnam". One who has absorbed his mind in Me is termed
madatmakam.
Manduka Sruti states:
tad vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet
smaitpanih 'strotiryam brahma nistham
The disciple with sacrificial implements in his hand should, approach the self-realized master to attain the
highest knowledge. In the Bhagavad-gita (4.3) "tad viddhi paripatena praiprasnena sevaya" has defined these
sacrificial implements as submission, service and inquiry. 'Tad' refers to the Supreme Lord. In other words for
knowledge of the Supreme Lord one should approach the bona fide spiritual master and offer prostrated
obeisances to him in a mood of submission. He should then proceed to serve the Guru like a menial servant to
his satisfaction. Then he should humbly inquire about the qualities and form of the Supreme Truth with His
multifarious energies. The other relevant questions will be: From where and why have I come to this material
world, and how can I be freed from this material attraction?
The Katha Sruti (2 / 3/ 14) states:
uttisthata jagrata prapya varam nibodhata
Meaning: Wake up! Arise ! Take shelter of the self realized soul and understand your original identity: thus
enforcing the need of a spiritual master. The Svetasvatara Sruti (1 /23) beginning with "yasya deva para bhaktir
yatha deve tatha gurau" states:- To one who has unflinching faith in the spiritual master and devotion to the
Supreme Lord, all the scriptures become revealed to him. To understand and be enlightened by the revealed
scriptures necessitates the mercy of Srila Gurudeva which is available only by devotion to his lotus feet and not
otherwise.
Sriman Mahaprabhu, in His teachings to Srila Rupa Gosvami remarks:
brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan ji va
guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti lata bi ja
As a result of diverse fruitive activities, the different living entities are wandering in myriad wombs within the
universe. By dint of previous pious works, one becomes greatly fortunate to undertake devotional service to the
Lord. By the mercy of both the spiritual master and the Supreme Lord, he receives the creeper of devotion
which is initial faith in devotional practices. The spiritual practitioner installs this creeper of devotion in budding
stage in the core of his heart and waters it by the process of hearing and chanting, doing the work of a
transcendental gardener. The mercy of Sri Guru coming into play, the creeper sprouts and slowly growing
traverses the boundary of the material universe into the spiritual Vaikuntha planets and on reaching there, with
renewed efforts, the creeper rises over to reach the Lotus feet of Sri Krishna in Goloka Vrndavana. At this point
too, the process of hearing and chanting becomes ever more intense. The ripened fruit of that huge creeper of
devotion matures as love of Godhead.
During the cultivation of devotional practice, the aspirant should be especially careful to ward off the mad
elephant offense or blaspheming against the pure devotees of the Supreme Lord. Such an offense will damage
the tender creeper and curtail devotion. Besides, there is the tendency for side branches to sprout form the
main branch during cultivation of devotion, which impels one to stray away from the goal. These are
sense-gratification, liberation, desire for profit, fame and distinction, rivalry and enviousness, etc. These
activities do not contribute to the growth of the main creeper of pure devotion In that precarious condition, only
implicit obedience to the spiritual master can enable us to necessarily weed out these impediments (anarthas).
Love of Godhead is achieved by single-minded pure devotion which is above the common four-gold aims up to
liberation. It is to be stressed that the main ingredient for advancement is the mercy of the spiritual master,
which is in turn automatically obtained by unconditional surrender to his lotus feet. The living entity, in his pure
identity, is the servant of Lord Krishna. By forgetfulness of this identity, he has become entangled by the
illusory material modes of nature. The only way to escape from this material entanglement is devotional service
to the Lord, through the media of the spiritual master. In Srimad-Bhagavatam 10 /27 /32) Prayers of the Vedas:
vijita hrsikavayubhira danta manas turagam
ya iha yatanti yantum atilolam upayakhidhidah
vyasanasatanvitah samavahaya guruscaranam vanija
ivaja santyakrtakarnadhara jaladhou
Oh Lord who is not born! Without the direct shelter of a spiritual master, all efforts to control one's turbulent
mind, whether one has apparently done so by his own effort or not been able to do so, is of no avail! He will
simply experience misery and difficulties at every step like the trader who tries to cross the ocean in a vessel
devoid of an experienced navigator. The qualities of a spiritual master are mentioned elaborately in the Mantra
Muktabali Sutras.
The spiritual master usually comes from a pure dynasty or lineage of high ancestry. He himself by nature is pure
of heart. He can be in any stage of life, in his status as officiating Guru. He is free from anger. He is well versed
in the Vedas and understands the purports of all scriptures. He is free from malice to any living creature. He
looks kindly on all living entities; his speech is sweet and beneficial; he is faithful to his dress and engages in
the welfare of all living entities. He is sober, self-satisfied, without hankering for any unwanted desire. He is
brimming with all nice qualities like affection and generosity. He worships the Deity steadfastly. He is
affectionate to his disciples, he is grateful, he performs homage understanding its significance. He is merciful to
all, possesses a purified mind and can defeat all opposing deviant conclusions to pure devotion. In Agastya
Samhita too, the spiritual master is described as one who is peaceful, free from desires of sense gratification,
who controls his mind and body, engages in scriptural study, expert in revelation of the scriptures, the best of
all brahmanas (twice-born), understands the meaning and use of Mantras, can dispel all the doubts of his
disciples, understand deep truths, always engaged in purifying himself, has achieved perfection in conducting
sacrifices, is truthful, austere and usually is in the class of a householder.
The Visnu Smrti describes that the spiritual master who always extract service and wealth of a disciple and
hankers for prestige and fame is not worthy of being a spiritual master.
guruvo bhavah santi 'sisyavittaparakah
durlabhah sadgurudeva 'sisyasantaparakah (Puranas)
Lord Mahadeva speaks" "Oh Devi! There are many so-called spiritual masters who are just bent on seizing the
wealth of their disciples, but the spiritual mater who takes away the miseries and afflictions of the devotee is
very rare." Further, in Visnu smrti, the symptoms of a genuine spiritual master are mentioned as being very
compassionate to all beings, self-satisfied and not dependent on others, resplendent with all obvious good
qualities, engaged in the welfare of other living entities free from all desires, having achieved all perfection,
replete with all knowledge especially regarding pure devotional conclusions of scriptures, who can cut off the
doubts of the disciples, not lazy but always absorbed in Sri Krishna's service.
When Ramananda Raya humbly submitted himself as being of sudra birth to Sriman Mahaprabhu, the Lord
replied:
kiba vipra kiva jyasi, sudra kene nay
yei krsna tattva vetta, sei guru haya
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura writes in his commentary: "The Lord Sriman Mahaprabhu says: I never think that just
because I have been born from a brahmin family and have taken the renounced order of life, it is not proper for
Me to take instruction on religious principles from one of inferior birth, i.e. sudra. It is a fact that by the
'varnasrama' system of society, the 'brahmin Guru' is recommended for instruction on religious principles and for
giving initiation. The highest spiritual knowledge relates to the truth about Sri Krishna. Thus to be a Guru able
to impart such knowledge is based solely on the contention, whether or not he has realized in truth the science
of Krishna consciousness and is independent of whether he is in the designation of a sudra, householder or the
renounced order. In the Hari Bhakti Vilas, it is stated that if a high-born capable spiritual master is present, it is
not befitting to take Krishna mantra from a low class person. This rule is however reserved only for the common
lay men who are compelled to follow the formal dictates of religious principles. Especially, for them to make
progress necessitates a 'brahmin Guru' by which some spiritual merit can be secured by these people. The
devotees (Vaisnavas) are above this rule.
Those who sincerely take to devotion in either of the path of formal regulated principles or spontaneous
devotion, should take the shelter of such a self-realized soul, irregardless of his birth or station (stage of life).
Many concrete proofs have been quoted from Padma Purana, for example:- "A pure devotee of the Supreme
Lord, who is born form a low caste is a great soul and not considered of low-class, while one devoid of devotion
to Lord Janardana, though of high birth, is considered sudra. The six brahminical practices are performing
sacrifice oneself, conducting such sacrifices, study of scriptures, teaching of such spiritual knowledge, welfare
activities like distribution of knowledge and lastly, acceptance of wealth. A brahmin expert in all such activities
including even the science of Mantra, cannot be a guru if he is a non-devotee, while a low-class candela who is
devoted to Lord Visnu can qualify to be a 'Guru". Again, a twice born, proficient in scriptural lore and able to
elucidate their purports in various ways, that brahmin, if he is not a devotee, does not qualify to take the 'Guru'
position. One who is born in the first three classes of Brahmin (priests), ksatriya (noble class), vaisya (farmer),
can be naturally eligible to be the guru of the other fourth class namely sudra (servant) class and other lower
classes. On the other hand, the dearmost devotee of the Supreme Lord, even though born from a sudra class,
can be easily accepted as spiritual master of all the other higher classes. This is verified by the verse below:
nica-jati jhane krsna-bhajane ayogya
sat-kula-vipra nahe bhajane yogya
yei bhaje sei bda, abhakta-hina, chara
krsna-bhajane nahi jai-kuladi vicara
I surrender in submission to Srila Sanatana Prabhu who gives transcendental knowledge. He who is always
feeling the distresses of others have induced me to mercifully drink the highest nectar of devotion endowed
with renunciation, whilst in my depraved state of blind ignorance and doubt. Sri Rsabhadeva gives the following
instruction to his sons (5/5/18)
gurur na sa syat
sva-jano na sa syat
pita na sa syaj janani na sa syat
daivam na tat syan na patis ca sa syan
na mocayed yah samupeta-mrtyum
"One who cannot save his dependents from the impending face of death in the form of this miserable material
world, cannot be considered as Guru. A father who cannot liberate his children is not a father and should not
beget children. Similarly a mother, if she cannot rescue her children from illusion, should not bother to give birth
to a child. A demigod should not accept worship and offerings from the votaries if he cannot deliver them. A
husband should not be accepted in marriage in he cannot save the wife." In short, one should reject all such
'gurus' who cannot liberate us from the material illusory energy culminating in death. Just as previous times, the
corresponding examples are given as in the case of Maharaja Bali who rejected his Guru "Sukracarya'. The
devotee Prahlada Maharaja rejected his own father King Hiranyakasipu. Bharata rejected his own mother
Kaikeyi. King Katvanga rejected the demigods. Also, the wives of the ritualistic brahmanas gave up the
association of their husbands on seeing their indifference to Lord Krishna.
Simply to be a great scholar is not the criteria to be a spiritual master. Lord Krsna addresses Uddhava in Srimad
Bhagavatam (11/11/28):
sabdha brahmani nisnto na nisnayat pare yadi
sramas tasya srama phalo hrdhenum iva raksatah
The meaning of the verse is, one who is erudite in scriptural study and engrosses himself in scriptural
expositions but does not delineate it in connection with the Supreme Lord, does not reap any fruit or merit as
keeping a cow who does not give milk. 'Nisnata' means to practice devotion to the Supreme Lord and 'na
nisnayatah' means one who is not expert in understanding devotion to the Supreme Lord. In this respect, the
utility of qualities like austerity, knowledge and high birth will be only useful it they induce one to engage in
devotional service to the Supreme Lord and by themselves are merely secondary qualities . In Hari Bhakti
Suddhodaya, Srila Krsnadas Kaviraja has commented that one has burnt all his resultant sinful actions by
intense devotional service, and whose character is spotless, is worthy of veneration by learned people, even if
he comes form a very low birth (candala). For one who is completely devoid of devotion to the Lord, his high
birth, knowledge of scriptures, muttering of Mantras and austerity resemble the ornaments on a dead body. In
Padma Purana it is stated :-
grhta visnu diksako visnu puja paro narah
vaisnavo'bhitah 'bhijnairo' itaro' smad avaisnava
A person who is initiated into the Vishnu Mantra and is dedicated to worship of Lord Vishnu and learned in
devotional service is a devotee (Vaisnava) while other are non devotees. In Pancharatra it is declared that one
who receives a Mantra from a non-devotee will pave his way to hell and the only remedy for this is again to
accept the Vishnu mantra again from a devotee.
In Hari Bhakti Vilas, there are stern warnings against whimsically rejecting a self-realized spiritual master.
(4/141-143) For example: Those persons who whimsically reject a bona fide guru for a disciplic succession, or a
Guru who has realized the purports of the Vedas is considered so ungrateful that even the flesh-eating birds
and animals will not eat his body. One who rejects his true spiritual master unrightfully has already renounced
the Supreme Lord at the same time, and the results of this atrocious action is that his actual knowledge and
learning will become contaminated and slowly dwindle away.
Another statement from scripture states that, the person is lowest among human beings who after deliberately
accepting a guru at first, later reject him altogether. He will have to burn in hell for one million kalpas as
atonement for this.
In actual fact, all these fearful statements in regard to rejection of a spiritual master refer only to the case
when the Guru was genuine or bona fide. On the contrary worldly gurus who are deviant from the true paths,
shows enmity to the true devotees, or are simply famous public personalities can be rejected in the
consideration that these gurus will not help us to achieve our spiritual objective. Srila Jiva Gosvami in Bhakti
Sandarbha explains :-
paramartha guruasrayo vyavarika
gururadi parityagenapi kartavyah
Meaning: An incompetent spiritual master who is worldly-minded and accepted on convenience for name sake
should be rejected and a self-realized soul who can impart spiritual knowledge is to be chosen. Further, in the
Bhakti Sandarbha it is written:
vaisnavavidvesi cet parityajya eva
guror apya baliptasyeti smaranat
The purport being, if a spiritual master is antagonistic to the devotees, or if he is an ordinary materialistic sense
enjoyer, then he should be rejected. Such a guru, not having had any real symptoms of a devotee, will also
incur fault for awarding the Mantra in an unauthorized manner and will have to glide towards the hellish region
as a consequence. The best course in this situation is to approach a great soul for guidance in humble
submission. The famous verse in Mahabharata as quoted by Sri Jiva in his Bhakti Sandarbha commentary is
stated:-
guruapya baliptasya karya akaryam ajanatah
utpathapratipannasya parityago vidhiyate
One who is attached to sense gratification, who is indecisive of what is proper and not proper action and
whose ways have deviated from the path of pure devotion, in other words a 'guru' by name only should be
rejected. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has mentioned when one has to reject a Guru in his Harinam Cintamani:-
tabe yadi ei rupa ghatana kabu haya
asat-sange furura yogyata naya ksaya
prathame chilena tini sadguru-pradhana
pare nama-apvaradhe hoia hata jnana
viasnava vidvesa kari chadi nama-rasa
krame krame han artha-kaminira vasa
sei gur chadi sisya sri krsna krpaya
sad guru labhiya punah suddha-nama gaya
In Jaiva Dharma, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura writes: The initiating Guru (Diksa) is usually not to be given up but
for two specific reasons can be renounced. Firstly when the disciple ignorantly accepts without any examination
a Guru without consideration of his spiritual advancement and knowledge together with, whether or not he
observes Vaishnava etiquette and conduct. Later when he understands his own dilemma and that no spiritual
merit can be accomplished, that spiritual master needs naturally to be rejected. Narada Pancaratra's verdict:-
yo vyakti nyayarahitam anyayena srnoti yah
tavubhau narakam ghoram vrajatah kalam aksayam
One who speaks in a manner contrary to the revealed conclusions of scripture and the disciple who strictly
upholds such distorted conclusions, will both go down to the darkest well of hellish existence. The second
reason by which a disciple can be allowed to reject the initiating Guru is the instance when at the time of
initiation the Guru could have been very pure of conduct and learned in Vaisnava conclusions. Gradually by force
of bad association, he may become converted to be an Impersonalist or a reviler of the Vaisnavas
(blasphemous). Such a spiritual master should be rejected.
If one's spiritual master is neither an offender of the Vaisnavas, an impersonalist or attached to sinful activities
then it is not warranted to reject such spiritual master simply on the grounds of his insufficient knowledge.
Rather the proper etiquette is to keep adoring him as spiritual master but to take permission from him to
approach another great self-realized soul for "Siksa" and to learn the higher spiritual truths from such an
instructing spiritual master.
In the Hari Bhakti Vilas, the symptoms of a genuine Guru, one posing as a Guru including the characteristics of a
disciple, have been elaborately explained at length. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura writes, one of model character
and strong faith is eligible to become a disciple. Similarly the genuine Guru is of saintly character, understands
the devotional conclusions, simple, not greedy in the least, free from any tinge of Impersonalism and naturally
expert in all activities. Generally a brahmin possessing all good qualities can accept disciples from other castes.
In the absence of such brahmins however, devotees from other castes who are spiritually advanced can be
selected as Guru. The basis of this injunction overrules the ordinary 'varnasrama' rules regarding superiority on
the basis of seminal birth. One who understands the science of the Supreme Lord is eligible to become a
spiritual master. The usual caste brahmins at most may be able to get some extra material facilities by their
superior birth, but the pure devotee can truly function as Guru.
The scriptures have specific rules according to as and when the disciple may be accepted in the light of trial. The
fact of the matter is when the Guru sees the disciple as a fit candidate and when the disciple has strong faith in
the purity of his Guru, then only will the flow of mercy take place between the Guru and the disciple.
The 'Hari Bhakti Vilas' mentions that a person who eats too much, procrastinates, is greedy for things not in
connection with Sri Krishna, argumentative (in connection with this Jamini, Sugata, Nastika, Vagna, Kapila and
Gautama with their followers are persons who practice agrumentation-hetuvada), wicked nature, strongly
critical as well as relishing the misdemeanors of others, defamer, serve unworthy people, black teeth, black lips,
who has foul odor emanating from his mouth, has bad qualities, is fond of amassing goods even though already
having a sufficient amount, without hair or with excess of hair, are not the symptoms befitting an 'Acarya'
(teacher). All of one's wealth and opulence will diminish in the acceptance of such an unqualified Guru.
In Mantra Muktabali, the appropriate qualities of a disciple are described. He should be born in a good family, be
modest, opulent, possessed of loving disposition, truthful of pure character, very intelligent, free from
arrogance, have given up lust and anger, surrendered to his Guru, with his mind, body and words, always
devoted to the Supreme Lord, free from disease, freed from all kinds of sinful activities, sincere in honoring his
elders and brahmins, of controlled senses, very youthful and compassionate. All these qualities make one
eligible to be a disciple.
In the Srimad-Bhagavatam (11/10/6) it is stated:-
amaniyamatsaro dakso nirmamo drdsauhrdhah
asatvarohartha jijnasur anusuyara amoghavak
"The servant of the guru should be free from pride, not lazy or egoistic with the sense of 'me' and 'mine' in
relation with wife and children, very devoted to Guru, not negligent, devoted to inquiry about the Supreme
Truth, free from enviousness, not wasting time in loose conversations; all these qualities are befitting a
disciple". On the other hand, in Agastya Samhita, the symptoms of an unworthy disciple are described as one
who is lazy, dirty, who endeavors uselessly, naughty, miserly, poor, sickly, afflicted with diseases, attached to
sense objects, eager for sense-delights, envious, gazes lustfully at other's wives, shows enmity to learned
people, foolish, rides himself to be highly scholarly, fallen in his vows, struggles to earn his livelihood, probes at
others faults, bent on the downfall of others, glutton, always engaged in vile actions, sinful and not very willing
to give up such despicable behavior and who cannot hear the beneficial instructions of Sri Guru; all these
people are definitely not eligible to become disciples.
If being tempted by greed the spiritual master ventures to initiate all such unworthy people, he will incur the
wrath of the demigods, consequently, being bereft of all wealth and opulence. Not only that, he will have to go
to the hellish planets after which he will take birth in the animal species. Therefore, one has to be careful not to
accept disciples of this type. The standing injunction is that the guru should examine a disciple for at least one
year.
taupr vat sarvasema kmatamupmua svabhavayoh
turuta sisyata ceti nanyathaiveti niscayah
The Guru should carefully examine his disciple while staying together with him and observing his qualities and
character to judge whether he can be a fit candidate. Similarly, the disciple should examine the Guru
accordingly. Other than this, there is no alternative way of knowing this fact. Without this recommended
stipulation, one should not agreeable give initiation to anyone on mere request.
Further, there are spiritual statements to the effect that just as a King is responsible for his subjects having to
suffer for their wrong actions, the man for the sins of his wedded wife, in the same manner the sins committed
by the disciples will have to be borne by the spiritual master. Hence one has to be careful of awarding initiation
to an unqualified person.
Notwithstanding, a powerful spiritually oriented person is not restricted by any scripture and does not have to
consider who is worthy or unworthy. A fortunate person on receiving his benign glance can be nullified of many
births of sinful activities and will be able to make rapid progress by the impetus of the Holy Names. The mercy of
Srila Haridas Thakura in a lonely forest was such that even a prostitute was converted by his purity. A Muslim
tailor became perfect by helping to sow the cloth of Srivas Pandit. By the incredible mercy of Srila Sarana Murari,
a dead body was infused with life and later became his own disciple. Srila Rasikananda Thakura's compassion
was such that even material objects were invigorated with consciousness and ordinary forest animals became
blessed to chant the Holy Names. Thus the potential self-effulgent 'Acarya' can surcharge others with energy,
himself remaining unchanged in power and not affected in any way. Hari Bhakti Vilas too, a description about
service to the spiritual master is mentioned. The Kurma Purana explains, the disciple has constantly to carry the
water pot of the Guru, pluck the sacrificial ingredients like khusa grass, kusum, etc. As a menial servant of his
Guru. He should always clean the temple of his spiritual master, anoint the body of his guru with sandalwood
and wash his cloth. The garlands, resting place, sandals, sitting cloth (asana), eating utensils and the shadow
of Srila Gurudeva should never be stepped over or treated with disrespect. One should not go out anywhere
without the guru's permission. One should always engage in activities dear to the spiritual master. One should
never point or stretch his legs in the direction of Srila Gurudeva. In proximity to him, yawning, loud laughter and
loud exclamations should be given up, also the practice of cracking one's knuckles. Furthermore, the son of the
spiritual master, his wife, relatives or other acquaintances should be treated with equal respect.
In Devi Tantra, Lord Siva says, the resting place of the spiritual master, his seating place, sandals, foot-rest,
palanquin, bath -water and shadow should never be slighted or utilized. One should never worship any third
person in front of Srila Gurudeva, nor should one try to equate oneself with him. In front of him, one should
renounce erudite expositions of the scriptures nor maintain a superior attitude in relation to him. Also he should
never give spiritual initiation to others while the spiritual master is present.
In Devya Agama, Narada Rsi states, whenever one obtains the vision of Srila Gurudeva, he should immediately,
with folded hands, fall down in prostrated obeisances (like a falling tree) to the Guru. In no event should he be
contemptible to the instructions of his Guru. The Manu Smrti states, that one indirectly or out of hearing should
not address the Guru by his first name or try to imitate his movement, speech and mannerisms. One should
maintain his humble stance as the disciple of his Guru on the occasion of the Guru being in proximity with his
Guru. One should not even go to the house of one's parents if it doesn't meet with the Guru's approval.
In Narada Pancharatra, the way in which the name of the spiritual master is to be utilized is explained. One
should never simply utter the syllables of the Guru's name disrespectfully or carelessly at any time or place.
With a bowed head and folded hands, one should firstly, with the pranam 'om', then with the title '108'
complete with the word 'visnu pada' has to be uttered, before mentioning his name respectfully. It is also
stated that one should never advise the spiritual master on any matter nor should he breach the instructions
laid out by him. One should not eat anything that has not been offered to Sri Guru nor should he eat any food
without his prior permission. On the arrival of the spiritual master, instantly one should bow in front of him
reverently and should accompany respectfully when he is walking. One should never remain seated on a
pedestal or asana in front of him. Whatever is very dear to oneself should be first offered to the spiritual master
and only after being granted by the guru, should he utilize it for himself.
In Visnu Smrti, it is said even when threatened or oppressed by the spiritual master, one should never cause
him any pain in return. One should never criticize him in any way or work against his welfare. In the event of
the disciple not engaging in the service of the guru even after taking the holy syllables and by the guru no
having examined the disciple before, both are liable for punishment, being guilty. Narada Pancharatra states in
this regard:
Yo vyakti nya yarahitam anyayena srnoti yah.
Srila Santana Gosvami writes in the Bhakti Hari Vilas:-
pariksam bina gutrusevadinam bina ca mantrasya kathane
grahne ca mahanartha iti likhati yo baktiti
In not going through the preliminary examination period, both the guru and the disciple face the prospect of
going to a terrible hell for a long time. As stated in Agamas, the son of a born-brahmin, without going through
the ritual of upanayana (brahmin thread) is not allowed to worship either the Salagrama Sila or study the
Vedas. In the same say, the uninitiated person is not allowed to worship the Deity with the uttering of Mantras.
For this process, one has to undergo the rite of initiation. The commentary by Srila Sanatana Gosvami says:
pradhanatvena sri-visundiksagrahanat sri-srivasyapi
samyak stutivisayam iti bhavah
In the way Lord Visnu is the Supreme Lord, one who undergoes initiation into the Visnu Mantra, is even
praiseworthy by the best of all devotees-Lord Siva. In Visnu Yamala it is even mentioned that for any uninitiated
person, all his works will go to naught. One who does not undergo spiritual initiation is destined for animal
births. Diksa (initiation) is termed by the knowers of the truth as that which destroys all sins and gives
transcendental knowledge. In Tattva Sagara, just as bell metal is converted by a chemical process into gold
similarly by the process of initiation, all human beings attain to brahminhood.
yatha kanchautam yati kamsyam rasavvidhanathah
thata diksavidhanena dvijatvam jayate nrnam
Srila Sanatana Gosvami writes nrnam: sarvesameva vijatvam viprata.
By the process of spiritual initiation one attains the brahminhood. One who desires the highest goal should
take to spiritual initiation under a bona fide spiritual master and practice devotional service to the Lord. All
beings have a right for devotion to the Lord, it being the eternal constitutional function of the soul. In Srimad
Bhagavatam Lord Krishna informs His brahmin friend (Bhag 10.50.34):
naham ijya prajyatibyam tapas upasamena va
tusyeyam sarvabhutatma guru susrusaya yatha
The way I become satisfied with a person who is devoted and cent per cent obedient to his guru is far more
than just following their filial duties according to their different stages of life like celibate monk, householder,
renounced order, etc. The great soul Prahlada Maharaja instructs his fellow companions and friends. (Bhag
7/7/10):
Guru susrusaya bhaktya sarva lobharpanena ca
One in forgoing all motives for fame and false prestige in the mood of a servant, in humble submission and
surrender to the lotus feet of Sri Guru will gain firm attraction to the lotus feet of the Lord. Nothing is greater
than service to Sri Guru which is the highest religious principle. All the evil tendencies like lust and anger
including all impurities can be easily dissipated by pure devotion to the Guru. The 11th Vilas, Hari Bhakti Vilas
describes the service to please the Guru is the foremost of all vows. Padma Purana informs us that one who
worships his spiritual master above his own father will definitely be a guest in the world of Brahma. In other
places we have the Guru is himself Lord Brahma. He is Lord Visnu and He is Sankara also, He is comparable to
the Supreme Brahman which entails that all should worship him. In Vamana Kalpe, Lord Brahma describes: yo
mantrati, sa guruh, ksat yo guroh sa hari smrtah, The mantra is the form of the spiritual master and the guru is
the form of Lord Hari. To whom the guru is pleased, Lord Hari becomes pleased with him.
One should not sit on the same sitting place or even on a higher level than the spiritual mater. The spiritual
master is the sum total of all demigods, also he is verily the form of Sri Hari but in all respects considered the
most confidential servitor of the Lord. The Supreme Lord, to teach us the method of practice of devotional
service, has appeared externally in the form of Srila Gurudeva, also demonstrating the proper course of
conduct. The Supreme Lord illuminates the truth of himself by his mercy potency who is Srila Gurudeva, His
confidential associate. Just as we pray to Sri Srila Prabhupada with the prayer as: Sri gaura karuna sakti
vigrahaya namas tu te In the verse tad-vijnanartham sa gurum eva abhigavcet. 'tad vijnana' here means
knowledge of the Supreme Lord. To illustrate further in Gita, the verse "tad-viddhi paripatena:" states to get
knowledge of the Supreme Lord one should approach and take shelter of the spiritual master. The spiritual
master is always exhibiting the most appropriate example, for he is engaged eternally in the service of the
Deity as in dressing the Deity etc. and also cleaning the temple etc.
In this way he engages al his devoted followers in such spiritual services. He is expert in helping the sakhis in
the delightful conjugal pastimes of the Divine Couple Sri Sri Radha Krishna and is very dear to Them. Such a
spiritual master is my most worshipable object. In doing service to Sri Gurudeva, if it limits the service to Sri
Krishna, the guru can never be pleased. Tulasi leaves are to be offered only in his hand in is position as
confidential servitor of the Lord. Sri Tulasi Devi is free to serve the pure devote according to her own accord, but
it is not within our authority to place a pure devotee of the Lord Krishna on the feet of another confidential
servitor .
In showing oneself as being too clever would result in the spiritual master becoming vexed. The scriptures have
declared that if the spiritual Lord becomes angry with any disciple, the spiritual master as intermediary can
pacify the Lord and save the disciples. Conversely, on the Guru becoming angry, nobody can save that person.
Hence, one should always try to please the spiritual master; yasya prasadasd bhagavat prasada yasya prasada na
gatih kuto api. If the spiritual master becomes pleased then the Lord becomes pleased and if the Guru becomes
displeased then there is no destination for that wretched person.
The disciple should be vigilant that by some strict of enviousness, he does not offensively deem his Guru to be
an ordinary mortal.
yasya saksasd bhagavaty jnan dipaprade gurau
martyasadhih srutam tsya sarvam kunjarah sauchavat
In viewing his spiritual master as an ordinary mortal, all that the disciple has learned or heard from his spiritual
master, including the Mantras received will be null and void just as the example of the futile bathing of the
elephant, for the spiritual master is the external manifestation of Lord Visnu and the deliverer of transcendental
knowledge. The disciple should be very attentive and submissive to the lotus feet of Sri Guru at all times, by
both inquiry and service in receiving the divine messages of the Ancient Religion (Bhagavad-dharma) from him.
Gradually in this way he will make progress in devotions. Even after the disappearance of Srila Gurudeva, his
surrendered disciple will always receive his shower of mercy unobserved by others. Sri Srila Prabhupada is
always fond of the servant of his servant and is always protecting such a person at all times. Though he is in
his eternal pastimes engaged in the blissful service of the Divine Couple, he is fondly showering the weak
disciples with his mercy at every step.
This merciful potency is always protecting me and awarding me complete fearlessness. Thus it is with a happy
note to mention that I am not without shelter. He does not neglect me in spite of many faults committed
unknowingly at his lotus feet. He will never forsake me ever. He is the ocean of mercy without limit. In his
presence whilst on this planet, he has even shed tears for me seeing my ignorance and even now he is being
most compassionate in this regard. His deep affection for me is still flowing and is not restricted because he is
not physically present. Certainly he will protect me always as he is doing now and has done previously. He is
my Lord birth after birth and not only this brief life-span. He is my worshipable deity and I am his eternal
servant of the servant.
In my mistakes, would he not disciple me? Definitely! Just as a mother annoyed at seeing the naughty pranks of
her child gives him a slap but after, while seeing the boy crying, will she be able to sit unaffected? In the same
way, even after chiding me, can my eternal master even neglect me? After my rectification, he will definitely
award me the shade of his lotus feet which are cooling as a million moons. I have no other destination except
for his lotus feet. To those who are bereft and lowly, his lotus feet are the only fearless shelter. In the three
worlds, what else can be more painful than separation from him! Who else can look after me in this loving
fashion, Oh merciful Prabhupada! I am the eternal servant of the servitor of your lotus feet. Please accept me
as the dust of your lotus feet.
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