The Living Disciple

Hasti Gopal Dāsa – Toronto, Canada.

Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, his books and lectures are understood by all bona fide Vedic authorities to be non different from his physical presence. Srila Prabhupada’s formally initiated disciples prior to his physical departure can and do continue to relate to him non differently in the same manner as when he was physically present. To deny this fact is to deny the existence of an original bona fide relationship presently taking place with their guru Srila Prabhupada, confirming this fact means to confirm that the disciple is relating to Srila Prabhupada in the present therefore confirming the present existence of Srila Prabhupada on an equally valid level. That the first generation of disciples are living in relation to Srila Prabhupada also indicates the presence of a living Srila Prabhupada in relation to his disciples. Those, to whom the disciples are willing to relate a living Srila Prabhupda to, are representing a living Srila Prabhupada. One cannot remove the non different Srila Prabhupada from the vapu of a living disciple.

Living means – “available to”. Available means – “accessible to”. Being ‘accessible to’, means that one may live by Srila Prabhupada’s original books and instructions via the bona fide disciplic representative, the bona fide formally initiated disciple, thereby allowing anyone to live by Srila Prabhupada, live with Srila Prabhupada and to live for Srila Prabhupada. The bona fide disciple of Srila Prabhupada is a living representative of a bona fide living spiritual master.

Therefore, the present physically living bona fide disciple may, upon review and with understood qualifications via Srila Prabhupada’s instructions and books, introduce the potential disciple to Srila Prabhupada. Then, if qualified, the follower can take initiation from Srila Prabhupada, formally.

Srila Prabhupada’s disciples are “living disciples” just as much as Srila Prabhupada is a “living guru”.