The Fountainhead of All Things Can Set You Free

by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda

We can have no better instruction from elsewhere that can give a more dependable and complete idea of the real goal. The whole thing, the exact entity, could not be realized if we took a course different from what Śrī Kṛṣṇa has dictated. Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the fountainhead of all energies. All sorts of energies – even all those energies that are opposite and conflicting – are stored in Him. He is akhila-rasāmṛta-mūrti.

We have heard His song, “ye yathā māṁ prapadyante” [C.f. Bhāgavad-gītā 4.11]. We are actuated by the influence of rasa; we require pleasant sensation. But we should see that our particular predilection is directed to a definite purpose. Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the emporium of everything. In the Gītā we are given a clearly marked and exact situation of the human soul and its relation to the phenomenal existence of His prakṛti (nature, or energy).

We have seen that there are two prakṛtis: parā and aparā. The jīvas (minute living entities) are known as parā prakṛti. But jīvas, being infinitesimally small, can be seized by aparā prakṛti – they can be overpowered by the deluding potency. Jīvas can also dissociate themselves from this undesirable situation. How? We find the solution as to how to get rid of this shackle in the śloka beginning “mām eva ye prapadyante” [C.f. Bhāgavad-gītā 7.14].

By the use of the word mām we see that the object is singular; the personality is fixed. The Lord sings, “I can set you free from the clutches of your present activity of measuring everything using your senses. I can show Myself to you fully when you no longer have any necessity of exercising your senses. I have set the engine of the three guṇas (qualities of material nature) in motion for the purpose of entrapping those who are less intelligent. But when they listen to My dictation, they realize that they can easily manage to get rid of these troublesome modes by submitting to Me, and Me alone.”

There is no other alternative for getting rid of our measuring temperament. We are now equipped with senses that are incapable of leading us to the Truth. We are liable to be deluded by the influence of māyā, and māyā is but a trap. If we want to avoid that trap, we are to submit to Him unconditionally. So prapatti, which means full submission, is the essential thing.

* * *

We can exercise our senses, but such exploits will not do any good to us in the long run unless we submit to Him, leaving aside whatever we have acquired up to this time. We are simply to surrender to Him. When we simply depend on Him, He will give us such facilities as will enable us to make quick progress. We are assured that we need not take the empirical course through our senses. Though we have the inclination to acquire knowledge through our senses, our attempts are often frustrated. Our empirical activities often fail to make much progress, for we see that whatever we have acquired by our empiricism calls for more and more additions or subtractions as we pass along the rolling tide of time.

We think we have acquired a good deal of knowledge in our thirtieth year, but soon, when we reach our fortieth year, we find that knowledge to be inadequate. If we live for ten years more, we will have to revise our knowledge again. In this way, living for any number of years will not serve our purpose; it will not make us wise. We come to the inevitable conclusion that all sorts of empirical knowledge are quite useless for the purpose of gaining the whole truth.

We should, therefore, be prapanna (fully submissive). We should simply submit, and that submission should be attended with everything we have acquired. Whatever we have acquired must be given up, considering that we will be helped by Him. But if we have no such confidence in Him, we cannot part with our acquired things. We will be making a sad mistake if we conjecture that the Lord, in the long run, may have nothing to confer on us, and that by giving up what we have acquired we will get into trouble. We forget that He is the Absolute. He is the emporium of everything. We need not be doubtful of His assurance that He will never fail us.

We have free will, which we can exercise. But we are not expected to imagine that we are independent. We are bound to accept that we are dependents. Even if we make a careful enquiry into the nature of phenomenal objects and sift through them, we will fail to get anything which can give us that sort of satisfaction, relief and poise that the Fountain-head of all things can give us. So the Gītā tells us that submission to the Supreme Authority, Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the only thing wanted; and by such submission our desired ends will be fully and duly fulfilled. The question is how – in spite of our measuring temperament, which stands against our purpose – such submission is to be achieved.

After sambandha (relationship) comes abhidheya (the process), which signifies how to reach our coveted place, or what course one should adopt for the purpose of achieving our objectives. That is the meaning of abhidheya, and there are many abhidheyas. They are classified by some authorities into sixty-four categories; by some, into nine categories; and by others, five. Though there are a multitude of courses that we may adopt by means of which we can love the All-love, the Absolute, these methods are classified into sixty-four, nine or five categories. Of the sixty-four categories, five are principal and it is with those five categories that we are to deal. These are:

(1) bhāgavata śravaṇa, kīrtana, and smaraṇa (hearing, chanting and remembering the topics of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam)
(2) aṅghri-sevanam (serving the lotus feet) of Śrī Hari
(3) mathurā-vāsa (residence in Śrī Mathurā-dhāma)
(4) sat-saṅga (association with saints)
(5) śrī harināma saṅkīrtana (congregational chanting of the holy names)

Srila Prabhupada explains about the glories of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura

By: 

 Compiled by Yashodanandana Dasa, Los Angeles, California

Books : Bhagavad-gita As It Is - Macmillan 1972 Edition : Bg: Introduction 

1) Krishna, 2) Brahma, 3) Narada; 4) Vyasa, 5) Madhva, 6) Padmanabha, 7) Narahari, 8) Madhava, 9) Akshobhya, 10) Jayatirtha, 11) Jnanasindhu, 12) Dayanidhi, 13) Vidyanidhi, 14) Rajendra, 15) Jayadharma, 16) Purushottama, 17) Brahmanyatirtha, 18) Vyasatirtha, 19) Lakshmipati, 20) Madhavendra Puri, 21) Ishvara Puri, (Nityananda, Advaita), 22) Lord Chaitanya, 23) Rupa (Svarupa, Sanatana), 24) Raghunatha, Jiva, 25) Krishnadasa, 26) Narottama, 27) Vishvanatha, 28) (Baladeva) Jagannatha, 29) Bhaktivinode, 30) Gaurakishora, 31) Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, 32) His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Srila Prabhupada gives all credit to his Guru Maharaja

"...In Los Angeles many fathers and mothers used to come to see me to express their feelings of gratitude for my leading the Krishna consciousness movement throughout the entire world. Some of them said that it is greatly fortunate for the Americans that I have started the Krishna consciousness movement in America. But actually the original father of this movement is Lord Krishna Himself, since it was started a very long time ago but is coming down to human society by disciplic succession. If I have any credit in this connection, it does not belong to me personally, but it is due to my eternal spiritual master, His Divine Grace Om Vishnupada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya 108 Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja Prabhupada.."

- Bhagavad-gita As It Is - Macmillan 1972 Edition : Preface

Srila Prabhupada explains his birth in a family of transcendentalists and his meeting His Guru Maharaja

- Bhagavad-gita As It Is - Macmillan 1972 Edition : Sankhya-yoga 6.42

PURPORT

Birth in a family of yogis or transcendentalists - those with great wisdom - is praised herein because the child born in such a family receives spiritual impetus from the very beginning of his life. It is especially the case in the acharya or gosvami families. Such families are very learned and devoted by tradition and training, and thus they become spiritual masters. In India there are many such acharya families, but they have now degenerated due to insufficient education and training. By the grace of the Lord, there are still families that foster transcendentalists generation after generation. It is certainly very fortunate to take birth in such families. Fortunately, both our spiritual master, Om Vishnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, and our humble self, had the opportunity to take birth in such families, by the grace of the Lord, and both of us were trained in the devotional service of the Lord from the very beginning of our lives. Later on we met by the order of the transcendental system.

- Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 1:"Creation" : SB Introduction

Many devotees of Lord Chaitanya like Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakura, Sri Lochana dasa Thakura, Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, Sri Kavikarnapura, Sri Prabodhananda Sarasvati, Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami and in this latter age within two hundred years, Sri Vishvanatha Chakravarti, Sri Baladeva Vidyabhushana, Sri Shyamananda Gosvami, Sri Narottama dasa Thakura, Sri Bhaktivinoda Thakura and at last Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura (our spiritual master) and many other great and renowned scholars and devotees of the Lord have prepared voluminous books and literatures on the life and precepts of the Lord. Such literatures are all based on the shastras like the Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata and other histories and authentic literatures approved by the recognized acharyas. They are unique in composition and unrivaled in presentation, and they are full of transcendental knowledge. Unfortunately the people of the world are still ignorant of them, but when these literatures, which are mostly in Sanskrit and Bengali, come to light the world and when they are presented before thinking people, then India's glory and the message of love will over flood this morbid world, which is vainly searching after peace and prosperity by various illusory methods not approved by the acharyas in the chain of disciplic succession.

Srila Prabhupada credits His Guru Maharaja for helping him to revive his old habit of deity worship

- Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 1:"Creation" : Birth of Emperor Parikshit: SB 1.12.30

PURPORT

Srila Jiva Gosvami remarks in this connection that every child, if given an impression of the Lord from his very childhood, certainly becomes a great devotee of the Lord like Maharaja Parikshit. One may not be as fortunate as Maharaja Parikshit to have the opportunity to see the Lord in the womb of his mother, but even if he is not so fortunate, he can be made so if the parents of the child desire him to be so. There is a practical example in my personal life in this connection. My father was a pure devotee of the Lord, and when I was only four or five years old, my father gave me a couple of forms of Radha and Krishna. In a playful manner, I used to worship these Deities along with my sister, and I used to imitate the performances of a neighboring temple of Radha-Govinda. By constantly visiting this neighboring temple and copying the ceremonies in connection with my own Deities of play, I developed a natural affinity for the Lord. My father used to observe all the ceremonies befitting my position. Later on, these activities were suspended due to my association in the schools and colleges, and I became completely out of practice. But in my youthful days, when I met my spiritual master, Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, again I revived my old habit, and the same playful Deities became my worshipful Deities in proper regulation This was followed up until I left the family connection, and I am pleased that my generous father gave the first impression which was developed later into regulative devotional service by His Divine Grace. Maharaja Prahlada also advised that such impressions of a godly relation must be impregnated from the beginning of childhood, otherwise one may miss the opportunity of the human form of life, which is very valuable although it is temporary like others.

Srila Prabhupada explains the power of Sadhu-sanga and the powerful favor of His Guru Maharaja

- Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 1:"Creation" : Dhritarashtra Quits Home 1.13.29

PURPORT

Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the great preacher of the principles of Srimad-Bhagavatam, has stressed the importance of association with sadhus, pure devotees of the Lord. He said that even by a moment’s association with a pure devotee, one can achieve all perfection. We are not ashamed to admit that this fact was experienced in our practical life. Were we not favored by His Divine Grace Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, by our first meeting for a few minutes only, it would have been impossible for us to accept this mighty task of describing Srimad-Bhagavatam in English. Without seeing him at that opportune moment, we could have become a very great business magnate, but never would we have been able to walk the path of liberation and be engaged in the factual service of the Lord under instructions of His Divine Grace.

Srila Prabhupada explains the about the power of a true representative of the Lord like Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
 

•  Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 2: "The Cosmic Manifestation" : Questions by King Parikshit 2.8.5 
  PURPORT:

In other words, the cleansing of the polluted heart by other methods (like the culture of empiric knowledge or mystic gymnastics) can simply cleanse one's own heart, but devotional service to the Lord is so powerful that it can cleanse the hearts of the people in general, by the devotional service of the pure, empowered devotee. A true representative of the Lord like Narada, Sukadeva Gosvami, Lord Chaitanya, the six Gosvamis and later Srila BhaktivinodaThakura and Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, etc., can deliver all people by their empowered devotional service.

Srila Prabhupada describes His Guru Maharaja as an avowed brahmachari

- Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 3: "The Status Quo" : Creation of the Kumaras and Others : SB 3.12.42 

PURPORT 

During student life the brahmacharis were given full instructions about the importance of the human form of life. Thus the basic education was designed to encourage the student in becoming free from family encumbrances. Only students unable to accept such a vow in life were allowed to go home and marry a suitable wife. Otherwise, the student would remain a permanent brahmachari, observing complete abstinence from sex life for his whole life. It all depended on the quality of the student’s training. We had the opportunity to meet an avowed brahmachari in the personality of our spiritual master, OmVishnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Gosvami Maharaja. Such a great soul is called a naisthika-brahmachari.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, who at the present moment is preaching the philosophy of Lord Chaitanya throughout the entire world through his bona fide disciples.

-  Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 3: "The Status Quo" : The Marriage of Kardama Muni and Devahuti : 3.22.19 

PURPORT

After fulfilling his responsibility to produce a nice child, one should take sannyasa and engage in the perfectional paramahamsa stage. paramahamsa refers to the most highly elevated perfectional stage of life. There are four stages within sannyasa life, and paramahamsa is the highest order. The Srimad-Bhagavatam is called the paramahamsa-samhita, the treatise for the highest class of human beings. The paramahamsa is free from envy. In other stages, even in the householder stage of life, there is competition and envy, but since the activities of the human being in the paramahamsa stage are completely engaged in Krishna consciousness, or devotional service, there is no scope for envy. In the same order as Kardama Muni, about one hundred years ago, Thakura Bhaktivinoda also wanted to beget a child who could preach the philosophy and teachings of Lord Chaitanya to the fullest extent. By his prayers to the Lord he had as his child Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, who at the present moment is preaching the philosophy of Lord Chaitanya throughout the entire world through his bona fide disciples.

Srila Prabhupada explains that Gaura Kishora accepted Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati as His disciple

- Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 4: "The Creation of the Fourth Order" : Daksha Curses Lord Shiva : SB 4.2.18

PURPORT

Because of this curse, Shiva was deprived of his share in the oblations of Vedic sacrifices. It was due to the curse of Daksha, Sri Vishvanatha Chakravarti comments in this connection, that Lord Shiva was saved from the calamity of taking part with other demigods, who were all materialistic. Lord Shiva is the greatest devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and it is not fitting for him to eat or sit with materialistic persons like the demigods. Thus the curse of Daksha was indirectly a blessing, for Shiva would not have to eat or sit with other demigods, who were too materialistic. There is a practical example set for us by Gaurakishora dasa Babaji Maharaja, who used to sit on the side of a latrine to chant Hare Krishna. Many materialistic persons used to come and bother him and disturb his daily routine of chanting, so to avoid their company he used to sit by the side of a latrine, where materialistic persons would not go because of the filth and the obnoxious smell. However, Gaurakishora dasa Babaji Maharaja was so great that he was accepted as the spiritual master of such a great personality as His Divine Grace Om Vishnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja. The conclusion is that Lord Shiva behaved in his own way to avoid materialistic persons who might disturb him in his prosecution of devotional service.

Srila Prabhupada says that He is simply following in the footsteps of His Guru Maharaja in fulfilling the prediction of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

- Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 4: "The Creation of the Fourth Order" : Prithu Maharaja's Meeting with the Four Kumaras : SB 4.22.42

PURPORT

When Lord Vishnu appeared in the great arena of sacrifice at the time when King Prithu was performing a great sacrifice (ashvamedha), He predicted that the Kumaras would very soon come and advise the King. Therefore Prithu Maharaja remembered the causeless mercy of the Lord and thus welcomed the arrival of the Kumaras, who were fulfilling the Lord’s prediction. In other words, when the Lord makes a prediction, He fulfills that prediction through some of His devotees. Similarly, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu predicted that both His glorious names and the Hare Krishna maha-mantra would be broadcast in all the towns and villages of the world. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada desired to fulfill this great prediction, and we are following in their footsteps.

Srila Prabhupada explains how everyone can follow in the footsteps of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
- Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 4: "The Creation of the Fourth Order" : Maharaja Prithu's Going Back Home : SB 4.23.5 

PURPORT 

Srila Rupa Gosvami, after retiring from his minister’s seat in the government, went to Vrindavana and lived beneath a tree, like Maharaja Prithu. Since then, many people have gone to Vrindavana to imitate Rupa Gosvami’s behavior. Instead of advancing in spiritual life, many have fallen into material habits and even in Vrindavana have become victims of illicit sex, gambling and intoxication. The Krishna consciousness movement has been introduced in the Western countries, but it is not possible for Westerners to go to the forest and practice the severe austerities which were ideally practiced by Prithu Maharaja or Rupa Gosvami. However, Westerners or anyone else can follow in the footsteps of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura by living in a temple, which is transcendental to residence in a forest, and to vow to accept Krishna-prasada and nothing else, follow the regulative principles and chant sixteen rounds daily of the Hare Krishnamantra. In this way, one’s spiritual life will never be disturbed.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura explains the unwanted creepers of bhakti

- Sri Chaitanya-caritamrta - 1975 Edition : Cc. Madhya-lila : Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Instructs Srila Rupa Gosvami : Madhya 19.160 

PURPORT

 'nisiddhacara', 'kutinati', jiva-himsana' 'labha', 'puja', 'pratisthadi' yata upasakha-gana :

The unwanted creepers have been described by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. He states that if one hears and chants without trying to give up offenses, one becomes materially attached to sense gratification. One may also desire freedom from material bondage like the Mayavadis, or one may become attached to the yoga-siddhis and desire wonderful yogic powers. If one is attached to wonderful material activities, one is called siddhi-lobhi, greedy for material perfection. One may also be victimized by diplomatic or crooked behavior, or one may associate with women for illicit sex. Others may make a show of devotional service like the prakrita-sahajiyas, or one may try to support his philosophy by joining some caste or identifying himself with a certain dynasty, claiming a monopoly on spiritual advancement. Thus with the support of family tradition, one may become a pseudo guru or so-called spiritual master. One may become attached to the four sinful activities - illicit sex, intoxication, gambling and meat eating, or one may consider a Vaishnava to belong to a mundane caste or creed. One may think, "This is a Hindu Vaishnava, and this is a European Vaishnava. A European Vaishnava is not allowed to enter the temples." In other words, one may consider Vaishnavas in terms of birth, thinking one a brahmana Vaishnava, a shudra Vaishnava, a mleccha Vaishnava and so on. One may also try to carry out a professional business while chanting the Hare Krishna mantra or reading Srimad-Bhagavatam, or one may try to increase his monetary strength by illegal means. One may also try to be a cheap Vaishnava by chanting in a secluded place for material adoration, or one may desire mundane reputation by making compromises with nondevotees, compromising one's philosophy or spiritual life, or one may become a supporter of a hereditary caste system. All these are pitfalls of personal sense gratification. Just to cheat some innocent people, one makes a show of advanced spiritual life and becomes known as a sadhu, mahatma or religious person. All this means that the so-called devotee has become victimized by all these unwanted creepers and that the real creeper of bhakti-lata-bija has been stunted.

The acarya is not under the sastra.

Excerpt from Bhakti Vikasa's 3 volume "Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Vaibhava"
"He said, 'Bhaktivinoda Thakura is Kamala Manjari, a personal associate of Radharani. He ordered me to establish daiva-varnasrama. I must obey his order. The acarya is not under the sastra. The acarya can make sastra. Bhaktivinoda Thakura, the acarya, has inspired me in various ways.
 By his mercy and that of Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja and the previous acaryas we are going on, not caring for the precise technicalities of smartas.”

Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati on Guru Tattva

Quotations on the Guru by Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati

 Who is the acharya? (page 413)

Only a devotee of the Lord who is fixed in the activities of devotional service and preaching the message of the Lord can be considered an acharya. The acharya is free and independent. He sets the perfect example of completely abandoning the company of the impious and always engaged in hearing and speaking about Krishna. One who preaches to others fearlessly and without any constraint, inducing them to similarly give up bad association, is the acharya. 

Who is the genuine guru and how can we find him? (page 302)

The road to auspiciousness begins with taking shelter of a bona fide spiritual master. In accordance with God's plan, everyone on this earth finds a teacher that meets his or her particular needs and qualifications. Thus the Christians have their Jesus and the Muslims their Mohammed.

brahmANDa bhramite kona bhAgyavAn jIva
guru-kRSNa-prasAde pAya bhakti-latA-bIja

In the course of wandering through Brahma's universal creation, some fortunate soul may receive the seed of the creeper of devotion. This happens by the grace of the guru and Krishna. (Chaitanya Charitamrita, 2.19.151)

kRSNa jadi kRpA karena kono bhAgyavAne
guru-antaryAmI-rUpe zikhAya Apane

If Krishna is merciful to a particularly fortunate soul, then he comes himself to teach him, either externally as the spiritual master or from within as the Supersoul. (CC 2.22.47)

guru kRSNa-rUpa hana zAstrera pramANe
guru-rUpe kRSNa kRpA karena bhakta-gaNe

[indent=30px]According to the revealed scriptures, the spiritual master is the manifestation of Krishna. Krishna comes in the form of the guru to show His mercy to the devotees. (CC 1.1.45)

yadyapi AmAra guru caitanyera dAsa
tathApi jAniye Ami tAGhAra prakAza

[indent=30px]Even though my spiritual master is the servant of Lord Chaitanya, I know that he is a direct manifestation of the Lord. (CC 1.1.44)

jIve sAkSAt nAhi tAte guru caittya-rUpe
zikSA-guru haya kRSNa mahAnta-svarUpe

Since one cannot directly experience the guru as the Supersoul, Krishna appears as the siksha guru in the form of a highly advanced Vaishnava. (CC 1.1.58)

 

How can we become gurus?

20. Can we make disciples? (page 9)

We should not make disciples until we have become liberated or a pure devotee. You must take shelter of a bona fide guru, become a disciple and listen to the topics of Krishna from his mouth.

 Do we have to make disciples? (page 85)

We don't have to make disciples, we have to become disciples. In other words, we have to remain constantly engaged in the service of Krishna and the spiritual master. The devotees of Vishnu, the Vaishnavas, see the guru in all things. If one becomes proud of being a Vaishnava, then one's service to Vishnu and the Vaishnavas evaporates. One who is free from the sense that he is the doer, who thinks, "I actually do nothing myself, it is Krishna alone who engages me in all activities," and who is constantly engaged in the service of the Lord can actually do something beneficial for the ordinary souls by turning them towards Krishna. But it is not enough to make phoney speeches about how you are not the doer. You have to genuinely feel that you are being made to act by the Lord.

 

 Will I be able to make disciples? (page 235)

Give up your enviousness and show mercy to every living being by turning those who are currently indifferent to Krishna back toward him. Don't take up the role of spiritual master in order to do harm to others. Don't play at spiritual master with the intention of immersing yourself in the sense objects. Don't just dress up as spiritual master. Should you manage to become a sincere servant of the guru and Krishna and acquire their blessings, then there will be nothing to fear. If not, however, you are doomed.
(page 299)
 The true holy person carries a sharpened sword with which he beheads the goat-like tendencies to enjoy and renounce, sacrificing them on the altar of devotion. Such a person is the true spiritual master.

The spiritual master is one who has no other duty other than service to Krishna; whose intelligence is fixed on Krishna and who sees nothing but Krishna. He has no desire to hear flattery and so is beholden to no one. He can thus fearlessly preach the truth.

One is eligible to become guru if he speaks nothing but Hari katha, if he never instructs anyone in anything other than devotional service, and if he does not waste even a second of the day in activities other than pleasing Krishna.

An insincere hypocrite cannot be a guru. One whose aspiration is for mundane activity cannot be a guru. Pseudo-gurus should be turned out and exposed. If one selfishly uses the gifts his disciples have surrendered to the Lord, taking them as a means to accumulate wealth, women and worldly fame, then he should be renounced immediately as a cheater. One should not listen to the words of such a rascal. One who purloins the materials meant for God's service in his own selfish interest is not worthy of the name "guru."

The NAradIya-purANa says-

IhA yasya harer dAsye
karmaNA manasA girA
nikhilAsv apy avasthAsu
jIvan-muktaH sa ucyate

One is called a living liberated soul who in all circumstances performs every action, whether of the body, mind or speech, in the service of Krishna. (Brs 1.2.187)

 

What is the true nature of initiation? (p.339)

Knowledge of relations, sambandha jnana, comes first. Sambandha jnana is also known as transcendental knowledge or initiation. Initiation is not simply instruction in the mantra. Initiation is the transmission of transcendental knowledge.  By receiving this transcendental knowledge, he becomes truly fortunate and completely fulfilled.


translated from Bhakti Promode Puri Maharaj's Vyasa Puja magazine.

Where did the GBC'S and GURU'S troubles begin?

 by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada
Where did my troubles begin?

Answer: I am seeking auspiciousness for myself but in reality I have determined that which is inauspicious to be auspicious. We often call upon a doctor to cure our ailments and are prescribed medicine and a particular diet by him. But if I tell him, “You should arrange medicine and a diet in accordance with my desires and tastes,” then I am myself taking the role of doctor. Can our diseases really be cured this way?

Similarly, if I approach sad-guru but do not thereafter listen to his instructions, if I continue to behave according to my own will, how will I attain any welfare?




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by disobeying the RITVIK instruction n changing SRILA PRABHUPADA'S DIVINE BOOKS,ignoring the DOM, n etc etc ....the list goes on n on.the gbc n gurus hav put themselves in deep n eternal trouble.for their offenses they n their followers will have to suffer for millions of lives.