The Qualifications for Being Accepted as a Spiritual Master
The acceptance of a spiritual master is the most critical step in spiritual life, yet it is often misunderstood. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the position of guru is not a hereditary right nor a professional post. It is a spiritual status reserved for those who are fully conversant with the science of Kṛṣṇa (kṛṣṇa-tattva). One must exercise great discrimination to accept only a bona fide representative of the Lord.
Knowledge Over Birthright
In the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition, the sole criterion for being accepted as a spiritual master is knowledge of the science of Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the instruction of Lord Caitanya, which breaks down social barriers by declaring that even one born in a non-brāhmaṇa family can become a guru if they are a pure devotee.
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said that anyone who knows the science of Krishna, that person should be accepted as Spiritual Master, regardless of any material so-called qualifications.
- Whoever can teach one about the science of Krsna is to be accepted as guru.
- Gurun is plural in number because anyone who gives spiritual instructions based on the revealed scriptures is accepted as a spiritual master.
- In the disciplic succession of Gaudiya sampradaya, there are two great acaryas (Thakura Narottama and Syamananda Gosvami) who were not born in brahmana families but were accepted as spiritual masters by many brahmanas.
- He (Yadunandana Acarya) was not polluted by sentimental distinctions classifying Vaisnavas according to birth. Therefore, although Vasudeva Datta had not been born in a brahmana family, Yadunandana Acarya also accepted him as his spiritual master.
Rejection of Unqualified Gurus
Simply being born in a high family or having material education does not qualify one to be a spiritual master. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that if a person is not a Vaiṣṇava—meaning they are not a devotee of Lord Viṣṇu—they cannot be accepted as a guru, even if they are a learned brāhmaṇa.
- If one is highly qualified but is not a Vaisnava, he cannot be accepted as a guru. One cannot be a brahmana unless one is a Vaisnava. If one is a Vaisnava, he is already a brahmana.
- Srila Jiva Gosvami has advised that such a useless guru (one who goes against the principle of visnu-bhakti), a family priest acting as guru, should be given up, and that the proper, bona-fide guru should be accepted.
- If one has falsely accepted such a guru (who goes against the principle of visnu-bhakti), one should reject him. Such a guru is described in Mahabharata Udyoga 179.25.
- You must find out somebody whom you can accept as guru. That guru must be bona fide. Otherwise what is the use of accepting a bogus guru? So what is that bona fide guru? That bona fide guru means one who has accepted Krsna as guru.
The Necessity of Testing
Acceptance of a spiritual master should not be done blindly or out of sentiment. There is a need for mutual examination where the disciple tests the guru to ensure he is bona fide, and the guru tests the disciple to ensure they are sincere.
- Before one can be accepted as a spiritual or material master of society, he must be tested by the above-mentioned criteria of character.
- I shall be very glad to accept an educated and intelligent disciple like you, but first of all we must meet and you should know whether you can accept me as your Spiritual Master, or I can accept you as my disciple. This is preliminary necessity.
- According to our Vedic principle, nobody has got the right to question anyone unless that person is accepted as spiritual master.
- Indeed, the advanced uttama-adhikari Vaisnava devotee should be accepted as a spiritual master. Everything one possesses should be offered to him, for it is enjoined that one should deliver whatever he has to the spiritual master.
Divine Position of the Guru
Once a spiritual master is accepted after due testing, he must be honored as the representative of the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the bona fide guru is the external manifestation of Kṛṣṇa's mercy and should never be viewed as an ordinary man.
- It is stated by Lord Krsna, "My dear Uddhava, the spiritual master must be accepted not only as My representative but as My very self. He must never be considered on the same level with an ordinary human being."
- The bona fide spiritual master who happens to meet the sincere devotee should be accepted as the most confidential and beloved representative of the Lord.
- One who accepts the post of spiritual master neutralizes the sinful reactions of the yajamana, the one on whose behalf he performs yajna. Thus the results of the pious acts previously performed by the priest or spiritual master are diminished.
- Their (the initiating and instructing spiritual masters') function is to guide the conditioned souls back home, back to Godhead. Therefore Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami accepted Nityananda Prabhu and the six Gosvamis in the category of guru.
Conclusion
To solve the problems of life and understand the Absolute Truth, one must accept a spiritual master. However, this acceptance is governed by strict scriptural injunctions. A devotee must reject the social custom of hereditary gurus and accept only that person who is fully surrendered to Kṛṣṇa and capable of delivering the message of Godhead. As Śrīla Prabhupāda succinctly states, the bona fide guru is simply one who has accepted Kṛṣṇa as his guru.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Accepted as a Spiritual Master. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.