A Self-Realized Spiritual Master - Those Who Have Seen the Truth
The journey back to Godhead is not a solitary endeavor. It requires a guide who knows the terrain. In the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, this guide is known as the self-realized spiritual master. Unlike mundane teachers who speculate on the nature of truth, a self-realized soul has actually "seen the truth." This article explores the qualifications of such a master, the necessity of accepting their shelter, and the dynamic relationship between the guru and the disciple.
Who Is Self-Realized? (The Definition)
Śrīla Prabhupāda defines a self-realized soul using the Sanskrit term ātma-vit—one who knows the self. This realization is not theoretical; it is a direct perception of one's eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that one should not mistake a materially educated scholar or a politician for a spiritual master. The only qualification is full realization of the Absolute Truth.
- Atma-vit means a self-realized soul or bona fide spiritual master. Unless one is self-realized and knows what his relationship with the Supersoul is, he cannot be a bona fide spiritual master.
- To become a spiritual master is not easy job. One must be very learned scholar and must have full realization of the self and everything.
- These are Vedic injunctions. One must take shelter of a self-realized spiritual master, not a materially educated scholar or politician.
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Transparent Via Medium
The function of the self-realized master is to act as a medium. He does not obscure Kṛṣṇa; he reveals Him. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes this using the metaphor of a "transparent via medium." Through this medium, the conditioned soul—who is burning in the fire of material existence—can receive the cooling "rains of mercy" from the Lord.
- The spiritual master is the mercy representative of the Lord. Therefore, a person burning in the flames of material existence may receive the rains of mercy of the Lord through the transparent medium of the self-realized spiritual master.
- Everyone has to see Krsna according to the verdict of Vedic literatures presented by the self-realized spiritual master. A sincere person is able to see Krsna through the transparent via medium of Sri Gurudeva, the spiritual master.
- Person Bhagavatam is the self-realized bona fide spiritual master, and through him only can one understand the lessons of Bhagavatam in order to receive the desired result.
The Process: Submissive Inquiry
How does one access the knowledge of a self-realized soul? The formula given in Bhagavad-gītā 4.34 is submission, inquiry, and service. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that submission does not mean blind acceptance. The disciple is expected to use their intelligence to question the master and understand "all critical points."
- Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth - BG 4.34.
- Although your spiritual master may be self-realized and experienced in the Absolute Truth, still, you have to question. You have to understand from him all critical points by your intelligent questions. That is allowed.
- Satisfaction of the self-realized spiritual master is the secret of advancement in spiritual life.
- The spiritual master may be self-realized and situated in the Absolute Truth, yet we have to question him in order to understand all spiritual points.
Necessity of Shelter
Śrīla Prabhupāda is emphatic that spiritual life is impossible without the shelter of a self-realized master. He states that without this guidance, any attempt to understand the Supreme is "simply foolishness." The path of liberation is opened only by serving such a great soul (mahat-sevā).
- A student is to be considered perfected when he understands the identity of the holy name and the Supreme Lord. Unless one is under the shelter of a realized spiritual master, his understanding of the Supreme is simply foolishness.
- To go back to Godhead, the path is mahat-seva, to accept the self-realized spiritual master. Mahat-sevam dvaram ahur vimukteh - SB 5.5.2.
- When by learning from the self-realized spiritual master one actually engages himself in the service of Visnu, functional devotional service begins. The procedures of this devotional service are known as abhidheya, or actions one is dutybound to perform.
- Srila Suta Gosvami fulfilled all these qualifications as a disciple, and therefore he was endowed with all favors by his learned and self-realized spiritual masters such as Srila Vyasadeva and others.
Conclusion
The presence of a self-realized spiritual master is the greatest fortune for a conditioned soul. He is the external manifestation of Kṛṣṇa's mercy, the "Person Bhāgavatam" who makes the scriptures come alive. By taking shelter of such a master, inquiring submissively, and satisfying him through service, the disciple is guaranteed to receive the knowledge that cuts through the darkness of ignorance and reveals the Absolute Truth.
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 Self-realized 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.