Act Like a Peon - The Simple Secret to Become Guru
The concept of a "guru" often conjures images of a mystical figure with extraordinary powers, immense erudition, or a high social status. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently stripped away this esoteric facade to reveal the practical essence of the position. To explain this to his disciples, he used the analogy of a "peon" or a postal carrier. A peon may be an ordinary man with a low salary, but his work is perfect if he delivers the mail to the right person without tampering with it. In this article, we explore Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instruction that the secret to becoming a spiritual master lies not in becoming "big," but in becoming a transparent, faithful messenger.
Postman Principle
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized that the paramparā (disciplic succession) is essentially a chain of peons. The Supreme Lord delivers a message, and the duty of the guru is to hand that message to the next person. He describes this position with great humility, rejecting the idea that a guru must be a "godlike" figure. Instead, he identifies the guru as a servant—even a "third-class servant"—whose value lies solely in his honesty.
- A peon's duty is that he must sincerely carry out the order of the postmaster and deliver the letter to the proper person. That is their duty. Similarly, this parampara system is like that. Every one of us should become a spiritual master.
- We have become guru, spiritual master, not with a false position that, "I have become God." No. We are servant, simply servant, ordinary servant. Just like post peon. Not very high salaried servant. Ordinary, third-class servant.
Don't Manufacture, Just Repeat
The greatest disqualification for a spiritual master is the desire to add one's own interpretation or "manufacture" a new philosophy. A peon who edits the letters he delivers is a criminal. Similarly, a teacher who changes Kṛṣṇa's words is a cheater. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures his disciples that if they simply repeat what Kṛṣṇa has said, without addition or alteration, they become gurus immediately.
- You haven't got to manufacture anything. What Krsna has already said, you repeat. Finish. Don't make addition, alteration. Then you become guru. Very simple thing.
- Simply prepare yourself how to repeat Krsna's instructions very nicely, without any malinterpretation.
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu's order, yare dekha, tare kaha, 'krsna-upadesa.' Bas, finished, "You become a guru." The trouble is there. You haven't got to manufacture your ideas. Just like I'm quoting from Krsna's preaching.
Danger of Being "Over-Intelligent"
Simplicity is the strength of the Vaiṣṇava. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that when one tries to become "over-intelligent"—thinking they can improve upon the message or the process—they spoil everything. The "secret" to success in spiritual life is to remain a servant and present exactly what one has heard from the authority.
- Remain always a servant of your spiritual master and present the thing as you have heard. You'll be spiritual master. This is secret. You should know it. Don't try to become overintelligent. That will spoil. Evam parampara.
- To become a spiritual master is not very wonderful thing. Simply one has to become sincere soul. That's all.
Simple Method
Ultimately, the process of becoming a guru is not reserved for a select few. It is open to everyone who is willing to speak about Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda gives a very simple formula: ask people to think of Kṛṣṇa and become His devotee. If a disciple can induce even one person to do this, they have effectively acted as a spiritual master.
- You simply say, "Krsna said four things: 'Just always think of Me.' Krsna said. 'And just become My devotee. Just worship Me and offer obeisances.' Kindly do these things." So if you can induce one person to do these four things, you become guru.
- Whatever we hear from the bona fide spiritual master should be practiced in life and the same message delivered to whomever we meet. In this way you become spiritual master.
Conclusion
By comparing the spiritual master to a peon, Śrīla Prabhupāda removed the ego from the position of leadership. We do not need to be great innovators; we simply need to be faithful servants. This "peon" mentality protects the disciple from pride and ensures the purity of the message. As long as the letter is delivered intact, the postman has done his job perfectly. Similarly, as long as we repeat Kṛṣṇa's instructions without change, we fulfill the order of Lord Caitanya and act as bona fide spiritual masters.
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 Becoming Guru (Disciples of SP). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.
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