Necessity of Being In Touch with a Bona Fide Spiritual Master
The human form of life offers a unique facility denied to other species: the capacity to inquire into the Absolute Truth through the guidance of a realized soul. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that while the biological process of birth is common to all creatures, the spiritual birth facilitated by a bona fide spiritual master is the specific asset of humanity. This article explores the imperative nature of establishing a relationship with a proper teacher to unlock the import of the scriptures and achieve the ultimate goal of life.
Unique Opportunity of Human Life
In the cycle of birth and death, the living entity travels through millions of species, always finding biological parents to provide a body. However, the human form is distinguished by the rare opportunity to connect with Kṛṣṇa's representative, a chance that must be seized to break the cycle of reincarnation.
- Father and mother is possible in any form of body, but only in this human form of body one can get in touch with Krishna and a bona fide Spiritual Master. That is the highest gain of our travelling in different species of life in different planets.
- The duty of a human being is to capture the opportunity to come in touch with Krsna's representative, the bona fide spiritual master. Under the guidance of the spiritual master, the spiritual father, one can return home, back to Godhead.
Unlocking the Meaning of Scripture
Academic study of Vedic literatures is insufficient for true self-realization without the guidance of a teacher who is living the truth. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that even if one studies profound texts like the Vedānta-sūtra or Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the real purport remains locked until one takes shelter of a spiritual master who is in the direct line of the paramparā.
- In spite of reading and hearing such scriptures (Vedanta-sutras, Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam), unless one is in touch with a realized spiritual master, he cannot actually realize the real nature of self, etc.
- Unless one is in touch with a realized spiritual master, he cannot actually realize the real nature of self, etc. And out of thousands and hundreds of thousands of men, someone may know what Lord Krsna is in fact.
Receiving the Seed of Devotion
Devotional service is not merely a mental adjustment but a spiritual substance transferred through the mercy of the spiritual master. It is by the special grace of Kṛṣṇa that a soul wanders the universe and finally encounters a bona fide guru, who implants the seed of bhakti within the heart.
- If by some chance or by pious activities they (the living entities) get in touch with a bona fide spiritual master, by the grace of Krsna, then they get the seed of devotional service.
- The causeless mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is first appreciated when one comes in touch with a bona fide spiritual master who can bring the conditioned soul to the highest position of devotional life.
Achieving the Ultimate Goal
The culmination of meeting a spiritual master is the attainment of strength from Kṛṣṇa to perform devotional service. By following the orders of the spiritual master, one engages in the service of the Lord and ultimately achieves liberation and shelter at the lotus feet of Viṣṇu.
- As stated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, one must get in touch with a bona fide spiritual master coming in the parampara of Krsna consciousness, for by his mercy and instructions one is able to get strength from Krsna.
- Thus (after getting in touch with a bona fide spiritual master) one engages in devotional service and attains the ultimate goal of life, the lotus feet of Visnu.
Conclusion
To be in touch with a bona fide spiritual master is the turning point in the soul's journey through the material world. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that it is the necessary condition for understanding spiritual science, receiving the seed of devotion, and attaining the strength required to return to the spiritual kingdom. Without this connection, even the study of scripture and the human form of life itself remain unfulfilled.
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 In Touch with a Bona Fide 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.