The Art of Spiritual Inquiry - Asking a Spiritual Master
Spiritual life begins with inquiry. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that approaching a spiritual master is not merely a formality but a practical necessity for understanding the Absolute Truth. However, the result of such inquiry depends entirely on the mood of the student. By combining submissiveness with intelligent questioning (paripraśna), a disciple can clear all doubts and advance firmly on the path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
The Qualification to Ask
Inquiry is effective only when accompanied by a service attitude. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that approaching a spiritual master with a challenging spirit or failing to follow instructions after asking renders the process useless. He teaches that true inquiry is intelligent; it does not mean blind acceptance, but rather seeking clarification to serve better.
- Does it mean that "I shall become submissive, and whatever my guru will say, I will have to accept?" No. Pariprasnena. Tad viddhi. Here is the pariprasna. Sri-raja uvaca. Ask him. That is intelligent. Intelligently serve.
- By going to a spiritual master and asking for his instructions and then not following them, one simply wastes his time. Nor should one approach the spiritual master with a challenging spirit, but should go with the aim of rendering service.
- Whenever you are in doubt you can ask me, and I am at your service. But one point you should not miss is that this life is very important to awaken our dormant Krishna Consciousness, and we should not miss this opportunity in any circumstance.
Great Inquiries in History
The Vedic literatures are essentially records of questions and answers between qualified disciples and bona fide spiritual masters. Śrīla Prabhupāda often cites Parīkṣit Mahārāja as the ideal student; his questions to Śukadeva Gosvāmī about duty at the moment of death led to the recitation of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, benefitting all humanity.
- Sukadeva Gosvami was authorized to speak, and he was asked, - What is my duty? I (Pariksit) am very fortunate that you have come in this momentous hour. Kindly tell me what is my duty.
- Maharaja Pariksit also asked Sukadeva Gosvami why Sri Krsna, just after His appearance as the son of Vasudeva, was immediately carried to the house of Nanda Maharaja in Vrndavana, Gokula.
- In this verse (Srimad Bhagavatam 4.30.2) Vidura asks Maitreya, the disciple of Brhaspati, about the different achievements of the Pracetas.
- This verse (CC Madhya 20.270) from Srimad-Bhagavatam (Srimad Bhagavatam 2.9.10) was spoken by Srila Sukadeva Gosvami. He was answering the questions of Pariksit Maharaja, who asked how the living entity falls down into the material world.
From Offense to Enlightenment
Sometimes, a person may initially commit offenses or lack understanding, but through proper inquiry, they can be rectified. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that King Rahūgaṇa, who had unknowingly offended the great soul Jaḍa Bharata, corrected his mistake by humbly asking about the science of the self (ātma-tattva). This transformation highlights the mercy of the guru.
- Unconsciously, King Rahugana offended Jada Bharata, but due to his good sense, he asked to be excused. This is the process by which one can be relieved from a vaisnava-aparadha. Krsna is always very simple and by nature merciful.
- Maharaja Rahugana concluded that it was appropriate to ask him about atma-tattva, the spiritual science. Tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet (Mundaka Upanishad 1.2.12). This Vedic injunction is also confirmed herein - Srimad Bhagavatam 5.10.19.
- Rahugana was accepting Jada Bharata as a guru, but a guru must prove his position not only by wearing a sacred thread but by advancing knowledge in spiritual life. It is also significant that Rahugana asked Jada Bharata which family he belonged to.
The Challenging Inquiry
Not all questions are spiritual. Śrīla Prabhupāda contrasts the mood of the devotee with that of the demon Hiraṇyakaśipu. The demon asks questions not to learn, but to challenge the existence of God, arrogantly demanding to see the Lord in a stone pillar. While the devotee asks "How can I serve?", the demon asks "Where is your God?"
- Hiranyakasipu marked Prahlada's observation and asked him, "Where is your God?" Prahlada Maharaja replied, "He is everywhere." Then Hiranyakasipu asked, "Why is He not in this pillar before me?"
- Hiranyakasipu asked his son, kim balah: "How have you overcome my order? By whose strength have you done this?"
- His (Prahlada) father was surprised, so he asked him, "How have you taken to Krsna consciousness?" The answer was, - My dear father, Krsna consciousness cannot be achieved by a person like you, whose job is always simply to enjoy this material world.
Conclusion
The act of asking a spiritual master is the bridge between ignorance and knowledge. As shown by the contrast between Parīkṣit Mahārāja and Hiraṇyakaśipu, the outcome of the inquiry is determined by the intent. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that when we ask with a genuine desire to serve and understand Kṛṣṇa, the spiritual master provides the guidance necessary to return home, back to Godhead.
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