Thoughts of a Spiritual Master - Humility and Compassion
The external activities of a spiritual master—preaching, disciplining, and managing—are visible to all. However, his internal consciousness, or "thoughts," are a deep subject of spiritual study. Śrīla Prabhupāda illuminates this hidden aspect of devotional service, revealing that the mind of a mahā-bhāgavata is characterized by extreme humility, a lack of envy, and a constant desire for the welfare of others.
The Humility of the Guru
A common misconception is that a guru views himself as a powerful master and his disciples as subordinates. Śrīla Prabhupāda corrects this, explaining that a genuine spiritual master actually sees his disciples as his own gurus. He thinks, "Kṛṣṇa has sent me so many spiritual masters to engage me in service." This humble mood prevents the development of false pride. Even great souls like Prahlāda Mahārāja thought themselves unqualified to offer prayers to the Lord.
- A spiritual master takes his disciples as his spiritual master. That is the position. He thinks that, "Krsna has sent me so many spiritual master." He does not think himself as spiritual master, he thinks himself their servant.
- Although Prahlada Maharaja was a pure, exalted Vaisnava, he thought himself most unqualified to offer prayers to the Supreme Lord. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah (CC Madhya 17.186). Every pure Vaisnava should think like this.
- Like one of my big Godbrothers - he wanted to make business with my Guru Maharaja (spiritual master), but my Guru Maharaja did not take the bad side. He took the good side. He thought, - He has come forward to give me some service.
Compassion Behind Severity
Sometimes a spiritual master or sage must act severely, punishing or cursing a disciple. To the material eye, this may look like anger or revenge. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the thoughts of such a saint are always beneficial. When Nārada Muni cursed Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva, he was not thinking in the mode of ignorance (tamaḥ); he was wisely thinking of how to cure their madness. The ācāryas are always absorbed in thoughts of the public's spiritual well-being.
- Maharaja Pariksit had inquired why Narada Muni was subject to a spirit of revenge (tamah). But this was not tamah, for Narada Muni, in full knowledge of what was for the good of the two brothers (Nalakuvara and Manigriva), wisely thought of how to cure them.
- Worship of the acarya is recommended. The acaryas and gosvamis are always absorbed in thought of the well-being of the general public, especially their spiritual well-being. Spiritual wellbeing is automatically followed by material well-being.
Refuting Blasphemy against Jīva Gosvāmī
History sometimes distorts the thoughts of great personalities. Śrīla Prabhupāda strongly refutes a fabricated story which claims that Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, out of envy, threw the manuscript of the Caitanya-caritāmṛta into a well, thinking it would hamper his reputation as a scholar. Śrīla Prabhupāda condemns this story as "ignominious" and a blasphemy. A pure devotee like Jīva Gosvāmī never entertains thoughts of envy toward another Vaiṣṇava.
- Another story fabricated to defame Srila Jiva Gosvami states that when Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami showed him the newly-completed manuscript of Caitanya-caritamrta, Jiva Gosvami thought it would hamper his reputation as a big scholar and therefore threw it into a well.
- This story (that Jiva Gosvami thought manuscript of Caitanya-caritamrta of Krsnadasa Kaviraja would hamper his reputation as a big scholar and therefore threw it into a well) is another ignominious example of blasphemy against a guru and Vaisnava.
Bewilderment vs. Clarity
The thoughts of a pure devotee differ significantly from those of the demigods. While a devotee like Yamunācārya spits at the thought of sex life, powerful controllers like Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva can be bewildered by Kṛṣṇa’s māyā. Brahmā thought he could test Kṛṣṇa by stealing the calves, and Śiva thought he was immune to agitation. This contrast highlights that only pure devotional service grants perfect clarity of thought.
- Lord Brahma thought: Whatever boys and calves there were in Gokula, I have kept them sleeping on the bed of my mystic potency, and to this very day they have not yet risen again - Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.13.41.
- Siva thought, "The Daityas may have been bewildered, but since even the demigods could not be agitated, what to speak of me, who am the best of all the demigods?"
- Sri Yamunacarya, a great devotee in Krsna consciousness, said: Since I have been engaged in the transcendental loving service of Krsna, realizing ever-new pleasure in Him, whenever I think of sex pleasure, I spit at the thought, and my lips curl with distaste.
Conclusion
To understand the Absolute Truth, one must try to understand the mind of the spiritual master. His thoughts are not occupied with personal gain, reputation, or envy. Instead, he thinks only of how to serve Kṛṣṇa and how to elevate the fallen souls. As Śrīla Prabhupāda shows, even when others act with malice, the guru thinks, "He has come to give me service."
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 Thoughts of 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.