Thanks To Original Guru

22 Aug 73 , London

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Prabhupada: My dear sons and daughters, I am so much obliged to you that you have become so enthusiastic for offering Vyasa-puja. Now try to understand. Several times we have explained why this function is called Vyasa-puja. I have already explained in the morning, this offering worshiping, one may think that this man is teaching his disciples man-worshiping, anthropomorphism. But it is not man-worshiping. One should not misunderstand. Vyasadeva is the original spiritual master. Original spiritual master is Krsna. From Krsna, Brahma was initiated, Lord Brahma. Tene brahma hrdaya adi-kavaye muhyanti yat surayah. It is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam that when Brahma was created, it was all darkness within the universe. He could not understand what is the purpose of his becoming there. Then he engaged himself in tapasya, and he was initiated from within.

Krsna is within everyone. Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese 'rjuna tisthati [Bg. 18.61]. So He is called caitya-guru, means guru within the heart. And when Krsna understands... Because Krsna knows everything, whatever we are willing, whatever we are doing. He is the Paramatma; He's sitting within our hearts as witness. Anumanta upadrsta. Upadrsta means simply observing what we are doing, and what we are desiring. So as we desire, Krsna is very kind, He gives us facility. We have many times explained. Therefore, we have got varieties of bodies to enjoy this material world. So when Krsna sees that a living entity is very anxious to understand Him or to revive his Krsna consciousness, then Krsna gives him all opportunity, especially by manifesting Himself as the spiritual master. Antar bahih. The spiritual master is therefore Krsna's manifestation-Krsna's mercy manifestation to help a person to develop his Krsna consciousness. From within He's helping. Therefore, He's called caitya-guru, and from without, He sends His representative to help how to become advanced in Krsna consciousness.

Therefore, to advance in Krsna consciousness we require two kinds of help -- one from Krsna and another from the spiritual master. It is stated in the Caitanya-caritamrta... You'll be glad now that Caitanya-caritamrta is now published. (devotees: Jaya! Haribol!) Yes. (This) It is the... Our Panditji, Pradyumna, he has presented. Actually, he has worked for it, although I have translated. But I am very much indebted to him that he very carefully edits and makes the thing very perfect. So, now we have got translation of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, and Sanskrit portion... Because mostly there is Sanskrit portion, so, so my beloved disciple, Pradyumna, I call him Pandit Mahasaya, because he is actually doing the pandita's work. So he edits and he works very hard. And... Not only that, his wife also helps in this connection. So actually, that is wanted.

kiba vipra kiba sudra nyase kene naya
ye krsna tattva vetta sei guru haya

I'm sometimes criticized by my Godbrothers that I have become a marriage-maker, because a sannyasi does not take part in a marriage ceremony, but I get my disciples married. This is also unique in the history. So they criticize me that I have become a marriage-maker. But they, they do not know why I take this risk. I have got many disciples, they are married couples, but all of them, husband and wife, they are helping this movement. Here is Bhagavan dasa, he's also married man, children.

So actually, married couples should be paramahamsas. Paramahamsa means the topmost stage of sannyasi. Paramahamsa. A sannyasi has got four stages: kuticaka, bahudaka, parivrajakacarya and paramahamsa. A sannyasi, in the beginning, he's supposed to make a small cottage, just on the border of the village, does not go home, but the, his necessities are supplied by his home, but he does not go home. This is called kuticaka. Then gradually, when he is practiced, he begs from home to home. He does not anymore depend on his own home. (aside:) Stop this. That is called bahudaka. Bahudaka means collecting his necessity from many places. And then as he becomes practiced, he becomes parivrajakacarya. He goes from place to place, village to village, preaching the message of Krsna. As our Sriman Revatinandana Maharaja is doing. He has now very nice bus. All others also doing. Grhasthas are also doing. Because our only business is Krsna. It doesn't matter whether a grhastha, vanaprastha, sannyasi. It doesn't matter. So when he preaches all over the world, that is called parivrajakacarya. And when he's experienced, he executes the work by his assistants. That is called paramahamsa. So grhasthas are supposed to be paramahamsa. Just like Bhaktivinoda Thakura, he was grhastha, magistrate, government servant, but he has worked so much for Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu in writing books. Not only writing books, but also begetting a child like Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, my spiritual master. So that is grhastha. They should produce children like Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja. Because we want big stalwart men to preach this Krsna consciousness movement.

So everyone has got duty in Krsna consciousness, and this duty is taught by Krsna and the spiritual master. Guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc. Madhya 19.151]. Ei rupe brahmanda bhramite kono bhagyavan jiva. Anyone who is coming to Krsna consciousness, he's not ordinary living being. Anyone who is connected with our movement, he's not ordinary living being. Actually, he's liberated soul. And I am very much hopeful that my disciples who are now participating today, even if I die, my movement will not stop, I am very much hopeful. Yes. All these nice boys and girls who have taken so seriously... Bhaktivinoda Thakura wanted that European and American people may understand the philosophy of Caitanya cult and take part in it. That was his desire. My Guru Maharaja, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada, he also attempted to send his disciples to preach Caitanya cult in the Western world. One of them, he advised me also. First meeting, perhaps you know, he asked me to preach. So at that time I was young man, only twenty-five years old, and I was also householder. So I should have joined and executed his desire immediately, but due to my ill luck I could not immediately execute his order, but it was in my heart that it is to be done. So better late than never, I executed his order at the age of seventy years, not at the age of twenty-five. So actually I wasted so much time, I can understand that. From twenty... The message was there when I was twenty-five years old, but I began at the age of seventy years. But I did not forget the message. Otherwise, how could I do? That was, that is a fact. I was simply finding out the opportunity, how to do it. So anyway, although I began very late, at the age of seventy years, so by the help of my disciples this movement is gaining ground and is spreading all over the world. So therefore I have to thank you. It is all due to you. It is not my credit, but it is your credit that you are helping me in executing the order of my Guru Maharaja.

So this movement, Krsna consciousness movement, that you already know, that this is a most essential, most important movement to the human society. Last night the Ambassador of India, His Excellency Rasagotra, he was present here. He also appreciated that this movement is very important movement, and he was very pleased that I have done so much. So this movement will go on. Nobody can stop. So this Vyasa-puja ceremony means to offer our thanks to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, because He is is the original guru. As we receive this message through parampara system from Krsna to Brahma, Brahma to Narada, Narada to Vyasadeva, Vyasadeva to Madhvacarya, in this way, Madhavendra Puri, then Isvara Puri, then Caitanya Mahaprabhu, then six Gosvamis, then others, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Jagannatha dasa Babaji, Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. Then we have taken. So this, as we come to this Krsna consciousness understanding through this long parampara, similarly, in the Vyasa-puja ceremony, whatever respect, honor, and presentation you give, that goes to Krsna through that parampara system, from down. As it is received through the parampara system, so similarly, your offerings also goes through this parampara system to the Supreme. The connection.

Our system is gopi-bhartur pada-kamalayor dasa-dasanudasah [Cc. Madhya 13.80]. It is sometimes called bureaucracy. If you apply something, at least in India, to the President, you'll have to submit to the local collector. The collector will submit to somebody else, somebody else, then secretary, you go. Then to the President. So our system is that. So it is not that I am training my disciples to worship me, man-worship, I'm getting some honor from them for nothing. No. It is not that. Whatever honor, whatever respect, whatever presentation you are giving to your spiritual master, it will go to Krsna by parampara system. This is Vyasa-puja. Therefore, it is called Vyasa-puja. Vyasa-puja means Vyasadeva is the original guru. After Brahma, Narada, then Vyasa. And Vyasa is original guru, because from his literature we understand spiritual knowledge. All these literatures whatever we have produced, they are actually originally from Vyasadeva. The four Vedas, Brahma-sutra, Upanisads, Puranas, they are called Vedic literature. And whatever is written with the conclusion of this Vedic literature, that is also Vedic literature. Just like our books. All our books, they are not mental speculation. Whatever I have learned from my Guru Maharaja, I am presenting. That's all. It is not mental speculation -- this philosophy, that philosophy. We kick out all these things. Unless we get the knowledge from the authorized source, we don't accept. Because how we can accept? A so-called philosopher, scientist, according to... Why according? Everyone can understand that however great philosopher, scientist one may be, he is imperfect. He's imperfect. Every man. I have several times recited this example that in our country Gandhi was very big politician. You know Mahatma Gandhi. He committed so many mistakes. At last he committed such a great mistake that he was killed. That's a long history. So even a great person like Mahatma Gandhi, he commits mistake. Therefore, the sastra says any conditioned soul, he must commit mistake. However great he may be in the estimation of fools and rascals. Sva-vid-varahostra. He must commit mistake, he must be illusioned, his propensity is to cheat, and at the end, all the senses are imperfect. We have several times described. So, so much imperfectness, how he can give perfect knowledge?

Therefore, a so-called philosopher, scientist's knowledge is always imperfect. The perfect knowledge can be received through this parampara system. From Krsna, Krsna to Brahma, Brahma to Narada, Narada to Vyasa, Vyasa to Madhvacarya. In this way, from Caitanya Mahaprabhu, six Gosvamis, then our Guru Maharaja, in this way. And our business is just to present whatever we have heard. This is very important point. And because we do not speculate mentally, just like so many svamis comes from India. They make their own presentation by speculation. So whatever little success I have got, it is due to this process, that I do not present anything which is created by me. That is the secret of success. All these rascals, I say, declare in this, all these rascals come, they manufacture. A spiritual thing cannot be manufactured -- as God cannot be manufactured. God is always God, and the words of God is also God. If we present as it is, then it will be effective. That is said in the sastra:

satam prasangan mama virya-samvido
bhavanti hrt-karna-rasayanah kathah
taj-josanad asv apavarga-vartmani
sraddha bhaktir ratir anukramisyati
 [SB 3.25.25]

Everything is there. Satam prasangan. From a bona fide spiritual master you receive knowledge, because he will present as he has received from his spiritual master. He'll not adulterate or manufacture something. That is the bona fide spiritual master. And that is very easy. To become spiritual master is not very difficult thing. You'll have to become spiritual master. You, all my disciples, everyone should become spiritual master. It is not difficult. It is difficult when you anufacture something. But if you simply present whatever you have heard from your spiritual master, it is very easy. If you want to become overintelligent, to present something, to interpret something, whatever over you have heard from spiritual master you can make some further addition, alteration, then you'll spoil whole thing. Then you'll spoil whole thing. Don't make addition or alteration. Simply present as it is. Therefore, we have begun Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Don't try to become over spiritual master. Then you'll spoil. 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 praptam imam rajarsayo viduh [Bg. 4.2]. This is the... So (child talking) you can stop.(?)

So Caitanya Mahaprabhu says,

amara ajnaya guru hana tara ei desa
yare dekha, tare kaha, 'krsna'-upadesa
 [Cc. Madhya 7.128]

Just see. It is very nice. You'll find in Caitanya-caritamrta, now it is published. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, He is the Supreme Lord, Krsna. He says, amara ajnaya. "Whatever I say, amara ajnaya, by My order, you become a spiritual master." Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So one may be very illiterate, no education, or no scholarship, may not be born in brahmana family, or may not be a sannyasi. There are so many qualification. But one may not have all these qualifications. He may be rascal number one, but still, he can become spiritual master. How? Amara ajnaya. As Krsna says, as Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, if you follow, then you become spiritual master. One may be rascal number one from material estimation, but if he simply strictly follows whatever is said by Caitanya Mahaprabhu or His representative spiritual master, then he becomes a guru.

So it is not very difficult. One may not think that "I am not qualified to become guru." No, you are qualified if you follow strictly the parampara system. Then you are qualified. That's all. Amara ajnaya guru hana... And what is the difficulty? Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, "Don't feel any difficulty." Because as spiritual master, what you have to do? Yare dekha, tare kaha, 'krsna'-upadesa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. Whomever you meet, you simply speak to him the instruction which Krsna gives. What Krsna instruction gives? That is also very easy. What is that? Krsna says man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. Krsna says "Just become My devotee, always think of Me, offer Me obeisances, and worship Me." So here is Krsna. If you simply think "Here is Krsna, Radha-Krsna Deity," you may be fool number, rascal number one. That doesn't matter. But you are getting impression of this Radha-Krsna, think of Him: "Oh, how nicely Krsna is decorated." This much. No erudite scholarship. Simply... Krsna says, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto. Here is Deity. Worship Him nicely as it is regulated principle. Even you are not worshiping, simply think of Krsna, "Here is Radha-Krsna." Impression. What is the difficulty? As soon as you see Radha-Krsna, you get some impression. Think of that impression. Where is the difficulty? Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto. "Worship me." If you have got opportunity, worship. If you are initiated, worship here. Or you install Deity at home, as our Ksirodakasayi Prabhu is doing. Everyone can do it. Where is the difficulty? Now ask him how he is happy. The whole family is happy. Not only he. But his wife, his children, everyone is happy. Practical. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. And if you cannot do anything, simply come and offer your obeisances: "My dear Lord Krsna, I am so poor, so unfortunate, I cannot do all these things, but I offer my humble obeisances unto Your lotus feet." That much also. If you do this, you become spiritual master.

So, simply by accepting this principle, and even if you are not learned, illiterate, you are hearing so much from Bhagavad-gita, you simply repeat that. Simply repeat that. There is no question of becoming very learned scholar. God has given you this ear. Even if you are blind, you cannot read, you can hear. So krsna-upadesa, what is Krsna...? This is 'krsna'-upadesa. And at last, Krsna says, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. So if you simply preach this cult, "My dear friend, my dear brother, you surrender to Krsna," you become spiritual master. You become spiritual master. You go door to door. No other talks. Simply say, "My dear friend, you are very nice, you are very learned." That was adopted by Prabodhananda Sarasvati.

dante nidhaya trnakam padayor nipatya
kaku-satam krtva caham bravimi
he sadhavah sakalam eva vihaya durad
caitanya-candra-carane kurutanuragam (sic)

The meaning is the preaching, very easy. Dante nidhaya trnakam. According to Indian system, if you put a grass on your mouth, it is a sign of that you have become very humble. If you approach a person with a grass in your mouth, he'll immediately know that you are coming there with very, very great humbleness. Therefore dante nidhaya. This was the system. Dante nidhaya trnakam, and touching his feet. Immediately, touch his feet. Immediately, even if he's enemy, he'll be a friend. Even if he's your enemy, it is so nice process. Take a grass on your mouth and immediately fall on his feet, padayor nipetya, and with folded hands, much flattering. Dante nidhaya trnakam padayor nipatya kaku-satam krtva ca. All flattering words. Aham bravimi. So immediately he will agree, "Yes, what you say I'll hear. I'll hear." Immediately, convert to hear you at least. Just see how perfect process is. "Then what is your purpose, sir? Why you are becoming so humble, meek? And now say." "Yes sir, I'll say." What is that? He sadhavah, "You are a great sadhu." Although he may be rascal number one. Still, you call him, he sadhavah. "Yes, I am sadhu, yes. What is your proposal?" "Now kindly forget all nonsense, whatever you have learned. That's all. I am flattering you because I want that you forget everything, all these yogis and this and that and that and meditation. Please kick out all these." "Then what I have to do?" "Caitanya-candra-carane kurutanuragam. Just adhere yourself to the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Then you become spiritual master. That's all."

So I hope that all of you, men, women, boys and girls, become spiritual master, and follow this principle. Spiritual master, simply, sincerely, follow the principles and speak to the general public. Then Krsna immediately becomes your favorite. Krsna does not become your favorite; you become Krsna's favorite. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, na ca tasmad manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah: "One who is doing this humble service of preaching work, Krsna consciousness, nobody is dearer than him to Me." So if you want to become recognized by Krsna very quickly, you take up this process of becoming spiritual master, present the Bhagavad-gita as it is. Your life is perfect.

Thank you very much. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Sri Vyasa-puja -- London, August 22, 1973

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"Increase Your Attachment To The Lord"

76/08/22 Hyderabad, Bhagavad-gita 7.1



Prabhupada:

sri bhagavan uvaca
mayy asakta-manah partha
yogam yunjan mad-asrayah
asamsayam samagram mam
yatha jnasyasi tac chrnu
[Bg. 7.1]

Sri bhagavan uvaca. Vyasadeva could have written sri krsna uvaca, but purposefully he's writing sri bhagavan uvaca. Because avajananti mam mudha manusim tanum asritam [Bg. 9.11]. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, because He descends as human being, mudhas, those who are rascals, they consider Him just like one of us human beings. Avajananti. Therefore to avoid the offense on the part of the mudhas, he writes bhagavan uvaca. Directly.

Bhagavan means full with six opulences.

aisvaryasya samagrasya
viryasya yasasah sriyah
jnana-vairagyayos caiva
sannam bhaga itingana

Bhagavan means aisvaryasya samagrasya, the master of all wealth within the creation. That is Bhagavan. Not that millions or trillions of dollars, but all the wealth. Aisvaryasya samagra. Bhoktaram yajna-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram: [Bg. 5.29] "I am the enjoyer and proprietor of all the planets." That is Bhagavan. Aisvaryasya samagra. Viryasya yasasah sriyah. He's the master of all strength; He's all-famous. Krsna five thousand years ago appeared on this planet, but still He's famous. His worship is going on still. In India there are hundreds and thousands of temples like this. Not only in India, now outside India there are least hundreds of temples like this. He's so famous. That is Bhagavan. He's not a cheap Bhagavan: "I have become Bhagavan by meditation." No. He's real Bhagavan. Bhagavan is Bhagavan. He doesn't require to meditate. Just like Krsna, when He was three months old, He's Bhagavan. Putana came to kill Him, but Putana was killed by Him. That is Bhagavan. At the age of three months what meditation He could do? So this meditation Bhagavan and this Bhagavan is different. Bhagavan is always Bhagavan. Either He's three months old or 125 years old. When He was in the Battlefield of Kuruksetra His age was 125 or little less. He was a great-grandfather. So his Bhagavan is not this Bhagavan. Bhagavan cannot be manufactured by meditation factory. No. Therefore it is said bhagavan uvaca.

So to understand Bhagavan, Parabrahman, that is the mission of human life. The cats and dogs cannot understand Bhagavan. That is not possible. A human being can understand. This Bhagavad-gita is for the human being, not for the cats and dogs. So Krsna says that "If you want to know Me..." It is not easy to understand Bhagavan, or God. God is not the exact word of Bhagavan; therefore we use the word "Godhead." "Back to Godhead." Bhagavan means the Supreme Lord, the Supreme Being. God means the ruler, the controller. But when we come to the supreme controller, He is Bhagavan. You are controller, I am controller. I am controller of my disciples within the Krsna conscious society, but I cannot control the whole world. I have got some... You are controller in your home, of your wife, children, servants. But you are also controlled. You are not absolute controller. Therefore Bhagavan means the absolute controller.

isvarah paramah krsnah
sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah
anadir adir govindah
sarva-karana-karanam
[Bs. 5.1]

That is Bhagavan, supreme controller. He is controller over everyone, but He is not controlled by anyone. That is Bhagavan. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is said, janmady asya yatah anvayad itaratas carthesv abhijnah svarat [SB 1.1.1]. He's svarat. He's not controlled by anyone. Anadir adir govindah sarva-karana-karanam [Bs. 5.1].

So Bhagavan is explaining Himself, how to know Bhagavan. So we have to take advantage. If we are actually serious to understand Bhagavan, then we have to take the instruction given by Bhagavan Himself. We cannot manufacture ideas to know Bhagavan. That is not possible. You cannot speculate on Bhagavan. Nayam atma pravacanena labhyo na bahuna srutena. The Vedas informs us that nayam atma, Paramatma, Bhagavan. Nayam atma pravacanena labhyah. If one is very good speaker, it is not that he can understand Bhagavan. Nayam atma pravacanena labhyo na medhaya. If one is very meritorious, great scientist, philosopher, it does not mean that he can understand Bhagavan. Nayam atma pravacanena labhyo na bahuna srutena. If one is very highly educated, highly learned in Vedic knowledge, he also cannot. Bhagavan can be understood by the mercy of Bhagavan. That is the process. Therefore Bhagavan is mercifully explaining Himself. We have to take advantage of it. Then we can understand Bhagavan.

athapi te deva padambuja-dvaya-
prasada-lesanugrhita eva hi
janati tattvam bhagavan-mahimno
na canya eko 'pi ciram vicinvan

These are the verdicts of the Vedas. Athapi te deva padambuja-dvaya-prasada-lesanugrhita eva hi. "My Lord, one who has got a little mercy of Yourself," prasada-lesa, a little mercy, janati tattvam, "he can understand." Na ca anya eko 'pi ciram vicinvan. "Others, who has not received Your mercy, he may speculate for millions of years, still he cannot understand." So we can understand Bhagavan by the mercy of Bhagavan. Not by speculation, not by learning, not by speaking or so many other things.

So here we have to take advantage, bhagavan uvaca. Bhagavan personally speaking. Why speaking? Asamsayam samagram mam yatha jnasyasi tac chrnu [Bg. 7.1]. Without any doubts, asamsayam. If you speculate on God there are so many doubts. But asamsayam, without any doubt, if you want to understand... Asamsayam samagram. And in totality, not partially. Bhagavan is Absolute Truth. The Absolute Truth is understood from three angles of vision, Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan.

vadanti tat tattva-vidas
tattvam yaj jnanam advayam
brahmeti paramatmeti
bhagavan iti sabdyate
[SB 1.2.11]

So Brahman understanding is not samagra, not asamsayam. Here it is said asamsayam samagram. Brahman understanding of the Absolute Truth is partial. It is not samagra, means not the complete. Complete knowledge of Absolute is not brahma-jnana. Just like the example is just like we are experiencing daily this sunshine. But understanding of the sunshine is not complete understanding of the sun. Very nice example. Because you are experiencing, I am experiencing daily sunshine, that does not mean we know everything of the sun planet or who are living there, how they are living. Rather, we are contemplating there cannot be any life because so much heat, temperature. So we do not know. We do not know samagram, complete. So this is a material thing. We cannot understand even one of the creation of Bhagavan. And how to know Bhagavan?

So we have to understand Bhagavan from Bhagavan. Then we understand Him asamsayam samagram. Paramatma-jnana, brahma-jnana, they are partial. Bhagavan is sac-cid-ananda. Sac-cid-ananda. So brahma-jnana means the knowledge of eternity; paramatma-jnana means the knowledge of all-pervasive Godhead. Everywhere present. That is Paramatma. Andantara-stha-paramanu-cayantara-stham. When one can understand that God is within this universe, andantara-stha-paramanu-cayantara-stham, He is within the atom, this is paramatma-jnana. But that is also not complete. But when you come to the understanding of Bhagavan, aisvaryasya samagrasya viryasya yasasah sriyah, that understanding is complete. Sri Bhagavan is the possessor of all kinds of opulences. Then what is difficulty for Him to remain within the atom? Aisvaryasya samagrasya. He can remain within the atom, He can remain within the universe in His gigantic virat form, as He showed to Arjuna, virad-rupa. Anor aniyan mahato mahiyan. He's smaller than the smallest and greater than the greatest. In this way, Krsna will explain Himself.

So... The process is... What is that process? Krsna says mayy asakta-manah, "Unto Me become attached." Asakta, attached. So how this attachment will increase? Mayy asakta-manah yogam yunjan, this is a yoga, to become attached to Krsna. This is the beginning. If you come to the temple daily and you see the transcendental form, sac-cid-ananda-vigraha [Bs. 5.1] of Bhagavan... This Bhagavan which you see, it is nondifferent from the original Bhagavan. Don't differentiate, that "This is a stone statue of Bhagavan." No. He is Bhagavan. He is Bhagavan, arca-murti, arca-vigraha. Because we cannot see Bhagavan with our present eyes -- atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih [BRS. 1.2.234]. With the present blunt senses we cannot see Bhagavan. Therefore Bhagavan, out of His causeless mercy, has appeared in a form which you can see. Not that He's different. He's not different. Because Bhagavan is everything. That will be explained. So He can appear in any form. So He has appeared in a form which you can see. That is Bhagavan's mercy. Not that He is statue. Arcye visnau sila-dhir gurusu nara-matir vaisnave jati-buddhir naraki-buddhih. If we consider that "Here is a stone statue," arcye visnau sila-dhih. No sila. No, it is not. Bhagavan is everything. By the advancement of knowledge, we'll understand Bhagavan, "Here is Bhagavan."

So if you daily come... Temple is situated... Temples are constructed to give you the facility how to become attached to Bhagavan. So you should take advantage of it. This temple is very centrally situated. I am very glad that the inhabitants of Hyderabad, they are so nice devotees from the very beginning they are coming. It is very good. So continue this habit. Daily come, see Bhagavan. Offer little obeisances. Bhagavan does not want anything from you. He is self-sufficient. Bhagavan. Aisvaryasya samagrasya. But if you give something to Bhagavan, it is love. Dadati pratigrhnati. You are taking so many things from Bhagavan. And if you give something, what is the wrong? It is exchange of love. And Bhagavan does not want your whole estate. Bhagavan says patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati. Little leaf, patram; little flower, a little fruit, a little water. Patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya. Bhagavan wants your bhakti. If you bring little leaf, little flower, little fruit and little water... "Bhagavan, I am very poor man. I have nothing to give You. But I have secured from other's gardens a little leaf, little flower and little fruit, and water is available. So kindly accept it." Bhagavan says patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati. Toya, bhaktya, what is that verse? Asnami bhakty-upahrtam. Because one is giving out of devotion, love -- asnami, "I eat." If Bhagavan eats from your hand, then you become perfect. That is wanted, bhakti. Bhaktya. Tad aham asnami bhakty-upahrtam. If you bring... That attachment should be increased. Mayy asakta-manah partha yogam yunjan...

This is the yoga. This is real yoga, how to become attached to the service of the Lord. That is first-class yogi. You'll find in the last paragraph of Sixth Chapter, yoginam api sarvesam. There are many yogis, different kinds of yogis. So yoginam api. Karma-yogi, jnana-yogi, dhyana-yogi, hatha-yogi, and so many yogis. Yoginam api sarvesam, "Of all the yogis," yoginam api sarvesam mad-gatenantar-atmana [Bg. 6.47], "One who is always thinking of Krsna..." Naturally, if you practice to come here and see daily, at least once, you'll be able to think of Krsna. Mad-gatenantar-atmana. If you continue that thinking, Krsna, how He's standing, how He is playing on flute, how Radharani is there, here -- man-manah -- in this way, if you think, then you become the greatest yogi.

yoginam api sarvesam
mad-gatenantar-atmana
sraddhavan bhajate yo mam
sa me yuktatamo matah
[Bg. 6.47]

That is wanted.

So the temple is the facility how to become the first-class yogi and how to become the first-class devotee simply by increasing your attachment. This attachment, there is one example that one brahmana, he was daily seeing Lord Ramacandra and then he was breaking his fast. So Ramacandra was out of His station for some royal business. So this brahmana did not take even water seven days. So when Ramacandra returned, Laksmana informed Lord Ramacandra, "Here is Your devotee, My Lord. Because You were absent for seven days and he could not see You, therefore he did not take even water." Ramacandra appreciated his devotion. So before Lord Ramacandra there was Sita-Rama Deity worshiped in the family of Dasaratha Maharaja's family. So that Deity was kept in the room of Lord Ramacandra because Lord Ramacandra was personally present. So He advised Laksmana that "Give this brahmana this Deity." And He advised him, "Brahmana, you worship this Deity, and when I am not in the station, your worshiping the Deity is as good as worshiping Me." So the Deity worship is so long going on. That Ramacandra Deity is still here in South India.

So there is no difference between the Deity and the Lord. They're the same. Even this chanting of the name of the Lord is the same.

nama cintamanih krsnas
caitanya-rasa-vigrahah
purnah suddho nitya-mukto
'bhinnatvan nama-naminoh

The name, fame, form, quality, pastimes, entourage, everything, they are nondifferent. When we read Bhagavad-gita, you must know when this writing is there, bhagavan uvaca, you must know Bhagavan, Krsna, is speaking just before you, immediately. Bhagavan uvaca. In this way you have to understand tattva. Janati tattvatah.

manusyanam sahasresu
kascid yatati siddhaye
yatatam api siddhanam
kascin mam vetti tattvatah
[Bg. 7.3]

Tattva. Tattva means the Absolute is the same either by His name, by His form, by His pastimes, by His entourage -- everything absolute same. Advaya-jnana. Vadanti tat tattva-vidas yaj jnanam advayam [SB 1.2.11]. There is no difference. This is tattva-jnana.

So in this way if you increase your attachment for Krsna, mayy asakta-manah partha yogam yunjan. This is the yoga, the first-class yoga. Yoginam api sarvesam mad-gaten..., sa me yuktatamo matah [Bg. 6.47]. That is first class. If you practice this yoga -- very easy. Simply you come daily. If you can, offer patram puspam phalam toyam, and offer obeisances. You'll increase your attachment. And that attachment, mayy asakta-manah -- this yoga, if you practice, then what will... Asamsayam samagram. Gradually, God, Krsna, will reveal. You cannot understand God without revelation. So on account of your attachment He reveals Himself. So sevonmukhe hi jihvadau svayam eva sphuraty adah. Atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih [BRS. 1.2.234]. If you want to see by your blunt material eyes, that is not possible. We have to purify. You'll see God with these eyes when it is purified. Sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam tat-paratvena nirmalam [Cc. Madhya 19.170]. When the eyes will be nirmalam, without any designation, then you'll see Him.

sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam
tat-paratvena nirmalam
hrsikena hrsikesa-
sevanam bhaktir ucyate
[Cc. Madhya 19.170]

So increase your asakti. Athasakti. The asakti... Adau sraddha. Sraddha, beginning, "Oh, here is a temple, let us go and see." This is sraddha. Little faith. And we have to increase this faith. Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sangah. If you have got little faith, then you'll come. And here are sadhus. They are simply engaged in Krsna's service. Sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam arcanam vandanam dasyam. They are engaged always, twenty-four hours, in either of these business -- sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam arcanam vandanam dasyam [SB 7.5.23]. So if you associate with them, if you come and see the arati, how they are chanting, dancing, offering prayers... And that is association. Adau sraddha, little faith. "Let us go and see the temple." And then association. If you come daily, there will be association. Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sangah. Then bhajana-kriya. Bhajana-kriya, this hearing, that is bhajana. And if you join the chanting, that is also bhajana. Sravanam kirtanam. This is bhajana. Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sango 'tha bhajana-kriya. Then anartha-nivrttih syat. Then all kinds of anarthas, unwanted things, nivrtti, that will be finished. Then you'll be purified. Sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam tat-paratvena nirmalam [Cc. Madhya 19.170]. Tato nistha rucis tatah, athasaktih. Then there will be nistha, firm faith. Then there will be taste. You cannot remain at home without coming at least once in the temple. That is called ruci. Ruci, taste. Then asakti. That asakti required.

mayy asakta-manah partha
yogam yunjan mad-asrayah
asamsayam samagram mam
yatha jnasyasi tac chrnu
[Bg. 7.1]

So Krsna is personally explaining, read Bhagavad-gita, see the Deity, come here daily, take caranamrtam. If possible, bring patram puspam phalam toyam. In this way you become the topmost yogi and attached to Krsna. Sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayor vacamsi vaikuntha-gunanuvarnane. In this way, he'll be attached to the lotus feet of Krsna and he'll try to understand and explain, just like these devotees are doing. They're going outside for preaching. Vacamsi vaikuntha-gunanuvarnane. What is their business? Simply describing Krsna and Krsna's activities. So similarly, if we engage our mind unto the lotus feet of Krsna and we describe about His pastimes and see His form... Mind, we have got senses. So eyes engaged in seeing the form, nose engaged in smelling the flowers offered to Krsna, tongue engaged in tasting caranamrta and prasadam, hands engaged in cleansing this temple or touching the feet of the devotees. In this way, when all your senses will be engaged, your life will be successful. This is wanted. This is Krsna consciousness movement.

Thank you very much. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 7.1 -- Hyderabad, August 22, 1976

"What Is Guru"

22 Aug 73 , London

Prabhupada:Thank you very much. So, tonight's subject matter for speaking is "What is Guru?"

Hamsaduta: Yes.

Prabhupada: So, guru, there are many descriptions. Subject matter is the same, but different way, guru has been described by different acaryas. Their aim is the same, but language or presentation may be little different. So generally guru means,

ajnana-timirandhasya
jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena
tasmai sri-gurave namah

Just like in darkness, ajnana-timirandhasya. Ajnana means ignorance, without knowledge. That is called ajnana. So ajnana is compared..., ignorance, stupidity, is compared with darkness. Just like if you are, if this room, immediately, all lights are off, then it becomes dark. We cannot see where I am sitting, where others are sitting. It becomes a confusion. Similarly, in this material world, we are all in the darkness. This material world is called darkness. It is called tamah. Tamah means darkness. Or timir. Timir means darkness. And actually, it is darkness. Because, because this material world is dark, there is need of sunlight, there is need of moonlight, there is need of electricity. (aside:) This child disturbing. But there is another world. We get description from the Vedic literature, na yatra bhasayate suryo na sasanko na pavakah. There is another world, spiritual world, where there is no darkness, and therefore, there is no need of sunlight, there is no need of moonlight, there is no need of electricity.

So guru's business is to bring out the disciples from darkness to light. That is guru's business. That is guru. First business is that because he is suf... Everyone is suffering on account of ignorance. Just like you contaminate some disease out of ignorance. You do not know hygienic principle; you do not know that "This thing will contaminate me. This association will contaminate me. This kind of food will contaminate me." Because we do not know, therefore we contact infections, sometimes suffer from disease. It is very simple to understand. Everyone's... Suppose one commits something criminal due to ignorance, due to ignorance. But in the court, when a man is criminal, in the court, if he says, the criminal, if he says that "I did not know the law," he'll not be excused. Ignorance is no excuse. Similarly, even a child, he does not know, he catches on fire -- the fire will burn. No excuse. The fire will not consider that "Here is a child. He does not know. Excuse." No. No excuse. So as there are stringent laws of nature or laws of the state, that because you do not know something, you have committed some wrong, you'll be excused -- no, that is no, there is no possibility. You have committed something wrong out of ignorance, you must suffer. This is the law nature's law. You cannot... I have (given) many examples. Suppose you can not eat more. Out of ignorance, if you eat more, then you have to fast two days, three days, suffering, or you'll have some disease. You cannot violate any laws of the nature or any laws of the state anywhere. Wherever there is law, if you break it, then you'll suffer. This is ignorance.

Therefore guru's business is... Every human being is suffering in this material world. Nobody can say that "I am not suffering." It is not possible. There must be suffering. There are three kinds of sufferings. (But) That out of ignorance also, a rascal is suffering, he's saying that "I am very happy." That is also another ignorance. There are three kinds of sufferings in this material world: adhyatmic, adhibautic, adhidaivic. Suffering on account of my own body and mind -- this suffering is not imposed by anyone else. I do it. The same thing, that I cannot digest but I eat more, so there must be dysentery. You must suffer. This is due to my body and mind. That is another one kind of suffering. Another suffering is imposed by other living entities. Just like your enemy or an animal -- or there are ants, mosquitos, flies, they are all causing suffering. You are killing them, and they are trying to give you suffering. This is called struggle. This is called adhibautic, suffering given by other living entities. Suffering caused by myself, this is called adhyatmic. And suffering caused by other living... And there are other sufferings, caused by the nature, superior power, adhidaivic. All of a sudden, there is no rain, no rainfall, and now for want of rainfall, there is no food grain. Excessive heat, excessive chilly cold; earthquake, famine... So many, by natures, imposed by the natures. Flood. So there are three kinds of sufferings in the material world, and everyone is suffering either by one, two or three or..., but nobody can say that "I am completely free from suffering." That is not possible. And why this suffering? Due to ignorance. I do not know. I am committing sinful life, I am committing mistakes; therefore I am suffering. Therefore guru's business is first to rescue his disciple from ignorance, ignorance. Ajnana-timirandhasya. Everyone is suffering out of ignorance; therefore guru's business is to... Just like we go to a school. We go to a school, we send our children to a school. Why? To save him from suffering; to get education. "If my son does not get education, he'll suffer in the future." The same process: to get him out of ignorance, to get him relieved from the suffering. Therefore, guru's business is ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya. So sufferings is due to ignorance. Ignorance is compared with darkness. So in the darkness how you can save one? By some light. So guru's business is to take the torchlight of knowledge and present before the ignorant or the disciple in darkness and that gives him, relieves him from the sufferings of darkness or ignorance. This is guru's business.

Then another verse says,

tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet
samit-panih srotriyam brahma-nistham
[MU 1.2.12]

It is Vedic injunction. Somebody was asking whether guru is absolutely necessary. Yes, absolutely necessary. That is the Vedic injunction. The Vedas say, tad-vijnanartham. Tad-vijnana means spiritual knowledge. Spiritual knowledge; for acquiring spiritual knowledge. Tad-vijnanartham. Sa -- one; gurum eva -- eva means must; gurum -- to a guru. Must go to guru. Not "a" guru; "the" guru. Guru is one. Because as it is explained by our Revatinandana Maharaja, guru is coming from the disciplic succession. What five thousand years ago Vyasadeva instructed or Krsna instructed, the same thing we are also instructing. Therefore there is no difference between instruction. Therefore guru is one. Although hundreds and thousands of acaryas have come and gone, but the message is one. Therefore guru cannot be two. Real guru will not talk differently. Some guru says that "In my opinion, you should like this," and some guru will say, "In my opinion you'll do this" -- they are not guru; they are all rascals. Guru has no "own" opinion. Guru has got only one opinion, the same opinion which was expressed by Krsna, Vyasadeva or Narada or Arjuna or Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu or the Gosvamis. You'll find the same thing. Five thousand years ago, Lord Sri Krsna spoke Bhagavad-gita and Vyasadeva wrote it, recorded it. Vyasadeva does not say that "It is my opinion." Vyasadeva writes, sri bhagavan uvaca: "Whatever writing, it is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead." He's not giving his own opinion. Sri bhagavan uvaca. Therefore he is guru. He is not misinterpreting the words of Krsna. He's giving as it is. Just like a bearer, peon. Somebody has written you letter, the peon has got the letter. It does not mean he has to correct it or edit it or addition or... No. He'll present it. That is his duty. Then he is guru. He's honest. Similarly, guru cannot be two. Mind that. The person may be different, but the message is the same. Therefore guru is one.

The Vedic instruction is, tad vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet [MU 1.2.12]. Gurum eva, "one must." Eva means "must." Abhigacchet, this verb is used when there is the sense of "must." It never says "Go to a guru," but he says "Must approach the guru." Guru is one. Guru cannot be two. Gurum evabhigacchet. And we see also, practically, in the disciplic succession of guru, the same thing is spoken by the guru. Same thing. Repetition of the same subject matter, no other. Krsna said that man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru: [Bg. 18.65] "Just think of Me," man-mana. "Just become devotee of Me," man-mana bhava mad-bhakto. "Just worship Me and just offer your obeisances unto Me." Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. "Just surrender unto Me." You'll find this instruction in the Bhagavad-gita. The same thing was spoken by all the acaryas. Ramanujacarya also says the same, Madhvacarya says the same thing, Caitanya Mahaprabhu says same thing, the Gosvamis say the same thing, and we are also speaking the same thing. There is no difference. We do not interpret the words of Krsna, that "In my opinion, Kuruksetra means this body." This is rascaldom. The whole situation has been spoiled by these so-called rascal gurus who gives his own opinion. This is our plain declaration: Let any rascal guru come. We can convince him that he is not guru, because he is speaking differently. We can challenge any rascal. Just like somebody came here, he said that he's God, every one of us God. (aside:) Stop this. So I asked that "Just find out in the dictionary what is meaning of God. Let us see whether he is God." The dictionary, as soon as dictionary was consulted, the meaning of God is "the supreme being," meaning of God. So I asked him, "Are you supreme? If you cannot understand, then find out the meaning of supreme." Then when he consulted dictionary, the supreme, it is said "the greatest authority." So I asked him, "Are you the greatest authority?" The rascal could not answer. He does not know even the dictionary meaning, and he's claiming that he's God. This rascaldom is going on, whole world. Big, big rascal swamis, they say, "Why you are finding out God anywhere? You do not see so many rascal gods are loitering in the street?" This is going on. If you simply consult dictionary, you can understand what is the meaning of God. God is so cheap thing, huh? Supreme being. Are you supreme being? Supreme means the highest authority. Highest authority means nobody is equal to him, nobody is greater than him. That is supreme. So these rascals who are claiming to become God, is it a fact that nobody is equal to him, nobody is greater than him? There are so many.

So this kind of guru, this kind of rascal, will not help you. Guru must come from the parampara system by disciplic succession. Five thousand years or five millions of years, what was spoken by the supreme God or guru, the present guru also will say the same thing. That is guru. That is bona fide guru. Otherwise, he's not guru. Simple definition. Guru cannot change any word of the predecessor. There is one instance in Caitanya Mahaprabhu's life. One gentleman, (he) is Vallabha Acarya. He was very much devotee of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He wrote one comment on Srimad-Bhagavatam, Subodhini-tika, it is called. That is recognized, nice tika, comment. But he approached Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He was very great devotee of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So he simply said that "Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Lord Caitanya, if You hear my comment on the Srimad-Bhagavatam, You'll find it is far better than Sridhara Svami's." Sridhara Svami is the very old commentator. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu immediately rejected: "Oh, you are claiming that you have written something better than Sridhara Svami?" He chastised him. Svami means another... He sarcastically remarked, the word svami, Sridhara Swami, svami, another svami means "husband." So He said, svami jiva nahi mane besa bali guni(?): "I think one who does not recognize svami, he's a prostitute." He immediately said. "You do not recognize Sridhara Svami, then you are a prostitute. How can I hear from a prostitute?" He refused. Only word, that "I have written better than Svami." So this is the process of guru. You cannot disobey the previous acarya or guru. No. You have to repeat the same thing. Not research. Sometimes rascals come, that "You are speaking the same thing. Why don't you speak something new by research work?" We say that we have no intelligence, we cannot make any research. We are... Guru more murkha dekhi koriya vicara [Cc. Adi 7.71]. Caitanya Mahaprabhu said that "My Guru Maharaja saw Me a great fool number one." So one who remains a great fool number one before his guru, he is guru. And one who says that "I'm advanced so much that I can speak better than my guru," then he's rascal. This is the process.

evam parampara-praptam
imam rajarsayo viduh
sa kaleneha (mahata)
yogo nastah parantapa
[Bg. 4.2]

Krsna said in the Fourth Chapter.

So guru is one. Guru cannot be two. As soon as you find two opinions of guru, either both of them are rascals, or one is still at least rascal. There cannot be two. This is guru. Another place it is said,

tasmad gurum prapadyeta
jijnasuh sreya uttamam
sabde pare ca nisnatam
brahmany upasamasrayam
[SB 11.3.21]

Who needs a guru? A third-class, fourth-class man, ordinary man, doesn't require a guru. Guru, to keep a guru or to have a guru is not a fashion. One who is very serious to understand spiritual life, he requires a guru. Otherwise, there is no need of guru. Just like you keep a dog as a fashion, don't keep a guru. Guru means..., is a question of necessity. One must be very serious to understand what is spiritual life, what is God, what is my relation with God, how to act. When we are very much serious about this subject matter, then we require a guru. Don't go to a guru as a matter of fashion. That is useless. That is useless. Therefore sastra says, tasmad gurum prapadyeta. Because we have to go to guru and surrender there. Without surrendering, you cannot learn anything. If you want to challenge guru, it is not possible. Then you'll learn nothing. Tasmad gurum prapadyeta. Pranipatena. So, just like Arjuna accepted Krsna as guru, he said, sisyas te 'ham sadhi mam tvam prapannam: [Bg. 2.7] "I am now surrendered to you." That is the process. Tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya [Bg. 4.34]. To... Guru means Krsna's representative, former acaryas' representative. Krsna's... All acaryas are representative of Krsna; therefore guru should be offered the same respect as you offer to God. Tasmad gurum prapadyeta [SB 11.3.21]. Therefore Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura says, yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado **. Because guru is bona fide representative of Krsna, or God, so if you surrender to guru, bona fide guru, that means you surrender to God. God is accepting your surrender through the guru. Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado. If you surrender to guru, that means Krsna is pleased. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja: [Bg. 18.66] surrender. That somebody argues, "Where is Krsna? I shall surrender." No. You surrender to His representative, then you surrender to Krsna. This is the process.

So guru is the representative of God. Therefore the sastra says, the authority says, saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair. Guru is as good as God. Here, in this Vyasa-puja day, we are teaching or they are doing, offering respect to guru. That means they are learning how to offer respect to God. It is not personal affair; it is required. Because they are trying to be God conscious, they must learn how to offer respect to God or God's representative. That is required. Saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair. In all the sastra, Vedic literature, guru is described as good as God. But guru will never say that "I am God." The disciple's duty is to offer respect to guru as he offers respect to God. But guru will never say that "I am... Because my disciples are offering me respect as God, therefore I have become God." As soon as he thinks so, he becomes dog. He is no more God. Therefore Visvanatha Cakravarti says... Why guru is offered respect like God? Kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya. Guru is offered the same respect as we offer respect to God. Just like in the morning. The other side, aratrika was going on, offering to Krsna, and this side was aratrika was going on to offer respect to the spiritual master. The same respect. But guru will never say, and he's not that. Guru will never say, "Now I have become God." No. God does not become. God is always God. So God is God and guru is guru. But, as a matter of etiquette, God is the sevya God, worshipable God, and guru is the worshiper God. Just try to understand. Worshipable God and worshiper God. This is. Sevya bhagavan-sevaka bhagavan. Just like guru is addressed: "Prabhupada." Prabhu means "the Lord" and pada means "the position." "One who has taken the position of the Lord." The same thing: saksad-dharitvena, prabhupada. These are the terms, one who is serious to study this science of God, they'll learn all these things. So one who is very serious to understand the science of God, for him a guru is required. Don't try to keep a guru as a matter of fashion, that it has become a fashion to accept somebody, some rascal as guru, and say that "I have got my guru." What kind of guru you have got? You are talking nonsense. Acaryavan purusa veda. One who has accepted guru, he'll talk sense, where there is meaning. He'll never talk any nonsense. That is the sign that he has got guru. He has got the sacred thread. Yes, he's accepted by bona fide guru. That is the sign, sacred thread. So you are offering good respect to your spiritual master. That is very nice. You are very thankful. But at the same time we should remember that how to carry out the orders of the guru so that people may not think that you are talking nonsense. You must be very careful.

So in the Bhagavad-gita also... I am reciting, citing various verses from various sastras-Kathopanisad, Srimad-Bhagavatam. Now here is another verse. Krsna says, tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya, in the Bhagavad-gita.

tad viddhi pranipatena
pariprasnena sevaya
upadeksyanti te jnanam
jnaninas tattva-darsinah
[Bg. 4.34]

So you have to learn from guru by three processes. What is that? First process is you must surrender. Tasmad gurum prapadyeta [SB 11.3.21]. Surrender. You have to find out such an exalted person where you can willingly surrender, "Yes." Therefore it is enjoined in the sastras, before making a guru, try to study him, whether you can surrender there. Don't accept any guru all of a sudden as fanatic. No, don't do that. That is the injunction. And guru also must study the disciple who wants to become a disciple; must study him, whether he's fit for becoming a disciple. This is the way of making relationship between guru and disciple. Everything is there provided we take them seriously. Then we can train up how to become bona fide disciple, how to find out bona fide guru, how to establish our relationship with guru and act accordingly and make our life successful. Because guru's business is ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya. Guru's business is to enlighten the disciple, because he's in darkness. In another place in the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is said that parabhavas tavad abodha-jato yavan na jijnasata atma-tattvam. Parabhavah, parabhavah means defeat. Defeat. So whose defeat? Parabhavas tavad abodha-jato: one who is born rascal and fool. Everyone is born rascal and fool. Nobody, otherwise, if you are learned, if you are..., if you know things, then why do you go to a school and college and pass university? It is a fact. Animals. If we do not cultivate knowledge, then we are as good as animals. Now another animal is saying that there is no need of books, and he has become guru. But how you can get knowledge without authoritative studies of books and science and philosophy? But they are trying to avoid this. So imagine what kind of guru and what kind of disciple.

So sastra says, parabhavas tavad abodha-jato. Abodha-jato. Everyone is born rascal, fool. He has to be enlightened, he has to be given knowledge, and he has to receive knowledge to make his life perfect. Therefore parabhavah means one who does not make his life perfect, he's being defeated. What is the defeat? Struggle for existence. We are trying to get better life. Here also, in this life also, we are struggling hard for getting better position. So real better position we do not know. That is described in the Bhagavad-gita: sah amrtatvaya kalpate. Here in this material world there is no better position because there is death. You may possess a very good better position, but you'll have to give it up. Either the better position will give up you, or ultimately you have to give up that better position. You cannot stay. Suppose you have earned millions of dollars, millions of pounds: "Now we have got good bank balance." You think, "Now I am in the better position." A little dysentery, or cholera, dysentery -- finished, better position. Or the bank fails -- that better position gone. So there is no better position in this material world. It is a false. Therefore those who are trying to get better position in this material world, they are simply becoming defeated, because there is no better position. He's a rascal. He's thinking this is better position. What is better position? Then Bhagavad-gita says the better position is amrtatva. Sah amrtatvaya kalpate: "Don't die. Keep your position firm." That is better position. So is there any science to give knowledge how one becomes immortal? Yes, there is. You can become immortal. Not in this material science; not in the so-called universities. But there is knowledge in the Vedic scripture by which you can become immortal. That is better position. No more death, no more birth, no more old age, no more disease. So guru's task is very great responsibility. He has to guide the disciple how to make him quite eligible candidate to get the perfect position, immortality, back to home, back to Godhead.

Thank you very much. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Lecture: What is a Guru? -- London, August 22, 1973

© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. Used with permission.