SB 7.15.26 – The Spiritual Master Is Not a Material Conception

Giriraj Swami:

ŚB 7.15.26

yasya sākṣād bhagavati
jñāna-dīpa-prade gurau
martyāsad-dhīḥ śrutaṁ tasya
sarvaṁ kuñjara-śaucavat

TRANSLATION

The spiritual master should be considered to be directly the Supreme Lord because he gives transcendental knowledge for enlightenment. Consequently, for one who maintains the material conception that the spiritual master is an ordinary human being, everything is frustrated. His enlightenment and his Vedic studies and knowledge are like the bathing of an elephant.

PURPORT

It is recommended that one honor the spiritual master as being on an equal status with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Sākṣād dharitvena samasta-śāstraiḥ. This is enjoined in every scripture. Ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyāt. One should consider the ācārya to be as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In spite of all these instructions, if one considers the spiritual master an ordinary human being, one is doomed. His study of the Vedas and his austerities and penances for enlightenment are all useless, like the bathing of an elephant. An elephant bathes in a lake quite thoroughly, but as soon as it comes on the shore it takes some dust from the ground and strews it over its body. Thus there is no meaning to the elephant’s bath. One may argue by saying that since the spiritual master’s relatives and the men of his neighborhood consider him an ordinary human being, what is the fault on the part of the disciple who considers the spiritual master an ordinary human being? This will be answered in the next verse, but the injunction is that the spiritual master should never be considered an ordinary man. One should strictly adhere to the instructions of the spiritual master, for if he is pleased, certainly the Supreme Personality of Godhead is pleased. Yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ‘pi.

COMMENT

So, in the previous verse, we read, how one can be free from the influence of the three modes of material nature by coming to the transcendental platform. And one can come to transcendental platform very easily if one serves the spiritual master with faith and devotion. In the Bhagavad-gītā, Lord Krishna says that one who engages in undeviated devotional service, he rises above the three modes of material nature and comes to the brahman platform. So, one can engage in devotional service without deviation by strictly following the instructions of the spiritual master. But one will follow the instructions of the spiritual master only if one has faith in him, that he is representing the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Otherwise, if we think he is an ordinary person, we may speculate whether his instruction is right or wrong, or whether there is another approach which is better than his. Then if one disobeys the instructions of the spiritual master, based on the material conception that the spiritual master is ordinary, then one ruins one’s position in devotional service.

Srila Prabhupada quotes two verses from Śrī Gurv-aṣṭaka by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura. The first verse confirms the same pages of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, sākṣād dharitvena samasta-śāstraiḥ, that the spiritual master is honored as much as the Supreme Personality of the Godhead. And this fact is stated in all the Vedic scriptures and Srila Prabhupada quotes from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyāt. In the Eleventh Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Lord Krishna said that the spiritual master is to be respected like Himself, like Lord Krishna as the Lord’s representative. Now, someone may give the argument that the family members and friends and neighbors of the spiritual master may regard him as an ordinary human being. So, what is the harm if the disciples see him as an ordinary human being? But there is harm and the harm is that the advancement one has made in spiritual knowledge will be lost. Yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo, that if one follows the instructions of the spiritual master, and pleases the spiritual master then the Supreme Personality of the Godhead will be pleased with the disciple. When the Lord is pleased, by the mercy of the Lord, then the disciple makes spiritual advancement as he ultimately comes to the transcendental platform. But if he disobeys the orders of the spiritual master, then the Supreme Personality of the Godhead is not pleased and hence disciple does not make any advancement, rather disciple ruins his position in devotional service.

Once Srila Prabhupada visited Honolulu, Hawaii, and some devotees there were living outside the temple, living outside ISKCON, and there were some controversies between the devotees in the temple and devotees outside the temple. As soon as Srila Prabhupada arrived the devotees brought the controversy to Srila Prabhupada. And the inside devotees told Srila Prabhupada what the outside devotees were saying. And the outside devotees were saying that they can be Krishna conscious even if they don’t live in the temple. Srila Prabhupada said that is true, that even if one lives outside the temple, he can be Krishna conscious. And Srila Prabhupada gave some examples of living outside the temple but still he practiced Krishna consciousness. Then the inside devotees explained more about the outside devotees. And they said that they were preaching that if you just chant Hare Krishna, even if you don’t follow the other regulative principles, you can still be Krishna conscious. Srila Prabhupada replied, “One can follow the instructions of the spiritual master anywhere.” Even if the disciple is not living in the temple, he can follow the instructions of the spiritual master and make advancement. But the spiritual master gives so many instructions, of course, the first instruction is to chant Hare Krishna. He also instructs to rise early in the morning, to offer maṅgala-ārati, or attend maṅgala-ārati, to hear Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā.

Then one of the inside devotees explained further, that the outside devotees were not contributing to the service of the Lord although they are saying the Srila Prabhupada had said that householders should contribute some percentage to Krishna’s mission. Then Srila Prabhupada said that one can follow the instructions of the spiritual master in any condition, in any situation. But if they are not following the instructions of the spiritual master, then how can they make any advancement in Krishna consciousness? And Srila Prabhupada said authority has instructed so many things that devotees should rise early in the morning, attend maṅgala-ārati and contributing to the mission. Srila Prabhupada said that, of course, he was saying about himself. And he said that the spiritual master accepts the disciples in order to help the disciples. But if later you see that “Oh, the disciple is not obeying me, the disciple is going against me then, yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ‘pi. Then how can the disciple expect to get the mercy of the spiritual master or the mercy of Supreme Lord. So, generally, we think of Srila Prabhupada’s mercy and of course, Srila Prabhupada is an ocean of mercy. But he is revealing the quite confidentially his actual mood, that the spiritual master accepts the disciple to help the disciple, yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo. So, if he sees that disciple is not following him, that the disciple is going against him then yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ‘pi. Then how can the disciple expect the mercy of the spiritual master, rather the disciple will have no position in devotional service.

Therefore, the disciple who does not have faith in the instructions of the spiritual master, because he considers that the spiritual master is ordinary, he can ruin his position in devotional service. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam gives the example of an elephant. So, the elephant bathe very nicely in the river or the lake but as soon as he comes out of the water, he starts to throw dust over himself or roll in the dust. And what is the meaning of taking bath? So, we come to the spiritual master, we learn the Vedic scriptures from the spiritual master. But if we don’t have faith in the spiritual master and offend him by disobeying his instructions then where are we? We are just like elephant, take bath and then rolls in the mud. What is use of such bath? So, today is Makar-Sankranti, the anniversary of the opening of this temple, Sri Radha-Rasabihari ki jaya! And of course there is a great history of how the temple was built. But within the history we find the same principles that we find here in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. So people imagine that if Srila Prabhupada were here, everything will be so neat because we would know that whatever Srila Prabhupada said was perfect, and whatever Srila Prabhupada did was perfect, and we would just follow. But actually, as mentioned in the next verse, even when God Himself comes, even when Krishna Himself comes, people misunderstand Him; they take Him as an ordinary human being. So, Krishna and Krishna’s representatives, both can be misunderstood. And even when Srila Prabhupada was present, some disciples misunderstood him. And even in relation to acquiring the Juhu land, there was controversy among the disciples. They doubted whether the project could actually take off.

So, Srila Prabhupada first got the idea, of course, the owner of the land, Mr. A.B. Nair offered the land to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Prabhupada actually liked the idea. At the time, Srila Prabhupada and the devotees were in down town Bombay or central Bombay at Warden Road. And the devotees were not convinced about the idea. But also we should mention that Srila Prabhupada would discuss his idea with the devotees, specially with the leaders. And he would expect them to express their thoughts. So, the fact that they expressed different thoughts does not mean that they were offensive, because Srila Prabhupada encouraged them to express their thoughts and thus he was training them. So, one devotee gave the argument that Juhu is too far away. And actually at the time, Juhu was very far away. [Unintelligible 00:21:00]. So, first argument was that Juhu was far away as most of our friends were downtown. So, Srila Prabhupada replied that Bombay is such a city that we could have many temples in Bombay and people of that locality will come. Even people from downtown Bombay don’t come, the people from Juhu area will come. There is so many people everywhere in Bombay, they will come.

Then one devotee complained that, “Srila Prabhupada, we are Americans, we can’t just come and live in a vacant field in a tent or grass hut. We need electricity, light, doors, door locks.” And Srila Prabhupada replied, “What is the matter?” Don’t you want to become purified? Because by austerity, we become purified. By indulging ourselves in all sorts of materials comforts, we don’t become purified. Gradually we become materially attached. But by accepting austerities, especially for the sake of the spiritual master’s mission, one becomes purified.” Anyway, Srila Prabhupada’s will prevailed. And Srila Prabhupada entered into the agreement for the purchase of the property with Mr. Nair. But there were some complications, legal complications. And Mr. Nair cancelled the agreement on some pretext. Then with great difficulty, Srila Prabhupada got Mr. Nair to enter into another agreement again and was date was fixed, perhaps December 31; that ISKCON has to pay the money by December 31, and Mr. Nair will transfer the land. Somehow, Mr. Nair was supposed to complete some formalities, some government formalities, so we were waiting. Every day was passing, the deadline was coming closer. There was no response from Mr. Nair. And December 31, came and went; we didn’t pay the money, he didn’t transfer the land. Then what to do? So, our lawyer gave the devotees wrong advice. Srila Prabhupada believed that there was the conspiracy between our lawyer and Mr. Nair’s lawyer. Anyway, our lawyers told us that the money we paid to Mr. Nair, we should take the money back and we should cancel the agreement, and unless we cancelled the agreement, we cannot get the money back.

So, the lawyer gave some bad advice. But what was the position with the devotees? One of the most senior devotees, he was preaching to the other somewhat senior devotees that Srila Prabhupada made a mistake, that Srila Prabhupada is an old man and he made a mistake. We should have not involved in the land; it is too far away and no one will come, and he does not want to admit to his mistake. So therefore, we should preempt the situation and we should cancel the agreement. And then he said to the other leading devotees that, “If we don’t cancel the agreement now, we are going to be entangled with this project, hopeless project for years and years. We could be entangled with this project for our whole lives; is that what you want to do?” So then they decided that we should get out of the whole thing by cancelling the agreement, and actually they did it.

Of course, Srila Prabhupada is very merciful. He doesn’t condemn a disciple if the disciple makes a mistake. But if the disciple maintains the material conception of the spiritual master and continuously disobeys the spiritual master and doesn’t rectify then the disciple really comes in difficulty. And so it happened that the disciple who said that Srila Prabhupada made the mistake, he became very independent of Srila Prabhupada. And when Srila Prabhupada try to give some good advice, he didn’t take it seriously because he thought that Srila Prabhupada was a fallible living being, and he thought he was more intelligent. And eventually, he completely fell down. He became completely entangled in material activity, starting with business and ultimately in sinful activity. But of course, when one does fall down as a result of a material perception of the spiritual master and suffers, one we can also get realization. And when he gets the realization, he can gradually try to come back. Anyway, as we all see, Srila Prabhupada decision to build the temple in Juhu was very good, and literally thousands of people are coming every day and are having darshan of and offering obeisance to Radha-Rasabihari. And then Srila Prabhupada himself commented that Juhu land is the best property in ISKCON, because it was far enough from the city to have a country atmosphere but it was near enough to the city that people could come. It was actually the best property in ISKCON. So, we are grateful to Srila Prabhupada that he sort of forced us to take part in project and create such a wonderful temple for Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari for the benefit of everyone. Of course, Srila Prabhupada gave many instructions even for the management of the project. And to the extent that we follow those instructions even now, the project will be more and more successful and to the extend we neglect the instructions of Srila Prabhupada for project, we will have problems.

So, we should first of all study Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, what does Srila Prabhupada want from us, what does Srila Prabhupada want from society. We should understand the instructions and we should follow the instructions and certainly the results will be wonderful. As we have seen, whenever we have followed Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, the results are wonderful. And when we disobey Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, thinking that we know better than him, or thinking that, well, maybe his instruction was for then, but now the situation is different so we will do something else, then of course, there will be problems. And although the movement is spreading by Srila Prabhupada’s mercy because devotees are following Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, the more we follow Srila Prabhupada, the more the movement will spread, and the more the problems will go away. So sometimes one has to understand the instructions deeply. Sometimes we misunderstand, and sometimes one has to give up personal motivation. Because of personal motivation, you may not want to follow the instruction, although the instruction is clear. But we may not want to follow his instruction because of some personal motivation.

Some disciples, not only the ones that I mentioned, another big leader, he came to India in Mayapur festival on the tourist visa. And he deliberately came on tourist visa because he was afraid that Srila Prabhupada would ask him to stay in India. And he didn’t want to stay in India. So, it was not so easy even when Srila Prabhupada was there. Disciples had different ideas. And when they had their own ideas and wanted to give preference to their own ideas over Srila Prabhupada’s idea in a gross way or in a subtle way, they were offensive. And although the offenses may have been settled in the beginning, gradually, because the same mentality persisted, thinking Srila Prabhupada as an ordinary human being, because the same mentality continued eventually, it came out in more gross ways and such disciples often fell down in a gross way. Anyway, Srila Prabhupada is so merciful and so powerful, he never really gave up on us. Although sometimes we may give up on him being deluded by the external energy but he never giving up on us. And by suffering, even by suffering at the hands of the external energy, we can come to our senses and come back to Srila Prabhupada’s shelter. And when we do come back to Srila Prabhupada’s shelter, he would always welcome them and try to engage them in service.

His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari ki jaya!

Are there any questions or comments?

Devotee: [Unintelligible 00:35:15]

Giriraj Swami: He said, according to Harināma-cintāmaṇi, one can take initiation from an uttama-adhikārī guru or a madhyamādhikārī guru. But if one can’t find an uttama-adhikārī guru or a madhyamādhikārī guru, he can take initiation from kaniṣṭhādhikārī guru. So, should the disciple of the kaniṣṭhādhikārī guru see the guru at the same level as Supreme Personality of Godhead?

One of the differences between a kaniṣṭhādhikārī and madhyamādhikārī is that kaniṣṭhādhikārī cannot clearly distinguish, who is kaniṣṭhādhikārī, madhyamādhikārī, uttama-adhikārī. So, if someone thinks oneself as kaniṣṭhādhikārī and he can distinguish who is kaniṣṭhā, madhyam, uttamā then, whoever he accepts as a spiritual master, he will see as a spiritual master, and he should respect him as spiritual master. If someone is so advanced that he can actually distinguish between kaniṣṭhā, madhyam, uttamā then why would he accept a kaniṣṭhādhikārī as a guru? If he is more advanced, he will accept uttama-adhikārī as a guru. So, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura instructions are not necessarily meant for the prospective disciples but Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura instructions are at least meant for madhyamādhikārī because only madhyamādhikārī can distinguish between kaniṣṭhā, madhyam, uttamā. So, the advice he gives that even if a devotee has accepted the kaniṣṭhādhikārī as a guru, we should not disturb his faith in his guru because Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura is saying that in the absence of madhyamādhikārī guru or a uttama-adhikārī guru, one can accept initiation from a kaniṣṭhādhikārī guru. In other words, it is not against the rules and regulation. So, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura is advising the more advanced devotee who can distinguish, they should not disturb the faith of less advanced devotee who cannot distinguish and who may have taken initiation from kaniṣṭhādhikārī. In other words, it is not that madhyamādhikārī gurus are not available or uttama-adhikārī gurus are not available, although they are rare. But I believe the instruction is meant for persons who can distinguish that they shouldn’t disturb the faith of persons you cannot distinguish and who may have taken initiation from madhyamādhikārī guru.

And even if guru is most qualified, although he may not be advanced, but if the guru is bonafide, in the sense that he is following the instructions of his spiritual master and receiving the message of his spiritual master, then he will also continue to advance and he can become madhyamādhikārī and then uttama-adhikārī. So, the fact that the spiritual master is beginning in the kaniṣṭhā stage does not mean that you cannot advance further, and reach the goal and help the society reach the goal[Unintelligible 00:41:00]. Therefore, as Srila Prabhupada emphasized especially that the spiritual master should repeat the message purely of Krishna and he should follow the instructions of Krishna, because whatever his level of advancement may be, which we may not be able to judge, as long as he follows Krishna’s instructions and repeats Krishna’s instructions, he can become advanced. There is no problem, okay?

Devotee: [Unintelligible 00:42:05]

Giriraj Swami: Srila Prabhupada gave different instructions to different disciples in different circumstances, so how do we know whether the instructions that Srila Prabhupada gave are applied to situation now because the situation may have changed?

Well, in order to make such a calculation, you have to have a good understanding of what Srila Prabhupada’s instructions were and why he gave different instructions in different situation, then we know why he gave one instruction in one situation and another instruction in another situation. And try to determine which instruction apply to our situation. Srila Prabhupada told a story of one veterinary doctor, he treats animals. So he treated a horse that had a very swollen neck. So, the doctor took a hammer and started smashing the neck of the horse, and the swelling went away. So, by the hammer animal may die, you should do something.” So, the original doctor called the apprentice, “Why do you beat animal with hammer and killing them?” So, the apprentice replied that, “The horse who has big swelling, you use the hammer so I also use it.” So, the doctor replied that, “You fool, that horse had swallowed the water melon and the water melon was stuck in the throat, so I have use the hammer to break the water melon into small pieces. That is a specific case. You can’t do it for every case.”

So, it is true that the spiritual master may apply a specific approach to a specific situation. We can’t just blindly apply it to everything. So we have to be intelligent enough to understand our own situation, which instruction applies to us, and if we are not intelligent enough, and by the way, if we think we are intelligent enough, it definitely proves we are not intelligent enough. We should consult others, who are experienced and learned and ask why. And they will tell what instruction is appropriate. Therefore, Srila Prabhupada advised us to make important decision together. And in terms of ISKCON, he wanted us to take decision together in committees. He said, “If you meet together and make the decision, and it is successful then no one gets the credit. And if you make the decision, and it failed then no one gets the blame. So always make decision together then they will be faithful.” And if we think, we are intelligent enough to decide without consulting others and without confirming then we definitely less intelligent. So, if we are actually intelligent and humble, we will consult and confirm with others. And if we are proud and we overestimate ourselves, then definitely we should confirm. Yes.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 00:47:47]

Giriraj Swami: He said, what was the cause of disciples who accepted gurus who are not gurus now?

So, we cannot conclude that they were at fault because they may have accepted a guru in good faith. And at the time, he may have been bonafide, but in the course of time, he may have deviated. So we can’t necessarily conclude that they were at fault, they may have been at fault. They may have accepted the guru for material reason, social pressure or some facility in ISKCON, prestige. They could have had some other motive and because of other motives, they accept that spiritual master even though they may not have really been convinced but they cannot blame anyone else. They can blame themselves because they did it. But someone may be convinced and at the time, the guru was acting properly basically following the regulated principles, repeating Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, serving Srila Prabhupada’s mission. So, in good faith, they accepted the spiritual master and somehow, spiritual master have difficulty later. But if they are really sincere and not materially motivated, they may stay in ISKCON in the association of the devotees, continue to follow the instructions of Srila Prabhupada and depend on Srila Prabhupada and Krishna to make other arrangements.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 00:50:30]

Giriraj Swami: Well, there are two variables in this equation. One is guru and one is disciple. So, the first question is, is the guru actually following Srila Prabhupada seriously? And the other question is, how much faith does the disciple has in the spiritual master? So I would say that the disciple can definitely look for a guru who is sincere and faithful to Srila Prabhupada. And my own opinion is that if the disciple isn’t really inspired by the spiritual master, why should he take initiation? I don’t understand why one should take initiation if one is not following Srila Prabhupada. I think there some duplicity there, otherwise why he would take initiation.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 00:53:10]

Giriraj Swami: [Unintelligible 00:53:25] Swami made a great point, that if he accepts someone as a spiritual master without faith in him, then he may reject the spiritual master’s instruction, and then he will commit offenses. If he has faith in only Srila Prabhupada then follow Srila Prabhupada and not be hypocrite.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 00:53:58]

Giriraj Swami: Gopal Prabhu has made a very important point that when we serve our spiritual master, we are also serving Srila Prabhupada and the whole disciplic succession back to Lord Krishna. So, when Srila Prabhupada presented himself and the paramparā, he never said, just serve my guru maharaja but he said that by serving me, you are serving my guru maharaja and all the acharyas in line back to Krishna. So, Gopal Prabhu makes the point that we cannot jump over the immediate link to previous acharyas. But what I was say is not philosophy but it is meant to be adjustment that until one has faith and surrender to immediate link, he can follow the Srila Prabhupada’s instruction until the time one can develop faith by Srila Prabhupada’s mercy. 

Devotee: [Unintelligible 00:55:45]

Giriraj Swami: It does come by mercy, but how does mercy come? Mercy comes by following the instructions. So when we follow the instructions of the spiritual master, we get some mercy, and when we get mercy, our faith increases. Then we continue to follow the instructions, we get some more mercy, and our faith increases some more. I believe Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says that when spiritual master is merciful to the disciple, then the disciple develops a worshipful attitude toward the spiritual master. Again mercy can come in proportion to service and surrender.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 00:57:45]

Giriraj Swami: If the spiritual master gives an instruction which commands more surrender of the disciple than the disciple can immediately follow, is it an offense if he can’t follow?

Srila Prabhupada says that spiritual master may give some instruction and for some reason, the disciple may not be able to immediately follow it. So the disciple should always remember the instruction and wait for the time when he will be able to follow the instruction and pray for the opportunity to be able to follow the instructions, and perhaps engage in some other activity that will ultimately help him to follow the instruction. It is not an offense. Yes.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 00:58:50]

Giriraj Swami: He says, should a disciple whose guru has fallen, accept another guru?

This question is very much deliberated by the leaders of the movement with reference to sadhu, shastra, and guru. And they have found evidence from Srila Prabhupada’s book. And Srila Prabhupada’s instruction are supported by statements from previous acharyas and shastras, especially Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Jiva Gosvami. And they have advised that if one has accepted a guru who is not bonafide or one has accepted the guru who is bonafide, but because of bad association, later deviated, one should reject such guru. And he should take shelter of another advanced devotee and continue the process of devotional service, and later by the mercy of the Lord, he will get another bonafide spiritual master. This what Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says.

There is one book by Narahari Thakura, one of the associates of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. And he said more or less the same thing, that if one spiritual master falls, then one should reject him and take shelter of another bonafide spiritual master. But in the meantime before Krishna makes such arrangement, one should continue the follow the process of devotional service in the association of other devotees. But again, because it is such an individual matter, it is not really a matter to be supervised or enforced. It is really a matter for each individual. And of course, within ISKCON, everyone takes shelter of Srila Prabhupada. So, even if one doesn’t have an initiated by spiritual master, he does have Srila Prabhupada and association of other devotees.

Any other questions or comments?

So, it is eighteen years since the temple opened, because it opened on January 14, 1978. Now it is January 14, 1996. So the temple is now a major, it is no longer a minor. So we in the temple should act like adults not like children.

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!