Back To Prabhupada, Issue 32, Summer 2011
n this issue's editorial, we explained that to accept Srila Prabhupada as one's diksa guru means much more than merely using the correct label for him. Rather, it involves following his instructions in every sphere — be it initiations and how they are to be conducted, or the relationship of the initiate with Srila Prabhupada and others — as well as following all his many orders for how ISKCON should be managed, and his teachings regarding Krishna consciousness. Otherwise, there is no Krishna consciousness, as the many quotes below make clear.
"It appears from the talks of Lord Caitanya that a person who cannot keep his faith in the words of the spiritual master and who acts independently cannot attain the desired success in chanting Hare Krsna."
(Teachings of Lord Kapila, chapter 19)
"You mentioned that leaving is the best thing for your devotional service, but you should know that without the instructions of the spiritual master that there is no question of devotional service."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, 17/12/1968)
"A spiritual master knows very well how to engage each disciple in a particular duty, but if a disciple, thinking himself more advanced than his spiritual master, gives up his orders and acts independently, he checks his own spiritual progress."
(Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta, Adi-lila 7:72, purport)
"For advancement in anything, especially in spiritual life, one must strictly follow the bona fide instructions of the teacher. [...] As soon as the disciple thinks independently, not caring for the instructions of the spiritual master, he is a failure."
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 8.17.1, purport)
"As one advances in devotional activities, the process becomes progressively clearer and more encouraging. Unless one gets this spiritual encouragement by following the instructions of the spiritual master, it is not possible to make advancement. Therefore, one's development of a taste for executing these instructions is the test of one's devotional service."
(Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta, Adi-lila 1.60, purport)
An Indian gentleman: "How to please God's representative?"
Srila Prabhupada: "You have to carry out his orders, that's all. God's representative is the guru. He asks you to do this, to do that — if you do that, that is pleasing. yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto 'pi "Without the grace of the spiritual master one cannot make any advancement." If you displease him, then you are nowhere."
(Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers, Chapter 3)
"Out of the ten kinds of offenses, the number one offense is to disobey the orders of the spiritual master. The instructions given to the disciple by the spiritual master at the time of initiation should be strictly followed. [...] This defying means to disconnect the relationship with the spiritual master. And anyone who defies and therefore disconnects the relationship with the spiritual master can hardly expect the assistance of the spiritual master life after life."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, 11/7/1969)
"Kirtanananda may be eager to address in the Harvard University, but recently he has lost his link on account of disobedience. [...] one who has not pleased the spiritual master cannot have any access in the realm of Krsna consciousness. [...] By misuse of one's independence one at once becomes a victim of maya and thus he loses all importance in Krsna consciousness."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, 6/10/1967)
"Because if that person who is giving shelter, if he's pleased, Krsna is immediately [...] Because he is recommended by representative, he will be accepted. [...] If he displeases Krsna's representative he has no entrance to the Krsna's kingdom, however learned he may be or whatever he may be. Immediately rejected. [...] Disobedient... "Obedience is first discipline." So if Krsna's representative is disobeyed — "Get out immediately." Krsna is very strict."
(Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, 12/12/1970)
"If you don't follow the instruction of guru, then you are fallen down immediately. That is the way. Otherwise why you sing, yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado. It is my duty to satisfy guru. Otherwise I am nowhere. So if you prefer to be nowhere, then you disobey as you like. But if you want to be steady in your position, then you have to follow strictly the instruction of guru."
(Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, 3/2/1975)
"First offense is guror avajna, defying the authority of guru. This is the first offense. So one who is offensive, how he can make advance in chanting? He cannot make. Then everything is finished in the beginning. Guror avajna. [...] If one is disobeying the spiritual master, he cannot remain in the pure status of life. He cannot be siksa-guru or anything else. He is finished, immediately. [...] You must avoid these ten kinds of offenses. The first offense is to disobey the orders of guru."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, 4/7/1974)
"So the process is that if you want to make any progress [...] Not disobedient. Guror avajnah, that is great offense. If you become disobedient to guru, then your business is finished."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, 10/8/1974)
"As soon as one is deviated from the instructions of the spiritual master, the uprooting of the bhakti-lata (devotional creeper) begins, and gradually all the leaves dry up."
(Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 19.156, purport)
"Without being self-controlled, without being disciplined and without being fully obedient, no one can become successful in following the instructions of the spiritual master, and without doing so, no one is able to go back to Godhead."
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 1:5:24, purport)
"So unless one is disciplined...This is the only qualification [...] As it is stated in the sastras, utsahad dhairyat niccayat tat-tat-karma-pravartanat. These are disciplines. The more we become advanced... And naturally we get the mercy of the spiritual master and Krsna. Through the mercy of spiritual... Guru-krsna-krpa. [...] Without guru's krpa, one cannot reach Krsna, [...] So we should follow the disciplinary methods sincerely under the guidance of spiritual master."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, 5/8/1975)
"So those who are not following the authorized instructions, they are simply creating disturbance, and by such process one cannot be happy, neither perfect, and what to speak of going back to home, back to Godhead? We do not therefore accept anything which is not authorized by the disciplic succession."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, 22/6/1972)
Return to IRM Homepage