A Satguru or Acharya (Part 1)

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

(From "Acharya. Guru. Spiritual Master" - click to read more from it.
You can also read the previous page: )

– What is the symptom of a Satguru? Can a person who has accepted a family preceptor take shelter of a Satguru?

– Due to the influence of time, people’s conception regarding the guru has been greatly polluted. Nowadays, people take instructions either from a family preceptor or from anyone else, and as a result they are bereft of the shelter of the most worshipable Satguru.

It is stated in Sastras that a person who is inquisitive about his own self and the Supreme Lord should approach and surrender to guru who is firmly fixed both in the service of the Para Brahman (the Lord) and in the Holy Name. (Sajjana-toshani 2/1)

– Who is a qualified spiritual master (Satguru)?

– One who is fully acquainted with and successful in spiritual life is qualified to become a guru. (Harinama-cintamani)

The qualification of a Satguru is that he knows the science of Krsna and lives outside the consideration of varnasrama. (Jaiva Dharma Chapter 20)

– What is the difference between taking shelter of the lotus feet of a Satguru and taking shelter of a bogus spiritual master?

– There are two types of gurus: antaranga or internal, and bahiranga or external.

The living entity who is situated in samadhi is his own internal spiritual master.

One who accepts argument as his spiritual master and who learns the process of worship from such a guru is said to have accepted the shelter of a bogus spiritual master. Then argument poses as nourishment for the living entities constitutional duties; this may be compared to Putana’s falsely posing as a nurse. Worshipers on the path of attachment must immerse all arguments in spiritual subjects and take shelter of samadhi.

The external guru is he from whom the science of worship is learned.

One who knows the proper path of attachment and who instructs his disciples according to their qualification is a Satguru, or eternal spiritual master. (Krsna-samhita 8/14)

– According to Vaishnava Sastras, who is qualified to become jagat-guru?

– Vaishnava Sastras accept that one who has understood the difference between material and spiritual subject matters, and thus learned about transcendental devotional service to Krsna (shuddha-bhakti) is jagat-guru. He is qualified to instruct all living entities, and he is completely aloof from the consideration of varna and asrama. (Amrta-pravaha-bhasya, Caitanya-caritamrta Antya 5/84-85)

– What does a Satguru instruct his disciple?

– Pure spiritual knowledge is glorified everywhere in Vaishnava literature.

In the teachings of Sri Caitanya, 3 topics are prominently discussed; they are knowledge of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord, the process of achieving the goal of life, and the goal of life.

Sambandha is understanding the Supreme Lord, the living entity, the material world, and the relationships between them.

Anyone who properly instructs his disciple about sambandha and trains him in the process of achieving the goal of life is a Satguru.

After receiving this knowledge, a living entity needs no other knowledge. All kinds of scientific and theoretical knowledge of this world are automatically known to him. (Sajjana-toshani 11/10)

Another revelation, . Check out the previous page too: . You will benefit from reading the whole work: Acharya. Guru. Spiritual Master.

And now listen to this sound >>

Harih Om Tat Sat.

Natural Brotherhood (Bhaktivinoda Thakura):

BhaktiVinoda Thakura

"Gradually, when the offensive portions of the established religions are destroyed, there will be no more differences in the bhajana performed by the various Sampradayas nor any quarrel between them.

Then as brothers, the people of all castes and countries will spontaneously chant the Holy Names of the Supreme Lord together.

At that time, no one will hate anyone or consider others dogeaters; nor will anyone be overwhelmed by the pride of high birth.

The living entities will not forget the principle of natural brotherhood."


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