A Satguru or Acharya (Part 2)

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

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

– Who is an Acharya? What are the duties of the Gaudiya Vaishnava Acharyas?

– One who follows religious principles and teaches others is an Acharya. One cannot become an Acharya by simply creating arguments and thereby making worldly advancement. Those who have been entrusted with the responsibility of being Acharyas in the Gaudiya Vaishnava-sampradaya should try to remove all anarthas from their sampradaya. (Sajjana-toshani 4/1)

– How do living entities gain faith in an Acharya?

– Those who act as Acharyas must first follow the religious path. Then, by exhibiting their own behavior, they attract the attention and faith of other living entities. Only by proper conduct are the Acharyas respectfully accepted by one and all. (Sajjana-toshani 8/9)

– What is the primary duty of the sons of the Acharyas?

Various types of anarthas have surfaced in the Gaudiya-sampradaya in the last 400 years. The primary duty of all the sons of the Acharyas is to totally uproot those anarthas. (Sajjana-toshani 4/1)

– Is it proper to call cheaters or persons opposed to Krsna the sons of Vaishnava Acharyas?

– Every Vaishnava is our master. Wherever there is devotional service, there is Lordship, but family prestige is not a limb of devotional service.

Some time ago, a person told us that Advaita Acharya, the husband of Sita, rejected all his sons, except Acyutananda, because they were averse to Gauranga, therefore, only Acyutananda was qualified to be addressed as Goswami. Another time a person said that since Sri Viracandra Prabhu, the son of Nityananda, had no sons, nobody should be addressed as the descendant of Nityananda, and the Goswamis of Khadadaha cannot be addressed as Prabhus. We are also hearing that the Goswamis of Baghnapada should not be called Prabhus either because they are disciples of Sri Jahnava-mata.

We do not wish to hear such false arguments. We worship all Vaishnavas as nondifferent from Krsna, and we show due respect to the descendants of the Acharyas. However, we can never show respect to the descendants of the Acharyas who are either opposed to Krsna or have been converted into another religion.

Can we show respect to a brahmana who has changed his religion and become a Christian? Similarly if a descendant of an Acharya gives up his occupational duties, then he can no longer expect any family prestige. (Sajjana-toshani 2/12)

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

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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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