Srila Prabhupada, Back to Godhead Magazine, Volume 3, Part 16, March 20, 1960 — […] The Goudiya Vaishnavas therefore worship Srila Gurudeva (the spiritual master) in that light of being the servitor Personality of Godhead and in all old literatures of devotional service or in the songs of Srila Narottamdas Thakur, Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur or any other unalloyed Vaishnavas the spiritual master is always considered either as one of the confidential associate of Sreemati Radharani or the manifested representation of Srila Nityananda Prabhu.
A spiritual master who has to teach in the matter of transcendental science cannot be a mannerless and senseless deviated person. A mannerless person deviated from the truths of spiritual science cannot be designated as the bonafide Acharya.
The Acharya spiritual master is divided into two as (1) liberated soul fully absorbed in meditation of devotional service and (2) as the invoker of spiritual consciences of a man by means of relevant instruction. The science of devotion is divided in respect of (1) the object of worship and (2) the means of worship.
The Acharya who is authorised to deliver Krishna in the true sense of the term enriches the disciple with full spiritual knowledge and thus awakens him in the act of devotional service. To become initiated by the spiritual master means the beginning of submissive aural reception of transcendental instructions and thus to awaken him in the practical service of Vishnu.
This procedure of devotional service is known as Avidheya or actions which one is duty bound to do, the initiator spiritual master is the Personal manifestation of Shri Shrila Madan Mohan Vigraha while the instructor spiritual master is the Personal representation of Shri Shrila Govinda Deva. Both these deities are worshipped in Vrindaban. Shrila Gopinath ji is the last attraction of spiritual realisations.
In the Bhagwat Geeta (Bg. 10.10) it is clearly stated as how Lord Shrila Govinda Deva instructs his bonafide devotee. He says that persons who are constantly engaged in His transcendental loving service are awarded by Him an attachment for Him by enlightenment of theistic knowledge. And by this awakening of Divine Consciousness the devotee is enabled to relish the specific transcendental mellow in which he is eternally related.
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