video: Teachings of Lord Kapila – Chapter 04 – Approaching a Bona Fide Guru
Teachings of Lord Kapila, the Son of Devahuti | Chapter Four, Approaching a Bona Fide Guru
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tasmad gurum prapadyeta
jijnasuh sreya uttamam
One should not accept a guru unless one is inquisitive to know the ultimate goal of life. An ordinary man interested in bodily comforts does not need a guru. Unfortunately, at the present moment, the word guru refers to someone who can give bodily medicine. One approaches a Mahatmaji and says, “I am suffering from this disease. Please help me.” And the Mahatmaji says, “Yes, I have a mantra that will heal you and give you success. Give me a little money and take it.” This is not a real guru.
One should approach a guru to learn about tattva, the Absolute Truth. One should not search out a guru to cure some material disease; rather, one requires a doctor. Similarly, people think that if a person can make him successful in business, that person is a guru. The sastras do not confirm this either. A guru is one who knows the Vedas and the Vedic conclusion. The Vedic conclusion is the understanding of Krishna. Vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah: “By all the Vedas, I am to be known.” (Bg. 15.15)
It is not that we have to understand Krishna fully. That is not possible. We have no capacity to understand the unlimited. Advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam (Brahma-samhita 5.33). With our limited knowledge we cannot understand the unlimited; indeed, even Krishna does not understand Himself. His attraction is unlimited, and to understand why He is so attractive, He became Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and took on the ecstatic emotions of Srimati Radharani (radha-bhava-dyuti). If Krishna cannot comprehend the limit of His own attraction and bliss, it is certainly not possible for us with our limited knowledge. If we can simply understand Krishna in part, that is our perfection. Full Chapter
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