As God is one, similarly, guru is also one. There cannot be different gurus
“No. Guru means the representative of God. As God is one, similarly, guru is also one. There cannot be different gurus”
“So, these students, European, American students, they are offering respect to their spiritual master. Outsiders may think that the spiritual master is very puffed up, and he is sitting and taking respect from the disciple. But the fact is that they are to be taught like that, how to offer respect to the spiritual master. This is our Vedic process. Any sect or Vedic sect, the principle is ādau gurv-āśrayam: “The first principle is to accept guru.” Unless there is guru, how it can be executed, yasya deve parā bhaktir yathā deve tathā gurau (ŚU 6.23)? This is Vedic injunction. Other Vedic injunctions are like the same. Kaṭha Upaniṣad says, tad-vijñānārthaṁ sa gurum eva abhigacchet (MU 1.2.12): “If you want to learn that transcendental science, then your first business is to go to a guru.” Guru. . . As God is one, guru is also one. There cannot be different gurus. Nowadays it has become a fashion that “I have got my own guru. You have got your own guru.” No. Guru means the representative of God. As God is one, similarly, guru is also one. There cannot be different gurus.
Because God is one, how there can be different gurus? The principle of guru is one. (child crying) (aside:) Stop. The original guru is Kṛṣṇa. Yaṁ brahmā varuṇendra-rudra stunvanti divyaiḥ stavaiḥ (SB 12.13.1). Original guru, unto whom Brahmā, yaṁ brahmā varuṇa indra, all the demigods, offering their prayers. Within this universe Brahmā is considered to be the foremost living being, but he also offering respect to Kṛṣṇa. Śiva-viriñci-nutam (SB 11.5.33). Lord Śiva is also offering respect to Kṛṣṇa. That is the Vedic process.So Kṛṣṇa is the original guru. Therefore, Kṛṣṇa comes to teach these fallen souls. Yadā yadā hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bhārata, tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham (BG 4.7). As guru’s business is to protect the subordinate disciples from falldown. . . Just like I am traveling all over the world twice, thrice in a year. My duty is to see that my disciples who have accepted me guru, they may not fall down. That is my anxiety. So similarly, Kṛṣṇa, being the original guru, He is also very anxious that “My sons. . .” We are all sons of Kṛṣṇa, part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa. Mamaivāṁśo jīva-bhūtaḥ (BG 15.7).” [Srila Prabhupada Lecture Arrival – San Francisco-July 15, 1975]
TEXT 21
yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas
tat tad evetaro janaḥ
sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute
lokas tad anuvartate
yat—whatever; yat—and whichever; ācarati—does he act; śreṣṭhaḥ—respectable leader; tat—that; tat—and that alone; eva—certainly; itaraḥ—common; janaḥ—person; saḥ—he; yat—whichever; pramāṇam—evidence; kurute—does perform; lokaḥ—all the world; tat—that; anuvartate—follow in the footsteps.
TRANSLATION
Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.
PURPORT
PEOPLE IN GENERAL ALWAYS REQUIRE A LEADER WHO CAN TEACH THE PUBLIC BY PRACTICAL BEHAVIOR. A leader cannot teach the public to stop smoking if he himself smokes. Lord Caitanya said that A TEACHER SHOULD BEHAVE PROPERLY EVEN BEFORE HE BEGINS TEACHING. One who teaches in that way is called ācārya, or the ideal teacher.
THEREFORE, A TEACHER MUST FOLLOW THE PRINCIPLES OF SASTRA ( SCRIPTURE ) TO TEACH THE COMMON MAN. THE TEACHER CANNOT MANUFACTURE RULES AGAINST THE PRINCIPLES OF REVEALED SCRIPTURES
The revealed scriptures, like Manu-saṁhitā and similar others, are considered the standard books to be followed by human society.
**THUS THE LEADER’S TEACHING SHOULD BE BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF THE STANDARD RULES AS THEY ARE PRACTICED BY THE GREAT TEACHERS**
The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam also affirms that one should follow in the footsteps of great devotees, and that is the way of progress on the path of spiritual realization. The king or the executive head of a state, the father and the SCHOOL TEACHER are all considered to be natural leaders of the innocent people in general. ALL SUCH NATURAL LEADERS HAVE A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY TO THEIR DEPENDENTS: THEREFORE THEY MUST BE CONVERSANT WITH STANDARD BOOKS OF MORAL AND SPIRITUAL
Guru business does not just mean becoming “guru” to take on disciples for fame, wealth and adoration.
It also means using the spiritual master as one’s representative. Original books and teachings or not now days there are many devotee sub groups that teach indirectly by influence, word jugglery and good old fashioned shunning that one cannot go to and be accepted by Srila Prabhupada without their authorization.
Which can be very convenient for those said to be Srila Prabhupada’s representatives.
However.
Representing Srila Prabhupada
If someone poses themselves or their association as officially representing Srila Prabhupada
and they do not respond in a timely and informative manner to all queries via, phone, regular mail, E mail or other messaging services regardless of who is making inquiries then their representation of Srila Prabhupada can be understood to be selective representation only. Srila Prabhupada does not now nor did he ever selectively represent the previous acharyas especially his spiritual master. Selective representation of Srila Prabhupada is to discriminate or to ignore others based on an misunderstanding of the basic principles of the Hare Krishna Movement and Srila Prabhupada’s original teachings. Srila Prabhupada never discriminated without explanation. He was never silent on issues put before him by anyone. If discrimination was deemed necessary by him that discrimination was explained and that decision was sent out for all to understand. It is more important now than anytime in recent history for all of us to honestly and openly represent Srila Prabhupada in a most considerate and timely manner.
Pamho agtacbsp, it’s a unwanted society where clipped mind can’t understand that krsna vande jagat guru, the guru is already there but big mudha say I’m the guru and small donkey accepted it that’s our unwanted society is easy to kill by see this cheating is still go on anyway that’s gauranga business is not mine business and one need to be tolerated agtacbsp ys haribol
From the Introduction of the 1972 Gita.
The Lord further says:
abhyāsa-yoga-yuktena cetasā nānya-gāminā
paramaṁ puruṣaṁ divyaṁ yāti pārthānucintayan
“By practicing this remembering, without being deviated, thinking ever of the Supreme Godhead, one is sure to achieve the planet of the Divine, the Supreme Personality, O son of Kuntī.” (Bg. 8.8)
This is not a very difficult process. However, one must learn it from an experienced person, from one who is already in the practice. The mind is always flying to this and that, but one must always practice concentrating the mind on the form of the Supreme Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa or on the sound of His name. The mind is naturally restless, going hither and thither, but it can rest in the sound vibration of Kṛṣṇa. One must thus meditate on paramaṁ puruṣaṁ, the Supreme Person; and thus attain Him.
The ways and the means for ultimate realization, ultimate attainment, are stated in the Bhagavad-gītā, and the doors of this knowledge are open for everyone. NO ONE IS BARRED OUT. ALL CLASSES OF MEN CAN APPROACH THE LORD BY THINKING OF HIM, FOR HEARING AND THINKING OF HIM IS POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE.
The duty of the bona fide Guru is to continue to help his disciple in their self-realization endeavors through their whole lives. That means that with sincerity the disciple or follower is making progress in association with Srila Prabhupada through their hearts. Now if someone wants to disagree with what the disciple or follower has understood about the philosophy it behooves that person to respond in kind with honest and respectful discussion. Otherwise we end up with a one-sided disagreement that can be based on prejudice regarding the persons, gender, status in spiritual life ( first or second initiate ) or age of body. Indeed, these create sectarian cracks in the foundation of Lord Chaitanya and Srila Prabhupada’s movement.
Disagreement regarding Srila Prabhupada’s teachings does not allow those said to be representing Srila Prabhupada the right to not respond to inquiries from anyone practicing Srila Prabhupada’s instructions from his first printing books. Being a representative means standing or acting for another especially through delegated authority. It must not be taken lightly as some personally appointed post. Regardless of their high standing or economic position the position as a representative of Srila Prabhupada holds a great deal of responsibility and is far reaching.. This Hare Krsna movement of Lord Caitanya’s is not a sectarian movement. Bona fide representatives are to represent Srila Prabhupada in the exact manner that Srila Prabhupada represented Krsna when physically present and as he is doing through his books right now