Characteristics of a Guru

[Bhaskar Y.R.]

---------------------- Forwarded by Bhaskar YR/BAN/INABB/ABB on 07/13/2000 10:55
AM ---------------------------

Please go ahead and post.  I will reply to you there.

--
Jaldhar H. Vyas <jaldhar at braincells.com>


On Wed, 12 Jul 2000 bhaskar.yr at in.abb.com wrote:

>
>
> Shri Jaldhar Prabhuji,
> Sashtanga Pranam
>
> In your recent mail you wrote:
> >In the Bhagavata Purana, 12th Skandha is the story of Bhagawan Dattatreya
> who had 24 Gurus all of which taught him something.  Personally I am
> trying to follow this advice.  Those Mahatmas I have met (and I hope to
> meet many more!) I just ask for advice on the next step.  Hopefully after
> enough steps mukti will be achieved but if I just know I'm going in the
> right direction thats's good enough for me.
>
> But Prabhuji in my opinion it is true that one can listen to many sources of
> information before really surrendering oneself unto the Lotus Feet of a bona
> fide Spiritual Master. By bona fide,
> i mean, a Spiritual Master Who has been authorized by His own Spiritual Master
> in a disciplic succession.  Otherwise there will be every chance of getting
> misguided by quake masters.
>
> sampradaya vihina ye mantras te nishphala matah
> "Without accepting the mantra or initiation from a representative of a bona
> fide sampradaya, they have no effect."
>
> The knowledge has to be obtained from a representative of the Lord. By
inquiry,
> surrender and service unto a pure devotee, one can raise oneself to the
platform
> of transcendental loving service unto the Lord.  Thats why krishna says in BG:
> tad viddhi pranipatena
> paripreshnena sevaya
> upadekshyanti te jnanam
> jnaninas tattva darshinah
> "Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire
> from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul
> can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth."
>
> Yes,  a neophyte like me can take knowledge from various
> sources, but before accepting a person as a Guru, he should check the
> characteristics of the person against those which are available in the
> Shastras. Even Srila Prabhupada says that the research for the right path and
> guru
> is ok as long as you haven't found one, but after attaining your path,
> further research is only for sense pleasure.  Am I wrong Prabhuji??  pls.
> correct me
>
> Finally, Exalted personalities are not meant to be copied, but to be
understood
> and the used as instructing Gurus. Also one must learn to distinguish between
> charismatic leaders and spiritual leaders. That is very important for our own
> spiritual progress. That is why there is
> the three fold check of Guru-Sadu-Shastra.  We shoudl not be getting too much
> influenced by the force of a persuasive speaker.
>
> If you permit me I shall post this to Advita-L.  I shall wait for your reply.
>
> Sashtanga Pranam Onceagain,
>
> Your Humble servant
>
> Hari Hari Hari Bol!!!
> bhaskar
>
>



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