May 26, 2023 — CANADA (SUN) —
Page twenty-seven
THE SPIRITUAL MASTERS ARE EQUAL
Recently the issue of "representative of Krsna," was discussed with one guru. When it was proposed to him that the temple presidents of the devotees in our centers were also Krsna's representatives, his reply was, "No. They are simply managers." Another sannyasi analyzed the situation in this way, "Ultimately the power is with the guru-GBCs. The way I see it, if you want to preach, you'll have to go with a guru." The other GBCs with either bloop or become gurus themselves."
But, in actuality, all Vaisnavas are spiritual instructors. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu presented the idea that anyone who knows the science of Krsna is fit to become a spiritual master.
Page twenty-eight
kiba vipra, kiba nyasi, sudra kena naya
yei krsna tattva vetti, sei 'guru' haya
"A person may be a brahmana or a sudra or a sannyasi, but if he happens to be well-versed in the science of Krsna, then he is fit to become a spiritual master."
Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 8.128
Knowledge of the science of Krsna (not birth or social position) is the requirement for becoming a spiritual master.
"As far as Krsna consciousness is concerned, everyone is capable of becoming a spiritual master, because knowledge in Krsna consciousness is on the platform of the spirit soul. To spread Krsna consciousness, one need only be cognizant of the science of the spirit soul… Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur also states that, although one is situated as a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sudra, brahmacari, vanaprastha, grhastha, or sannyasi, if he is conversant in the sastric science of Krsna, he can become a spiritual master as vartma-pradarsaka-guru, diksa guru, or siksa-guru. Unless we accept the principle enunciated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, this Krsna consciousness movement cannot spread all over the world."
Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 8.128
The idea that only the diksa-guru is a bonafide representative, and no one else, is not correct. This idea that the diksa gurus are a special class and everyone less is of an inferior breed does not correspond to the teachings of the Gaudiya sampradaya.
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto the spiritual masters, the devotees of the Lord, the Lord's incarnations, His plenary portions, His energies, and the primeval Lord Himself, Sri Krsna Caitanya."
"Gurun' is plural in number (in the above text) because anyone who gives spiritual instructions based on the revealed scriptures is accepted as a spiritual master. Although others give help in showing the way to beginners, the guru who first initiates one with the maha-mantra is to be known as the initiator, and the saints who give instructions for progressive advance in Krsna consciousness are called instructing spiritual masters. The initiating and instructing spiritual masters are equal and identical manifestations of Krsna, although they have different dealings."
Caitanya Caritamrta Adi 1.34
Page twenty-nine
From this text, it is quite clear that any Vaisnavas who are saintly persons living saintly lives, and who give instruction, are also spiritual masters.
"A devotee must have only one initiating spiritual master because in the sastra acceptance of more than one is always forbidden. There is no limit, however, to the number of instructing spiritual masters one may accept."
Caitanya Caritamrta Adi 1.35
