More evidence of guru-tattva from acaryas

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>From "Sri Bhajana-darpana" commentary of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura on

Manah-siksa (sloka 1) by Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami

 

1. Sri Guru

 

The topmost bhagavata devotee who completely destroys all anarthas and

bestows sambandha-jnana or transcendental knowledge of one's relationship

with Sri Krsna is known as the diksa-guru. The topmost bhagavata who gives

instructions about how to perform bhajana of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna Yugala (the

Divine Couple) is known as the siksa-guru. Knownig both to be non-different

from Sri Krsna and very dear to Him, one should serve them lovingly in

accordance with the inner desire of their heart.

 

(Another translation)

 

Two types of spiritual masters

 

There are two types of spiritual masters: the diksa-guru and the siksa-guru.

The unalloyed devotee who completely destroys all anarthas, or unwanted

desires in one's heart, by bestowing transcendental knowledge of one's

sacred relationship with Lord Sri Krsna, is known as the diksa-guru. And the

pure devotee who instructs and guides the disciple in the confidential

service of Sri-Sri Radha and Krsna is the siksa-guru. Both are

manifestations of Krsna and are equal in all respects, and they both should

always be held in the highest esteem as objects of worship and loving

service.

 

Sri Harinama Cintamani p.48

 

"Only one who is *self-realized* and *fully proficient* in spiritual

knowledge is fit to be a spiritual master."

 

SB 11.3.21

 

tasmad gurum prapadyeta jijnasuh sreya uttamam

sabde pare ca nisnatam brahmany upasamasrayam

 

"Therefore any person who seriously desires real happiness must seek a bona

fide spiritual master and take shelter of him by initiation. The

qualification of the bona fide guru is that he has realized the conclusions

of the scriptures by deliberation and is able to convince others of these

conclusions. Such great personalities, who have taken shelter of the Supreme

Godhead, leaving aside all material considerations, should be understood to

be bona fide spiritual masters."

 

Commenting on this verse in the Bhakti-sandarbha, Anuccheda 202, Srila Jiva

Gosvami has defined the meaning of the words sabde pare ca nisnatam in the

following statement:

 

"One who is expert in explaining the purport of the Vedas which are

sabda-brahma, who has *direct experience* of Parabrahma (Sri Krsna), and who

is devoid of all material expectations and requirements should be accepted

as a genuine spiritual master."

 

In the Bhakti-sandarbha, Anuccheda 283, Srila Jiva Gosvami has explained the

meaning of divya jnana (the transcendental knowledge given by Sri Guru at

the time of diksa initiation) in the following words:

 

divyam jnanam hy atra mantre bhagavat-svarupa jnanam, tena bhagavata

sambandha visesa jnananca

 

"Divya-jnana is transcendental knowledge contained within a mantra which

reveals the form and identity of the Supreme Lord as well as the

sadhaka-jiva's particular relationship with the Lord".