Siksa as most important guru

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The spiritual master who first gives information about spiritual life is

called the vartma-pradarsaka-guru, the spiritual master who initiates

according to the regulations of the sastras is called the diksa-guru,

and the spiritual master who gives instructions for elevation is called

the siksa-guru. Factually the qualifications of a spiritual master

depend on his knowledge of the science of Krsna. It does not matter

whether he is a brahmana, ksatriya, sannyasi or sudra.

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Madhya 8.128

 

 

This verse shows the primery importance of siksa. It seems to support

the crude analogy of diksa as licenser and siksa as driving instructor.

Diksa gives acknowledgement of capacity to cook for the Deities, do

pujas, etc. all VAD type things, while the siksa is more important as

that is where knowledge to advance comes from.

 

Diksa acknowledges formal connection to the sampradaya. Siksa is the

method of transfer of knowledge. Siksa usually later becomes diksa if

that is physically possible, but diksa is of secondery importance.

 

Srila Prabhupada through his books is available as siksa to anyone,

once that person is physically connected to those books. It is

important that as disciples and grand disciples we continue to make

Srila Prabhupada's books available so he CAN act as as siksa to anyone

with sincere desire.

 

Diksa has more to do with institutional matters. Also very important

and useful, but as a means, not an end.