Siksa as most important guru

[Guest guest]

On 20 May 1999, Sthita-dhi-muni Dasa wrote:

 

> On 19 May 1999, Janesvara Dasa wrote:

 

> > "Diksa actually means initiating a disciple with transcendental knowledge

by

> which he becomes freed from all material contamination." CC Madya 4:11

> >

> >

> > This would seem to imply that the bonafide pure devotee siksa guru's

> > instructions can be the diksa for the disciple as well.

> >

 

 

> How about one being initiated into the line of the recognized pure devotee?

 

 

This certainly seems logical and I would say it is quite in line with the idea

of the parampara system. However, as the result of our experience in ISKCON

with "so-called gurus" I would think it would be prudent to question how one

gets "into the line of the recognized pure devotee". It certainly cannot be

just by popular vote can it? Is it just to be accepted that disciples of a

bonafide guru automatically become qualified uttama-adhikari gurus upon the

"death" of their guru? Which disciples is this supposed to include? Many of

the past "gurusappeared" emminently qualified to our naive eyes and yet

proved to be not so.

 

By the way, most every one of my godbrothers who prematurely accepted the

position of guru and who were therefore not successful I still consider to be

my godbrother and a devotee of the Lord. I wish most of them well and would

welcome their association to discuss Krsna consciousness any time.

 

> That also offers the possibility of being intiated with trascendental

> knowleges by which one becomes freed from all material contamination.

 

 

The question I would ask myself is: First, can a person who is not freed from

all material contamination free me from it, and, second, does the person who I

have now or seeking as my guru have these qualifications.

 

I am not saying ONLY Srila Prabhupada has the qualifications to give someone

transcendental knowledge. I honestly do not know that as a fact. I am only

saying one who is fortunate will choose a guru with proper qualifications.

Many have not chosen carefully enough obviously, for whatever reason, innocent

or otherwise, but the result is still the same - they are still searching for

instructions from that guru who has the qualifications.

 

Is it wrong to allow a prospective disciple to choose between Srila Prabhupada

and someone else as their guru? Or are we saying no one, forever again, can

have Srila Prabhupada as their guru?