Question about Guru-disc.relationship

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Camp: Mathura-desa Nama Hattas, Arabian Gulf Area, Middle East, Arabian Sea.

 

My Dear Damodara das,

 

Please accept my best wishes. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Thankyou for your letter cited below with my comments. I have noted the

contents carefully.

 

> Dear Jayapataka Swami,

> Please accept my humble obeisances.

> My question:Sometimes when we see how the spiritual master treats some of

> our godbrothers,in a very caring and affectionate way,and when seeing them

> he expresses a lot of joy, and he doesnt treat us in the same way,we may

> become doubtful about our relationship,and think that he doesnt like us...

 

That doesn't usually hold true. Usually the Spiritual Master likes all his

disciples, but sometimes due to circumstances it might appear like he treats

one more affectionately than others. That can also be to various

circumstantial reasons or because that disciple needs some extra

encouragement in the eyes of the Spiritual Master. One shouldn't get too

mental about this point, but go on serving Lord Sri Krishna through the

Spiritual Master with all dedication.

 

> It is very important to know and SEE that the spiritual master likes you

> and really cares about you,and then you are naturally feeling obliged to

> return that love and reciprocate by executing his instructions nicely..

 

Actually according to sastra our devotional service to guru shouldn't be

dependent on this visible display of care, but selfless and done without any

consideration of reciprocation. Just like Prahlad Maharaj told

Narasimhadeva that he wasn't a businessman and didn't expect anything in

exchange for his devotional service to the Lord.

 

However, because of the present negative situation in the world people are

often very insecure and uncared for. The care of a loving Spiritual Master

is something they hanker for in many cases. Unless they feel they are cared

about then their dedication and surrender is hampered. ACtually in CC Adi

Lila Srila Prabhupada explains how Lord Sri Krishna has nothing to do so He

wholeheartedly cares for His devotees. The Spiritual Master, Srila

Prabhupada explained, is assisting the Lord in this activity of caring for

the devotees. Devotees prefer to see this caring activity manifested at

present.

 

Having realized this fact I have been promoting the need for being more

caring with all devotees for the past two years. Generally devotees have

been appreciating although in some places they are surprised that a guru is

showing so much care and concern for every devotee who approaches him.

Actually it isn't just a show, but somehow by Srila Prabhupada's blessings I

could get a small realization that all ISKCON devotees are very dear to

Srila Prabhupada and to Lord Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu and thus they

appear very dear to me as well.

 

> Is it actually possible,that like in the normal world the guru and the

> disciple are simply on the different vawe-lengths,not same-minded,and

> therefore maybe

> not so inclined to each other?What do you think about all this?

 

That might happen also. That at the time of initiation one has some vision

about the Spiritual Master, but after time one feels that the Spiritual

Master and the disciple aren't able to communicate properly. Still that is

no reason to give up serving the Spiritual Master. This might be one of

many reasons for a disciple to accept a Siksa Guru. To accept a siksa guru

normally the blessings of the diksa guru are required. The siksa guru

should help the disciple to serve his diksa guru. The siksa guru should

give practical guidance, loving care and ideally should be someone with whom

he can communicate easily.

 

> Thank you in advance. Your servant Damodara das

 

Which Damodara das is this?

 

I hope that this finds you in good health.

 

Your ever well wisher,

 

Jayapataka Swami