testing the guru

[Guest guest]

> I have a question about what is the proper relationship between

> > siksa and/or diksa guru and his disciple?

 

Diksa guru is normally the primary guru most responsible for a disciples

advancement in Krishna consciousness. Other gurus assist the Diksa guru in

delivering the disciple. The siksa guru(s) are to give care, guidance and

help to the disciple and they are to be seen as non-different from the diksa

guru and Lord Sri Krishna, yet they are not to contradict the diksa guru's

instructions. The siksa guru is to inspire the disciple to serve their

diksa guru in Krishna consciousness.

 

In one sense all vaisnavas are guru (or siksa guru) since they are helping

and giving good association and good example. Krsna Bhajanamrita by

Narahari Thakur said that amongst all these "gurus" the siksa guru and diksa

guru are special. So there is also a formal siksa guru that is accepted and

accepts disciple to guide and protect as explained above. I hope this is

clear to you?

 

> What is the relationship a devotee should have with other sannyasi gurus

> or other gurus who inspire us in our spiritual life?

 

One should be respectful and get inspiration. Get suitable instructions. If

one has faith in anyone as a representative of Lord Sri Krishna Caitanya for

you then you can accept them as a siksa guru.

 

> What is to be done if we see they are not acting

> properly?

 

I need more idea about what you mean. there is an etiquette on how to deal

with these things.

 

> How does the guru test his disciple and how can the disciple

> test the guru to see if he is bona fide?

 

By seeing whether the guru is dedicated to following his Spiritual Master's

orders (in ISKCON Srila Prabhupada). Seeing if the guru practices what he

preaches and teaches by example. I have fifteen items to review for

choosing and testing a guru. Do you want those items also?

 

One needs to insure that guru is following in guru parampara, that he is not

concocting things different from his Spiritual Master and parampara.

 

Also one needs to see if the guru is merciful towards the disciple.

 

Many more things but this can give some idea.

 

> What is a person supposed to be

> doing in order to become and remain a qualified spiritual master?

 

The above things should be done that a disciple tests for. One should follow

the orders of ones Spiritual Master and Guru Parampara for becoming a

Spiritual Master.