This Is The Test

[suchandra]

 

"Guru does not canvass. Sadhu does not canvass. He automatically, by his qualities, he becomes accepted."

Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 20.353-354

New York, December 26, 1966

 

 

 

In other words, when meeting a genuine bonafide spiritual master this question of, qualified or not qualified, doesnt come up within our minds. "By his qualities he becomes accepted", of course also includes the quality of his work and result of his actions.

 

Prabhupada: "Only God is perfect, and we are all imperfect. Even our so-called liberated stage, we are still imperfect. Therefore one has to take shelter of authority because, constitutionally, we are imperfect. Lord Caitanya says, ama-saba jivera haya sastra-dvara 'jnana'. So therefore, for real knowledge, we have to consult the scriptures, sastra. Sadhu-sastra-guru. Sadhu means pious, religious, honest person. Sadhu, whose character is spotless, he's called sadhu. Sastra means scripture, and guru, guru means spiritual master. They are on the equal level. Why? Because the medium is scripture. Guru is considered to be liberated because he follows the scripture. Sadhu is considered to be honest and saintly because he follows scripture. Sadhu-sastra-guru-vakya. Nobody can become a sadhu if he does not accept the principles of scripture. Nobody can be accepted as guru, or spiritual master, if he does not follow the principles of scripture. This is the test. Guru does not canvass. Sadhu does not canvass. He automatically, by his qualities, he becomes accepted."