How can we please the spiritual master, as Prabhupada repeatedly states in his books? Does this refer to diksha guru or shiksha guru? What to do when we don’t have much association with the spiritual master?

Transcript

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Question. Prabhupada often says in his purports that we should please the spiritual master.
So, does this refer to the Shiksha Guru or the Diksha Guru? And especially in situations where we don’t have much contact with Diksha Guru, how do we implement this instruction? Yes. Actually, Shri Prabhupada explains that the Guru is not just a person, the Guru is definitely a person, but the Guru is also a principle. Ultimately, what is that principle? That principle is Balramji manifesting through various individuals to guide us back to Krishna.
So, Diksha Guru is one, but Shiksha Gurus can be many. Actually, Chetan Chetan also says in one place that there is no difference between Shiksha and Diksha Gurus. In all these situations, there is, of course, Achint Bheda Abhed.
And there is a difference in the sense that Diksha Guru is one, Shiksha Gurus are many. But Abhed is in the sense that actually it is the same Krishna through Balramji who is manifesting through the various spiritual guides whom we have. So, in that sense, when Shri Prabhupada says we should please the spiritual master, even when Shri Prabhupada was present on the planet with us, at that time also, not all disciples had regular contact with him.
In the early years, the devotees who came had regular contact with him. But as ISKCON grew after the 70s, then devotees were mostly pleasing their local temple authorities, and through that they were pleasing the spiritual master. And that is how it is continuing today also in ISKCON.
So, in general, we please the Diksha Guru by pleasing his representatives. So, his representatives can be our counsellors, our mentors, our local temple authorities, and the other guides who are helping us in our spiritual life. So, the whole idea is that the spiritual master is definitely a person, but along with that, the spiritual master is also a Tattva, and Tattva is manifested through many persons.
Shri Prabhupada gave that famous lecture on the to honour Bhakts, the Guru is one, and the Guru manifests in many forms. So, actually the same principle applies over here. So, the devotees that are around us, whom we are serving under, they represent our spiritual master to us.
And by pleasing them, we please the spiritual master. So, sometimes we may have multiple authorities, and then we may not be able to please everyone. Then we can clarify with our spiritual master about who should be our primary authority, and who are the other devotees who are important for us to serve and please.
And that sort of clarification is a practical, managerial issue. But in principle, the Guru Tattva manifests through various people, and it is through those who are close to the spiritual master, those who represent the spiritual master, by pleasing them, we please the spiritual master. So, that is how Shri Prabhupada explains.
Now, if we see Shri Prabhupada himself, how often was he interacting with his spiritual master? He basically describes maybe half a dozen or at the most a dozen meetings with his spiritual master. But, the spiritual master also manifests through the instructions. And Shri Prabhupada was working with his godbrothers to the extent they were also vigorously preaching.
And when their preaching spirit was not so unified and effective, Shri Prabhupada started his own institution. So, essentially, we please the spiritual master by following his instructions. So, often in the ISKCON context, those instructions would be also very important, be that we cooperate with other Vaishnavas.
So, Shri Prabhupada would say that you can show your love for me by how you cooperate. But cooperation is also one aspect. But in general, we find a service that is either directly the instruction of the spiritual master or that is in harmony with the mood of the spiritual master.
And that we know will please the spiritual master. And then, by doing that service, we please the spiritual master. So, of course, we have our basic sadhana, our following of the four aggregates, wisdom, jnanic, three realms, that is foundational to our relationship with the spiritual master.
Everything else is built on that. So, we definitely have to do our sadhana well. That is basic.
Then, we have a specific seva, which we do, which will please the spiritual master. And then we have the Sangha, the association of devotees that we live. Then we please the spiritual master by pleasing our senior devotees in that devotee association.
So, in essence, actually, spiritual master is a person and there is definitely a sweet personal reciprocation with him. But essentially, when Prabhupada was asking, what will please you the most? Prabhupada said, when you love Krishna. So, he did not say Bhuddist tuition or Athyatra or Varanashram.
Essentially, you love Krishna. But essentially, now, how do we love Krishna? Actually, by practicing the process of Krishna consciousness. So, if you follow the process of Krishna consciousness wholeheartedly, that will please the spiritual master.
And following the process of Krishna consciousness has its various aspects of doing the sadhana well, taking a seva and rendering it responsibly. And then, behaving appropriately with the devotees around us and pleasing them as much as is possible within our limitations. That’s how we can please the spiritual master.
So, yes, we want to please Diksha Guru primarily. But the Shiksha Gurus are not unimportant because the same Guru Tattva is manifesting. And through pleasing the Shiksha Gurus also, we will get mercy.
And actually, primarily if we see the ISKCON’s reality right now, it is that the Shiksha Gurus are manifesting. Shiksha Gurus are the persons who actually guide us, train us. And most of our interaction and inspiration, most of ISKCON’s scenarios is through the Shiksha Gurus.
So, we need to acknowledge their contribution in our lives. And by pleasing them also, we will get Krishna’s mercy. And the Guru’s mercy.
And we will make spiritual advancement