If we had been initiated by some other guru, would we have been given the same instruction as from our initiating guru – how exactly does Krishna’s instruction come through the guru?

Answer Podcast

Transcript

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not suppressed. If Balrami directly gave us instructions, if our spiritual master gave us the instructions, would the two be the same? And if we had taken the teachings from other spiritual masters, would we have got the same instructions from that spiritual master as our spiritual master? For this, we have to understand that Krishna’s plan is resourceful enough to include our individuality. What that means is that sometimes we think of Krishna’s plan as one straight line.
If we go along with that plan, everything will happen right. But Krishna has given us free will. And free will means that it is not that Krishna expects us to be like rogues.
Krishna does not expect us to not have consciousness, not have aspirations. But for a devotee, the aspirations, the dreams, they are all for serving Krishna. So that means that Krishna’s plan is so resourceful that it accommodates our individuality.
So if we are connected with a particular spiritual master, each spiritual master is an individual. And Krishna acts through them according to their individuality. If we consider the Pandavas, all five Pandavas are considered to be great devotees, pure devotees.
But each of them has their individuality. And it’s the same issue sometimes. Bhima says we should fight.
And Yudhishthira says let’s not fight. They are pure devotees, both of them. But that doesn’t mean, just because they are purely surrendered to Krishna, doesn’t mean that they lose their individuality.
So Krishna inspires devotees from within their heart. And that inspiration works in harmony with that devotee’s individuality. So is it that so the first question is that whatever Balramji get the same instruction from Balramji and ask spiritual master, it’s the same purpose.
But the specifics will be according to individuality. The Lord has many plans for many souls. And the Lord may execute one plan through one soul.
And the Lord may execute another plan through another soul. So Krishna does not expect Yudhishthira to be as expert in archery as is Arjuna. And Krishna does not expect Bhima to be as specific as Yudhishthira.
So Krishna executes his will keeping in mind the individuality of each person. So if we are initiated by another spiritual master, it is not necessary that we would have got exactly the same instruction. The purpose of taking us towards Krishna will be the same.
But it will be executed according to the particular individuality of the spiritual master. And not just the individuality of the spiritual master. It’s also the individuality of the disciple.
That’s why we have to recognize that at one level we need to have submission to one spiritual master. But at another level we also need to do negotiation with the spiritual master. What do I mean by negotiation? Just as we see Dhruva when he was insulted and he went to the forest, Naradhuni came in front of him and he said you are a small child.
Children don’t take such insults seriously. Go back home. And if you think you are grown up and mature then even adults, those who are spiritually advanced, they don’t take insults so seriously.
So go back home. And at that time, what does Dhruva say? So the words you speak are true. But they find no place in my heart.
Because my heart is grievously wounded by the insight that I have had to sustain. So I need to get a kingdom bigger than my father’s. Please guide me for that.
Otherwise let me go on my way. So this is not considered a rebellion. It’s not that we in the name of surrender have to suppress our individuality or suppress our needs.
So we can negotiate. And of course initially we need to learn submission and discipline. But bhakti is bhakti channels our individuality.
It doesn’t suppress our individuality. Namaste.