To all the assembled devotees, all of whom I am not fit to sit at the feet of:
Please accept my respects. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!!
The following is the last paragraph of the purport to Text 5 in Srila Prabhupada’s translation of the Nectar of Instruction regarding “guru”. To me, at least, it clarifies the issue which evidently plagues the entire assembly to date.
“In this verse Srila Rüpa Gosvämi advises the devotee to be intelligent enough to distinguish between the kanistha-adhikari, madhyama-adhikari and uttama-adhikari. The devotee should also know his own position and should not try to imitate a devotee situated on a higher platform.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has given some practical hints to the effect that an uttama-adhikäri Vaisnava can be recognized by his ability to convert many fallen souls to Vaishnavism. One should not become a spiritual master unless he has attained the platform of uttama-adhikari.
A neophyte Vaishnava or a Vaishnava situated on the intermediate platform can also accept disciples, but such disciples must be on the same platform, and it should be understood that they cannot advance very well toward the ultimate goal of life under his insufficient guidance. Therefore a disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari as a spiritual master.”
The proof of the pudding is in the tasting as someone wise once stated…. It is a simple conclusion that if we read His books, we will be enlightened in these matters. We must taste for ourselves and then encourage others to do so, thus progressing toward the ultimate goal together, somehow or the other. I hope this meets you all in good health and spirits! Hare Krishna!!!!
Your servant, Shakti Pati dasa
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