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Direction of the acaryas

Srimad-Bhagavatam

SB Canto 4

At the present moment it has become fashionable to disobey the unimpeachable directions given by the ācāryas and liberated souls of the past
SB 4.18.5, Tanslation and Purport: A foolish person who manufactures his own ways and means through mental speculation and does not recognize the authority of the sages who lay down unimpeachable directions is simply unsuccessful again and again in his attempts. At the present moment it has become fashionable to disobey the unimpeachable directions given by the acaryas and liberated souls of the past. Presently people are so fallen that they cannot distinguish between a liberated soul and a conditioned soul. A conditioned soul is hampered by four defects: he is sure to commit mistakes, he is sure to become illusioned, he has a tendency to cheat others, and his senses are imperfect. Consequently we have to take direction from liberated persons. This Krsna consciousness movement directly receives instructions from the Supreme Personality of Godhead via persons who are strictly following His instructions. Although a follower may not be a liberated person, if he follows the supreme, liberated Personality of Godhead, his actions are naturally liberated from the contamination of the material nature.

Lectures

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

You have to accept Bhagavad-gītā as it is under the direction of the ācāryas
Lecture on BG 7.7 -- Bombay, April 1, 1971: In the Bhagavad-gita also, we find: acaryopasanam. We have to follow the footprints, footsteps, of the acaryas, because they can give us right direction. And one who does not follow the acaryas and creates and manufactures his mental concoction, his version will not be accepted. There are many different commentaries on the Bhagavad-gita, but not all of them are according to the direction of the acaryas. You have to accept Bhagavad-gita as it is under the direction of the acaryas. They do not make any change. They explain how Krsna is the greatest. Not that comment in a different way and deviate you that Krsna is ordinary man.

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

Similarly, these Vedic principles, the Vedic rituals, they should be performed under the direction of ācārya, guru, not whimsically
Lecture on SB 1.16.3 -- Los Angeles, December 31, 1973: So everything should be done according to sastra. And the sastra should be guided by acarya, guru. Acarya means one who knows what is there in the sastra. He practices in his life and teaches the disciple. He is called acarya. Acarya is not a whimsical thing. He must know. Therefore Pariksit Maharaja appointed acarya, saradvatam. He is the brother of Dronacarya. Dronacarya was also acarya, but he was military acarya. And here he was acarya for Vedic rituals, acarya. Tad-vijnanartham sa gurum eva [MU 1.2.12]. Gurum krtva. In order to do things very rightly, you must appoint... Just like if you are going to the court to file some suit, do it very nicely. You have to appoint a very good lawyer. Similarly, these Vedic principles, the Vedic rituals, they should be performed under the direction of acarya, guru, not whimsically. So therefore this kind of sacrifices are forbidden in this age, in this age.

Philosophy Discussions

One who is under the direction of ācārya, he knows everything about God
Philosophy Discussion on Carl Gustav Jung: That is the process. Always glorify the Lord, and devotee's only business is to glorify. That is devotee. Naivodvije para duratyaya-vaitaranyas tvad-virya-gayana-mahamrta-magna-cittah [SB 7.9.43]. A devotee's consciousness is always drowned in the ocean of the pastimes of the Supreme Lord, unlimited activities, and devotees always think of that activities. Tvad-virya-gayana-mahamrta, that is, means that drowned in the ocean of the activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So that is transcendental bliss, and one should learn how to be always merged in the ocean of God consciousness. That training is given by the spiritual master; therefore one must have, acaryavan puruso veda. One who is under the direction of acarya, he knows everything about God.

Conversations and Morning Walks

1975 Conversations and Morning Walks

We accept the direction of the ācāryas, Rāmānujācārya, Madhvācārya, Caitanya. Their word is perfect
Morning Walk -- May 8, 1975, Perth: Prabhupada: Some people. Many authorities say it is right, and that is your fortune or misfortune. As some people say that it is written by some man or something, then it is not perfect. There are many others also, they say it is perfect. Now it is your choice, whom you to follow. So that some people as they are against, there are for also. Now it is up to you to accept whom. It is up to you. We accept the direction of the acaryas, Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Caitanya. Their word is perfect. They take the direction of Gandhi or this man, that man. Both of them are taking direction, but when the direction is perfect, then you become perfect. If the direction is imperfect, you remain imperfect. That's all.
Page Title:Direction of the acaryas
Compiler:Syamananda, Visnu Murti
Created:18 of jan, 2008
No. of Quotes:5
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=1, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=3, Con=1, Let=0