Disciplined by the spiritual master
Lectures
Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures
Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures
Conversations and Morning Walks
1972 Conversations and Morning Walks
Śyāmasundara: Śrīla Prabhupāda, this afternoon we were discussing about austerities.
Prabhupāda: Hmm?
Śyāmasundara: About austerities. If you don't practice voluntarily austerities, then you must involuntarily practice some austerities.
Prabhupāda: Yes, under the direction of spiritual master. You have no mind to follow austerities, but when you accept a spiritual master you have to carry out the order. That is austerity.
Śyāmasundara: Even if you don't want to practice austerity, you must. You are forced to.
Prabhupāda: No, because... You have got... You have surrendered to your spiritual master. His order is final. So even if you don't like, you have to do it. To please me. Even you don't like. Nobody likes to fast, but spiritual master says, "Today is fasting," so what can be done? (laughter) This is austerity. And disciple means who has voluntarily agreed to be disciplined by the spiritual master. That is austerity. (Loudspeaker in background is very loud.)
Śyāmasundara: Say, like our parents or many people in the material world, completely addicted to material life. They don't want to follow any austerities, uncomfortable, but still they must. By nature they're forced to austerities.
Prabhupāda: That is forced austerity; that is not good. Voluntary austerity will help.Page Title: | Disciplined by the spiritual master |
Compiler: | Visnu Murti |
Created: | 18 Dec 07, |
No. of Quotes: | 3 |
Totals by Section: | BG=0, SB=1, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=1, Con=1, Let=0 |