Former acaryas

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Srimad-Bhagavatam

SB Canto 4

In this verse there are two significant words: yogena, "by the approved method," and dṛṣṭena, as exemplified by the former ācāryas

SB 4.18.8, Purport: In this verse there are two significant words: yogena, "by the approved method," and drstena, "as exemplified by the former acaryas." One is mistaken if he thinks that by applying modern machines such as tractors, grains can be produced. If one goes to a desert and uses a tractor, there is still no possibility of producing grains. We may adopt various means, but it is essential to know that the planet earth will stop producing grains if sacrifices are not performed. The earth has already explained that because nondevotees are enjoying the production of food, she has reserved food seeds for the performance of sacrifice.

Lectures

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

Well, our former ācārya or former devotee, I mean to say, guru or spiritual master, he had so much money, and he distributed in this way

[[Vanisource:Introduction to Gitopanisad|]]: Therefore those who are devotees, those who are following the principles of devotion, they see the ideal. Well, our former acarya or former devotee, I mean to say, guru or spiritual master, he had so much money, and he distributed in this way. The distribution, money, was accepted like that. So people would follow that. So Krsna advises Arjuna that "You also become an ideal man, that you become a fighter for the cause of God. Then you become the ideal man. Your principle will be followed by others."

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

This is our business. Prahlāda Mahārāja is our ācārya, former ācārya. So following his footsteps, we have to do that. Everyone did that, preaching

Lecture on SB 7.5.22-30 -- London, September 8, 1971: So the teacher said, "Sir, we have not taught this. I do not know how your son has learned all this devotional service. By nature he is so like that." Prahlada was doing that. Because the teachers were very much cautious that "This Prahlada has got tendency to become a devotee," so they were very careful. But Prahlada Maharaja, what he did do, as soon as there is tiffin hours, all the teachers gone, he would immediately call all the class friends and stand up on the bench and speak on bhagavad-bhakti. Perhaps you have seen that picture. That teaching is there. If there is time we shall..., how he was teaching his class friend to become devotee. Just like our boys going on the street try to teach all others how to learn devotional service. This is our business. Prahlada Maharaja is our acarya, former acarya. So following his footsteps, we have to do that. Everyone did that, preaching. Preaching is required. People are in ignorance. They do not know what is God, what is his relationship with God. Therefore preaching is necessary. So Prahlada Maharaja was doing that.

General Lectures

All ācāryas are representative of Kṛṣṇa; therefore guru should be offered the same respect as you offer to God

Lecture What is a Guru? -- London, August 22, 1973:: So, just like Arjuna accepted Krsna as guru, he said, sisyas te 'ham sadhi mam tvam prapannam: [Bg. 2.7] "I am now surrendered to you." That is the process. Tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya [Bg. 4.34]. To... Guru means Krsna's representative, former acaryas' representative. Krsna's... All acaryas are representative of Krsna; therefore guru should be offered the same respect as you offer to God. Tasmad gurum prapadyeta [SB 11.3.21]. Therefore Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura says, yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado **. Because guru is bona fide representative of Krsna, or God, so if you surrender to guru, bona fide guru, that means you surrender to God. God is accepting your surrender through the guru. Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado. If you surrender to guru, that means Krsna is pleased. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja: [Bg. 18.66] surrender. That somebody argues, "Where is Krsna? I shall surrender." No. You surrender to His representative, then you surrender to Krsna. This is the process.