Instructions of the spiritual master

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Bhagavad-gita As It Is

BG Chapters 7 - 12

A devotee is a completely perfect mystic because he is fixed in the instructions received from the spiritual master, and because his senses are controlled he is determined

BG 12.13-14, Purport: A devotee is also always kind to everyone, even to his enemy. Nirmama means that a devotee does not attach much importance to the pains and trouble pertaining to the body because he knows perfectly well that he is not the material body. He does not identify with the body; therefore he is freed from the conception of false ego and is equipoised in happiness and distress. He is tolerant, and he is satisfied with whatever comes by the grace of the Supreme Lord. He does not endeavor much to achieve something with great difficulty; therefore he is always joyful. He is a completely perfect mystic because he is fixed in the instructions received from the spiritual master, and because his senses are controlled he is determined. He is not swayed by false arguments, because no one can lead him from the fixed determination of devotional service. He is fully conscious that Kṛṣṇa is the eternal Lord, so no one can disturb him. All these qualifications enable him to fix his mind and intelligence entirely on the Supreme Lord. Such a standard of devotional service is undoubtedly very rare, but a devotee becomes situated in that stage by following the regulative principles of devotional service. Furthermore, the Lord says that such a devotee is very dear to Him, for the Lord is always pleased with all his activities in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

BG Chapters 13 - 18

Those in the modes of passion and ignorance disobey the instructions of the spiritual master, and they do not care for the regulations of the scriptures

BG 16.24, Purport: This material energy is constituted of the three modes of material nature. One has to raise himself at least to the mode of goodness before the path to understanding the Supreme Lord can be opened. Without raising oneself to the standard of the mode of goodness, one remains in ignorance and passion, which are the cause of demoniac life. Those in the modes of passion and ignorance deride the scriptures, deride the holy man, and deride the proper understanding of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They disobey the instructions of the spiritual master, and they do not care for the regulations of the scriptures. In spite of hearing the glories of devotional service, they are not attracted. Thus they manufacture their own way of elevation. These are some of the defects of human society which lead to the demoniac status of life. If, however, one is able to be guided by a proper and bona fide spiritual master, who can lead one to the path of elevation, to the higher stage, then one's life becomes successful.

The inspiration to work is the same if it comes from the scripture or from the instruction of the spiritual master

BG 18.18, Purport: There are three kinds of impetus for daily work: knowledge, the object of knowledge, and the knower. The instruments of work, the work itself and the worker are called the constituents of work. Any work done by any human being has these elements. Before one acts, there is some impetus, which is called inspiration. Any solution arrived at before work is actualized is a subtle form of work. Then work takes the form of action. First one has to undergo the psychological processes of thinking, feeling and willing, and that is called impetus. The inspiration to work is the same if it comes from the scripture or from the instruction of the spiritual master. When the inspiration is there and the worker is there, then actual activity takes place by the help of the senses, including the mind, which is the center of all the senses. The sum total of all the constituents of an activity are called the accumulation of work.

Srimad-Bhagavatam

SB Canto 1

SB Canto 3

SB Canto 4

SB Canto 5

SB Canto 6

SB Canto 7

SB Canto 8

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta

CC Adi-lila

CC Madhya-lila

Other Books by Śrīla Prabhupada

Teachings of Lord Caitanya

Lectures

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

Nectar of Devotion Lectures

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Lectures

Festival Lectures

General Lectures

Correspondence

1968 Correspondence

1969 Correspondence

1970 Correspondence

1972 Correspondence

1973 Correspondence

1974 Correspondence

Conversations and Morning Walks

1971 Conversations and Morning Walks

1974 Conversations and Morning Walks

1976 Conversations and Morning Walks

1977 Conversations and Morning Walks