Guru daksina

Expressions researched:
"Guru Daksina" |"guru-daksina" |"offering of gratitude, to one's guru"

SB Canto 5

After Ṛṣabhadeva's education was finished, He gave gifts (guru-dakṣiṇā) to His spiritual masters and then accepted the life of a householder.

SB 5.4.8, Translation:

After Nābhi Mahārāja departed for Badarikāśrama, the Supreme Lord, Ṛṣabhadeva, understood that His kingdom was His field of activities. He therefore showed Himself as an example and taught the duties of a householder by first accepting brahmacarya under the direction of spiritual masters. He also went to live at the spiritual masters' place, gurukula. After His education was finished, He gave gifts (guru-dakṣiṇā) to His spiritual masters and then accepted the life of a householder. He took a wife named Jayantī and begot one hundred sons who were as powerful and qualified as He Himself. His wife Jayantī had been offered to Him by Indra, the King of heaven. Ṛṣabhadeva and Jayantī performed householder life in an exemplary way, carrying out ritualistic activities ordained by the śruti and smṛti śāstra.

SB Canto 7

After completing one's education as a brahmacārī in this way, one should give dakṣiṇā, an offering of gratitude, to one's guru.

SB 7.12 Summary:

After completing one's education as a brahmacārī in this way, one should give dakṣiṇā, an offering of gratitude, to one's guru, and then one may leave for home and accept the next āśrama-the gṛhastha-āśrama-or else one may continue in the brahmacarya-āśrama without adulteration. The duties for the gṛhastha-āśrama and brahmacarya-āśrama, as well as the duties for sannyāsīs, are prescribed in the śāstras. A gṛhastha is not meant to enjoy sex life without restriction. Indeed, the whole purpose of Vedic life is to become free from sexual indulgence. All the āśramas are recognized for spiritual progress, and therefore although the gṛhastha-āśrama gives a kind of license for sex life for a certain time, it does not allow unrestricted sex life. Therefore, in gṛhastha life also, there is no illicit sex. A gṛhastha should not accept a woman for sexual enjoyment. Wasting semen is also illicit sex.

SB Cantos 10.14 to 12 (Translations Only)

Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma satisfied Their spiritual master by offering him guru-dakṣiṇā.

SB 10.45.35-36, Translation:

O King, those best of persons, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, being Themselves the original promulgators of all varieties of knowledge, could immediately assimilate each and every subject after hearing it explained just once. Thus with fixed concentration They learned the sixty-four arts and skills in as many days and nights. Thereafter, O King, They satisfied Their spiritual master by offering him guru-dakṣiṇā.

Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead

Lord Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma offered to serve Their teacher by awarding him anything he desired. This offering by the student to the teacher or spiritual master is called guru-dakṣiṇā. It is essential that a student satisfy the teacher in return for any learning received, either material or spiritual.

Krsna Book 45:

Lord Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, the reservoir of all knowledge, exhibited Their perfect understanding of all the arts and sciences mentioned above. Then They offered to serve Their teacher by awarding him anything he desired. This offering by the student to the teacher or spiritual master is called guru-dakṣiṇā. It is essential that a student satisfy the teacher in return for any learning received, either material or spiritual. When Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma offered Their service in this way, the teacher, Sāndīpani Muni, thought it wise to ask Them for something extraordinary, something no common student could offer. He therefore consulted with his wife about what to ask from Them. He and his wife had already seen the extraordinary potencies of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma and could understand that the two boys were the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They decided to ask for the return of their son, who had drowned in the ocean near the shore at Prabhāsa-kṣetra.

According to the Vedic system, a gift is offered to the spiritual master, which is called guru-dakṣiṇā.

Krsna Book 80:

“As the Supersoul of the living entities, I sit in everyone's heart and observe everyone's activity in every stage and order of life. Regardless of which stage one is in, when I see that one is engaged seriously and sincerely in discharging the duties ordered by the spiritual master and is thus dedicating his life to the service of the spiritual master, that person becomes most dear to Me. As far as the life of brahmacarya is concerned, if one can continue the life of a brahmacārī under the direction of a spiritual master, that is extremely good; but if in brahmacārī life one feels sex impulses, he should take leave of his spiritual master, satisfying him according to the guru's desire. According to the Vedic system, a gift is offered to the spiritual master, which is called guru-dakṣiṇā. Then the disciple should take to householder life and accept a wife according to religious rites.”

1971 Conversations and Morning Walks

That is the duty of the student, to give guru-dakṣiṇā. Whatever he wants, you must give.

Room Conversation with Dr. Karan Singh, -- November 25, 1971, Delhi:

Prabhupāda: Kṛṣṇa's teacher's son was stolen, so He got him back. Guru-dakṣiṇā. The guru asked Kṛṣṇa, "I have lost my son. You can..." "Oh, yes." Guru-dakṣiṇā. That is how to (indistinct) satisfy the spiritual master.

Malatī: Sāndīpani Muni has...

Dr. Singh: Sāndīpani.

Malatī: He had sons?

Dr. Singh: Yes, because his wife...

Prabhupāda: That is the duty of the student, to give guru-dakṣiṇā. Whatever he wants, you must give.

Dr. Singh: Like Ekalavya gave his thumb.

Prabhupāda: Ah, yes.

1973 Conversations and Morning Walks

Kṛṣṇa was requested by His teacher that, when He was offering that "Now I am going home. What shall I present to you, guru-dakṣiṇā, giving to the guru?"

Morning Walk -- May 9, 1973, Los Angeles:

Prabhupāda: Yes, yes. That distinction is there between one living entity and another. You have got some power, others have got another power. That's tara-tama, means comparative and superlative... That is called tara-tama. (pause) There are varieties of potencies. All these potencies are visible, some in you, some in me, some in others. But all the varieties in full potency is in God. That is God. Not like this rascal incarnation of God. What is that, they came? Bālajī?

Svarūpa Dāmodara: Guru Mahārāja?

Prabhupāda: Yes. Not that. (laughs) That Kṛṣṇa was requested by His teacher that, when He was offering that "Now I am going home. What shall I present to you, guru-dakṣiṇā, giving to the guru?" So he requested, "Kṛṣṇa, I have heard that You are so powerful. I lost my two sons. If you bring them..." So Kṛṣṇa immediately went and brought them from within the ocean. This is God. Similarly, Devakī also requested Kṛṣṇa that "Kṛṣṇa, before Your birth I lost seven children. Your maternal uncle killed them. So I want... I have heard that You have returned back the sons of Your teacher. Why not my sons?" So He brought them. That is Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa went to Kāraṇārṇavaśāyī Viṣṇu, penetrating the covering of this universe. Arjuna also went with Him. You know that?

1976 Conversations and Morning Walks

We do not say that "If you cannot pay, I will hang you." No. "Pay, try to pay."

Morning Walk -- June 4, 1976, Los Angeles:

Prabhupāda: BBT is, our policy is fifty percent for reprinting and fifty percent for temple. Nothing else.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Strict.

Rāmeśvara: But that fifty percent for temple is only as loan.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Rāmeśvara: Except in India (laughs), then it is gift.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Because we are rich Americans.

Prabhupāda: Yes, that is contribution to your Guru Mahārāja.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Right.

Rāmeśvara: (laughs) Jaya.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: That is our guru-dakṣiṇā.

Rāmeśvara: There is just one problem, Śrīla Prabhupāda. If the temple thinks that they are going to have to pay for the entire project, it is so costly that they don't want to pay so much. They cannot afford. That's why you originally...

Prabhupāda: If they cannot pay, we are not going to hang them. But the condition is this: They must pay.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Maybe for those who will not pay, we could do simple ones, just with the, a...

Prabhupāda: We do not say that "If you cannot pay, I will hang you." No. "Pay, try to pay." (static) In our Hyderabad scheme, we have taken three, four lakhs loan from you. And he has taken, Jayapatākā has taken, you know? Nobody has paid me. Till now. But there is promise they will pay.

1977 Conversations and Morning Walks

This valuable presentation may be utilized for New Vrindaban, Vṛndāvanacandra, all the jewelries and the money also. You are developing. I have accepted your gifts, and now you can utilize it for developing.

Room Conversation -- October 6, 1977, Vrndavana:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Kulādri brought them. Silk.

Prabhupāda: Very, very costly thing.

Hari-śauri: Yes. That's an onyx jewelbox with emeralds and things in it. And eight thousand dollars' worth of checks.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Checks. These checks are from initiations I think, Śrīla Prabhupāda. They're guru-dakṣiṇā for initiations.

Hari-śauri: That big thing has some jewels in it.

Prabhupāda: Where Kulādri kept it?

Hari-śauri: He had them locked away, Śrīla Prabhupāda. He was waiting until Tamāla Kṛṣṇa Mahārāja woke up, because at that time he was taking rest. Then he was going to give them.

Prabhupāda: Where is Kīrtanānanda?

Hari-śauri: He's in his room right now, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Śrīla Prabhupāda, I think this can be given to the Deities.

Prabhupāda: It can be given everything.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Providing they can keep.

Hari-śauri: That's the problem. Everything that's expensive here gets stolen.

Prabhupāda: So many things have been stolen.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Then let Kīrtanānanda offer it to his Deity. But the checks I think can be deposited in your account. And these jewels can be given to Rādhā-Vṛndāvanacandra.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Rādhā-Vṛndāvana...

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: That will be nice. These jeweled boxes should be given to Rādhā-Vṛndāvanacandra?

Prabhupāda: Everything.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Oh.

Prabhupāda: Call him.

Hari-śauri: Kīrtanānanda?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Do you want to keep the checks or give them to him? You want to keep them in your accounts or give them to him? They are...

Prabhupāda: He is developing. He can utilize it.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Hm. That's a fact. That's a fact, Śrīla Prabhupāda. Here is Kīrtanānanda Mahārāja, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Kīrtanānanda Mahārāja? This valuable presentation may be utilized for New Vrindaban, Vṛndāvanacandra, all the jewelries and the money also. You are developing. I have accepted your gifts, and now you can utilize it for developing.

1970 Correspondence

The initiation requires some Guru daksina, so during the time of initiation, the disciple must collect some alms and present it to the Spiritual Master. That is the system.

Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 2 March, 1970:

Regarding the three boys whose letters accompany yours, and whom you have recommended for initiation, I am sending their beads duly chanted by separate post. The initiation requires some Guru daksina, so during the time of initiation, the disciple must collect some alms and present it to the Spiritual Master. That is the system.

I am very much pleased to learn that $50 of this check was collected by the two new students as guru daksina, that is the proper execution of the initiation function so everything is complete to the Vedic standard.

Letter to Bhagavan -- Los Angeles 26 May, 1970:

I beg to thank you very much for the check of $200 which you have sent to Gargamuni. I am very much pleased to learn that $50 of this check was collected by the two new students as guru daksina, that is the proper execution of the initiation function so everything is complete to the Vedic standard.

1973 Correspondence

Letter to Babhru -- Los Angeles 9 December, 1973:

Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your letter dated December 8th along with the $20.00 Guru daksina.

All the devotees should collect Guru-daksina and send it to Karandhar in Los Angeles.

Letter to Govardhan -- LOS ANGELES December 15, 1973:

Please accept my blessings. I hereby accept the devotees you have recommended for first and second initiation. Enclosed are three threads and six gayatri sheets for the second initiates. Hold a fire yajna, after which they may listen to the mantra once through the right ear from the cassette tape I have made.

The spiritual names of the first initiates are as follows:

Patrick - Khandaparasu dasa

Donale - Daruna dasa

Don Pearson - Dravinaprada dasa

Chuck - Caturbhava dasa

Judy - Rangavati dasi

All the devotees should collect Guru-daksina and send it to Karandhar in Los Angeles.

1975 Correspondence

I am in due receipt of your letter dated Sept. 25 with enclosed Guru-daksina and I thank you very much.

Letter to Siddha Svarupananda -- Johannesburg 20 October, 1975:

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated Sept. 25 with enclosed Guru-daksina and I thank you very much. I am pleased to accept your recommendation for the first initiation of William and Barbara Renaroza. Their names are Sakari das and Sivadasi respectively. Now hold a fire-yajna for their initiation and request them to honor the vow of following the four regulative principles and chanting of minimum 16 rounds japa daily.

I am in due receipt of your letter dated 9-22-75 with enclosed Guru-daksina and I thank you very much.

Letter to Amarendra -- Johannesburg 21 October, 1975:

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 9-22-75 with enclosed Guru-daksina and I thank you very much.

On your recommendation I am accepting the following devotees for initiation:

1st. initiation: Robert Tarjan (Dronacaryaguru), Keith Consbruck (Manusrestha dasa)

2nd. initiation: Bhusaya das Brahmacari, Jagannatha Tirtha das Brahmacari, Ekadasi das Brahmacari, Mahaprabhu das Adhikari, and Jalangi devi dasi.

You will find enclosed 4 brahmana threads and you should perform fire-sacrifice for all of the new initiates stressing the responsibility involved. Everyone must follow the four regulative principles and chant minimum of 16 rounds japa daily. There is no question of falldown if one seriously follows these principles.

1976 Correspondence

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated June 8, 1976, with enclosed guru-daksina and I thank you very much.

Letter to Jennifer Lynne Davis -- Los Angeles 9 June, 1976:

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated June 8, 1976, with enclosed guru-daksina and I thank you very much.

Simply follow the regular program of chanting 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Maha-mantra daily and abstain from illicit sex-life, meat-eating, gambling, and intoxication. In this way you will surely make rapid progress in Krishna Consciousness.

Please accept my blessings. I thank you very much for your guru-daksina.

Letter to Tarun Kanti Ghosh -- Los Angeles 9 June, 1976:

Please accept my blessings. I thank you very much for your guru-daksina.

Concerning the initiation of your wife, Revatinandan Swami has approved her being recommended for first initiation, and he has been informed accordingly of her spiritual name. As disciples you must strictly chant 16 rounds of japa, Hare Krishna Maha-mantra, daily. Also strictly avoid the unwanted habits of illicit sex-life, meat-eating, gambling, and intoxication, and in this way make progress in Krishna Consciousness and be happy.

1977 Correspondence

Letter to Ramesvara -- India 17 April, 1977:

Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated March 26, 1977. Thank you very much for the Guru Daksina.

Letter to Dasanudasa -- Hrsikesa 13 May, 1977:

Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated April 21st, 1977. Thank you very much for sending the Guru Daksina.