Path of the acaryas

Expressions researched:
"path of the acaryas" |"path of acarya"

SB Canto 6

On the other hand, those who follow the path of the ācāryas are suśīlāḥ and sādhavaḥ, but furthermore their path is akuto-bhaya, which means free from fear

SB 6.1.17, Purport: The less intelligent, however, misunderstand the bhakti path and therefore allege that it is for one who cannot execute ritualistic ceremonies or speculate. As confirmed here by the word sadhricinah, bhakti is the path that is appropriate, not the paths of karma-kanda and jnana-kanda. Mayavadis may be susilah sadhavah (well-behaved saintly persons), but there is nevertheless some doubt about whether they are actually making progress, for they have not accepted the path of bhakti. On the other hand, those who follow the path of the acaryas are susilah and sadhavah, but furthermore their path is akuto-bhaya, which means free from fear. One should fearlessly follow the twelve mahajanas and their line of disciplic succession and thus be liberated from the clutches of maya.

SB Canto 10.1 to 10.13

Therefore one must learn about Kṛṣṇa from the ācāryas: one who follows the path of the ācāryas knows things as they are

SB 10.13.19, Purport: This is Krsna, who is understood by acintya-bhedabheda-tattva philosophy. purnasya purnam adaya purnam evavasisyate: [Iso Invocation] Krsna is always complete, and although He can create millions of universes, all of them full in all opulences, He remains as opulent as ever, without any change (advaitam). This is explained by different Vaisnava acaryas through philosophies such as visuddhadvaita, visistadvaita and dvaitadvaita. Therefore one must learn about Krsna from the acaryas. Acaryavan puruso veda: one who follows the path of the acaryas knows things as they are. Such a person can know Krsna as He is, at least to some extent, and as soon as one understands Krsna (janma karma ca me divyam evam yo vetti tattvatah [Bg. 4.9]), one is liberated from material bondage (tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti so 'rjuna).

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Lectures

Especially in India, the whole Vedic system is being followed by the people under the authorities of the ācārya. Ācāryavān puruṣo veda. One who is following the path of the ācāryas, he knows

Lecture on CC Adi-lila 1.3 -- Mayapur, March 27, 1975: So Krsna is para-tattva, accepted by all acaryas. We are not talking of the fools and rascals who are theorizing without any knowledge. We are concerned with the authorities. So authorities... Especially in India, the whole Vedic system is being followed by the people under the authorities of the acarya. Acaryavan puruso veda. One who is following the path of the acaryas, he knows. Acaryavan puruso veda. We cannot accept anyone as authority if he does not follow the parampara, disciplic succession of acarya. That is the Vedic system. Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh [Bg. 4.2]. So Krsna is para-tattva. Na caitanyat krsnat jagati para-tattvam param iha. He is very emphatically asserting that "There is no more greater truth than Krsna and Krsna Caitanya." So according to the Vedic system, if you say something very emphatically, you must prove by Vedic evidences. Otherwise you can go on talking; nobody will hear. Sometimes people ask us about Krsna and Caitanya Mahaprabhu, that "What is the Vedic evidences?" So that Vedic evidences will be given, later chapters of Caitanya-caritamrta. He is not falsely asserting. Kaviraja Gosvami is very, very advanced devotee and scholar. He is not ordinary human being.

Therefore it is said, Caitanya Mahāprabhu says to all the ācāryas... Nityānanda Prabhu, Advaita Prabhu and Śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda, they are all carriers of orders of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. So try to follow the path of ācārya process. Then life will be successful

Lecture on CC Adi-lila 1.13 -- Mayapur, April 6, 1975: First of all follow the orders of acarya, and you become mature. Then it is better to become acarya. Because we are interested in preparing acarya, but the etiquette is, at least for the period the guru is present, one should not become acarya. Even if he is complete he should not, because the etiquette is, if somebody comes for becoming initiated, it is the duty of such person to bring that prospective candidate to his acarya. Not that "Now people are coming to me, so I can become acarya." That is avamanya. Navamanyeta karhicit. Don't transgress this etiquette. Navamanyeta. That will be falldown. Just like during the lifetime of our Guru Maharaja, all our Godbrothers now who are acting as acarya, they did not do so. That is not etiquette. Acaryam mam vijaniyat na avaman... That is insult. So if you insult your acarya, then you are finished. Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado yasya aprasadat na gatih kuto 'pi ** -- finished. If you displease your acarya, then you are finished. Therefore it is said, Caitanya Mahaprabhu says to all the acaryas... Nityananda Prabhu, Advaita Prabhu and Srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda, they are all carriers of orders of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So try to follow the path of acarya process. Then life will be successful.