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Proper authority

Srimad-Bhagavatam

SB Canto 3

In other words, unless one hears from the proper authority one cannot become a preacher
SB 3.8.7, Purport: This is the way of the paramparā system. Although Sanat-kumāra, the well-known great saintly Kumāra, was in the perfect stage of life, still he heard the message of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa. Similarly, when he was questioned by Sāṅkhyāyana Ṛṣi, he spoke to him the same message he had heard from Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa. In other words, unless one hears from the proper authority one cannot become a preacher. In devotional service, therefore, two items out of the nine, namely hearing and chanting, are most important. Without hearing nicely, one cannot preach the message of Vedic knowledge.

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta

CC Adi-lila

A staunch believer in the śāstras, with all their diversities, is the right person from whom to gather real knowledge. Such knowledge may seem inconceivable in the beginning, but when put forward by the proper authority its meaning is revealed, and then one no longer has any doubts about it
CC Adi 5.14, Purport: Revealed knowledge may in the beginning be unbelievable because of our paradoxical desire to verify everything with our tiny brains, but the speculative means of attaining knowledge is always imperfect. The perfect knowledge propounded in the revealed scriptures is confirmed by the great ācāryas, who have left ample commentations upon them; none of these ācāryas has disbelieved in the śāstras. One who disbelieves in the śāstras is an atheist, and we should not consult an atheist, however great he may be. A staunch believer in the śāstras, with all their diversities, is the right person from whom to gather real knowledge. Such knowledge may seem inconceivable in the beginning, but when put forward by the proper authority its meaning is revealed, and then one no longer has any doubts about it.

Lectures

General Lectures

So if we want to learn some specific subject we have to accept a proper authority or a bona fide teacher
Pandal Lecture at Cross Maidan -- Bombay, March 26, 1971: So if we want to learn some specific subject we have to accept a proper authority or a bona fide teacher. Similarly if we want to learn the science of God, we have to approach a person who knows the science. Not that a casual person takes one Bhagavad-gétä and writes his comment and it goes on for some ulterior purpose. In that way you cannot understand Bhagavad-gétä. And Bhagavän, Kåñëa, as it is stated in the Bhagavad-gétä, éçvaraù sarva-bhütänäà håd-deçe 'rjuna tiñöhati [Bg. 18.61]. He is situated in everyone's heart.

Conversations and Morning Walks

1970 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- December 12, 1971, Delhi:

Devotee (5): There are some Christians who are actually sincere and they feel as though they are doing the proper thing, but they are just misled by the fact that there is no paramparä system coming from Lord Jesus. The churches are teaching the wrong thing, but they are sincere. (indistinct) Kåñëa will direct them (indistinct) the proper authority?

Prabhupäda: Yes. If they are actually following strictly the principles of Jesus Christ, then sometimes when he meets some pure devotee, he will accept. The groundwork will be nice for accepting farther advancement. Just like Jesus Christ says, "Thou shall not kill." So if anyone follows this principle, "No, I shall not kill," then he becomes purified. But who is that Christian who is not killing? So where is follow? Amongst the Christians the more killing process is going on very strongly. So who is a Christian? In that, if you disobey the first principle of Christianity, then where is your Christianity? Why you falsely claim that you are a Christian? "Thou shalt not covet." What is that next?
Page Title:Proper authority
Compiler: Siddha Rupa, Visnu Murti
Created: 21March08,
No. of Quotes:4
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=1, CC=1, OB=0, Lec=1, Con=1, Let=0