Who Should Be My Guru?

Choosing a guru is the most important decision that one makes in one's entire life. The ramifications of selecting our guru are even more far reaching than the results of who we accept as our husband or wife, because our spouse is for only one lifetime while our guru is for all of eternity. So on what basis should we make our decision?

This most important decision should not be made capriciously or whimsically. Armed with clear scriptural knowledge we should seek out that person who fully embodies the Vedic wisdom. The Mundaka Upanishad clearly enlightens us regarding the necessity of accepting a guru and who we should accept as our guru:

tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet
samit-panih srotriyam brahma-nistham

"If one is actually serious about understanding the supernatural, transcendental science of self-realization, one must approach and take complete shelter of the bona fide spiritual master. His qualifications are that he has complete knowledge of the Vedic wisdom and that he fully embodies it by being solidly fixed in Krishna consciousness."
--Mundaka Upanishad 1.2.12

We should not make the mistake of judging the spiritual master based on where he was born or in what order of life he is situated. The only thing we should see is how much he is fixed in Krishna consciousness. By taking complete shelter of him all the imports of Vedic knowledge will be revealed to us and we will attain the supreme perfection of going back to home, back to Godhead.

Answers According to the Vedic Version

Question: Atheism and God Consciousness...

You stated in yesterday's "Thought for the Day" that believing in God blindly is also atheism. How come? I did not get this point of yours.

But, Srila Gurudeva, I am really impressed with the way you answered those questions. I also want to preach this science of Krishna, but most of the time I am defeated.

Thank you,

Your student

Answer: Solid Understanding of God is Required...

I did not say that blindly believing in God is atheism. You should carefully read what I have written and try to understand it deeply. If you will read transcendental writings with careful, clear comprehension it will become very easy for you to defeat those who come to attack God.

It is very good that you have inquired on a point that is not clear to you. This is the way to get solid understanding.

Here's exactly what I said to Michel:

"Why do you want to blindly believe in God? That is practically in the same category as atheism."

The point is that whether I blindly reject God or I blindly accept God, I am in a weak position. The person who blindly accepts God out of some sentiment can easily reject God also. The proper thing is to come to the position of transcendental knowledge where God is understood scientifically and solidly.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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