Enough Monkeys in Vrindavana

We should not try to jump over the heads of the previous acharyas thinking that we have some new understanding the Vedic wisdom which contradicts what has been so carefully handed down to us from the great saintly teachers of the past. There are already enough monkeys in in Vrindavana who go jumping over from one place to another place. If we do not follow the explanations of the previous acharyas we are like branches cut off from the tree. In other words, we wither up and dry and die. Because we are conditioned souls our knowledge is imperfect. But if we hear from liberated souls, our knowledge becomes perfect.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Mischievous Vrindavana Monkeys

ISKCON's Beautiful Krishna Balarama Temple in Sri Vrindavana Dhama, India

Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: How to Recognize One's Guru

In your response today you had mentioned that our first birth from our mother and father is not very significant, and that without our second birth, which is from the spiritual master and Vedas, we remain on the animal platform. Pardon me for my question, but some of us are not yet initiated, we have not taken our second birth, but we do follow the four regulative principles. Should death come what will happen? Will we come back as animals or what? How does one find a spiritual master? And how does one recognize his/her spiritual master?

Thank you,

Devi

Answer: Who is Giving You the Best Guidance and the Most Mercy?

From: Sri Vrindavana Dhama, India

My Dear Devi,

Please accept my blessings.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Anyone who has seriously taken up the bhakti path will be guaranteed at least a human birth in their next lifetime. But to achieve the perfection of going back to home, back to Godhead requires that one should be an initiated disciple of a bona fide spiritual master.

Srila Rupa Goswami describes as follows the first five items required for practicing Krishna consciousness:

(1) Accept the shelter of the lotus feet of a bona fide spiritual master.
(2) Become initiated by the spiritual master and learn how to discharge devotional service from him.
(3) Obey the orders of the spiritual master with faith and devotion.
(4) Follow in the footsteps of great acharyas (teachers) under the direction of the spiritual master.
(5) Inquire from the spiritual master how to advance in Krishna consciousness.

Srila Prabhupada was one time asked in Melbourne, Australia in 1975 if it is possible for a person to return to the spiritual world without taking initiation from a bona fide spiritual master. Srila Prabhupada replied, "No, that is not possible. "

Therefore to be on the safe side one should take initiation as soon as possible. To find a spiritual master, see who is that guru physically manifested on this planet who is giving you the best guidance and the most mercy for going back to Godhead as soon as possible. Once you find him you should fall down at his feet and beg for initiation.

I hope this meets you in the best of health and in an ecstatic mood.

Always your well-wisher,

Sankarshan Das Adhikari