Can Only Born Brahmanas Become Spiritual Masters?

Sometimes we encounter the argument that those born in brahmana families are by birth more qualified to be spiritual masters than those not born in such a family. Someone may argue this on the basis of a statement in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa that if one bona fide spiritual master is born in a brahmana family and another, who is also qualified, is born in a sudra family, one should accept the one who is born in a brahmana family. Our spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, has commented on this statement in his book Teachings of Lord Caitanya as follows:

"This statement serves as a social compromise, but it has nothing to do with spiritual understanding. This injunction is only applicable for those who consider social status more important than spiritual status. It is not for people who are spiritually serious. A serious person would accept Caitanya Mahaprabhu's instruction that anyone -- regardless of his position -- conversant with Krishna science must be accepted as the spiritual master."

If someone argues that only people born in Indian brahmana families can become gurus, they would do well to consider this quote from Srila Prabhupada:

"Our request is that these Europeans and Americans who have taken to Krishna consciousness, just become perfect in the understanding of this science and become guru and deliver the whole world."

This was spoken by Srila Prabhupada in Los Angeles USA on 17 December 1973 while giving a lecture on the Srimad Bhagavatam.

ISKCON Founder-Acharya, Srila Prabhupada, in Mumbai

ISKCON Founder-Acharya, Srila Prabhupada, in Mumbai

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version

Question: What is Great Hope in Krishna Consciousness?

What is great hope in Krishna consciousness as per the book "Nectar of Devotion" or otherwise?

Regards,
Parag R. Rane

Answer: Strong Conviction to Receive the Lord's Favor

Srila Prabhupada defines great hope as follows:

The strong conviction that one will certainly receive the favor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is called in Sanskrit āśā-bandha. Āśā-bandha means to continue to think, "Because I'm trying my best to follow the routine principles of devotional service, I am sure that I will go back to Godhead, back to home."

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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