Suffering Like Hell in this Material World

We are suffering like hell in this material world, but since we do not like to admit this we imagine that we are enjoying here by inventing so many varieties of so-called enjoyment, which are nothing more than smoke screens to keep us from seeing the truth. Because our happiness here is only imaginary it is described in the Sanskrit language as maya-sukhaya, illusory happiness. The fact is that our actual position is unlimited enjoyment, but due to our foolish misidentification with this material body we are now experiencing otherwise. This is why we need the help of a bona fide spiritual master to snap us out of this spell of illusion, to bring us out of our confusion, to give us a consciousness transfusion back to our original state of pure, unadulterated spiritual bliss.

Revealing the Truth of the Bhagavad-gita, Glen Park, Mauritius--13 June 2014

Sankarshan Das Revealing the Truth of the Bhagavad-gita

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version

Question: How to Choose the Bona Fide Spiritual Master?

Respected Gurudeva,

Would you please clarify me how can I choose the bona fide spiritual master or perfect guru. What are the qualities of a bona fide spiritual master?

Mr. Biplab

Answer: Criterion Given in the Bhagavatam Is Your Guide

The criterion for choosing a bona fide spiritual master is given as follows in the Srimad Bhagavatam (11.3.21):

tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta
jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam
śābde pare ca niṣṇātaṁ
brahmaṇy upaśamāśrayam

"Therefore any person who seriously desires real happiness must seek a bona fide spiritual master and take shelter of him by initiation. The qualification of the bona fide guru is that he has realized the conclusions of the scriptures by deliberation and is able to convince others of these conclusions. Such great personalities, who have taken shelter of the Supreme Godhead, leaving aside all material considerations, should be understood to be bona fide spiritual masters."

So to choose the bona fide spiritual master you must see who is that teacher who has realized the conclusions of the scriptures and is able to convince you of those conclusions.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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