Who is the Real Fanatic?

Sometimes people criticize the bona fide spiritual master for being a fanatic. So is he is a fanatic or is he not a fanatic? To answer this question we must first see what is the dictionary definition of the word "fanatic." The dictionary says that a fanatic is a person filled with excessive zeal. So the test of whether the spiritual master is a fanatic or not is whether his being totally dedicated to Krishna is something excessive or not. In this connection we have to ask if there is any such thing as being too devoted or excessively devoted to Krishna. While a materialist may think so, the correct answer is that no matter how much we are devoted to Krishna we are never devoted enough. Therefore it is impossible to be excessively devoted to Krishna, and therefore the bona fide spiritual master is not a fanatic. He is not excessively devoted to Krishna. He is properly devoted to Krishna, and his proper devotion is manifested in all of his thoughts, words, and deeds in all times, places, and circumstances.

Fanatic is also defined by Srila Prabhupada. Our Srila Prabhupada defines a fanatic as someone who practices religion without any philosophical understanding. So according to Srila Prabhupada's definition a religionist devoid of philosophical understanding who falsely labels the bona fide spiritual master as a fanatic is himself the actual fanatic. So when we ask, "Who is the real fanatic?", the answer is that the person who falsely labels the spiritual master as a fanatic is the real fanatic, not the bona fide spiritual master.

Kindly note that if a fanatic criticizes your spiritual master, you should immediately philosophically defeat his argument. Or if you are not able to do so, you should immediately leave that place or instruct him to leave that place rather than be polluted by hearing blasphemy against your spiritual master. Hearing blasphemy against your guru can break your faith in him and cause you to fall down from the path of Krishna consciousness back into hellish material existence.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Srila Prabhupada Defeats All Opposing Arguments
On a Morning Walk in Sri Vrindavan Dhama

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version:

Question: Should I Do Service or Hear the Lectures?

Gurudeva, I visit the ISKCON Temple in Chennai on every Sunday and attend the temple programs like Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita discourses regularly. For the last two weeks, I was busy with some service in the Sankirtan department and could not attend the Bhagavad-gita lecture, though I was in the temple. I was worried about this matter and I want to listen from Your Grace as for what will be beneficial for me. Please instruct me on what should be done during such situation.

Hare Krishna!!!

Your insignificant servant,
Govindamohini Devi Dasi

Answer: Do Both As Much As Possible

Service is the practical application of what you are hearing in the lectures. Therefore you must do as much service as possible and also hear as many lectures as possible. Do not stop doing service in the name of attending lectures. And do not stop attending lectures in the same of doing service. Try to arrange your schedule in such a way that you can attend as many lectures as possible and do as much service as possible.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari