Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.3.21 · one of the 108 chosen verses
Mukti· LiberationSeek Shelter of a Qualified Spiritual Master
“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.”
What the purport teaches
- Anyone who seriously desires real happiness should seek a bona fide spiritual master and take shelter of him through initiation.
- A qualified guru has deep knowledge of authorized Vedic literature and practical realization of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He can resolve sincere doubts and has turned away from materialistic illusions.
- The spiritual master’s duty is to connect the disciple to Kṛṣṇa and awaken the soul to eternal devotional service. This qualification rests on knowledge of Kṛṣṇa and the Lord’s authority, not social position or personal speculation.
Try this today
Write down the qualifications of a bona fide spiritual master given here, along with one sincere question about devotional service.
Ask yourself
Do I value scriptural understanding, realization and detachment more than a teacher’s worldly prestige?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.