Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.29.51
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionTake Shelter of a Pure Devotee
“One who is engaged in devotional service has not the least fear in material existence. This is because the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the Supersoul and friend of everyone. One who knows this secret is actually educated, and one thus educated can become the spiritual master of the world. One who is an actually bona fide spiritual master, representative of Kṛṣṇa, is not different from Kṛṣṇa.”
What the purport teaches
- One engaged in devotional service has no fear in material existence, knowing the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the Supersoul and friend of everyone. Knowing this is real education.
- The bona fide spiritual master is accepted as identical with the Lord because he is His most confidential servant. Consulting such a spiritual master means consulting the Supreme Personality of Godhead personally.
- Learning and birth alone do not qualify someone to become a spiritual master; pure devotion to the Lord is essential. Success in life means accepting a spiritual master who knows Kṛṣṇa as the only supreme beloved personality.
Try this today
Write down the essential qualification given here for a spiritual master: pure devotion to Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
Do I value pure devotion to Kṛṣṇa more than learning or social position when considering spiritual guidance?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.