Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 1.34
Honor Spiritual Masters and the Absolute Truth
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto the spiritual masters, the devotees of the Lord, the Lord’s incarnations, His plenary portions, His energies and the primeval Lord Himself, Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya.”
What the purport teaches
- The author honors six principles of the Absolute Truth: spiritual masters, devotees, incarnations, plenary portions, energies and the primeval Lord Himself, Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya.
- Anyone who gives spiritual instructions based on revealed scriptures is accepted as a spiritual master. The initiating spiritual master first initiates one with the mahā-mantra, while instructing spiritual masters guide further advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- Initiating and instructing spiritual masters are equal and identical manifestations of Kṛṣṇa, though their dealings differ. Their function is to guide conditioned souls back home, back to Godhead.
Try this today
Offer respectful obeisances to the spiritual masters, remembering their work of guiding souls back to Godhead.
Ask yourself
How can I better appreciate both initiating and instructing spiritual guidance?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.