Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Antya 5.71
Respect the authorized spiritual master
“I cannot properly describe the discourses of Rāmānanda Rāya, for he is not an ordinary human being. He is fully absorbed in the devotional service of the Lord.
What the purport teaches
- Pradyumna Miśra recognized that Rāmānanda Rāya was not an ordinary human being. He was fully absorbed in the devotional service of the Lord.
- The purport forbids considering the guru, or spiritual master, an ordinary human being. A spiritually advanced person authorized to act as spiritual master speaks as the Supreme Personality of Godhead dictates from within.
- The words of a pure devotee or spiritual master in the paramparā system should be accepted as directly spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Try this today
Reread one sentence of this purport slowly, giving it your full and respectful attention.
Ask yourself
How does this teaching shape the respect with which you receive the authorized spiritual master’s words?
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.