Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 22.115
The items of regulative serviceAccept and serve the spiritual master
“On the path of regulative devotional service, one must observe the following items: (1) One must accept a bona fide spiritual master. (2) One must accept initiation from him. (3) One must serve him. (4) One must receive instructions from the spiritual master and make inquiries in order to learn devotional service. (5) One must follow in the footsteps of the previous ācāryas and follow the directions given by the spiritual master.
What the purport teaches
- On the path of regulative devotional service, one must accept a bona fide spiritual master and receive initiation from him.
- One must serve the spiritual master, receive his instructions and make inquiries to learn devotional service.
- One must follow in the footsteps of the previous ācāryas and follow the spiritual master’s directions.
Try this today
The first items on the path: acceptance, initiation, service and inquiry. Read one page of your spiritual master's books today, and ask one question of someone who has been practising longer than you.
Ask yourself
Am I inquiring, or only confirming what I already like?
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.