Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 24.330
Understand the Guru, Disciple, and Worshipable Lord
“Your book should describe the characteristics of the bona fide guru and the bona fide disciple. Then, before accepting a spiritual master, one can be assured of the spiritual master’s position. Similarly, the spiritual master can also be assured of the disciple’s position. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, should be described as the worshipable object, and you should describe the bīja-mantra for the worship of Kṛṣṇa, as well as that for Rāma and for other expansions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
What the purport teaches
- The characteristics of both the bona fide guru and the bona fide disciple should be described. Before acceptance, each should be assured of the other’s position.
- Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, should be described as the worshipable object.
- The book should describe the bīja-mantra for worshiping Kṛṣṇa, Rāma and other expansions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The purport identifies the Padma Purāṇa as a source describing the guru’s characteristics.
Try this today
Write down the verse’s instruction that both guru and disciple should understand each other’s position before acceptance.
Ask yourself
How does mutual understanding help make the relationship between guru and disciple a thoughtful commitment?
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.