im a fool....not fit and qualified enough to answer any question...however i can lyk a parrot blindly repeat what our shastras say on this...srimad bhagavatam canto 11.3.21....prabuddha yogendra tells maharaj nimi on the symptoms and characteristics of a true guru...

1) fully surrendered at the lotus feet of the guru and krsna

2) realised the conclusions of the shastras and has full faith in the power and importance of the holy name in kaliyuga

3) Can very well convince others about the points mentioned in the scriptures

4) has no material considerations, attachment or contamination...

apart from this some striking qualities are:

1)simplicity

2)humility

3)tolerance

4)forgiveness

5) fully satisfied

6) and ever joyful

there are many qualities of a pure devotee however...im stating a few to get some idea about the subject matter...

hope i cud serve u well...

vaishnava dasanudasanudas,

amarnath das

Sandwip Sen May 4, 2011 at 10:45am

When time comes a true Guru will appear. Just like a student who has to work very hard to get into a reputed college or like a job aspirant who searches his desired job, you have to start your basic work. The rest depends on your preparation and your good karma.

Jai Ho.

Siveshni Maharaj May 3, 2011 at 7:47pm

Hare Krishna Devotees, PAMHO AGTSP!

Rajesh Prabhu, Amith gave an excellent reply to your initial question on how to search for a Guru. With reagard to the SSR course, visit your nearest ISKCON Temple and ask them to give you a list of the courses being offered. The SSR (Science of self realisation) is the beginners course. This is followed by BG overview whcih covers the entire Bhagavat Gita in a brief format. The Bhakti Shastri course is a follow up. This is a 2 year degree which is detailed study of BG and Nectar of Devotion and Nectar of Instruction. I think study of Bhagavatam and then Chaitanya Charitam follows thereafter. Please try and proceed with these studies and I promise you, you will definitely progress in your Krishna Consciousness. Ys Siveshni

Rajesh Gupta May 2, 2011 at 11:07am

Hare Krishna!!! PAMHO...

Now, I understand this. Only praying to Krishna will help me to find my Guru.

Thanks for all your comments on this discussion.

All Glories to Srila Prabhupad.

chandru ramesh May 2, 2011 at 9:27am

There's a famous verse - Krishna shows the guru and guru shows krishna.

the second part of the verse we know really well.

So you've to really pray to krishna that he shows you your spiritual master.

And it'll be revealed to you in gradual time.

Siveshni Maharaj > chandru ramesh May 3, 2011 at 7:50pm

HK prabhu, please tell me which verse this is? I am also not initiated as yet. thanks

Amit Kapoor May 1, 2011 at 9:59pm

Hare Krishna,

I myself is not initiated yet as i am not eligible to take initiation at current stage of life. I appreciate your search for a sadguru as a true Guru is representative of Krishna who is empowered to take us back to Godhead.

I will try to answer your question according to my understanding, If you are within the ISKCON's bonafide system established by Srila Prabhupada then this question is not difficult to answer.

We have a bonafide Guru system in ISKCON. All present GBC's (Governing body commissioners) who initiates are true gurus.

The basic qualities of a guru is that He must be in a bonafide discplic succession(which we already have in ISKCON), He is always (24 hours) absorbed in Krishna Bhakti or activities related to Krishna, He is well versed in authentic scriptures like Srimad Bhagvad Gita and Bhagavatam, there is no difference in his views and views of shastras, He is steadfast in his sadhna, He strictly follows the instructions of His own spiritual masters, He is equal to all his disciples infact as Prabhupada says that his all disciples feel that he is most close to him only and many more qualities...

I heard a lecture long back in which Srila Prabhupada says that in earlier times a disciple used to stay for a long period to test whether the guru is bonafide. The aspiring disciple should render services with full heart to the guru during this stay. Once confirmed that guru is genuine then he should beg for diksha. Now is the turn of Guru, he will decide whether the disciple is eligible to get inititaion.But that was possible in old times.Now in this age we can read about the activities of the gurus, associate with them, hear their lectures and can personally visit them and try to follow their instructions. In course of time we may develop love for them and at a stage we can beg for initiation from them.

Though all are very very great acharays in our ISKCON but personally i have great affection for HH Gopal Krishna Maharaj and HH Radhanath maharaj. You can read and learn about them if willing.

To further know you may like to order a DVD called "How to Choose A Guru” a 2 hour session.

http://iskconnews.com/node/2785/2010-05-07/how_to_choose_a_guru_sem...

I hope it helps.

Hari bol

Amit Kapoor

Volunteer

Shravn Prabhu > Amit Kapoor May 2, 2011 at 5:24am

Amit Prabhu, to your statement, "Though all are very very great acharays"

Is that really possible?

what is your definition of "very very great" acharya?
- Amit Kapoor > Shravn Prabhu May 2, 2011 at 9:04am
  
  Hare Krishna prabhu ji,
  
  Dandvat Pranam.
  
  Acharya means the one who practices the same what he teaches. In ISKCON present GBCs are great acharyas as they are executing the instructions of Srila Prabhupada/Gurus nicely. They are not only preaching but also practising to set the examples for their disciples. That is called true disciplic succession.
  
  Do you have any doubts on Srila Prabhupada's disciples who have given their whole life for the mission of Sri Chaitnaya Mahaprabhu on the orders of Srila Prabhupada?
  
  I do not have any doubts that is why i said great acharyas. But i agree that among the gurus as well some are definitely more advanced in Bhakti than the others. Those who took sanayasa at the tender age of 20's and have spent whole life even in all the odd times, they are definitely advance devotees of Krishna.
  
  Moreoever we cannot compare them as we are so fallen that we do not even chant 16 rounds everyday properly but are very eager to PREACH others on IDT. This is also a kind of ignorance. so i ardently believe that they are great acharayas.
  
  Hari bol
  
  Amit Kapoor

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Guidance to accept a true Guru

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