On the morning walk an English boy, Ravi dasa, who just received second initiation, raised a question about the second offence in chanting, which states that we should not equate the name of the demigods with Krsna's. He asked, "So how are we to understand the name of the spiritual master? In kirtana when we chant the name of the spiritual master, is that as spiritually potent?"
Lokanatha Swami attempted to answer first, explaining that the spiritual master's position is far greater than that of the demigods. "The spiritual master is the external manifestation of the Supersoul within your heart. Paramatma is Ksirodakasayi Visnu, and He becomes manifest before you in form of a guru or spiritual master. So you cannot compare a spiritual master or guru with any other."
But Srila Prabhupada pointed out that the head of the demigods, Lord Brahma, is a great devotee and the head of our sampradaya. He prompted Lokanatha to give a further answer, and then finally answered himself. "He gives direct knowledge of Krsna; therefore he's as good as Krsna. ... Uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya: 'The spiritual master is as good as God because he's very dear to Krsna.' He's preaching Krsna's mission, and Krsna is very, very pleased with him. Na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah. That is the spiritual master's qualification. He's trying his best to deliver the soul from these clutches of maya. That is a great service. Therefore he is very dear. One who is chanting, or executing devotional service for his personal benefit, and one who is trying to deliver others for others' benefit, there is difference."
As we walked at a gentle pace Srila Prabhupada again played with Krsna dasa and his young friend Kapila. "You can climb on the tree? No. Let me see."
The children laughed, gleefully racing each other to a nearby tree, where they swung on its branches and hung upside down by their legs. Prabhupada chuckled at their fun.
- From "A Transcendental Diary Vol 4" by HG Hari Sauri Prabhu
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