Blog

How has Srila Prabhupada commented on this verse? The order is to preach to
everyone. To preach to everyone does not automatically mean to become their diksa
guru. “It is better not to accept any disciples.” It is said that in the presence of better
qualified gurus one should not venture to accept disciples. (Hari Bhakti Vilas) And
even when the order to become a guru is given, it doesn’t mean it must be
immediately taken up. Look at Srila Prabhupada’s example. Look at Srila Gour
Govinda Maharaja. It’s not an appointment; it’s an order to qualify oneself.
Develop the qualifications first: “One has to become purified by chanting.” So, if one
preaches, achieves the platform of offenseless chanting and liberation, he can then
be a diksa-guru. Not that because he preaches he is automatically a bona fide guru.
Mostly this means give siksa, like when Prabhupada quoted the amara ajnaya verse
during a sannyasa initiation lecture (3.16.76): “Present as it is Bhagavad Gita. Then
you become a guru. You can become a guru in your family... wherever you are.”