Der Vaishnavas,
Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!
The Characteristics of a Spiritual Master
- Compiled by Swami Gaurangapada in his brahmachari days
The following is a summary of the characteristics of the spiritual master which are listed in Hari Bhakti Vilasa:
He should be knowledgeable of the Vedas and know the conclusions of the scriptures.
He should be absorbed in worship of the Lord by chanting of the Lord's name.
He should be peaceful, fully satisfied in activities of devotional service.
He should have deep faith in the Lord.
He should exhibit all good qualities.
He should be intelligent, steady, austere and truthful.
He should be sweet in speech, pleasant to look at, clean,
youthful-looking, wearing clean cloth.
He should be expert in conducting himself as a saintly person, (sad-acara).
He should be expert at arguing with and defeating those opposed to devotional service.
He should be an expert judge.
He should feel gratitude for services rendered to him.
He should be capable of both showing favor to and reprimanding another person.
He should feel affection for his disciples.
He should always be anxious for the welfare of all living beings.
He should be completely free from envy, malice, violence, anger,
laziness, sinful activity.
The spiritual master should not possess the following characteristics:
He should not desire wealth, fame or service from his disciples.
He should not have a desire for accumulating material objects.
He should not be attached to receiving things or hesitant to give things.
He should not delay in making decisions which must be made.
He should not eat too much.
He should not be prone to lying.
He should not be critical of the good qualities of others.
He should not absorb himself in talking about the sinful activities of others.
He should not associate with low characters (people who take
intoxication and indulge in illicit sex or criminal activities).
He should not involve himself in useless philosophies and material logic.
The following is a summary of the characteristics of a true disciple,
as found in Hari Bhakti Vilasa:
He should be truthful.
He should be gentle and polite.
He should be pleasing to look at.
He should be spotless in conduct.
He should be intelligent.
He should be in control of his senses.
He should show proper respect to elders, to initiated Vaisnavas and to the Lord.
He should observe silence concerning material subjects.
He should have not attraction for committing sinful activities.
He should be desirous of knowing the absolute truth.
He should be devoted to the lotus feet of guru.
He should be engaged day and night in the Lord's service with body, mind and words.
He should be fully capable of upholding vows made to the spiritual master.
The true disciple should not possess the following characteristics:
He should not be lazy, dirty, or sickly.
He should not be continually afflicted or lamenting.
He should not be angry, proud, or lusty.
He should not covet material desires.
He should not show the enjoying spirit.
He should not be miserly, malicious, devious or envious.
He should not give pain to others or be addicted to cruel activities.
He should not use vulgar or coarse language.
He should not indulge in illicit sex.
He should not be constantly critical of others.
He should not earn his living by unjust means.
He should not be proud of material learning.
He should not be ignorant.
He should not indulge in other philosophies.
He should not be addicted to overeating.
He should not indulge in sinful activities such as taking meat, intoxication, gambling or illicit sex.
The person who cannot give up his bad habits and cannot follow the instructions of guru is not qualified as a disciple.
Though a person may be devoid of the qualities mentioned above, if he is devoted to guru and the Supreme Lord, he can become purified and eventually become a suitable candidate for initiation through performance of devotional activities.
Daaso'smi,
Srinath
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