Blind Following vs. Authorized Following

In the modern world, "blind faith" is often criticized, yet ironically, most people follow the dictates of their senses, politicians, and scientists with little scrutiny. Śrīla Prabhupāda addresses this paradox by distinguishing between dangerous "blind following" and the necessary, scientific acceptance of bona fide authority. He explains that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not a sentimental cult but a profound science that invites logical inquiry and practical verification.

What is Blind Following?

Śrīla Prabhupāda defines blind following as accepting a leader without knowledge or discrimination. He vividly describes this "herd mentality" where one joins a group simply because thousands of others have done so. Śrīla Prabhupāda condemns this approach, whether it involves following popular "swamis" or following the dictates of one's own uncontrolled senses, noting that such following lacks the foundation of transcendental knowledge.

• Blind following and absurd inquiries. These things are condemned in this verse. Blind following means, "Oh, there is a svami. So many thousands of people are following. Let me become his disciple." This is called blind following.
• You do not know what is that svami, whether he is a svami or he is rascal. You do not know. But because everyone is going, "Oh, let me become his disciple." This is blind following. Without any knowledge, blind following.
• What can be more pathetic than a man who claims to answer to no authority but who follows his senses blindly wherever they lead him? Our false claim to independence is simply foolishness.

Faith Backed by Reason

Contrary to the idea that religion demands the suspension of reason, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes vicāra—logic and argument. He points out that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Himself urged His followers to understand the Absolute Truth through logic. Śrīla Prabhupāda presents the Bhagavad-gītā as a scientific treatise that appeals to the intellect, asserting that a true devotee is one who has understood the philosophy and is "strongly convinced" of Kṛṣṇa's supremacy through reason.

• Caitanya means living force. He says vicara. "Just try to understand by logic, by philosophy, by argument." That is vicara. We are not following Caitanya Mahaprabhu blindly. That is not our position.
• It is not blind following. Krsna consciousness is not a sentiment. It is backed by knowledge and practical knowledge. Vijnanam.
• We have got authoritative scripture, description, answers. Everything is there. It is not blind following. It is not religious fanaticism. It is actually solid ground.

Testing the Authority

Blind acceptance is rejected by Śrīla Prabhupāda in favor of testing. He advises one to observe a potential spiritual master for at least a year before accepting initiation. Mutual examination is essential, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches, to establish a genuine relationship. However, he clarifies that once the guru is tested and proved to be in the line of disciplic succession and speaking the truth, one should follow him with full faith.

• If you at all accept somebody as spiritual master, you must test him. You must test him for at least one year if you have got doubts. And when you are convinced that, "Here is a person whom I can follow blindly," then you accept.
• In this verse (BG 4.34), both blind following and absurd inquiries are condemned. One should not only hear submissively from the spiritual master; but one must also get a clear understanding from him, in submission and service and inquiries.

Authorized Following

Śrīla Prabhupāda explains the difference between "blind following" and following a guide because you are blind. We are spiritually blind, he argues, so we need a guide with open eyes. This is authorized following. Just as Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that we "blindly" accept our mother's authority regarding the identity of our father because she is the only authority, we accept the Vedas and the Guru because they have access to truths beyond our sensory perception.

• Caksusmatandha iva niyamanah: one should follow the Lord the way a blind man follows a person who has eyes. If we follow the Supreme Personality of Godhead by following the directions He gives in the Vedas and Bhagavad-gita, our lives will be successful.
• To know your father, the authority is your mother. The mother says: "Here is your father." You follow blindly.
• You cannot create morality. You are imperfect. Your senses are imperfect. You do not know what is actually moral. Therefore we should implicitly, blindly follow the orders of Krsna or His representative. That is moral.

Conclusion

The path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness steers clear of both dry mental speculation and sentimental fanaticism. By applying our intelligence to understand the science of God and then surrendering to a bona fide authority, as taught by Śrīla Prabhupāda, we transform our blindness into transcendental vision.

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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Blind Following. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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