A Brāhmaṇa Should Give Good Advice to All the Members of Society
This article explores the importance of authorized spiritual guidance as presented in the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda. In a properly structured Vedic society, the distribution and reception of good advice are essential for peace and prosperity. True knowledge is not acquired through mundane speculation but is received from the Supreme Lord, His scriptures, and His pure devotees. While compassionate sages offer this wisdom freely, the ultimate success of the living entity depends on their sincere willingness to accept and act upon it.
Guidance in Vedic Society
In the Vedic social order, the brāhmaṇas are tasked with providing good advice to all members of society, particularly the ruling class. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that when the government strictly follows this scriptural guidance, peace and order are naturally maintained. Administrators who submissively hear such counsel increase their own opulence, strength, and duration of life while perfectly serving the citizens.
- A brahmana should give good advice to all the members of society, a ksatriya should look after the administration, maintaining law and order in society.
- The brahmanas should give advice to the ksatriyas, to the government, and the government, according to the nice, good advice, should maintain the state. In this way there will be peaceful condition of the society.
- He should give the citizens good advice and instructions according to the standard scriptures and should be equal to everyone. Yamaraja does this, for he is the supreme master of justice, and so do those who follow in his footsteps.
- The great sages said: Dear King, we have come to give you good advice. Kindly hear us with great attention. By doing so, your duration of life and your opulence, strength and reputation will increase.
Compassion and Discretion
Pure devotees are driven by saintly compassion to deliver the message of Godhead, even to those who are mischievous or unwilling. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda advises discretion; giving good advice to a foolish rascal often only provokes unneeded anger. Furthermore, sincere seekers must completely avoid the association of atheists and Māyāvādīs, as they are fundamentally incapable of offering sound spiritual counsel.
- There is another saintly compassion, "Never mind he has done so much mischievous activities, this king, still it is our duty to go to him and give him good advice so that all these disturbances may be stopped and people will become happy."
- To a rascal, if you give good advice, he becomes angry. Murkhayopadeso hi prakopaya na santaye.
- He (Akrura) first wanted to give good advice to Dhrtarastra, who was so favorably inclined toward his own sons and unfavorably inclined toward the Pandavas.
- It is best to avoid association with them (Mayavadis and atheists) completely and never ask them about anything confidential because they cannot give good advice.
The Role of the Spiritual Master
The spiritual master is the authorized representative of Kṛṣṇa, tasked with giving perfect instructions to guide the disciple back to Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that gurus must encourage their students to study Vedic literatures and offer them good advice on how to understand the transcendental science. Nevertheless, if a person remains firmly attached to materialistic household life, even the best advice will fail to turn their mind toward Kṛṣṇa.
- So especially you must encourage the students to read our books throughout the day as much as possible, and give them all good advice how to understand the books, and inspire them to study the things from every point of view.
- He cannot place his mind unto Krsna, matir na krsne paratah svato va, either by good advice of guru or personal, svatah; na mithah, nor by meeting, sat-sanga, so-called sat-sanga, because the real disease is grha-vrata.
- Now you are living by yourself because you have been hurt by seeing that the children are sometimes mistreated, and because no one has taken your good advice in this connection.
- Sanatana Gosvami replied, "You (Jagadananda Pandita) have given me very good advice. I shall certainly go there, for that is the place the Lord has given me for my residence."
The Freedom to Choose
Ultimately, the highest advice comes directly from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Kṛṣṇa and His representatives provide the perfect roadmap for spiritual liberation, but they never force the living entity. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that the soul always retains its minute independence to either accept or reject this guidance. Those who voluntarily choose to follow the Lord's good advice achieve perfect success in all spheres of life.
- The good living beings are advised by the Lord to follow His good advice, and by doing so they become successful in all spheres of life.
- That freedom is there always. The Krsna or His representative, the spiritual master, he can give you good instruction, good advice, but to do it or not to do it, that is your option.
- Sometimes when Krsna was executing His duties in the assembly known as Sudharma, He would ask the elderly members for good advice.
- Vidura was also very much obliged to his eldest brother, and he was always giving him good advice, and a great devotee.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that human society can only function harmoniously when guided by the authorized good advice of the brāhmaṇas and pure devotees. While administrators and individuals possess the freedom to act, their success is entirely dependent on their submissive hearing of scriptural injunctions. Though saintly persons compassionately distribute this wisdom, they understand that fools will reject it. Ultimately, the Supreme Lord offers the most perfect advice, and it is the individual's proper use of their free will to accept this guidance that guarantees their return to Godhead.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Good Advice. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.