Following in the Footsteps - The Path of the Mahājanas
The material world is a bewildering labyrinth of conflicting philosophies and temporary allurements. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the only safe and guaranteed method to cross this dangerous ocean of nescience is to abandon our own mental speculations and strictly follow in the footsteps of the great spiritual authorities and pure devotees of the Lord.
The Principle of Mahājana
Vedic wisdom dictates that spiritual truth cannot be uncovered by independent research; it must be received from those who have already traversed the path. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes the famous maxim mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ, explaining that we must follow the exemplary acts of great, liberated souls rather than manufacturing our own whimsical ways.
- Acaryopasanam. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah (CC Madhya 17.186). If we follow the footprints of the acaryas, then we find there is no distinction between Vedanta and Bhagavad-gita.
- As stated in Bhagavad-gita (BG 3.21) : Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.
- The Vedic principles (mahajano yena gatah sa panthah (CC Madhya 17.186)) urge us to follow in the footsteps of great liberated souls. In this way we can receive benefit in both this life and the next, and we can also improve our material life.
- If you follow the footsteps of great personalities, great acaryas, then that is the way. You don't manufacture your own way. Then you will be frustrated.
Following vs. Imitating
There is a vast difference between humbly adopting the mood of a predecessor and foolishly trying to copy their extraordinary feats. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that while we must follow (anuśaraṇa) the instructions of the great authorities, we must never attempt to artificially imitate (anukaraṇa) them.
- Anukarana, anusarana - there are two Sanskrit words. One is imitation, and one is following the footprints. If one tries to follow the footprints of great personalities, that is very nice, but we cannot imitate.
- The process of transcendental realization is to follow in the footsteps of the associates of the Supreme Lord; therefore if one thinks himself to be a direct associate of the Supreme Lord, he is condemned.
- This is the difference between a devotee and a demon. Demons manufacture their own gods, or a demon himself claims to be God, following in the footsteps of Ravana and Hiranyakasipu.
- Imitation devotees, who wish to advertise themselves as elevated Vaisnavas and who therefore imitate the previous acaryas but do not follow them in principle, are condemned in the words of Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 2.3.24) as stone-hearted.
Following the Gosvāmīs
The standard for the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement was perfectly set by the direct disciples of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs that to be successful, we must strictly follow the footprints of the six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana by chanting loudly, studying the scriptures, and minimizing material demands.
- Chanting and hearing, this was inaugurated by Lord Caitanya and followed by the six Gosvamins, and we are also following in the footprints of the six Gosvamins. Therefore we should offer our respectful obeisances.
- They always engaged them in chanting Hare Krsna maha-mantra. Utkirtana, very loudly. Krsnotkirtana-gana-nartanau-parau, dancing also. Just like here the boys, they are chanting and dancing. This is very good, following the footsteps of the Gosvamis.
- We have to study the Vedic literature very carefully, following the footsteps of Gosvamis. Not only chanting. This is also required, krsnot-kirtana-gana.
- Nidrahara-viharakadi-vijitau. Following in the footsteps of the Gosvamis, we should try to reduce sleeping, eating, mating and defending.
Entering the Mysteries of Vṛndāvana
The most intimate and confidential pastimes of the Supreme Lord cannot be accessed through mundane scholarship or mental speculation. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the only way to understand the loving affairs of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa is by strictly following in the footsteps of the residents of Vṛndāvana.
- Just as no one can understand the expansion of the spiritual energy of the Supreme Lord without His causeless mercy, no one can understand the transcendental sex life between Radha and Krsna without following in the footsteps of the damsels of Vraja.
- These confidential pastimes of Radha and Krsna have expanded through the mercy of the damsels. Without their mercy, they cannot be understood. One has to follow in the footsteps of the damsels of Vraja in order to understand.
- Everyone's center is Krsna: "How Krsna will be happy?" This is Vrndavana life. If we try to follow the footsteps of the residents of Vrndavana, how to love Krsna, then our life is successful.
- When a pure devotee follows the footsteps of a devotee in Vrndavana, he develops raganuga bhakti.
Rejecting False Paths
Modern society is heavily influenced by empiricists, mundane scientists, and impersonal philosophers who reject the personal feature of God. Śrīla Prabhupāda advises that a sincere seeker must ignore these atheistic leaders and instead follow the path illuminated by the great Vaiṣṇava authorities.
- Throughout the world, ninety-nine percent of the philosophers following in the footsteps of Sankaracarya refuse to accept the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Instead they try to establish their own opinions. It is typical of mundane philosophers.
- At present the materialistic scientists follow in the footsteps of Gautama and Kanada, who propounded this theory, called Paramanuvada.
- Unfortunate people become enamored of these atheistic philosophers and consequently can never understand the real nature of the Absolute Truth. It is far better to follow in the footsteps of great souls.
- Without being educated properly, the mass of people are following in the footsteps of the vested interests by exploiting natural reserves, and therefore there is acute competition between individual and individual and nation and nation.
The Guarantee of the Spiritual Master
The practical application of following in the footsteps begins with full surrender to the bona fide spiritual master. Śrīla Prabhupāda guarantees that by strictly adhering to the instructions of the guru, even individuals from the most degraded backgrounds can achieve the highest perfection of life.
- You have got now the golden opportunity of this human form of life, and it is not accident that you have got your spiritual master, so take advantage by following always in his footsteps and very quickly you will attain the supreme perfection of your life.
- Such a person (spiritual master who accepts disciples from all over the world) is called an acarya because he knows the principles of devotional service, he behaves in that way himself, and he teaches his disciples to follow in his footsteps.
- When the spiritual master comes to the residence of his disciples, the disciples should follow in the footsteps of the former hunter. It doesn't matter what one was before initiation. After initiation, one must learn the etiquette mentioned herein.
- Following in the footsteps of her spiritual master (Haridasa Thakura), she (the prostitute) began chanting the holy name of Krsna 300,000 times a day. She chanted throughout the entire day and night.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda unequivocally establishes that the only authorized and successful method for achieving spiritual perfection is by strictly following in the footsteps of the great mahājanas and the bona fide spiritual masters in the disciplic succession. Because the conditioned soul is plagued by imperfect senses and a tendency to cheat, attempting to manufacture an independent religious path or following the speculations of atheistic scientists and impersonal philosophers will only end in frustration. The Vedic injunction is clear: we must follow the exemplary acts of the great authorities. However, a sincere practitioner must be exceedingly careful to follow (anuśaraṇa) rather than artificially imitate (anukaraṇa). The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is practically founded on this principle, meticulously following the standard set by the six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana through loud chanting, rigorous study of the śāstras, and the renunciation of material demands. Even the most profound mysteries of the spiritual world—the intimate loving affairs of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa—can only be realized by humbly following in the footsteps of the gopīs. Ultimately, by taking shelter of a bona fide ācārya and faithfully walking the path illuminated by the predecessors, any person, regardless of their past conditioning or societal status, is guaranteed to safely cross the ocean of nescience and attain the supreme destination of eternal, loving service to the Lord.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Following in the Footsteps. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.