Following the Footprints of Authorized Ācāryas
The path of spiritual realization is compared to a well-trodden road cleared by great predecessors. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the tattva, or truth, of the Supreme Lord is not understood through individual guesswork but through the line of disciplic succession consisting of authorized ācāryas. These great souls, such as Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya, are the recognized experts in the science of God. By submissively following their instructions and remaining under their shelter, even a person of limited intelligence can be elevated to the platform of perfect knowledge and joyful devotional service.
The Unanimous Verdict of Great Ācāryas
The identity of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is established by the consensus of the most learned authorities. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that according to the Vedic literature and the great ācāryas—authorized persons versed in the knowledge of God—there is a unanimous agreement. Ācāryas like Śaṅkara, Rāmānuja, Madhva, Viṣṇu Svāmī, and Caitanya all agree that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because the śāstra is there and the authoritative statements of these authorized ācāryas are there, there is no reason not to believe in the Lord's divinity.
- According to the Vedic literature and according to the great acaryas, the authorized persons versed in the knowledge of God in all ages, like acaryas Sankara, Ramanuja, Madhva, Visnu Svami, Caitanya, all unanimously agree that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- The Bhagavad-gita should be understood by the line of disciplic succession of authorized acaryas. Fortunately, in your South India all the great acaryas appeared-Sankaracarya, Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Visnu Svami, all of them.
- There are so many authorized acaryas. The sastra is there, the authoritative statement is there, and the activities are there. Then what reason you have got not to believe that Krsna is not God?
- The disciples of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya retaliated, "By what evidence do you conclude that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the Supreme Lord?" Gopinatha Acarya replied, "The statements of authorized acaryas who understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead are proof."
Qualifications of a Bona Fide Ācārya
Authorization in the spiritual line is not a self-proclaimed title but depends on adherence to the previous teachers. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that nobody can claim to become a bona fide ācārya if he has not strictly followed the footprints of the previous authorized ācāryas. These spiritual masters are authorized by higher authorities; instruction alone cannot make one an expert. Unless one is blessed by the ācārya, the teachings cannot become fully manifest. This tattva is shared by all four sampradāyas of the Vaiṣṇava school, and no authorized ācārya would ever think of himself and the Lord as one.
- No body can claim to become a bona fide Acarya if he has not strictly followed the footprints of the previous Acaryas authorized in the matter.
- The acaryas (spiritual masters) are authorized by higher authorities. Instruction alone cannot make one an expert. Unless one is blessed by the spiritual master, or the acarya, such teachings cannot become fully manifest.
- This tattva of Lord Caitanya's is shared by all four sampradayas of the Vaisnava school (all accepting eternal servitude to the Lord even after salvation), and there is no authorized Vaisnava acarya who may think of the Lord and himself as one.
- The acarya, the authorized representative of the Supreme Lord, establishes these principles (to becoming a devotee of God, to worship the Supreme Lord and to bow down before Him), but when he disappears, things once again become disordered.
The Duty and Shelter of the Ācārya
The ācārya provides the essential facilities for the common man to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that authorized ācāryas, who know the science perfectly, install temples and the Lord's worshipable form, the arcā-vigraha, under regulative principles. We need not follow anyone who is not an authorized ācārya, for the Vedas state ācāryavān puruṣo veda: one can understand the truth fully only when he has taken shelter of such an expert. Even if a person considers himself a fool, if he follows the previous authorized ācāryas, he is all right.
- The authorized acaryas, who know the science perfectly, install such temples of the Lord under regulative principles just to offer facilities to the common man.
- We need not follow anyone who is not an authorized acarya. Acaryavan puruso veda: one can understand the truth fully when he has taken shelter of an expert acarya.
- Suppose I am a fool number one. That doesn't matter. I may be fool, but if I follow the previous authorized acaryas, then I am all right.
- The Lord's worshipable form (arca-vigraha), which is installed in temples by authorized acaryas who have realized the Lord in terms of Mantra Seven, is nondifferent from the original form of the Lord.
Devotional Service Under Authority
Progress in spiritual life is measured by one's obedience to the authorized line. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that devotional service consists of śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ, which is facilitated by attending lectures on transcendental knowledge given by authorized ācāryas. Simply by sitting and hearing from such authorities, one learns the science and becomes eligible to eat the remnants of food offered to God. However, he warns that a significant offense against the holy name is to neglect the orders of the authorized ācāryas or spiritual masters. Following stalwart ācāryas like Prahlāda Mahārāja ensures that our service remains joyful and effective.
- Devotional service consists of sravanam kirtanam visnoh, so one can simply hear the chanting of the glories of the Lord or can attend philosophical lectures on transcendental knowledge given by authorized acaryas.
- Simply by sitting (in the lecture on transcendental knowledge given by authorized acaryas), one can learn; then one can eat the remnants of the food offered to God, nice palatable dishes. In every state devotional service is joyful.
- The third offense (against the holy namne) is to neglect the orders of the authorized acaryas or spiritual masters.
- We are discussing the instruction of Prahlada Maharaja because he happens to be one of the stalwart acaryas. And the names of such acaryas, authorized acaryas, are also mentioned in the Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Conclusion
The presence of authorized ācāryas is the greatest blessing for human society. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that without their intervention, the transcendental science of Kṛṣṇa remains locked or misunderstood through the filter of mental speculation. These ācāryas are not self-made; they are blessed by higher authorities and strictly follow the footprints of those who came before them. From the establishment of temples and the installation of the arcā-vigraha to the delivery of philosophical lectures, their activities are solely for the benefit of the common man. By hearing from these experts, the seeker receives the proof of the Lord's divinity and learns the practical application of śrotra-panthā. To neglect their orders is to commit a grave spiritual offense that leads back to disorder. Conversely, by taking shelter of an authorized ācārya, even the most humble or uneducated person can become all right and understand the Absolute Truth fully. This obedience to the ācārya is the first principle of the Vaiṣṇava school and the only way to experience the joy of devotional service. Ultimately, by following the stalwarts mentioned in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and the great teachers of the South, the living entity is guided safely through the material world and back to the Supreme Personality of 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 Authorized Acaryas. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.