Following the Paramparā through the Writings of a Spiritual Master
Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that the literature produced by an ācārya is completely free from material defects because it is strictly aligned with the disciplic succession. By meticulously following the previous spiritual masters and referencing authorized Vedic texts, the pure Vaiṣṇavas have created an invaluable body of work that guides conditioned souls and protects the absolute truth from mundane misinterpretation.
The Authority and Purpose of an Ācārya's Writings
Śrīla Prabhupāda clearly distinguishes the writings of an ācārya from those of ordinary men. A genuine spiritual master does not write books on mundane subjects like sex psychology; rather, they compose authoritative scriptures based entirely on Vedic literature to guide humanity on the path of devotional service.
- Acarya does not write any book of sex psychology, Freud's philosophy. That is not acarya; he is a rascal. Acarya gives direction how one can make advance in spiritual life. That is acarya.
- All the Gosvamis wrote many scriptures on devotional service with the support of the Vedic literature. Devotional service is not a sentimental activity.
- He (Lord Caitanya) advised Sanatana Gosvami to write books on devotional service, including a book of directions for Vaisnava activities, and to excavate the lost places of pilgrimage in Vrndavana.
- Sadhu-sastra-guru-vakya tinete kariya aikya. Our process is deductive, not inductive. We take knowledge, just like this Srimad-Bhagavatam written by Vyasadeva under the instruction of his guru, spiritual master, Narada.
Writing Under the Direction of the Paramparā
The principle of receiving knowledge through the disciplic succession, or paramparā, is the foundation of all Vaiṣṇava literature. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights how great ācāryas like Jīva Gosvāmī and Vyāsadeva never wrote whimsically, but carefully consulted and credited the previous authorities who guided their transcendental work.
- The history of the Srimad-Bhagavatam is also very glorious. It was compiled by Sri Vyasadeva after he had attained maturity in transcendental knowledge. He wrote this under the instructions of Sri Naradaji, his spiritual master.
- Jiva Gosvami has written in the beginning of his Tattva-sandarbha - I, a tiny living entity known as jiva, am trying to assort the events of the book chronologically, consulting the direction of great personalities like Madhvacarya.
- Jiva Gosvami has written in the beginning of his Tattva-sandarbha - I, a tiny living entity known as jiva, am trying to assort the events of the book chronologically, consulting the direction of great personalities like Ramanujacarya.
- Jiva Gosvami has written in the beginning of his Tattva-sandarbha - I, a tiny living entity known as jiva, am trying to assort the events of the book chronologically, consulting the direction of senior Vaisnavas in the disciplic succession.
Defeating Deviations Through Authorized Commentary
The writings of the spiritual master serve as an absolute protection against philosophical deviations. By meticulously explaining the pure nature of the Lord's pastimes, ācāryas like Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura used their commentaries to completely dismantle the offensive misconceptions of the sahajiyās.
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura writes in his Anubhasya - He (Lord Caitanya) never placed Himself in the position of a debauchee. Lusty materialists like the members of the sahajiya-sampradaya hanker after women, even others’ wives.
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura writes in his Anubhasya - He (Lord Caitanya) remained everlastingly predominated by Krsna and never accepted the part of the predominator by imitating conjugal love with an ordinary woman, as sahajiyas generally do.
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura writes in his Anubhasya - when they (sahajiyas) try to ascribe the responsibility for their lusty activities to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they become offenders to Svarupa Damodara and Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura.
- In the Bhakti-sandarbha (265), Srila Jiva Gosvami writes: In the verse beginning namaikam yasya, we find the word pasanda (‘godlessness’). The word literally indicates misuse of one’s body or property.
Establishing Pure Siddhānta and Vaiṣṇava History
Beyond defeating unauthorized ideas, the writings of the spiritual masters firmly establish the absolute conclusions (siddhānta) of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Through their profound literature, the ācāryas protect the historical legacy of the Vaiṣṇavas and clearly reveal the supreme position and magnanimous nature of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
- Srila Rupa Gosvami writes: There were many previous incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but none were so generous, kind and magnanimous as Caitanya, for He distributed the most confidential aspect of devotional service, namely, the conjugal love of Radha and Krsna.
- Svarupa Damodara Gosvami has written a verse which says that although the loving affairs of Radha and Krsna may appear like ordinary material affairs, this is not actually the case. Radharani is the pleasure potency of Krsna.
- In this connection (CC Adi 17.276) Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura writes in his Anubhasya - Sri Gaurasundara is Krsna Himself with the attitude of Srimati Radharani. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu never gave up the attitude of the gopis.
- Vyasadeva has written (about Krsna) and the acaryas have accepted. Then I have become such a great scholar that I say it is fictitious. And we have to believe these rascals. So don't go to rascal. If you want real knowledge, take it from Bhagavan.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that the writings of a spiritual master are the very lifeblood of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Because an ācārya writes completely free from material speculation, their literature provides the perfect, authoritative direction required for spiritual advancement. By strictly adhering to the paramparā system, compiling scriptures under the direct order of their predecessors, and boldly defeating the mundane concoctions of deviant groups like the sahajiyās, the great spiritual masters have constructed an impenetrable fortress of pure siddhānta. Studying these authorized commentaries is the only sure way for the conditioned soul to receive genuine transcendental knowledge and ultimately attain the eternal shelter of 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 Writings of a Spiritual Master. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.