Practicing Under Authoritative Statements
Spiritual life is a disciplined science that requires the practitioner to align their activities with the descending message of the Vedas. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that "practicing" under authoritative statements means abandoning the "rascal" habit of mental speculation and accepting the definite data provided by the Lord and His representatives. Whether one is engaged in the practice of yoga or the execution of devotional service, success depends entirely on one's willingness to follow the prescribed rules and regulations. By accepting these authoritative statements as the "solid ground" of reality, the seeker is protected from the errors of the blunt senses and is guided toward the highest perfection.
The Scientific Data of Yoga Practice
The practice of yoga is not an invented exercise but a scientific system based on definite data. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that just as Sir Isaac Newton discovered the law of gravitation and scientific advancement depends on such authoritative statements, the perfection of the yoga system is found in the authoritative statements of the Supreme Person in Bhagavad-gītā. There are specific conditions for a yogī; for example, one must first select a holy place and sit alone on a special seat. Furthermore, it is an authoritative statement that no one can become a yogī unless he renounces the desire for sense gratification.
- Science begins on some definite data, just like Sir Isaac Newton discovered the law of gravitation, and so much scientific advancement depends on such authoritative statements.
- If we actually want to participate in the perfection of the yoga system, in Bhagavad-gita we will find the authoritative statements of the Supreme Person.
- Here is the authoritative statement, that you have to practice like this. First of all you have to select your place, holy place, alone, and special seat. Then you have to sit straight like this.
- Here it is authoritative statement that no one can become a yogi unless he renounces the desire for sense gratification. This is the first condition.
Following the Footsteps of the Mahājanas
In the practice of devotional service, the safest path is to follow those who have already attained the goal. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that our process is "mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ"—to follow the footsteps of great personalities. When we receive an authoritative statement from a mahājana like Prahlada Maharaja, we must follow it without hesitation. Even the demigods like Indra accepted the authoritative statements of Narada Muni and offered respects to the devotee. By following the footprints of such great personalities, the practitioner avoids danger and remains on the path of truth.
- Here we get authoritative statement of Prahlada Maharaja. He is one of the mahajana. Our process is mahajano yena gatah sa panthah (CC Madhya 17.186). We have to follow the footsteps of great personalities.
- Indra and the demigods accepted the authoritative statements of Narada Muni and immediately offered their respects to the devotee by circumambulating the woman in whose womb he was living.
- When Prahlada Maharaja says manye, "I think," it has to be taken as authoritative statement. We have to follow. If we follow the footprints of great personalities, then there is no danger.
- This is an authoritative statement given by the greatest authority, Narada Muni. If one gives another living entity unnecessary pain, one will certainly be punished by the laws of nature with a similar pain.
Submission to the Spiritual Master
A successful practitioner must move beyond the habit of argument and develop faith in the words of the teacher. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that one must be satisfied by the authoritative statement of the spiritual master and cannot argue; this is the principle of authority. All Vedic knowledge is based on approaching a bona fide spiritual master and hearing from him the authoritative statements of the Vedas. To make progress in devotional service, one cannot manufacture anything but must follow the authoritative statements of the ācāryas. This submissive aural reception allows the practitioner to understand transcendental problems as clearly as one accepts the authoritative statements of a mother regarding the identity of one's father.
- You must be satisfied by the authoritative statement of the spiritual master. You cannot argue. That is the principle of authority.
- All Vedic knowledge is based on the principle that one must approach a bona fide spiritual master and hear from him the authoritative statements of the Vedas.
- To make progress in devotional service, one cannot manufacture anything. The authoritative statements of acaryas, that we'll have to follow.
- If he wants to know all these, there is bonafide source for understanding these problems, providing he agrees to give a submissive aural reception to the respective authorities as much as he believes in the authoritative statements of Sir Isaac Newton.
Accepting the Standard of the Śāstra
Practicing spiritual life requires a constant reference to the authorized scriptures to ensure one is not misled. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that one should see through the authoritative statement of śāstra and not through one's blunt, rascal eyes. There are innumerable authoritative statements in the Vedas regarding the personal feature of the Absolute Truth, and one who heartly welcomes these statements of Kṛṣṇa is always eager to know more. Conversely, if we do not care for the śāstra, sādhu, and devotees, and instead manufacture our own way of life, our efforts are futile. We must accept the authoritative statements of the Vedas or the Bible over our own whimsical ways.
- Sastra-caksusa. Sastra . . . From authoritative statement of sastra you'll see. Don't see by your blunt eyes, rascal, this consciousness. Then you'll never find the actual fact.
- There are innumerable authoritative statements in the Vedas regarding the personal feature of the Absolute Truth.
- Those who are devotees heartily welcome the statements of Krsna when they are spoken by Krsna Himself. The devotees will always worship such authoritative statements of Krsna because they are always eager to know more and more about Him.
- In the Bible it is said, "All things were made by Him, created by Him." Therefore He is the father of everything. "Without Him was not anything made that was made." So you cannot deny the authoritative statement of Vedas or Bible by your whimsical way.
The Factual Results of Regulated Practice
The end result of following authoritative statements is a factual understanding of one's spiritual identity. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that through devotional service, supported by the authoritative statement of Kṛṣṇa, one can truly understand "What I am." For example, Yamaraja provides the authoritative statement that first-class religion begins with chanting the holy name of the Lord. By accepting these statements, such as the fact that the soul is not annihilated when the body is annihilated, the practitioner gains confidence and spiritual strength. Just as a lawyer gains a case by quoting previous judgments, a practitioner achieves perfection by basing their entire life on these authoritative scriptural versions.
- In reality, "What I am," that can be understood through devotional service, not by karma, jnana, yoga. Give this example, I mean to say, authoritative statement of Krsna, that bhaktya mam abhijanati - BG 18.55.
- Rendering devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is first-class religion. Bhakti-yogo bhagavati tan-nama-grahanadibhih. Tan-nama. And how it begins? "Simply by chanting His holy name." These are the authoritative statements of Yamaraja.
- Na hanyate hanyamane sarire (BG 2.20). This is the authoritative statement, that I am not annihilated on account of my body being annihilated.
- Just like in the law court. You are lawyer. You are arguing. When you quote from a judgment, previous judgment, it is accepted. Similarly, when you give authoritative statement support of your talking, then it is perfect. That is the way.
Conclusion
Practicing under authoritative statements is the essential discipline that distinguishes a factual spiritual life from a sentimental or whimsical one. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the path to Godhead is a scientific movement based on the definite data provided by the Supreme Lord and the authorized ācāryas. By choosing to see through the "eyes" of the śāstra and accepting the instructions of the bona fide spiritual master, the practitioner is protected from the errors of their own limited senses. This method of submissive hearing is not a sign of intellectual weakness but a sign of advanced intelligence, comparable to a lawyer who wins a case by relying on the authority of previous judgments. Whether selecting a place for yoga, practicing the renunciation of sense gratification, or chanting the holy names as directed by Yamaraja, the devotee finds success by following the footprints of the mahājanas. Those who ignore these authoritative statements and manufacture their own methods are described as rascals whose efforts lead to failure. Conversely, those who heartily welcome the words of Kṛṣṇa find their consciousness transformed and their relationship with the Lord reawakened. Ultimately, by basing one's practice on the authoritative statements of the Vedas and Bhagavad-gītā, the living entity realizes its eternal nature, transcends the miseries of material transmigration, and achieves the highest transcendental pleasure in the service 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 Authoritative Statements. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.