Without Authority - The Necessity of the Disciplic Succession
Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly emphasizes that spiritual life is not based on whimsical invention, but on strict adherence to authorized instructions. To make genuine progress on the path back to Godhead, a sincere soul must completely abandon the tendency to act independently and instead submit fully to the authority of the Supreme Lord, the Vedic scriptures, and the bona fide spiritual master.
The Principle of Acceptance
It is a practical fact that human beings cannot function without submitting to superior guidance. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that from the very beginning of life, a child relies on the authority of its parents, and similarly, an adult must rely on the authority of the Vedas to understand the transcendental realm.
- Everywhere authority is there. You have to accept authority. Without authority there is no, I mean to say, advancement. That is impossible.
- You cannot defy authority. This is not possible. From the beginning of your life, when you were child, you asked your parents, "Mother, father, what is this?" Why? That is the beginning of life. You cannot go even a step without authority.
- You cannot go even a step without authority. You are governed by authority. You are running your car by authority - "Keep to the right." Why? Why don't you defy it? So authority we have to obey.
- You cannot know father in any other way. There is no other way. This is practical. You cannot know your father without the authoritative statement of your mother.
Unauthorized Instructions and Mantras
In the age of Kali, many unauthorized groups attempt to distribute spiritual knowledge and mantras that have no real potency. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that unless a spiritual instruction or mantra is received through a recognized sampradāya, it cannot deliver the soul from material bondage.
- It is said that unless one accepts a mantra from one of these four sampradayas, the so-called mantra will not act in Kali-yuga. Many sampradayas have sprung up without authority, and they are misleading the people by giving unauthorized mantras.
- Unfortunately there are many so-called philosophers in the present age who give instruction without citing authority, and many leaders follow their unauthorized instruction. Consequently people are not happy.
- Pranava or omkara is the maha-vakya or maha-mantra in the Vedas. Sankaracarya's followers cover this to stress without authority the mantra tat tvam asi.
- Vedic knowledge or religion is disseminated by authorities like Sukadeva Gosvami because he is a humble devotional servitor of the Lord who has no desire to become a self-appointed interpreter without authority.
The Danger of Capricious Action
Acting whimsically, according to one's own mental concoction, is explicitly condemned in the Vedic literature. Śrīla Prabhupāda outlines that any action performed without the sanction of higher authority—whether it be the laws of the state or the laws of God—results in severe punishment and continued suffering.
- There are three considerations here: prescribed duties, capricious work, and inaction. Capricious work means actions without the sanction of authority, and inaction means not performing one's prescribed duties.
- Killing the body of anyone without authority is abominable and is punishable by the law of the state as well as by the law of the Lord.
- Whatever He is doing, that is all-good. This is one side. And whatever I am doing without authority's order, this is all bad.
- The man who is put into certain cell, he cannot change at his will without the superior authority. So Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita that don't try to change this cell, from this cell to that cell. That will not make you happy.
False Incarnations and Self-Appointed Leaders
Because the modern world lacks proper spiritual education, many imposters take advantage of the innocent public. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that individuals who falsely claim to be God, or disciples who attempt to usurp the position of ācārya without their spiritual master's order, create immense spiritual disturbances.
- There are now a number of self-made incarnations people follow without authority from the Vedic literatures, and there is regular competition between one incarnation's group and another's.
- The message by Paundraka to Krsna contained the following statements, "You have falsely taken the position of Vasudeva without authority, but You should not propagate this false idea. You must give up Your position."
- Just after his passing away, his leading secretaries made plans, without authority, to occupy the post of acarya, and they split into two factions over who the next acarya would be.
- If it was decided by vote that Hansadutta would select the president then Hansadutta is right. Without authority Hansadutta cannot change the election.
Conclusion
To achieve true perfection in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one must rigorously avoid the trap of mental speculation and independent behavior. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that anyone who attempts to practice spiritual life, disseminate mantras, or lead others without being properly authorized by the disciplic succession is merely a cheater creating a disturbance in society. Just as one must follow the rules of the state to live peacefully, a sincere devotee must submissively accept the directions of the śāstras and the spiritual master. By faithfully executing one's duties under strict authorized guidance, a soul becomes purified of all material illusions and successfully attains the supreme destination.
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 Without Authority. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.