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Qualifications of Guru:
He should act according to the scriptures:
One must act according to the scriptural injunctions and at the same time preach. One who does so is a
bona fide spiritual master. CC.Antya Vol II. pg.51-52
He should control his senses.
One who is able to control the urges of the words, mind, anger, the tongue, the stomach and the genitals is
qualified to give Spiritual instructions to the whole world. Rupa Gosvami, Upadesamrta.
A goswami or the bona fide representative of Sri Vyasadeva must be free from all kinds of vices. The four
major vices of Kali yuga are:
1.illicit connection with woman
2. animal slaughter
3. intoxication
4. speculative gambling of all kinds
A goswami must be free from all these vices before he can dare sit on a vyasasana... He should not only be
freed from such vices, but also be well versed II' all revealed scriptures or in the Vedas. SB 1
He should have thorough knowledge and realisation of scriptures:
One who desires the highest good must surrender to the guru, who has full knowledge of the sabda brahma
(scripture), who is fixed firmly at the lotus feet of bhagavan and who is free from all material agitation. SB
11.3.21.
That person who is able to grasp the essential meaning of the scriptures, and according to that, establishes
the proper mode of conduct in others and who follows that conduct himself is called acarya. Vayu Purana
The words tattva darsi refer to one who has perfectly realised the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such a
person can become a guru and propound vaisnava philosophy all over the world. SB 5.15.4
Personal realisation does not mean that one should, out of vanity, attempt to show one's own learning by
trying to surpass the previous acarya. He must have full confidence in the previous acarya, and at the same
time he must realise the subject matter so nicely for the particular circumstances in a suitable manner. SB.
1.4.1
He should be a Vaisnava, and devotee of Sri Krishna:
Even though person may be a learned brahmana expert in all the activities of the Veda and smrti sastra, and
may be skilful in the use of mantras, if he is not a vaisnava, he is not qualified to be a guru. That person who
is a vaisnava, even if he is born in a low family of dog eaters, should be considered guru. Padma Purana
A person may be a brahmana, sannyasi sudra or whatever but if he is well conversant in the science of
Krishna, he can become a guru. (CC Madhya 8.128)
If one poses himself as an acarya but (does hot have the attitude of servitorship to the Lord, he must be
considered an offender, and this offensive attitude disqualifies him from being an acarya. CcAdip.44
He should have compassion for all living entities:
This kind of serious interest in the welfare of the public makes one a bona fide acarya. An acarya does not
exploit his followers. Since the acarya is a confidential servitor of the Lord, his heart is always full of
compassion for humanity in its suffering. He knows that all suffering is due to the absence of devotional
service to the Lord and therefore he always tries to find ways to change peoples' activities, making them
favourable for the attainment of devotion. That is the qualification of an acarya.
He should be able to deliver and transform his disciples:
One is recognised by the result of his actions. In vaisnava society there are many types of vaisnavas. Some
of them are called swamis, some are prabhus, and some are Prabhupada. One is not recognised however
simply by such a name. A spiritual master is recognised as an actual guru when it is seen that he has
changed the character of his disciples. Cc Antya v. Ip.282
The following are principles characteristics of the spiritual master which are listed in Hari Bhakti
Vilasa:
He should be peaceful, fully in control of the senses and satisfied in the activities of devotional service.
He should be knowledgeable of the Vedas and know the conclusion of the scriptures.
He should be absorbed in worship of the Lord and chanting the Lord's name, and have deep faith in the
Lord.
He should always be anxious for the welfare of all living beings. He should exhibit all good qualities.
He should conduct himself according .to sad-acara, the rules mentioned in scripture. He should be
intelligent.
He should be steady.
He should be austere.
He should be truthful.
He should be sweet in speech, pleasant to look at clean in body and cloth, and youthful looking.
He should be expert at arguing with and defeating those opposed to devotional service.
He should be an expert judge.
He should be feel gratitude for services rendered to him.
He should be capable of both showing favour to and reprimanding another person.
He should be feel affection for his disciples
He should be completely free from envy, malice, violence, anger, laziness, and sinful activity.
The following characteristics should not be found in the spiritual master:
He should not desire wealth, fame or service from his disciples.
He should not have a desire for accumulating material objects.
He should not be attached to receiving things or hesitant to give things.
He should not delay in making decisions which must be made.
He should not eat too much.
He should not be prone to lying.
He should not be critical of the good qualities of others.
He should not absorb himself in talking about the sinful activities of others.
He should not associate with low characters - those who take intoxication, indulge in illicit sex
or criminal activities.