Transcendental Nectar of Sadhu-Sanga

by

Sripad Bhakti Madhava Puri Maharaja, Ph.D.

Bhaktivedanta Institute

You may go to the market and find only tainted ghee. That does not mean that pure ghee does not exist. Tainted ghee may be purchased cheaply, but the pure thing may be more costly. Still we cannot say that because it is very costly difficult to find, it does not exist.

Sastra has given the method for approaching God through His pure devotee or bonafide guru. Such a Mahabhagavat may not be so easily found in the common marketplace of human acquaintences, yet this does not mean that such purified souls do not exist in this world. If that were the case, then the scriptures would be giving false advice, and genuinely sincere souls would have no way to fulfill their highest aspiration for knowing, loving and serving God.

Those who thoughtlessly and contemptuously deny all possibility of such great souls, blaspheme those who actually do exist in this world. By such blasphemy they condemn themselves and others to a lower life of darkness and ignorance.

The authentic ambassadors of divinity bestow their purifying mercy upon all who humbly come to them giving them the genuine respect and honor they truly deserve. That proper mood is explained in Bhagavad-gita (4.34)

tad viddhi pranipatena
pariprasnena sevaya
upadekshyanti te jnanam
jnaninas tattva darshanah

Krishna says to Arjuna, "You will be able to attain knowledge by satisfying the divine master with submission, relevant inquiry, and sincere service. The enlightened souls who are learned in scriptural knowledge and endowed with direct realization of the Supreme Absolute Truth will impart divine knowledge to you."

It is unfortunately true that some unscrupulous men take these words of the scriptures and utilize them for the illicit exploitation of the innocent. Still, if one is sincere and intelligent enough he will never be cheated by such persons, because the Lord is situated within the hearts of all living entities and directs them to the proper teacher when the student is ready.

Now consider, for example, that scientists have discovered atomic energy, which is very powerful. A very small mass is equivalent to a very large amount of energy according to Einstein's law, E = m × c², because the mass is multiplied by c² = speed of light squared, which is an exceedingly large number. Now this conversion of mass to energy can be used to destroy an entire city or to provide electricity to light it. Atomic energy itself is not to be blamed for its misuse, only the unscrupulous persons who would abuse its power are the responsible party.

The role that Krishna has given to His pure devotee to provide a means for the conditioned souls to get liberation from the illusion that creates material entanglement, may also be seen to be of ultimate benefit in the proper hands, but abusive in the hands of those who are improperly qualified.  Therefore, it is required that everyone receive proper scientific education in the principles of spiritual life, basic knowledge of the scriptures, and the qualities of self-realized souls. This basic knowledge can be learned from the study of Bhagavad-gita by the guidance and grace of a bonafide spiritual preceptor.

Ultimately, only those with proper sukriti (merit) will be directed to the proper source to receive proper knowledge. Thus it all depends on our sincerity and good fortune, and the grace of God. Anyone can develop that sukriti in their lives by knowingly or unknowingly serving a pure devotee of the Lord. Improper dealing with such devotees can also result in dreadful karmic reaction. Therefore no one should live their life in wanton disregard for discriminating and intelligent action through body, mind or word.