Diksa guru as personal spiritual guide

On 20 May 1999, Samba das wrote:

> Why should all new devotees have to listen wistfully to the stories of
> Prabhupadas disciples, as they relate stories about that warm, loving
> personality who walked amongst us, why should they not have a chance to meet
> a loving impartial Krsna loving pure soul?


Many of us were there when Srila Prabhupada was "here" and we did not get a
chance to associate with him on a personal level like Sruta Kirti, Hari Sauri,
etc., etc. But I have always loved hearing from them about their personal
relations with Srila Prabhupada. If Srila Prabhupada came back right now I
would be hiding in the back row anyway.



> Ok you will argue that we dont need pure devotees because we have Srila
> Prabhupadas books.


Ultimately, its true. If no others come Srila Prabhupada can prove sufficient
for these needs.

Through much of my rhetoric, I hope you don't think I would not love to have a
pure devotee among us right now. I just want a PURE pure devotee if you know
what I mean? And I think Srila Prabhupada left us with all the ingredients to
develop our own pure devotees - his siksa/books and varnasrama-dharma. We just
have to start cooking the ingredients together!


> Would you give up Srila PRabhupadas Physical association
> to read a book?


No. I long to be "with him". My nonsense keeps me away, I know it. I need
varnasrama-dharma to help me feel comfortable being up close and personal with
him. If I never get the chance, though, I will still love to hear from my
godbrothers about their dealings with him.


> So why should others NOT pray for a pure devotee. Is it such
> a bad idea?

Great idea. But wouldn't it be better if we made a concerted effort to work
together in varnasrama-dharma and create a "pure devotee factory"?