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Only a mahabhagavata (exalted devotee of God) who has no worldly possession or attachment, and who has sincerely surrendered himself to Krsna and exclusively serves Him twenty-four hours a day can legitimately occupy the acarya’s seat.

One who does not stay constantly engaged in hari-bhajana (devotional service to Sri Hari) will be anxious to take up other engagements on the strength of sri-nama and will thus risk committing the severe aparadha, or offence, of utilizing sri-nama in sinful affairs. Moreover, one who acts in the capacity of guru for a salary or according to a contract cannot be a guru, nor can one who reads the Srimad-Bhagavatam blindly. First of all, refrain from approaching such professional priests and platform-speakers. Observe whether or not they fully devote their time to Srimad-Bhagavatam. For one who is steeped or accomplished in realization of Parabrahma, one’s full time is occupied with service to God.

The srutis instruct us, “one who seeks true knowledge of tat – that Supreme Being – should gather the necessary articles for initiation and approach a guru who is conversant in the Vedas and steeped in realization of Brahman – the Supreme Spirit” (Mundaka Upanisad 1.2.12). This instruction has also been given in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.3.21): “One who seeks his highest well-being should surrender himself to a guru who is well-versed in the imports of the Vedas, who has full realization of Parabrahma and who has thereby become the shelter of true peace.” Neither platform-speakers, who are but skilled in giving speeches, yet who conduct themselves improperly, nor professional priests can be gurus.

The singular emphasis upon raganuga-sadhana, a type of devotional practice reserved for those who have already reached a high level of bhakti, is directly opposed to the instructions given by Srila Prabhupada, who warns that such an emphasis will result in sahajiyaism. Some devotees give extended discourses about the confidential pastimes of Radha Krishna and the gopis. Such talks are given to anyone who may be present, including the newcomers. Did Srila Prabhupada ever dwell on these topics at length or make them the basis of his preaching? Quite the contrary, Prabhupada stressed the fact that Lord Chaitanya Himself would discuss such subjects only behind closed doors and only with one or two of His most advanced followers. Yet nowadays it is not uncommon to hear even newly initiated followers speaking freely on these topics following the wrong example of their superiors.

Srila Prabhupada said on June 23, 1976, "First of all try to rectify it, and then talk of svarupa (one’s eternal identity) Where is your svarupa? Simply wasting time. A man is diseased, he's thinking, "When I shall be cured I shall eat, go to this hotel, I shall eat like this". First of all cure, and then talk of eating this and that. Svarupa, when you are cured, that is svarupa. So long you are not cured, what is the use of talking svarupa? First business is cure yourself. Anartha-nivrtti, that is anartha-nivrtti. Then svarupa will come". What does Srila Rupa Goswami say? In the Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 16, the following statements sound almost like a forecast of the present problem: "Spontaneous love of Krishna as exhibited by the Vrishnis and the denizens of Vrindavana is eternally existing in them. In the stage of devotional service where regulative principles are followed, there is no necessity of discussing this love, for it must develop of itself at a more advanced stage". What does Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur say? “Rasa is not a part of sadhana. Therefore if somebody says: ‘Come, I will teach you rasa’, then it will be his wickedness or foolishness. Rasa is not the subject of knowledge but of taste. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur became extremely grave and he answered; "It is not helpful for a conditioned soul to meditate upon the asta kaliya lila (the eight fold daily pastimes) of Sri Sri Radha Krishna because one who is unqualified will commit aparadhas".

"In brahminical culture a brahmana's transcendental position is eternally maintained because the injunctions of the Vedas are accepted with faith, austerity, scriptural conclusions, full sense and mind control, and meditation. In this way the real goal of life is illuminated, just as one's face is fully reflected in a clear mirror." (SB 4.21.42)

"The brahmanas and Vaisnavas are personally glorified by their characteristic powers of tolerance, penance, knowledge and education. By dint of all these spiritual assets, Vaisnavas are more powerful than royalty. It is therefore advised that the princely order not exhibit its material prowess before these two communities and should avoid offending them." (SB 4.21.37) "By regular service to the brahmanas and Vaisnavas, one can clear the dirt from his heart and thus enjoy supreme peace and liberation from material attachment and be satisfied. In this world there is no fruitive activity superior to serving the brahmana class, for this can bring pleasure to the demigods, for whom the many sacrifices are recommended." (SB 4.21.40)

"Among human beings, the society which is divided according to quality and work is best, and in that society, the intelligent men, who are designated as brahmanas, are best. Among the brahmanas, one who has studied the Vedas is the best, and among the brahmanas who have studied the Vedas, one who knows the actual purport of Veda is the best. "Better than the brahmana who knows the purpose of the Vedas is he who can dissipate all doubts, and better than him is one who strictly follows the brahminical principles. Better than him is one who is liberated from all material contamination, and better than him is a pure devotee, who executes devotional service without expectation of reward." (SB 3.29.31-32)

"Manu replied: To expand himself in Vedic knowledge, Lord Brahma, the personified Veda, from his face created you, the brahmanas, who are full of austerity, knowledge and mystic power and are averse to sense gratification." (SB 3.22.2)

"When the doormen of Vaikunthaloka, who were certainly devotees of the Lord, found that they were going to be cursed by the brahmanas, they at once became very much afraid and fell down at the feet of the brahmanas in great anxiety, for a brahmana's curse cannot be counteracted by any kind of weapon." (SB 3.15.35) "O Lord, You are the supreme director of the brahminical culture. Your considering the brahmanas to be in the highest position is Your example for teaching others. Actually You are the supreme worshipable Deity, not only for the gods but for the brahmanas also." (SB 3.16.17)

"The brahmanas were not only given well-fed cows in charity, but also gold, gold coins, bedding, clothing, animal-skin seats, blankets, horses, elephants, girls and sufficient land for maintenance." (SB 3.3.27)

"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness--these are the natural qualities by which the brahmanas work." (BG 18.42) "If the kingly administrative order, being unrestricted in sense control, offends the brahmana order and enrages them, then the fire of that rage burns up the whole body of the royal family and brings grief upon all." (SB 1.7.48)

Also spelled brahmin or brahman ("possessor of Brahma"), highest ranking of the four varnas. The study and recitation of the sacred scriptures and scholarship is traditionally reserved for them. Brahmanas act as advisors and ministers of ruling chiefs. Their traditional position is as priests, ministering both in temples and at domestic rites. The brahmana family priest (purohita) officiates at weddings, funerals, and other ceremonial occasions. The purity of the brahmanas is maintained through the observance of numerous restrictions, many of which relate to diet and contact with lower castes. Most brahmanas are strictly vegetarian and must abstain from certain occupations. They may not plow or handle any impure material, such as leather or hides, but they may farm and do such agricultural work as does not violate these specific restrictions. They may also accept employment as domestic servants; many well-to-do Hindus have brahmana cooks, who are valued because members of all castes may eat the food that they prepare.

740524r2.rom Conversations with Srila Prabhupada … “Yes, naturally. If this man is fed up with this industry, he can go back to village and produce his own food. But he is attached to this industrial activity because he is thinking that “We are getting more money for wine and woman and meat. Let me enjoy.” That is the perfect, imp… But if he chants Hare Krsna maha-mantra, his consciousness will be purified and he will be made not interested this kind of work. He will go back to village and produce food.”

When he gets purified by chanting Hare Krishna Mantra:

so cool!

Srila Prabhupada says our original farm acharya is Sri Balaramaji. He has a plow on His shoulder

by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada Who is the true Guru? It is he who is constantly engaged in the service of Sri Hari. And who is the truly learned man? It is he who, in the words of Sri Krsna, is well conversant with actual knowledge of the jiva’s bondage and his deliverance from it (cf. Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.19.41). We should only accept as our guru he who employs all of his time, cent per cent, in God’s service. Otherwise we will fail miserably by following him. Sri Caitanya-caritamrta has instructed us: “A true guru teaches his disciple through his own behaviour and practice. He cannot teach dharma who does not abide by it himself.”

"First, the prospective devotee develops śraddhā or faith. Śraddhā means to have firm trust in the import of the scriptures dealing with bhakti. It also means to have a genuine desire to enthusiastically undertake the activities (sādhana) described in those scriptures. These two types of faith may be either natural (svabhāviki) or being convinced by the preaching of another (balutpadita)." (from "Mādhurya Kadambinī" by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Thākura)