Guest guest Report post Posted July 6, 2006 Prabhupad (purport to CC 1.1.47) Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī is the ideal spiritual master, for he delivers one the shelter of the lotus feet of Madana-mohana. Even though one may be unable to travel on the field of Vṛndāvana due to forgetfulness of his relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he can get an adequate opportunity to stay in Vṛndāvana and derive all spiritual benefits by the mercy of Sanātana Gosvāmī. Śrī Govindajī acts exactly like the śikṣā-guru (instructing spiritual master) by teaching Arjuna the Bhagavad-gītā. He is the original preceptor, for He gives us instructions and an opportunity to serve Him. The initiating spiritual master is a personal manifestation of Śrīla Madana-mohana vigraha, whereas the instructing spiritual master is a personal representative of Śrīla Govindadeva vigraha. Both of these Deities are worshiped at Vṛndāvana. Śrīla Gopīnātha is the ultimate attraction in spiritual realization. Literal translation of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati's Anubhashya: The initiating spiritual master, represented by Sanatan Goswami, brings us to Madana Mohan’s lotus feet. To those jivas who are unable to tread Vraja's paths due to forgetfulness of the Lord, he gives the awareness that the Lord’s lotus feet are all in all. The siksha guru, represented by Srila Rupa Goswami, bestows the qualifications to serve (sevädhikära) the lotus feet of Sri Govinda and his dear devotees. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
raga 0 Report post Posted July 6, 2006 I'm assuming this discovery is born of search for the "three thakurs" philosophy. Did you ever manage to track it down to any older sources? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
