#Guru #SpiritualMaster #Bhakti #Disciple #RejectingGuru
Sometimes a disciple may have to reject his/her Guru, move on and take another Guru.
Regarding this principle, I have counseled many sincere, pure-hearted Krishna bhaktas who feel unhappy, frustrated, dissatisfied, and spiritually suffocated in their Guru-Shishya relationships.
They are confused and stuck; not knowing how to get out or improve their spiritual lives. Hopefully, the light of the sastric knowledge provided herein will help such surrendered souls find their true mentor—the sad guru—and again smile with the satisfaction produced from serving and loving a real spiritual teacher.
Citing various Gaudiya Vaisnava scriptures, this article will give eleven reasons for rejecting a Guru and taking another.
BHAKTI SANDARBHA
Quoting from Mahabharata (5.178.24) and Narada Pancharatra (1.10.20) in Bhakti Sandarbha (anu. 238), Sri Jiva Goswami says a disciple can reject a Guru (parityago vidhiyate) who:
1. Gives irrational guidance ie. speaks against the conclusions of Srimad Bhagavatam and other Gaudiya Vaisnava scriptures.
2. Is proud
3. Cannot explain the difference between right and wrong i.e. gives improper guidance.
4. Starts following a wrong path (utpatha-pratipannasya) due to bad association or the Guru becomes addicted to sinful life.
5. Is envious or antagonistic toward other Vaisnavas (vaishnava-vidveshi cet parityajya, BS anu. 238)
Tika Bhakti Sandarbha 238:
“If due to envy, a Guru forbids his disciple to associate with or serve an advanced devotee, the disciple should humbly bow and ask the Guru to retract that prohibition.
“But if the Guru still forbids him, the disciple should just take shelter of Krishna and continue serving his Guru from a distance without abandoning him or behaving inimically toward him.
“If some instruction of Sri Guru is inconsistent with sastra, the disciple should leave his Guru’s association [and take association of a sastric Guru], and serve his diksha Guru only from a distance.
“If the Guru slanders or becomes hostile toward Vaisnavas, he is not qualified to be a Guru and should be abandoned immediately.
“A Guru attached to sense enjoyment, ignorant of right and wrong and deviated from the bhakti marga should be abandoned because he is not a Vaisnava.” (Guru Tattva Vijnana, Sri Ananta Dasji Maharaja)
UNIQUE REASON FOR REJECTING GURU:
6. Not satisfied with Guru.
This most amazing point is discussed by Sri Jiva Goswami in Bhakti Sandarbha (anu. 207.1-4). First Sri Jiva says one cannot reject his diksha Guru. And then he says, ‘Well, Yes you can reject your Guru in this particular circumstance’:
Sri Jiva Goswami said, “One may accept only one diksha Guru as described in (SB 11.3.48). The disciple is not allowed to reject his diksha Guru.
“However, IF ONE’S GURU IS NOT SATISFACTORY,
ONE SHOULD REJECT HIM
AND ACCEPT ANOTHER GURU, tad-aparitoshenapy anyo guruh kriyate tat aneka guru karane purva-tyaga eva siddhah. In this way one may reject many (aneka) unsatisfactory spiritual masters.”
The key word here is apari toshen which means “dissatisfied or displeased with” one’s Guru. However, one must understand that rejecting a Guru is a serious matter.
It should only be done after deep deliberation and personal realization, discussion with learned devotees, and meeting with one’s Guru if possible.
Here Sri Jiva Goswami gives what seems like a simple, innocent reason for leaving one’s Guru; just plain dissatisfaction.
For many different reasons, excluding the serious one’s mentioned above, a disciple may just not feel happy about his Guru, his spiritual progress, future prospects, and his life in general in relation with a particular Guru.
If that’s so, then it’s time to move on and accept another Guru. Acharyas say that when one receives a new diksha from another Guru, then the prior Guru’s diksha and relationship are automatically cancelled without incurring any aparadha, offense or negative reaction.
In this regard, one Guru commented after giving diksa to two unsatisfied disciples of a another Guru, “If it’s not working out—it is not working out. You just have to move on to make spiritual progress.”
Continuing with quotations regarding rejecting the Guru who:
HARI BHAKTI VILASA
In Hari Bhakti Vilasa, Sri Sanatana Goswami says a disciple may reject a Guru who:
7. Is unqualified due to poor shastric knowledge, and thus incapable of answering a disciple’s questions on sastra which leaves the disciple doubtful and unsatisfied.
KRISHNA BHAJANAMRITA
In Krishna Bhajanamrita (v. 17-18), Sri Narahari Sarakara Thakura (an eternal associate of Gaura-Govinda), says a disciple may reject a Guru who:
8. Is ignorant about the position of Krishna and has misconceptions about the truth.
9. Does not accept Krishna’s pastimes, imitates Krishna or calls himself God.
JAIVA DHARMA
In Jaiva Dharma (chapter 20), Sri Bhaktivinoda Thakura says a disciple can reject a Guru who:
10. Opposes Vaiṣṇava philosophy and practice.
11. Was prematurely accepted without careful examination. And as a result, the disciple sees that all his sadhana efforts are not producing the desired result.
According to sastra, a disciple may reject a Guru who meets the above criterion without seeking his permission or agreement. The Guru and disciple may also part company by mutual consent and thus dissolve their relationship.
A genuine Guru always desires the best for his disciple, and thus he will not block or prevent the disciple’s spiritual progress. But rather Sri Guru will compassionately bless the disciple in his/her forward march to the lotus feet of Radha Govinda Yugala.
Conclusion:
The Vedas describe that for various good reasons, including personal dissatisfaction, disciples have been rejecting their Gurus for millions of years!
The Puranas, Mahabharata, Srimad Bhagavatam, Sandarbhas and Gaudiya Vaisnava acharyas discuss the unfortunate condition wherein a disciple must abandon, leave or reject a Guru.
The Bhagavatam Eight Canto describes how Bali Maharaja rejected his Guru, Shukracarya, because Guruji preached against Sri Vishnu in the form of Vamanadeva. Thus rejecting the Guru is not a new practice. Sometimes it must be done in order to save one’s spiritual life. Again, I repeat this is a grave matter not to be taken lightly.
Deep thought, sastric study, counsel of the wise, personal realization, and intense prayers to Sri Krishna will give the guidance and direction a sincere devotee needs to carry on in progressive, happy, and successful Krishna consciousness.
Sad Guru ki jai! Happy, fulfilled and enlivened disciples ki jai! Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe!
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