Is A Physically Present Spiritual Master Required?

BY SWAMI B.S. TIRTHA MAHARAJ

Many seekers are confused in the matter of Initiation and of the role of the Spiritual Master in their devotional lives. Consequently, a lot of questions are asked on the meaning of the word INITIATION or DIKSHA and on how and from whom one should take initiation in order to progress in one's devotional life. A prominent question that has been doing the rounds for a fair number of days now is whether the physical presence of the Spiritual Master is really important or relevant as far as making progress on the devotional path is concerned. In the lines that follow, I am making a humble and honest attempt to eradicate the confusions that exist in the minds of would-be, fresh and existing devotees in relation to the above-mentioned questions.

First, let's try to decipher the meaning of the term DIKSHA as mentioned in the Vedic scriptures. The meaning of DIKSHA or Spiritual Initiation -

divyam jnanam yato dadyat
kuryat papasya sankshayam
tasmad dikseti sa prokta
desikais tattva-kovidaih

Translation: Learned scholars and seers of Truth call this process 'Initiation' because it imparts transcendental knowledge and eradicates gradually all sinful reactions.

'Di' means Divya jnanam, transcendental knowledge and 'Ksha' stands for sankshayam, to dissipate. Therefore the process of 'Diksha' enlightens one with spiritual knowledge and simultaneously dispels all reactions to past sins. This is the opinion of 'Desika', Vedic scholars qualified to instruct, direct and guide human society as well of 'Tattva-kovida', experts in the science of the Absolute Truth.

By Krishna's mercy when spiritual awakening takes place, the conditioned being must approach a spiritual teacher to take shelter of him by initiation for progressive march on the path of transcendence.

The Spiritual master in physical presence is required because he is a realized servant of Shri Hari. Only by humbly rendering service to him, we can gain perfect understanding of various spiritual pronouncements of revealed scriptures. Sometimes, we may not be able to comprehend the subtle nuances of statements in Vedic literatures even like Shrimad Bhagavatam because of our not being completely free from the infection of material nature which at times deludes one's intelligence.

One is normally heard arguing that it is "VANI" (advices and instructions of a spiritual teacher) rather than "VAPU" (his physical presence) that one should associate with in order to make spiritual advancement. This is, no doubt, true and valid but as long as one remains devotionally immature and has not achieved sufficient degree of realization which can ensure unimpeded progress to the point of highest perfection, one requires physical guidance of a spiritual teacher.

It is just like children, in their immature stage, require physical guidance by their parents even in petty matters whereas, as grown up adults they can carry on their life's activities by merely following the instructions of their parents.

Even in mundane situation, if one wants to obtain a graduation degree in science, commerce etc., he or she painstakingly learns the subject from a physically living teacher by going to school and college to regularly associate with him rather than merely relying on text books announced by Educational board authorities.

If learning through hearing subject matters explained by school/college teachers is considered essential, then what to speak of the inevitability of approaching physically present spiritual teachers for gaining transcendental knowledge? Generally speaking, it is the inherent obstreperous nature that often dissuades all conditional beings from accepting a living authority.

The Supreme Lords Krishna and Rama accepted Sandipani Muni and Vasishtha Rishi respectively as spiritual masters to set an example for us.

Shrila Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasadeva, the author of almost all Vedic literatures, himself once became perplexed and needed the guidance of his spiritual master Shrila Narada Muni who was physically present then to help detect the deficiency in his disciple and suggest a remedy which Shrila Vyasadeva followed diligently and attained highest perfection.

Elevated child devotees like Prahlada Maharaja and Dhruva Maharaja as well as the Emperor Chitraketu surrendered to Shrila Narada Muni who physically initiated them and imparted transcendental knowledge.

Although Shrila Shukadeva Goswami, the most eminent speaker of Shrimad Bhagavatam was transcendentally situated while he was in the womb of his mother, he nevertheless surrendered to his exalted father Shrila Vyasadeva and submissively learnt this sublime literature from him.

Both the Supreme Lords Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu took shelter of Shrila ISHVARA PURI and Shrila Madhavendra Puri respectively to show us the method of spiritual progress.

The most vivid example that none can fail to notice is that His Divine Grace A.C. Bhakti Vedanta Swami, Shrila Prabhupada got physically initiated by His Divine Grace Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Thakur, Shrila Prabhupada who himself accepted spiritual initiation physically from his spiritual master Shrila Gaur Kishore Das Babaji Maharaj.

All eminent Acharyas of the Vaishnava sampradaya like Shrila Madhva, Shrila Ramanuja, Shrila Nimbarka and Shrila Vishnu Swami as well as various others physically received spiritual initiations.

In conclusion, I must say that only in the rarest of the rare cases like that of GOPIS, the cowherd girls of Vrindavana, that we do not come across anywhere in the scriptures about their undergoing any ritualistic initiation although their achievement of the highest perfection in love of God remains unequalled or unexcelled till date. This is, of course, because they are all expansions of Shrimati Radha Rani.