A. C. Bhaktivedanta
Quotes
A renowned spiritual leader and philosopher who established a global mission to promote the chanting of Hare Krishna and the teachings of ancient Indian scriptures. He emphasized a life centered on devotion, humility, and service, advocating bhakti-yoga as a universal path to spiritual realization. Through his translations and commentaries on texts like the Bhagavad Gita, he made the wisdom of Krishna consciousness accessible to people worldwide, inspiring a movement rooted in the practice of Hare Krishna devotion.
By the grace of the spiritual master the cloud of the mercy of the Personality of Godhead is brought in, and then only, when the rains of Krishna consciousness fall, can the fire of material existence be extinguished.
In the last stage of the spiritual master's life, the devotees of the spiritual master should take preaching activities into their own hands. In this way the spiritual master can sit down in a solitary place and render nirjana-bhajana.
It is imperative that one approaches a spiritual master, for by such association one proportionately develops his consciousness towards the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Spiritual master is representative of God. Similarly, king is also representative of God. The father is also representative of God. These are the statements of the sastras. Because they will guide. The king will guide. The spiritual master will guide. The father will guide. What is that guidance? That guidance is how one can become Krishna Conscious by education, by culture.
One must execute devotional service under the guidance of a devotee or directly under the guidance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is not possible, however, to train oneself without guidance from the spiritual master.
