# Hearing from the Spiritual Master *The importance of submissive hearing from the guru, sādhu, and śāstra.* ← Back to [[wiki/compile/spiritual-master-disciple|The Spiritual Master and the Disciple]] --- ## Hearing Is the Most Important Process ### The most important process is hearing from the guru, sādhu and śāstra ![[sb/10/2/37#purport|The most important process is hearing (śravaṇam) from the guru, sādhu and śāstra—the spiritual master, the saintly ācāryas and the Vedic literature]] —SB [[sb/10/2/37|10.2.37]] Purport --- ### By hearing from the perfect authority, one's knowledge is immediately perfect > Hearing is more important than directly studying or perceiving. If one is expert in hearing and hears from the right source, his knowledge is immediately perfect. This process is called *śrauta-panthā,* or the acquirement of knowledge by hearing from authorities. —Cc. [[cc/adi/16/52|Ādi 16.52]] Purport --- ### One should hear from a realized soul ![[bg/13/26#purport|If one is fortunate enough to take shelter of a pure devotee, hear from him about self-realization and follow in his footsteps, he will gradually be elevated to the position of a pure devotee]] —Bg. [[bg/13/26|13.26]] Purport --- ## Divine Consciousness Is Kindled by Hearing ### Divine consciousness is kindled by hearing submissively ![[sb/1/2/32#purport|As fire is kindled from wood by another fire, the divine consciousness of man can similarly be kindled by another divine grace]] —SB [[sb/1/2/32|1.2.32]] Purport --- ### The disciple should be very inquisitive to hear from the spiritual master ![[sb/3/22/7#purport|The favor of the spiritual master is not received through any other part of the body but the ears]] —SB [[sb/3/22/7|3.22.7]] Purport --- ### When a disciple hears spiritual subjects attentively, the spiritual master becomes very happy > When a student hears spiritual subjects attentively, the spiritual master becomes very happy. Kapiladeva was very happy to see His mother eager to understand spiritual subject matters. —Teachings of Lord Kapila, the Son of Devahūti --- ## The Seed of Devotion Is Watered by Hearing ### The seed of devotional service must be watered by hearing and chanting ![[cc/madhya/19/152#purport|One who has not properly heard from the spiritual master or who does not follow the regulative principles is not fit for chanting]] —Cc. [[cc/madhya/19/152|Madhya 19.152]] Purport --- ### If the disciple hears patiently, the guru will have mercy on him > All of us should hear him [the *guru*] patiently. If we listen to the transcendental sound without unnecessary opposition, he will surely have mercy upon us. —The Science of Self-Realization --- ## Results of Hearing from the Spiritual Master ### By hearing instructions from a liberated soul, the devotee is overwhelmed with transcendental ecstasy ![[sb/4/31/28#purport|This is the sign of associating with great devotees. A devotee takes instructions from a liberated soul and is thus overwhelmed by ecstasy from transcendental pleasure]] —SB [[sb/4/31/28|4.31.28]] Purport --- ### By hearing from a bona fide spiritual master, one gets knowledge, detachment and liberation ![[sb/4/22/26#purport|One must take shelter of a bona fide spiritual master and by his instruction increase one's knowledge in devotional service, become detached from the material world and thus become liberated]] —SB [[sb/4/22/26|4.22.26]] Purport --- ### By hearing of the Lord from a bona fide spiritual master, one can remember the Lord at death ![[sb/1/18/4#purport|This perfection of life is made possible by one who has learned the actual transcendental nature of the Lord from the Vedic hymns sung by a liberated soul]] —SB [[sb/1/18/4|1.18.4]] Purport --- ### One can glorify the Lord by having heard submissively from his spiritual master ![[sb/3/6/36#purport|This glorification of the Lord is not a product of research, but the result of hearing submissively from the authority of the spiritual master]] —SB [[sb/3/6/36|3.6.36]] Purport --- ### Scriptural knowledge heard from the bona fide spiritual master is scientific knowledge > Knowledge is scientific when it is gathered from the scriptures through the bona fide spiritual master, but when it is interpreted by speculation, it is mental concoction. —Teachings of Lord Caitanya