# Inquiring from the Spiritual Master *The disciple must inquire submissively and hear attentively from the spiritual master.* ← Back to [[wiki/compile/spiritual-master-disciple|The Spiritual Master and the Disciple]] --- ## The Desire to Inquire Is Essential ### The desire to inquire from the spiritual master is essential ![[sb/1/6/2#purport|This desire to inquire from the spiritual master is an essential factor to the progressive path. This process is technically known as sad-dharma-pṛcchā]] —SB [[sb/1/6/2|1.6.2]] Purport --- ### The disciple of the spiritual master must be very inquisitive ![[sb/2/8/24#purport|Inquisitiveness on the part of a disciple is greatly necessary for the progressive disciple]] —SB [[sb/2/8/24|2.8.24]] Purport --- ### Without inquiring intelligently, one cannot make spiritual progress > It is not that we should blindly surrender, but we should be able to inquire with intelligence. Without inquiry, we cannot make advancement. In school a student who makes inquiries from the teacher is usually an intelligent student. —Rāja-vidyā: The King of Knowledge --- ## How to Approach the Guru ### How to accept a spiritual master—with humility and submissive inquiry > "I am born of a lower family," Sanātana said. "My associations are all abominable, and I am fallen, the most wretched of mankind.... Although I am what is known in the world as a great learned man, I am in fact so much of a fool that I myself even think that I am learned.... Now please tell me what my duty is in this liberated state." > > This is the process of accepting a spiritual master. One should approach a spiritual master, humbly submit to him and then inquire from him about one's spiritual progress. —Teachings of Lord Caitanya --- ### The disciple must be eager to inquire in a submissive attitude ![[sb/5/12/3#purport|A challenging spirit before the spiritual master should be avoided if one is at all interested in learning the Vedic instructions in depth]] —SB [[sb/5/12/3|5.12.3]] Purport --- ### Blind following and absurd inquiries are condemned ![[bg/4/34#purport|Both blind following and absurd inquiries are condemned. One should not only hear submissively from the spiritual master, but one must also get a clear understanding from him]] —Bg. [[bg/4/34|4.34]] Purport --- ## When to Approach a Spiritual Master ### One should approach a spiritual master only if anxious to inquire seriously ![[sb/1/19/37#purport|Unless one is perfectly anxious to inquire about the way of perfection, there is no necessity of approaching a spiritual master]] —SB [[sb/1/19/37|1.19.37]] Purport --- ### One should approach a bona fide spiritual master to inquire, not to follow fashion ![[sb/3/1/4#purport|A common man who has no interest in spiritual values has no need to approach a spiritual master just as a matter of following fashion]] —SB [[sb/3/1/4|3.1.4]] Purport --- ### One should search out a guru to learn about the Absolute Truth, not for material purposes > To receive Vedic knowledge, we must approach the proper *guru.* One should not accept a *guru* unless one is inquisitive to know the ultimate goal of life. An ordinary man interested in bodily comforts does not need a *guru.* A *guru* is one who knows the *Vedas* and the Vedic conclusion. —Teachings of Lord Kapila, the Son of Devahūti --- ## The Right of the Disciple to Ask ### It is the right of the disciple to ask about any confidential matter ![[sb/10/12/43#purport|A student and disciple has the right to ask the guru about any confidential service, and it is the duty of the guru to explain these confidential matters to his disciple]] —SB [[sb/10/12/43|10.12.43]] Purport --- ### For spiritual inquiries, one must approach a qualified spiritual master, not a layman ![[sb/3/10/2#purport|One must be confident about the qualifications of his teacher; one should not approach a layman for replies to specific spiritual inquiries]] —SB [[sb/3/10/2|3.10.2]] Purport --- ### A human being's only business is to inquire from a bona fide spiritual master ![[sb/4/25/5#purport|As stated in the Second Chapter of the First Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, a human being's only business is inquiring from a bona fide spiritual master about extrication from the entanglement of karma-bandha-phāṅsa]] —SB [[sb/4/25/5|4.25.5]] Purport