# Other Instructions on the Disciple *Additional important teachings for the disciple.* ← Back to [[wiki/compile/spiritual-master-disciple|The Spiritual Master and the Disciple]] --- ## The Disciple Must Be Obedient ### The order of the spiritual master is the active principle in spiritual life > The order of the spiritual master is the active principle in spiritual life. Anyone who disobeys the order of the spiritual master immediately becomes useless. —Cc. [[cc/adi/12/10|Ādi 12.10]] --- ### Disciples who do not follow the order are useless because they have no authority > The words *daivera kāraṇa* indicate that by dint of Providence, or by God's will, the followers of Advaita Ācārya divided into two parties. Some of the disciples strictly accepted the orders of the *ācārya,* and others deviated, independently concocting their own opinions under the spell of *daivī māyā.* > > ... Persons who strictly follow the orders of the spiritual master are useful in executing the will of the Supreme, whereas persons who deviate from the strict order of the spiritual master are useless. —Cc. [[cc/adi/12/9|Ādi 12.9]] Purport --- ### To test who is a useful disciple, one must measure his activities > Paddy is mixed with straw at first, and one must fan it to separate the paddy from the straw. > > PURPORT: In the case of the Gauḍīya Maṭha members, one can apply a similar process. There are many disciples of Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, but to judge who is actually his disciple, to divide the useful from the useless, one must measure the activities of such disciples in executing the will of the spiritual master. —Cc. [[cc/adi/12/12|Ādi 12.12]] Purport --- ## The Principle Must Be Observed Rigidly ### The principle of very rigidly carrying out the orders must be observed > The principle of very rigidly carrying out the order of the spiritual master must be observed. The spiritual master gives different orders to different people.... All Six Gosvāmīs strictly followed the instructions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. This is the principle for progress in devotional service. After receiving an order from the spiritual master, one must strictly try to execute the order. That is the way of success. —Cc. [[cc/antya/6/312|Antya 6.312]] Purport --- ### Lord Caitanya taught by example that the disciple must carry out the instructions without deviation > Śrī Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Mahārāja comments in this connection, "One can become perfectly successful in the mission of his life if he acts exactly according to the words he hears from the mouth of his spiritual master." This acceptance of the words of the spiritual master is called *śrauta-vākya,* which indicates that the disciple must carry out the spiritual master's instructions without deviation. —Cc. [[cc/adi/7/77|Ādi 7.77]] Purport --- ## The Disciple Can Receive the Spiritual Master's Mercy ### The disciple can receive and execute the orders sincerely when he keeps aloof from bodily activities ![[sb/4/20/13#purport|One can fully remain in intimate connection with the Supreme Lord directly or receive orders from His bona fide representative the spiritual master and execute the orders sincerely when one keeps aloof from the activities of the body]] —SB [[sb/4/20/13|4.20.13]] Purport --- ### The spiritual master is naturally victorious in an argument with the disciple > Brahmānanda Bhāratī admitted that when there is an argument between the spiritual master and the disciple, the spiritual master is naturally victorious, although the disciple may put forward a strong argument. In other words, it is customary that the words of the spiritual master are more worshipable than the words of a disciple. —Cc. [[cc/madhya/10/175|Madhya 10.175]] Purport --- ## Success Through the Paramparā ### The success of ISKCON is based on strict faith in the order of the spiritual master > The secret of success in advancement in spiritual life is the firm faith of the disciple in the orders of his spiritual master.... The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is being propagated according to this principle, and therefore our preaching work is going on successfully, in spite of the many impediments offered by antagonistic demons, because we are getting positive help from our previous *ācāryas.* —Cc. [[cc/adi/12/8|Ādi 12.8]] Purport --- ### To execute the order of the spiritual master is the essence of favorable Kṛṣṇa consciousness > As far as possible, one has to execute the order of one's spiritual master. That will enable one to progress. That is the essence of the favorable execution of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. In my old age, I have come to America, and I am trying to teach Kṛṣṇa consciousness because my spiritual master gave me an order that I must do it. It is my duty. —The Science of Self-Realization --- ### One who follows the direction of the Supreme Lord attains perfection ![[bg/18/58#purport|The Supreme Personality gives directions as to what is good and what is bad, and one simply has to act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness to attain the perfection of life]] —Bg. [[bg/18/58|18.58]] Purport