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[[Category:Acarya]]

== Srimad-Bhagavatam ==

=== SB Canto 4 ===

'''The Lord says, ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān nāva-manyeta karhicit: one should not treat the spiritual master as an ordinary human being.'''

<span class="SB-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:SB 4.20.13|SB 4.20.13, Purport]]:''' The Lord helps us by giving us directions how to act in devotional service and thus advance on the path back home, back to Godhead. He instructs us outwardly in the form of the spiritual master. Therefore, one should not accept the spiritual master as an ordinary human being. The Lord says, acaryam mam vijaniyan nava-manyeta karhicit: one should not treat the spiritual master as an ordinary human being, for he is the substitute for the Supreme Personality of Godhead (SB 11.17.27). One should treat the spiritual master as the Supreme Personality of Godhead and never be envious of him or consider him to be an ordinary human being. If we follow the instruction of the spiritual master and execute devotional service to the Lord, we will remain always free from the contamination of bodily and material activities, and our life will be successful.

=== SB Canto 6 ===

'''Ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān: the Supreme Personality of Godhead says that one should respect the spiritual master, accepting him as the Lord Himself.'''

<span class="SB-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:SB 6.7.15|SB 6.7.15, Purport]]:''' A disciple should never be a hypocrite or be unfaithful to his spiritual master. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.17.27), the spiritual master is also called acarya. Acaryam mam vijaniyan: the Supreme Personality of Godhead says that one should respect the spiritual master, accepting him as the Lord Himself. Navamanyeta karhicit: one should not disrespect the acarya at any time. Na martya-buddhyasuyeta: one should never think the acarya an ordinary person. Familiarity sometimes breeds contempt, but one should be very careful in one's dealings with the acarya. Agadha-dhisanam dvijam: the acarya is a perfect brahmana and has unlimited intelligence in guiding the activities of his disciple.

'''Acāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān nāvamanyeta karhicit/ na martya-buddhyāsūyeta: the ācārya should always be offered respectful obeisances; one should never envy the ācārya, considering him an ordinary human being.'''

<span class="SB-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:SB 6.7.21|SB 6.7.21, Purport]]:'''  In a song we sing every day, Narottama dasa Thakura says, caksu-dana dila yei, janme janme prabhu sei: the guru gives spiritual insight to the disciple, and therefore the guru should be considered his master, life after life. Under no circumstances should the guru be disrespected, but the demigods, being puffed up by their material possessions, were disrespectful to their guru. Therefore Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.17.27) advises, acaryam mam vijaniyan navamanyeta karhicit/ na martya-buddhyasuyeta: the acarya should always be offered respectful obeisances; one should never envy the acarya, considering him an ordinary human being.

=== SB Canto 7 ===

'''Ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyāt [SB 11.17.27]. One should consider the ācārya to be as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.'''

<span class="SB-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:SB 7.15.26|SB 7.15.26, Purport]]:''' It is recommended that one honor the spiritual master as being on an equal status with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Saksad dharitvena samasta-sastraih. This is enjoined in every scripture. Acaryam mam vijaniyat [SB 11.17.27]. One should consider the acarya to be as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In spite of all these instructions, if one considers the spiritual master an ordinary human being, one is doomed. His study of the Vedas and his austerities and penances for enlightenment are all useless, like the bathing of an elephant. An elephant bathes in a lake quite thoroughly, but as soon as it comes on the shore it takes some dust from the ground and strews it over its body. Thus there is no meaning to the elephant's bath.

=== SB Canto 8 ===

'''The Lord says that one must worship the ācārya, who is the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.'''

<span class="SB-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:SB 8.16.23|SB 8.16.23, Purport]]:''' The Lord says that one must worship the acarya, who is the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead (acaryam mam vijaniyat [SB 11.17.27]). One should definitely understand this. In Caitanya-caritamrta it is said that the guru is the manifestation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, according to all the evidence given by the sastra and by the practical behavior of devotees, one must accept a guru. Aditi accepted her husband as her guru, so that he would direct her how to advance in spiritual consciousness, devotional service, by worshiping the Supreme Lord.

'''An ācārya who acts on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead should be understood to be as good as the Supreme Lord Himself.'''

<span class="SB-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:SB 8.24.46|SB 8.24.46, Purport]]:''' The representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead who acts to spread Krsna consciousness is also guided by the Supreme Lord to act properly in executing the Lord's order. Such a person may appear to be an ordinary human being, but because he acts on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme spiritual master, he is not to be neglected as ordinary. It is therefore said, acaryam mam vijaniyat [SB 11.17.27]: an acarya who acts on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead should be understood to be as good as the Supreme Lord Himself.

== Lectures ==

=== Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures ===

'''Dronacarya was everyone's teacher, acarya. Acarya means teacher. Acaryam upasangamya.'''

<span class="LEC-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 1.2-3 -- London, July 9, 1973|Lecture on BG 1.2-3 -- London, July 9, 1973]]:'''  Dronacarya was everyone's teacher, acarya. Acarya means teacher. Acaryam upasangamya [Bg. 1.2]. The military teacher. So Duryodhana, he was military teacher of the Pandavas also. When all of them were children, they were given under the instruction of Dronacarya. Dronacarya was brahmana, but he knew the military art.

'''Who knows things as they are. Ācāryaṁ māṁ puruṣa, one who is under the guidance of ācārya.'''

<span class="LEC-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 2.33-35 -- London, September 3, 1973|Lecture on BG 2.33-35 -- London, September 3, 1973]]:'''  Therefore Bhagavad-gita cannot be interpreted by foolish commentators. It must be studied through the parampara system, acarya upasanam. One must worship the acarya and learn from him what is Bhagavad-gita. Acaryavan puruso veda. This is the Vedic injunction. Who knows things as they are. Acaryam mam purusa, one who is under the guidance of acarya. So you won't find this foolish nonviolence theory from any acarya. Many acaryas have commented on Bhagavad-gita. There is Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, even Sankaracarya. But never said that Bhagavad-gita is proof of nonviolence. Nonviolence is good but when there is dharma-yuddha, righteous fighting, there is no question of nonviolence. Violence is approved.

'''All the Vaiṣṇavas, all the ācāryas, Gosvāmīs, they acted accordingly and preached. Therefore they are ācāryas. And Kṛṣṇa says, ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān nāva-manyeta karhicit. '''

<span class="LEC-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 7.9 -- Vrndavana, August 15, 1974|Lecture on BG 7.9 -- Vrndavana, August 15, 1974]]:''' So acarya, guru, representative, it is not difficult. Simply one has to become very, very sincere. One must undergo the simple tapasyas as prescribed in the sastras. Caitanya Maha... Yes. Haridasa Thakura. Apani acari prabhu jivere sikhaya. He was preaching also the glorification of chanting Hare Krsna by personal example; therefore he is accepted as guru. All the Vaisnavas, all the acaryas, Gosvamis, they acted accordingly and preached. Therefore they are acaryas. And Krsna says, acaryam mam vijaniyan nava-manyeta karhicit [SB 11.17.27]. These are the instructions.

'''Kṛṣṇa says: "ācārya, that is I am." Ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān nāvamanyeta karhicit. "Never try to neglect ācārya.'''

<span class="LEC-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 13.1-2 -- Paris, August 10, 1973|Lecture on BG 13.1-2 -- Paris, August 10, 1973]]:'''  Suppose you have given somebody power of attorney to do some business. So after finishing the business, if you see the paper, not very favorable, it has not been done very nicely, still you have to accept. Because your representative has signed it. Yes. Therefore yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah **. Krsna not satisfied, but if your guru is satisfied, then Krsna must be satisfied. This is Krsna's obligation. Because He has sent representative. Krsna has... acaryam mam vijaniyan [SB 11.17.27]. Krsna says: "acarya, that is I am." Acaryam mam vijaniyan navamanyeta karhicit. "Never try to neglect acarya. Navamanyeta. Neither think of acarya as ordinary person. Vedic injunction is one must approach understand all this subject matter.