Category:Becoming Acarya
Theme Analysis
Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly warns against the ambition to become a spiritual master before attaining the necessary maturity and authorization. The analysis of these quotes reveals that the position of an ācārya is not a trophy to be won by political maneuvering or mundane votes, but a heavy responsibility borne by a "rigid student" of the Truth. There is a distinct danger in transgressing the etiquette of the disciplic succession; trying to become a master while one is still a neophyte or while one's own guru is present is described as a cause of falldown and "rascaldom."
- The Trap of Ambition: Śrīla Prabhupāda exposes the internal pollution of disciples who secretly desire, "After the demise of Guru, I shall become ācārya," noting that this mentality leads to fighting and degradation.
- Etiquette and Falldown: A specific warning is given regarding avamanya—disrespecting the spiritual master by attempting to supersede him. Prematurely assuming the role of an ācārya is a violation of spiritual law.
- Mundane Fabrication: The quotes dismiss the idea that an ācārya can be created by high-court decisions or corporate votes; a self-made ācārya who has not strictly followed the footsteps of the previous masters is simply a cheater.
- The Necessity of Maturity: True qualification comes from assimilation. One must first become a faithful servant and strictly follow the orders of the spiritual master; only when fully mature can one naturally take up the role.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Dangers of Prematurely Becoming an Ācārya.
Pages in category "Becoming Acarya"
The following 39 pages are in this category, out of 39 total.
A
- A disciple of Kali cannot become an acarya by the decision of some high-court. Mundane votes have no jurisdiction to elect a Vaisnava acarya. A Vaisnava acarya is self-effulgent, and there is no need for any court judgment
- A person who is a very rigid student of bona fide acarya, he becomes next acarya
- Acarati. Practically you have to behave; then you can preach. Otherwise you cannot become acarya. Acarya means one who practices the acara and then teaches. He is acarya
- Acarya means one who is speaking exactly the same instruction as Krsna has given. That is acarya. Not everyone becomes acarya
- Acarya's disciple becomes acarya when he assimilates the knowledge received from bona fide acarya. So he becomes bona fide to act as an acarya. Acarya means one who has become a rigid disciple of his acarya
- Advaita Acarya is the typical example how to become acarya. All are our acaryas: sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityananda, sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda. All of them are acaryas because they are following Caitanya Mahaprabhu
- Amongst my Godbrothers no one is qualified to become acarya. So it is better not to mix with my Godbrothers very intimately because instead of inspiring our students and disciples they may sometimes pollute them
- At heart, they were, "After demise of Guru, I shall become acarya," "I shall become acarya." So all the acaryas began fight
B
- Bhaktisiddhanta did not instruct a particular man to become the next acarya
- Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, at the time of his departure, requested all his disciples to form a governing body and conduct missionary activities cooperatively. He did not instruct a particular man to become the next acarya
F
H
- He (Guru Maharaja) never asked anybody to become acarya. He asked that, - You form a governing body of twelve men and go on preaching, and Kunja Babu may be allowed to remain manager during his lifetime
- He (Haridas Thakura) was apparently born in a family of Muhammadans, but because he was chanting the holy name of the Supreme Lord offenselessly, Lord Caitanya empowered him to become the authority, or acarya, of spreading the name
- He thought something rascaldom, and he is expressing that. Therefore he is more rascal. These things are going on. As soon as he reads some books, he becomes an acarya, whatever rascal he may be
N
- No body can claim to become a bona fide Acarya if he has not strictly followed the footprints of the previous Acaryas authorized in the matter
- None of them were advised by Guru Maharaja to become acarya. His idea was "Let them manage; then whoever will be actual qualified for becoming acarya, they will elect. Why I should enforce upon them?" That was his plan
- Not that anyone can become acarya. He must give explanation of the Vedanta-sutra, prasthana-traya. There is system
- Now people are coming to me, so I can become acarya. - That is avamanya. Navamanyeta karhicit. Don't transgress this etiquette. Navamanyeta. That will be falldown
S
- Simple thing. Big, big acaryas, they accepted Krsna as He is. And why shall I not accept? This is parampara system. If others have accepted Krsna as He tells, and they have become big, big acaryas, so what objection can be there from my part? What I am?
- So Krsna's upadesa is Bhagavad-gita. He's directly giving instruction. So one who is spreading krsna-upadesa, simply repeat what is said by Krsna, then you become acarya. Not difficult at all
- Sukadeva Gosvami is acarya. Vyasadeva is acarya. He's making the next acarya by teaching him - adhyapayam asa, sukam adhyapayam asa (SB 1.7.8) - so that he is becoming acarya. So we have to go the acarya and take lesson
- Sukracarya means jata-gosai: by semina they become acarya. The semina. That is the, in India, guru-vamsa. Guru-vamsa, guru meaning spiritual master, the spiritual master, vamsa. That is disciplic succession
- Suppose we are in a group, this, our International Society. If everyone becomes ruler or acarya, then how it can be managed? No. There must be some head. That is the principle in our practical life
T
- The pujaris allowed him (Bhaktivinoda Thakura) to bring the child before the Deity, and the child was placed before the Deity and a garland was offered by Jagannatha. So that was the first sign of his becoming the acarya
- There is no difference between the acaryas. Then how he becomes acarya if there is difference of opinion? They cannot be acarya
- They declared some unfit person to become acarya. Then another man came, then another acarya, another acarya. So better remain a foolish person perpetually to be directed by Guru Maharaja. That is perfection
- To become acarya is not very difficult. First of all, to become very faithful servant of your acarya, follow strictly what he says. Try to please him and spread Krsna consciousness. That's all. It is not at all difficult
- To mislead the people in general they (pseudo religionists) themselves become so-called acaryas, but they do not even follow the principles of the acaryas
W
- We are interested in preparing acarya, but the etiquette is, at least for the period the guru is present, one should not become acarya. Even if he is complete he should not
- When we are completely, cent per cent follower of acarya, then you can also act as acarya. This is the process. Don't become premature acarya. First of all follow the orders of acarya, and you become mature