Category:Following in the Footsteps

Theme Analysis

The foundation of authentic spiritual advancement is the principle of anuśaraṇa, or strictly following in the footsteps of great authorities (mahājanas) and the previous ācāryas in the disciplic succession. According to Śrīla Prabhupāda, the human mind is prone to manufacturing whimsical, unauthorized paths of religion that inevitably lead to frustration. The Bhagavad-gītā clearly states that whatever standards a great personality sets, the common man will pursue. Therefore, instead of being misled by atheistic scientists, mundane philosophers, or pseudo-incarnations, a sincere seeker must accept the standard advice and follow the footprints of pure, liberated souls.

This process of following is fundamentally different from imitation (anukaraṇa). We cannot imitate the extraordinary pastimes of the Supreme Lord or the mystic powers of great demigods, but we can, and must, follow their instructions and their mood of devotion. For example, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement strictly follows in the footsteps of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His direct disciples, the six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana, by loudly chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, studying the Vedic literatures, and minimizing bodily demands. To understand the most confidential, intimate loving affairs of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, one cannot rely on mental speculation; one must strictly follow in the footsteps of the damsels of Vraja, the gopīs, who serve the Lord without any material motive.

The rewards of following this authorized path are immediate and supreme. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that it does not matter what one's previous condition was. Just as the former hunter became a perfect Vaiṣṇava by following Nārada Muni, or the prostitute was delivered by following Haridāsa Ṭhākura, anyone who humbly takes shelter of a bona fide spiritual master and follows in his footsteps will safely cross the dangerous ocean of Kali-yuga. By rejecting the paths of the impersonalists and fruitive workers, and by adopting the mood of great devotees like Prahlāda Mahārāja and Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, the conditioned soul is guaranteed to attain the supreme perfection of life.

• The Vedic Principle: Spiritual success is achieved not by mental speculation or manufacturing new paths, but by strictly following the footprints of the great mahājanas and ācāryas.
• Following vs. Imitating: A devotee must practice anuśaraṇa (following instructions and mood) rather than anukaraṇa (artificially imitating the actions of the Lord or empowered beings).
• The Standard of the Gosvāmīs: The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is based entirely on following the six Gosvāmīs through loud chanting, studying scripture, and renunciation.
• The Guarantee of Perfection: By humbly following a bona fide spiritual master and the previous authorities, even the most fallen souls can easily cross the ocean of material nescience.

• Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Following in the Footsteps - The Path of the Mahājanas.