Category:Following in the Footsteps of the Predecessors
Theme Analysis
The fundamental secret to success in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the paramparā system, which strictly prohibits the invention of new spiritual methods. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava movement makes no new discoveries and manufactures no new philosophies; its sole duty is to present the Absolute Truth exactly as it was handed down by the predecessor ācāryas. Whether it is openly chanting the holy name like Haridāsa Ṭhākura, dividing one's income like Rūpa Gosvāmī, or carefully speaking the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam without capriciousness, true devotional cultivation (anuśīlana) means faithfully replicating the actions and teachings of those who came before. By remaining a humble puppet of the previous authorities and refusing to add or subtract anything from their instructions, a devotee keeps their spiritual strength intact and guarantees the success of their preaching despite any mundane criticism.
- The Principle of Paramparā: Vedic understanding requires receiving knowledge through the unbroken disciplic succession. A bona fide spiritual master never speaks anything outside of what was established by his predecessors.
- No New Discoveries: Unlike material science, spiritual science does not rely on innovation. Progress is made not by manufacturing concocted ideas, but by faithfully repeating the realized message of the predecessor ācāryas.
- Practical Cultivation: Following the predecessors is highly practical. It involves emulating specific examples, such as the Six Gosvāmīs' renunciation, Rūpa Gosvāmī's financial standard, and Haridāsa Ṭhākura's bold public chanting.
- The Guarantee of Success: By voluntarily acting as a puppet of the previous spiritual authorities, without adding or subtracting from their teachings, the movement's spiritual potency remains fully intact, ensuring victory over all criticism.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Guaranteeing Spiritual Success by Following in the Footsteps of the Predecessors.
Pages in category "Following in the Footsteps of the Predecessors"
The following 23 pages are in this category, out of 23 total.
A
- Actually Vedic understanding is to follow the footsteps of the predecessor acaryas, who understand things. Then our life will be successful. We'll understand
- As I am puppet of my Guru Maharaja, if you become my puppet, then that is success. Our success is there when we become puppet of the predecessor
I
- If we follow our predecessors, our Gosvamis, who were all ministers . . . But they came to Vrndavana to practice. What? Nidrahara-viharakadi-vijitau, to conquer over sleeping, eating and mating
- If you go on with your work sincerely, by following the footsteps of our predecessors, certainly our movement will be recognized by the people in general
- If you stick to the principle of following the footsteps of previous predecessor, evam parampara-praptam, don't add anything, don't subtract anything, present as it is and keep your spiritual strength intact, then the preaching will go on
- It is very difficult to understand the secret of Krsna consciousness, but one who advances by the instruction of the previous acaryas and follows in the footsteps of his predecessors in the line of disciplic succession will have success. Others will not
O
- One who knows the conclusion of the sastras, follows in the footsteps of his predecessors and endeavors to preach the bhakti cult all over the world is to be considered an acarya
- Our movement is increasing, all over the world in . . . in spite of all criticism. We don't care for that. Because we know that we are following the footsteps of predecessor acarya, that's all right. We don't mind
T
- The gosvamis do not deliver lectures on the Bhagavatam capriciously. Rather, they execute their services most carefully, following their predecessors who delivered the spiritual message unbroken to them
- The simplest thing for human beings is to follow their predecessors. Judgment according to mundane senses is not a very easy process. Whatever is awakened by attachment to one’s predecessor is the way of devotional service as indicated by Sri Caitanya
- The spiritual master is one who follows the instructions of his predecessors, namely the sadhus, or saintly persons. A bona fide spiritual master does not mention anything not mentioned in the authorized scriptures
- The spiritual path is to follow the footprints of predecessors, great acaryas who has realized. Then you become perfect. Not imitate, but to follow
- There are many different methods for people who want this, but cultivation of Krsna consciousness is different. The particular word used by Srila Rupa Gosvami in this connection is anusilana, or cultivation by following the predecessor teachers (acaryas)
- This is the way of the parampara system. If we follow the acaryas we attain the same benefit as our predecessors. If one follows the decisions of Arjuna, he should be considered to be directly hearing Bhagavad-gita from the Supreme Personality of Godhead
W
- We have no new discovery. We don't manufacture. This is our process. We simply follow the predecessor's instruction. That's all. Our movement is very easy because we haven't got to manufacture something
- We may try to follow the footprints of our predecessors. Srila Rupa Goswami used to distribute his money as follows: 50% for Krishna, 25% for relatives, and 25% for personal emergency expenditures. I think this is very nice
- We must be ready to undergo the prescribed devotional duties, following the path shown by the predecessors in the disciplic succession from Brahma, Narada and similar authorities
Y
- You are yourself authority. Now, if you say my views are not correct, I may be incorrect but I am following the predecessor
- You see the picture of Caitanya, we are following the same principles. This was being enacted five hundred years ago. The same principle we are following. We are not introducing anything new. We are simply following the footprints of our predecessors