Category:Following the Authorities
Theme Analysis
In Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the very definition of a disciple is rooted in discipline—specifically, the discipline of following authorized spiritual superiors without whimsical or independent questioning. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that because the Absolute Truth is highly confidential and mundane philosophers constantly contradict one another, mental speculation and debate can never lead to spiritual perfection. Instead, the Vedic injunction is mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ: one must simply follow the chalked-out path of the great authorities (mahājanas). Even the Supreme Lord, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, set the perfect example by constantly citing scriptural authority. By strictly adhering to the paramparā system rather than manufacturing new ideologies or superficially imitating the austerities of previous sages, a devotee is protected from bewilderment. Furthermore, just as anyone who accepts that two plus two equals four becomes an authority on mathematics, anyone who perfectly follows the spiritual authorities automatically becomes a spiritual authority themselves.
- The Necessity of Discipline: A true disciple follows their spiritual superiors without independent, whimsical questioning. Mental speculation, logical argument, and endless philosophical debate cannot solve the ultimate problems of life.
- Mahājano Yena Gataḥ Sa Panthāḥ: Because the Absolute Truth is deeply confidential and the scriptures are vast, the only safe and guaranteed way to understand Kṛṣṇa is to follow the footprints of the great authorities (mahājanas) in the paramparā system.
- Rejecting Concoction and Imitation: A sincere devotee follows scriptural instructions without manufacturing personal ideologies. They also learn to follow the footprints of great authorities without artificially imitating their severe, impossible austerities.
- The Science of Becoming an Authority: Just as a person who repeats the mathematical truth that two plus two equals four becomes an authority, a devotee who strictly repeats the teachings of the predecessor ācāryas naturally becomes an authorized representative of the Lord.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Understanding Kṛṣṇa by Strictly Following the Authorities.
Pages in category "Following the Authorities"
The following 52 pages are in this category, out of 52 total.
A
- As far as we are concerned, we follow the authority of Vyasadeva and Sukadeva Gosvami, who have described the universal situation according to the Vedic literature
- As the demigods follow Lord Brahma to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we also have to follow the authorities of the parampara system to understand the Lord
D
- Disciple means discipline. Without discipline there cannot be any spiritual progress. Therefore our system is to follow the authority or our superiors, no that we can independently question, not this is right and this is wrong. That is not the way
- During this age of Kali, people are more inclined to irreligious systems. Consequently these people will naturally deride Vedic authority, the followers of Vedic authority, the brahmanas, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the devotees
I
- I am also glad to note that you are making practice of keeping in mind various important verses from our scriptures. This is the approved process: to - follow in the footsteps of the great authorities in KC like Narada Muni and our other Acaryas
- I am not born in a brahmana family, neither I am old enough, educated. Still, I have to offer my prayers. So let me try to offer my prayers by following the authorities, anuvarnitena, without any," what is called, - doubt
- If we can keep our faith in an ordinary bank or a traveling agent, can we cannot keep our faith Krsna, who is accepted as the Supreme Personality of Godhead by all other big authorities. So we have to follow the footprints of great authorities
- In the Bhagavad-gita also the same process of understanding the Gita is stated in the Fourth Chapter. If one does not follow the authoritative version of the acaryas, he will vainly search after the truth mentioned in the Vedas
- In the scripture known as Brahma-yamala it is stated, "If someone wants to pose himself as a great devotee without following the authorities of the revealed scriptures, then his activities will never help him to make progress in devotional service"
- In this way - I defeat you; you defeat me - that will not solve the problem. The problem will be solved when we follow the authority. Anuvarnitena. Then the problems will be
- It is instructed in the sastras that one should follow the great authority and the infallible Lord without any personal motive and manufactured ideology
- It is instructed in the sastras the one should follow the great authority and the infallible Lord without any personal motive and manufactured ideology
- It is not always possible to have the same success as great personalities like Bhaktivinode Thakura achieved. So in all circumstances you should try to follow the footprints of authorities but never to imitate them
- It is not necessary for us to practice such severe austerities (like Dhruva Maharaja), but simply by following in the footsteps of Vedic authorities we also can see God eye to eye. This vision of God is the perfection of life
- It is the Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna who gives liberation. By thinking of His lotus feet at every second, following in the footsteps of authorities, the devotee in trance can see the Absolute Truth
- It is to be seen whether Lenin is perfect or Krsna is perfect. That is another thing, but you have to follow some authority
- It is up to you to accept the authority of Bhagavad-gita or authority of the Americans. That is your . . . we follow the authorities of Bhagavad-gita
- It is very difficult to find out the real path how to realize perfection of life, but it is advised that if you simply follow the footsteps of the great personalities, authorities, or their representatives, then you will be led to the perfectional stage
K
- Kunti is authority. How she has become authority? Because she has followed the authorities - Brahma, Narada, Svayambhu. Those who are strictly following the statements of the authorities, they are also authority
- Kuru karmaiva tasmat tvam. That is advice of Krsna to Arjuna that, "You follow the previous acaryas, previous personalities, authorities," just like svayambhur naradah sambhuh, I have already described
O
- Our principle is to follow the footprints of authorities. So these things are not unauthorized. These are being followed from time immemorial. This dress, this tilaka, this chanting. Everything
- Out of twelve authorities, Sukadeva Gosvami is authority. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah (CC Madhya 17.186). We have to follow the authority
S
- Samah sarvesu bhutesu means that every one of us, we are servant of God. That is ekatvam. Ekatvam anupasyati. Anu means always. Anu means following the authority
- Sastra says, krsnas tu bhagavan svayam (SB 1.3.28). So we have to follow these mahajana. Otherwise we cannot get the right knowledge. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah (Cc. Madhya 17.186). We have to follow great authorities
- Sukadeva Gosvami is one of twelve important spiritual authorities, and these are the authorities we must follow (mahajano yena gatah sa panthah) - CC Madhya 17.186
T
- That is the verdict of Vedic culture, to follow the authorities. Krsna also said in the Bhagavad-gita, tasmad sastra-pramanam te: "Whatever you do, you must follow the sastra." Otherwise it is not bona fide
- The actual truth of religion is very confidential. How can I know it? You just try to follow mahajana. Never mind if you follow Jesus Christ, you follow Krsna - but you follow the most authorized personality. That is wanted
- The authorities are mentioned in the sastra, who are authorities. So if we follow the authority, then we get the conclusion
- The fact is that the wisdom of the Absolute Truth is very confidential, but if we follow the authorities, it can be understood
- The scriptures are many varieties. Srutayor vibhinna nasau munir yasya matam na bhinnam. And every philosopher must differ with another philosopher. Therefore, mahajano yena gatah sa panthah: we have to follow the footprints of great authorities
- The Vedic injunction is that one cannot understand the Absolute Truth simply by mental speculation or logical argument. One has to follow the authorities
- These authorities should be followed if we want to approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead and understand the purpose of religious life. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah - CC Madhya 17.186
- They (monarchs) scrupulously followed the authoritative decisions of the saints and sages in terms of Vedic injunction
- They are authorities who know exactly what is God, or Krsna, and they can direct. Therefore sastra says you have to follow the authorities. Otherwise it is not possible
- This (verse SB 6.3.20) was explained by Yamaraja to his followers, that there are twelve authorities. So if one has to know the secret of spiritual realization, then one has to follow either of these twelve authorities
- To become authority is simply to follow the authority. If someone makes 2 plus 2 equal to 3 or 5, he is a rascal. That means he does not follow the authority and thus he fails to become himself an authority
W
- We are following in the footsteps of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It is not whimsical. You have to follow the authority in all circumstances
- We consider Him the incarnation of Krsna-Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He preached this (Hare Krsna). Therefore our principle is everyone should follow. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah (Cc. Madhya 17.186). We should follow the footprints of great authorities
- We have to follow the authorities. We cannot manufacture. There is no need of research work. Simply if we follow the chalked-out path given by the great authorities, that will help us
- We selected to chant this Hare Krsna mantra because Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the inaugurator of the sankirtana movement, He personally chanted this Hare Krsna. So we follow. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah (CC Madhya 17.186). We have to follow some authority
Y
- You are making some authorities. You're trying to follow. Even if you follow . . . That, the same example, just like Vivekananda was advocating daridra-narayana. First of all this is a concocted word. How Narayana can be daridra
- You cannot have so ecstasy by vibrating om, but because it was chanted by the greatest authority, Lord Caitanya, it has got special power. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah. The scriptures indicate that we have to follow the footprints of great authorities
- Your comment is well taken that you have little or no knowledge of the politics. So you remain uninvolved and just continue to simply follow the authorities and concentrate on improving the Deity worship