References to how misrepresentation and self-interest can infiltrate into the Krishna consciousness movement and how any genuine transcendentalist must spot these deviations and reject them.

Quotes that describe the fundamental deviations still present in the institutional delusions which are considered by some to represent the Krishna consciousness movement.

On the concoction that one can accept initiation from a spiritual master who is not physically manifest or departed.

See next section also.

On the qualifications of the genuine spiritual master, as well as the necessity of accepting, and sincerity needed for contacting such a bona fide representative of the Lord. Also included are remarks pertaining to the root causes of accepting an unfit person as spiritual master.

Quotations relevant to wild card gurus, institutional gurus, as well as "reformed" gurus.

Dire consequences for those who would mislead others in the name of Krishna consciousness, those that follow such misleaders, and those who imitate misleaders.

Quotations that conclusively establish that the origin of the living entity (jiva) is in the spiritual world as opposed to the brahmajyoti.

Quotes which establish that, in the absence of a bona fide spiritual master, one can make advancement to the higher levels of devotional service by the mercy of the book bhagavat.

Quotes concerning Srila Prabhupada's godbrothers.

The bona fide diksa guru and siksa guru are both guru, not conditioned souls.

In the name of love, cooperation and unity, on the dangers of ignoring contradiction. Also included here is sastric support for this type of presentation of the Krishna consciousness philosophy.

If every time someone feels something they call for changing everything, THEN ALL THAT I HAVE DONE WILL VERY QUICKLY BE LOST. - Letter to: Hamsaduta--Sydney, 2 April, 1972

Unfortunately, when the acarya disappears, rogues and nondevotees take advantage and immediately begin to introduce unauthorized principles ......The acarya, the authorized representative of the Supreme Lord, establishes these principles, but WHEN HE DISAPPEARS, THINGS ONCE AGAIN BECOME DISORDERED. - Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.28.48, purport

Srila Prabhupada: There was a movement, Moral Rearmament Movement, started from America.
Hansaduta: What was the name of it?
Srila Prabhupada: MRA, MRA, Moral Rearmament Movement. Do you know, anyone of you?
Hansaduta: No. Do you, Satsvarupa? No.
Srila Prabhupada: So it was going on for some years, then collapsed. The movement was started by some priest or gentleman, and it was supported by President Eisenhower. It was patronized by him. So their principle was that, Christian principle, that "You do whatever you... Simply confess. Simply confess." (break) So that man came to India also with his party, just like I travel. (break)
Now, what about our movement? It will stay or it will also go like that?
Satsvarupa: (earnestly) It will stay.
Srila Prabhupada: Huh?
Satsvarupa: (earnestly) It will stay, we already have another generation coming up in Gurukula.
Srila Prabhupada: (softly) Hare Krishna.(break)
Satsvarupa: (soberly) The big danger, you say, is faction.
Srila Prabhupada: Hummm. (silence)(break)
- Morning Walk--June 19, 1974, Germany

Pushta-Krishna: So then the first point is to educate people who they are serving, they are working for.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. First of all, there must be a class of men, ideal men, brain; people will follow them. My request is therefore that you should become ideal men. If we fight... Now there is fighting amongst ourself. That is very disappointment to me. The same politics, intrigues. The nature is so strong that brain becomes, what is called? Fag brain? Brain becomes deranged.
Pushta-Krishna: I remember on a walk in Vrindavana, Your Divine Grace said that there should be no politics in our society because a Vaishnava means one who wants to help others become happy.
Srila Prabhupada: Now politics is coming in. As soon as we are getting money, the politics coming. That is a great concern. - Room Conversation -- May 31, 1974, Geneva

We will establish hundreds of temples, and they will all be very opulent. But if we do not follow the instruction of the Spiritual Master, they will just be showbottle. Do you know what showbottle means? It means colored water in a bottle which looks just like medicine, but which, when you take it, does not work. - Room conversation, NY, July, 1970

However, don't create any awkward situation that may be criticized. Caesar's wife must be above criticism. Up to now as I have got respectable situation, I wish that all my disciples will have similar respectable position in society. That will keep my name good. Like father like son. - Letter to Caityaguru, 7/11/76

And I am surprised that none of the GBC members detected the defects in the procedure. It was detected only when it came to me. What will happen when I am not here, SHALL EVERYTHING BE SPOILED BY GBC? - Letter to Hansadutta, 4/11/72

We have worked very hard and established a great institution, but if we think for our personal benefit then it will become ruined. This is my only concern. - Letter to Chayavana, 11/1/74

After all, we are criticizing false cast brahmanas, if we ourselves are bogus brahmanas then our position is very bad. - Letter to: Sudama--Rome, 26 May, 1974

Ganesha: Srila Prabhupada, if the knowledge was handed down by the saintly kings, evam parampara-praptam, how is it that the knowledge was lost?
Srila Prabhupada: When it was not handed down. Simply understood by speculation. Or if it is not handed down as it is. They might have made some changes. Or they did not hand it down. Suppose I handed it down to you, but if you do not do that, then it is lost. Now the Krishna consciousness movement is going on in my presence. NOW AFTER MY DEPARTURE, IF YOU DO NOT DO THIS, THEN IT IS LOST. If you go on as you are doing now, then it will go on. BUT IF YOU STOP... - Room Conversation with Carol Cameron--May 9, 1975, Perth

All these things are nonsense inventions. SUCH INVENTING SPIRIT WILL RUIN OUR THIS MOVEMENT......Gradually the Krishna Consciousness idea will evaporate: another change, another change, every day another change. Stop all this. - Letter to: Sudama--Vrindaban, 5 November, 1972

So you make your society so strong that you be not cheated, and others may not cheat. Then it will be first-class. And if you make another society of cheaters and cheated, there is no profit. - Morning Walk--June 14, 1974, Paris

One thing, if we are not very careful to always stick to the point of regulative principles and purest standards of high living, then EVERYTHING WILL SPOIL VERY QUICKLY AND THE WHOLE SHOW WILL BE A FARCE - Letter to: Revatinandana--Sydney, 2 April, 1972

So in the beginning, if you take to Krishna consciousness, there will be so many disturbances by the maya. Maya will test you how far you are fixed up. She will test you. She is also agent of Krishna. She does not allow anyone who is meant for disturbing Krishna. Therefore she tests very rigidly whether you are..., you have taken Krishna consciousness to DISTURB KRISHNA, or you are actually serious. - Srimad-Bhagavatam Lecture 1.8.20--New York, April 12, 1973 

The idea is that one cannot set his imperfect reason above the authority of the Vedas. The orders of the Vedas must be obeyed as they stand, without any mundane reasoning. The so-called followers of the Vedic injunctions make their own interpretations of the Vedic injunctions, and thus they establish different parties and sects of the Vedic religion. - Introduction to Srimad-Bhagavatam

TRANSLATION
Some of the disciples strictly accepted the orders of the acarya, and others deviated, independently concocting their own opinions under the spell of daivi-maya.
PURPORT
This verse describes the beginning of a schism. When disciples do not stick to the principle of accepting the order of their spiritual master, immediately there are two opinions. ANY OPINION DIFFERENT FROM THE OPINION OF THE SPIRITUAL MASTER IS USELESS. One cannot infiltrate materially concocted ideas into spiritual advancement. That is deviation. There is no scope for adjusting spiritual advancement to material ideas. - Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi 12.9

In the parampara system, the instructions taken from the bona fide spiritual master must also be based on revealed Vedic scriptures. One who is in the line of disciplic succession cannot manufacture his own way of behavior. There are many so-called followers of the Vaishnava cult in the line of Caitanya Mahaprabhu who do not scrupulously follow the conclusions of the sastras, and therefore they are considered to be apa-sampradaya, which means " OUTSIDE OF THE SAMPRADAYA." - Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi 7.48 Purport

But if we don't carry out the orders of God, this is cheating religion. That is not religion. That is condemned in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. That cheating religion are kicked out from the Srimad-Bhagavatam. So any religious system which has no conception of God and does everything--EVERY YEAR CHANGES BY RESOLUTION OF THE PRIESTS, (saying) that " Now this is all right," --against religious principles: that is a farce. That is not religion. - Discussions with Hayagriva dasa - about the writings and philosophy of Pascal

I made the GBC to give me relief, but if you do like this, then where is the relief.? It is anxiety for me. This is the difficulty, that as soon as one gets power, he becomes whimsical and spoils everything. What can I do? - Letter to Hansadutta, 9/12/74

Krishna Consciousness Movement is for training men to be independently thoughtful and competent in all types of departments of knowledge and action, not for making bureaucracy. Once there is bureaucracy the whole thing will be spoiled. There must be always individual striving and work and responsibility, competitive spirit, not that one shall dominate and distribute benefits to the others and they do nothing but beg from you and you provide. No. - Letter to Karandhara, 12/22/72

The first thing, I warn Acyutananda, do not try to initiate. You are not in a proper position now to initiate anyone... Don't be allured by such Maya. I am training you all to become future Spiritual Masters, but do not be in a hurry... You don't be attracted by such cheap disciples immediately. One has to rise gradually by service... These services are most important. Don't be allured by cheap disciples. Go on steadfastly to render service first. If you immediately become Guru, then the service activities will be stopped; and as there are many cheap gurus and cheap disciples, without any substantial knowledge, and manufacturing new sampradayas, and with service activities stopped, and all spiritual progress stopped up. - Letter to Acyutananda, 8/21/68

And without hearing and following the instructions, the show of devotional service becomes worthless and therefore a sort of disturbance in the path of devotional service. Unless, therefore, devotional service is established on the principles of sruti, smriti, purana or pancharatra authorities, THE MAKESHOW OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICE should at once be rejected. An unauthorized devotee should never be recognized as a pure devotee. - Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.12, Purport

Therefore Srila Rupa Gosvami has said,
sruti-smriti-puranadi
pancharatra-vidhim vina
aikantiki harer bhaktir
utpatayaiva kalpate
If one is not in awareness of the conclusion of Vedas, conclusion of the smriti, conclusion of the Puranas, and pancaratra-vidhi. Narada-pancaratra--simply disturbance, simply a disturbance, manufacturing. - Srimad-Bhagavatam Class 1.7.6--Vrindavana, September 5, 1976

There are MANY PSEUDO WORSHIPERS who become religionists only for the sake of name and fame. Such pseudo religionists do not wish to get out of this universe and reach the spiritual sky. They only want to maintain the status quo in the material world under the garb of worshipping the Lord. - Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 12, Purport

What Krishna said, the disciplic succession will say the same thing. But they are speaking differently. So therefore we don't take them as bona fide. They are not bona fide. - Room Conversation with Sanskrit Professor--August 13, 1973, Paris

When the aim of life, i.e., realization of the Absolute Truth, is missed by too much attachment for indriya-priti, or sense gratification, as already discussed hereinbefore, the institution of the varnashrama is utilized by selfish men to pose an artificial predominance over the weaker section. - Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.13, Purport

A devotee is neither foolish nor passionate. The harmful, foolish and passionate cannot be devotees of the Lord, however they may advertise themselves as devotees by outward dress. - Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.19, Purport

A bona fide spiritual master is in the disciplic succession from time eternal, and he does not deviate at all from the instructions of the Supreme Lord as they were imparted millions of years ago to the sun-god, from whom the instructions of Bhagavad-Gita have come down to the earthly kingdom. One should, therefore, follow the path of Bhagavad-Gita as it is expressed in the Gita itself and beware of self-interested people after personal aggrandizement who deviate others from the actual path. - Bhagavad-Gita 4.43, Purport

There are MANY JEALOUS PEOPLE IN THE DRESS OF VAISHNAVAS IN THIS KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT, and they should be completely neglected. There is no need to serve a jealous person who is in the dress of a Vaishnava. - Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya Lila 1.218 Purport

Just like if you want to be secretary of a very big man, so you must have necessary qualification. Not that any, any man can become secretary of a big man. So when one becomes devotee, it is the statement of sastra: yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akincana... Akincana-bhakti. Akincana-bhakti means without any motive. That is akincana-bhakti. "I’ll become devotee because I’ll get this opportunity to exploit Krsna." That is not devotion. When one shall be ready to be exploited by Krsna, then he’s a devotee. Not that with a motive, that "I shall become a devotee and exploit Krsna and Krsna consciousness movement and aggravate my position as sense gratifier." No, that is not devotion. - Srimad-Bhagavatam Lecture 1.10.4--Mayapura, June 19, 1973

Materialistic asuras sometimes make a show of religion, but their ultimate aim is material prosperity. The Bhagavad-Gita (16.17-18) rebukes such men by calling them atma-sambhavita, meaning that they are considered great only on the strength of deception and are empowered by the votes of the ignorant and by their own material wealth. - Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 3, Purport

How he is realized soul? If he is speaking something wrong, how he is realized soul? Against the sastra. That is not realized soul. Yah sastra-vidhim utsrjya vartate kama-karatah, na siddhim avapnoti. Sastra reference must be there.- Morning Walk -- April 5, 1974, Bombay

It is imperative that a serious person accept a bona fide spiritual master in terms of the sastric injunctions. Sri Jiva Goswami advises that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or customary social and ECCLESIASTICAL CONVENTIONS. One should simply try to find a genuinely qualified spiritual master for actual advancement in spiritual understanding. - Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi 1.35, purport

Self-deceived persons sometimes accept leaders or spiritual masters from a priestly order that has been officially appointed by the codes of material life. In this way, they are deceived by official priests. Sometimes people accept as maha-janas those who have been designated by Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura as dhanga-vipras (imposter brahmanas). Such imposters imitate the characteristics of Srila Haridasa Thakura, and they envy Haridasa Thakura, who was certainly a mahajana. They make great artificial endeavors, advertising themselves as great devotees of the Lord or as mystic hypnotists knowledgeable in witchcraft, hypnotism and miracles. ................
One who tries to imitate the mahajanas just to become an imitative spiritual master is certainly far away from following in the footsteps of the mahajanas. Sometimes people cannot actually understand how a mahajana follows other mahajanas. In this way people are inclined to fall from devotional service. - Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 17.185 purport

The church that has the best chance of survival in this damned world is that of atheism under the convenient guise of theism. The churches have always proved the staunchest upholders of the grossest form of worldliness, from which even the worst of non-ecclesiastical criminals are found to recoil............
The idea of an organized church, in an intelligible form, indeed marks the close of the living spiritual movement. The great ecclesiastical establishments are the dikes and the dams to retain the current that cannot be held by any such contrivances. They, indeed, indicate a desire on the part of the masses to exploit a spiritual movement for their own purpose. They also unmistakably indicate the end of the absolute and unconventional guidance of the bona fide spiritual teacher. - ORGANIZED RELIGION- His Divine Grace Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja Prabhupada

Nowhere in authentic scriptures is it said that one will ultimately reach the same goal by doing anything or worshiping anyone. Such foolish theories are offered by self-made " spiritual masters" who have no connection with the parampara, the bona fide system of disciplic succession. - Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 13, Purport

But if you miss one point, if you commit mistake in calculation in one point, the more you make calculation, add and subtract, it is all mistake. - Room Conversation with Emmanuel Peter (A Benedictine Monk)--June 22, 1974, Germany

Reporter: But the bad gurus...
Srila Prabhupada: And what is a "bad" guru?
Reporter: A bad guru just wants some money or some fame.
Srila Prabhupada: Well, if he is bad, how can he become a guru? [Laughter.] How can iron become gold? Actually, a guru cannot be bad, for if someone is bad, he cannot be a guru. - The Science of Self Realization, Chapter Two, Choosing a Spiritual Master - "Saints and Swindlers"

Srila Prabhupada: ...So therefore the conclusion is guru is necessary and guru is he who is representative of Krishna. Otherwise he's bogus.
Pushta-Krishna: What about the so-called gurus that take a little bit here and a little bit there?
Srila Prabhupada: So-called gurus, they are so-called gurus. They are not gurus. That is already explained. If one does not speak what Krishna speaks, he is not guru. IF YOU ACCEPT SO-CALLED GURU, THAT IS YOUR MISFORTUNE. WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Pushta-Krishna: Some of them will say some things that Krishna says, but they'll take from other places also. What is the position of such persons?
Srila Prabhupada: HE’S MOST DANGEROUS. He's most dangerous. He is opportunist. He's finding out customer, something here... According to the customer he is giving something, as the customers will be pleased. So he is not guru. - Answers to a Questionnaire from Bhavan's Journal--June 28, 1976, Vrindavana

TEXT
sabde brahmani vede veda-tatparya-jnapake sastra-antare ca nisnatam nipunam anyatha sisyasya samsayacchedabhave vaimanasye ca sati kasyacit sraddha-saitilyam api sambhavet pare brahmani ca nisnatam aparoksa-anubhava-samartham anyatha tat-kriya samyak-phalavati na syat

SYNONYMS
sabde brahmani - in spiritual sound; vede - in the Vedic literature; veda-tatparya-jnapake - in imparting the import of Vedic knowledge; sastra-antare ca nisnatam - deeply versed in the inner meaning of the scriptures; nipunam - expert; anyatha - otherwise; sisyasya - of the disciple; samsayacchedabhave - in the absence of dissipating doubts; vaimanasya - of dejection; ca - and; sati -there is; kasyacit - the disciple (the someone); sraddha-saitilyam - dimunition of faith; api - certainly; sambhavet - takes place; pare brahmani ca nisnatam - and deeply versed in the Supreme Absolute Truth; aparoksa-anubhava-samartham - fully possessing the ecstacy of direct spititual perception; anyatha - otherwise; tat-krpa - that mercy (he gives); samyak-phalavati - complete fruition; na syat - does not (produce)

TRANSLATION
The guru must be expert in spiritual sound, in the Vedic knowledge, in the inner meaning of the scriptures, and in imparting the import of the Vedic literatures. Othewise, in the absence of having his doubts dissipated, dejection and dimunition of faith certainly takes place within the disciple. The guru must be full in the ecstacy of direct spiritual perception of, and well-versed in, the Supreme Absolute Truth. Otherwise, the mercy he gives does not produce the disciple’s complete perfection.
- commentary to verse 11.3.21 of the Srimad Bhagavatam by Srila Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura

Such theories are manufactured by show-bottle spiritualists who are trying to gather more followers. If there are restrictions, rules and regulations, people will not become attracted. Therefore those who want followers in the name of religion, just to have a show only, don't restrict the lives of their students, nor their own lives. But that method is not approved by theVedas. - Bhagavad-Gita 16.1-3, Purport 

Without understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead in this (the correct) way, one only creates a disturbance. In this age of Kali, so many gurus have sprung up, and .....they are creating a great disturbance in the world in regard to understanding the Absolute Truth. - Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.12.10, Purport

Bhakti-lata-bija means "the seed of devotional service." Everything has an original cause, or seed. For any idea, program, plan or device, there is first of all the contemplation of the plan, and that is called bija, or the seed. The methods, rules and regulations by which one is perfectly trained in devotional service constitute the bhakti-lata-bija , or seed of devotional service. This bhakti-lata-bija is received from the spiritual master by the grace of Krishna. Other seeds are called anyabhilasa-bija, karma-bija and jnana-bija. If one is not fortunate enough to receive the bhakti-lata-bija from the spiritual master, he instead cultivates the seeds of karma-bija, jnana-bija, or political and social or philanthropic bija. However, bhakti-lata-bija is different from these other bijas. Bhakti-lata-bija can be received only through the mercy of the spiritual master. Therefore one has to satisfy the spiritual master to get bhakti-lata-bija (yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadau). Bhakti-lata-bija is the origin of devotional service. Unless one satisfies the spiritual master, he gets the bija, or root cause, of karma, jnana and yoga without the benefit of devotional service. However, one who is faithful to his spiritual master gets the bhakti-lata-bija . This bhakti-lata-bija is received when one is initiated by the bona fide spiritual master. - Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya Lila 19.152, Purport

The presentation of this knowledge in a systematic and scientific manner will bring about universal sublime peace. Yet . . . unauthorized cults have mushroomed into prominence and are fast expanding their illegitimate fold with naïve disciples. What one fails to comprehend is how the leaders of these cults . . . can suddenly rise to the position of spiritual master themselves. The subject matter that needs to be promulgated among the people is not some cheap, sentimental concoction meant to deceive them. - Renunciation Through Wisdom, page 117

You cannot judge a movement simply by the number of its followers. If one man is genuine, then the movement is successful. It is not a question of quantity, but quality. - Science of Self Realization, Ch. 2, "Choosing a Spiritual Master-Saints & Swindlers"

Because Krishna is situated in everyone's heart. Actually, He is the spiritual master, caitya-guru. So in order to help us, He comes out as PHYSICAL SPIRITUAL MASTER. And therefore saksad-dharitvena sama... Spiritual master is representative of Krishna. Krishna sends some sincere devotee to act on His behalf, and therefore he is spiritual master. - Srimad-Bhagavatam Lecture 1.2.4--Rome, May 28, 1974

Krishna is the first spiritual master, and when we become more interested, then we have to go to a PHYSICAL SPIRITUAL MASTER. That is enjoined in the next verse.
tad viddhi pranipatena
pariprasnena sevaya
upadekshyanti te jnanam
jnaninas tattva-darsinah
- Bhagavad-Gita Lecture 4.34--New York, August 14, 1966

Srila Prabhupada: Yes, the best friend is the spiritual master because he saves from the blazing fire of confusion. That is best friend.
O'Grady: The problem is to find this friend. The problem is to find this spiritual master.
Srila Prabhupada: No, there is no problem. The problem is if you are sincere. Yes. That is stated. Because actually you have got problems, but God is within your heart. Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrid-dese arjuna tistahati. God is not far away. God is within your heart. So if you are sincere, then God will give you spiritual master. If He knows that now you are sincere, then He will give you a spiritual master.
O'Grady: O.K. Thank you. That I know.
Srila Prabhupada: Therefore God is called caittya-guru, the spiritual master within the heart. And the PHYSICAL SPIRITUAL MASTER is God's mercy. If God sees that you are sincere, He will give you a spiritual master who can give you protection. He will help you from within and without, without in the physical form of spiritual master, and within as the spiritual master within the heart. - Room Conversation with Irish Poet, Desmond O'Grady--May 23, 1974, Rome

Sometimes in autumn the falls come down from the top of the hill to supply clean water, and sometimes they stop. Similarly, sometimes great saintly persons distribute clear knowledge, and sometimes they are silent. - Krishna Book Ch. 20, Description of Autumn

Madhudvisa: His question was that can you take initiation by accepting the spiritual master in your heart without actually taking...
Srila Prabhupada: These are bogus proposition. It has no meaning. (laughter) It has no meaning. If you think within yourself, " I am eating," will you be satisfied? You starve and simply think, " I have eaten everything." (laughter) Is that very practical proposal? You must eat. We don't say all these bogus proposition. All right. Thank you very much. - Srimad-Bhagavatam Lecture 6.1.1--Melbourne, May 21, 1975

Obviously if one is intelligent he will ASSOCIATE with those who are trying to elevate themselves to the platform of self-realization through one of the various forms of yoga. The result will be that those who are sadhu, or realized, will be able to sever his attachment to material association. This is THE GREAT ADVANTAGE OF GOOD ASSOCIATION. For instance, Krishna speaks Bhagavad-gita to Arjuna just to cut off his attachment to this material affection. Because Arjuna is attracted to things that are impeding the execution of his own duty, Krishna severs these things. To cut something, a sharp instrument is required; and to cut the mind from its attachments, sharp words are often required. The sadhu or teacher shows no mercy in using sharp words to sever the student's mind from material attractions. By speaking the truth uncompromisingly, he is able to sever the bondage. - The Perfection of Yoga, Ch. 4

Therefore, in the first chastisement, Krishna was accepted as spiritual master. A spiritual master has the right to chastise. Father, spiritual master, they are advised to chastise. Putram ca sisyam ca tadayen na tu lalayet. So father and teacher is advised by Canakya Pandita that "You should always chastise your son and disciple. Chastise." Tadayet. Tadayet means "Simply chastise. Always find out mistake." Don't be angry, but it is the business of the teacher and the father simply to find out your mistakes, not to find out your good things. - Srimad-Bhagavatam Lecture 2.9.4--Japan, April 22, 1972

Srila Prabhupada: So a disciple is always in deficiency before his spiritual master. Just like Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, guru more murkha dekhi karila sasana. "My spiritual master saw Me a fool number one. Therefore he has chastised Me." So disciple should be always ready to be chastised. .......In the moral instruction, Canakya Pandita gives this instruction, that lalane bahavo dosas tadane bahavo gunah: " If you chastise your son or disciple, he'll improve, and if you say, " Oh, you are all right," then he'll degrade. Tasmat putran ca sisyah ca tadayet na tu lalayet. Therefore you always chastise your son and disciple. Never ..." what is called?
Jayadvaita: Flatter.
Srila Prabhupada: No.
- Morning Walk--April 8, 1975, Mayapur

Devotee (2): Srila Prabhupada, is there any instance when you were chastised by your spiritual master?
Srila Prabhupada: Eh?
Devotee (2): Is there any instance when you were chastised by your spiritual master?
Srila Prabhupada: Oh, yes. Oh, yes.
Devotee (2): Can you tell us?
Srila Prabhupada: I remember the moment was very valuable. Yes.
Devotee (2): Can you tell us the story?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. I think I have said that.
Satsvarupa: When you were speaking to one man...
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. He became very angry and chastised me.
Jagajivana: Srila Prabhupada, was this during a lecture by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta?
Srila Prabhupada: Eh?
Jagajivana: Was this during a lecture?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. I was not... One of my old brother, he, he wanted to speak something. So I leaned my... I immediately became... (laughter) So he chastised him more than me.
Devotee (2): When Lord Caitanya chastised someone more than Advaita acharya, Advaita felt that He had been neglected 'cause he had not received a greater chastisement.
Srila Prabhupada: He wanted to be chastised, so Caitanya fulfilled His desire. - Morning Walk--April 8, 1975, Mayapur

Only a liberated person can associate with an aprakat soul, a guru who has left the external vision. BHAKTI SANDARBHA

As already stated, Brahma is the original spiritual master for the universe, and since he was initiated by the Lord Himself, the message of Srimad-Bhagavatam is coming down by disciplic succession, and in order to receive the real message of Srimad-Bhagavatam ONE SHOULD APPROACH THE CURRENT LINK, or spiritual master, in the chain of disciplic succession. - Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.9.7, Purport

One cannot deny the order of a spiritual master. Therefore one has to select a spiritual master whose order, carrying, you'll not commit a mistake. You see? Now, suppose if you accept a wrong person as spiritual master, and if you, if he guides you wrongly, then YOUR WHOLE LIFE IS SPOILED. So one has to accept a spiritual master whose guidance will make his life perfect. That is the relation between spiritual master and disciple. It is not a formality. It is a great responsibility both for the disciple and for the spiritual master. - Bhagavad-Gita Lecture 2.7-11--New York, March 2, 1966

Except for the association of pure devotees, any association is called kaitava, cheating. - Teachings of Lord Caitanya - Original Edition, Ch.15 paragraph 28

One should not become a spiritual master unless he has attained the platform of uttama-adhikari. A neophyte Vaishnava or a Vaishnava situated on the intermediate platform can also accept disciples, but such disciples must be on the same platform, and it should be understood that THEY CANNOT ADVANCE VERY WELL TOWARD THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF LIFE UNDER HIS INSUFFICIENT GUIDANCE. Therefore a disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari as a spiritual master. - The Nectar of Instruction, Text 5, Purport

The guru must be situated on the topmost platform of devotional service. There are three classes of devotees, and the guru must be accepted from the topmost class. .......When one has attained the topmost position of maha-bhagavata, he is to be accepted as a guru and worshiped exactly like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. Only such a person is eligible to occupy the post of a guru.- Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya Lila 24.330, Purport

However, one should not imitate the behavior of an advanced devotee or maha-bhagavata without being self-realized, for by such imitation ONE WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME DEGRADED..... The devotee should also know his own position and should not try to imitate a devotee situated on a higher platform. - Nectar of Instruction, Text 5, purport

When actually you want Krishna seriously--you do not know who is guru--then Krishna will give you a guru. Just like Dhruva Maharaja. He was advised by his mother that "If you go to the forest you can see God." So he went there. But when he was very serious, then Krishna sent him Narada Muni. So if you are actually serious about Krishna, then Krishna will send you some of His representative and he will take charge of you. That is the process. If you do not find a guru, that means Krishna is not yet pleased, ..... you are not serious. - Conversation with Bajaj and Bhusan (at their home)--September 11, 1972, Arlington, Texas

Srila Prabhupada: Yes, Of course, to search out a guru is very nice. But if you want a cheap guru, or if you want to be cheated, THEN YOU WILL FIND MANY CHEATING GURUS. But if you are sincere, you will find a sincere guru. Because people want everything very cheaply, they are cheated. - Science of Self Realization, Ch. 2, "Choosing a Spiritual Master-Saints & Swindlers"

Reporter: Don't you feel that people are suspicious because of their experience with fake gurus? If you went to a quack dentist and he broke your tooth, you might be suspicious about going to another dentist.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes, naturally, if you are cheated, you become suspicious. But this does not mean that if you are cheated once, you will always be cheated. You should find someone genuine. But to come to Krishna consciousness, you must be either very fortunate or well aware of this science. From the Bhagavad-gita we understand that the genuine seekers are very few: manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye. Out of many millions of people, there may be only one who is interested in spiritual life. Generally, people are interested in eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. So how can we expect to find many followers? It is not difficult to notice that people have lost their spiritual interest. And almost all those who are actually interested are being cheated by so-called spiritualists. You cannot judge a movement simply by the number of its followers. If one man is genuine, then the movement is successful. It is not a question of quantity, but quality.
Reporter: I wondered how many people you think might have been taken in by fake gurus.
Srila Prabhupada: Practically everyone. [Laughter.] There is no question of counting. Everyone.
Reporter: This would mean thousands of people, wouldn't it?
Srila Prabhupada: Millions. Millions have been cheated, because they want to be cheated. God is omniscient. He can understand your desires. He is within your heart, and if you want to be cheated, God sends you a cheater.
Reporter: ls it possible for everyone to attain the perfectional stage you spoke of previously?
Srila Prabhupada: Within a second. Anyone can attain perfection within a second-providing he is willing. The difficulty is that no one is willing. In the Bhagavad-gita (18.66) Krishna says, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja: " Simply surrender unto Me." But who is going to surrender to God? Everyone says, " Oh, why should I surrender to God? I will be independent." If you simply surrender, it is a second's business. That's all. But no one is willing, and that is the difficulty.
Reporter: When you say that lots of people want to be cheated, do you mean that lots of people want to carry on with their worldly pleasures and at the same time, by chanting a mantra or by holding a flower, achieve spiritual life as well? Is this what you mean by wanting to be cheated?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes, this is like a patient thinking, " I shall continue with my disease, and at the same time I shall become healthy. " It is contradictory. The first requirement is that one become educated in spiritual life. Spiritual life is not something one can understand by a few minutes' talk. There are many philosophy and theology books, but people are not interested in them. That is the difficulty. For instance, the Srimad-Bhagavatam is a very long work, and if you try to read this book, it may take many days just to understand one line of it. The Bhagavatam describes God, the Absolute Truth, but people are not interested. And if, by chance, someone becomes a little interested in spiritual life, he wants something immediate and cheap. Therefore, he is cheated. - Science of Self Realization, Ch. 2, "Choosing a Spiritual Master-Saints & Swindlers"

The Hari-bhakti-vilasa (2.6) quotes the following injunction from the Vishnu-yamala:
adiksitasya vamoru
kritam sarvam nirarthakam
pasu-yonim avapnoti
diksa-virahito janah
"Unless one is initiated by a bona fide spiritual master, all his devotional activities are useless. A person who is not properly initiated can descend again into the animal species." - Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya Lila 15.108, Purport

One cannot deny the order of a spiritual master. Therefore one has to select a spiritual master whose order, carrying, you'll not commit a mistake. You see? Now, suppose if you accept a wrong person as spiritual master, and if you, if he guides you wrongly, then YOUR WHOLE LIFE IS SPOILED. So one has to accept a spiritual master whose guidance will make his life perfect. That is the relation between spiritual master and disciple. It is not a formality. It is a great responsibility both for the disciple and for the spiritual master. - Bhagavad-Gita Lecture 2.7-11--New York, March 2, 1966

However, one should not imitate the behavior of an advanced devotee or maha-bhagavata without being self-realized, FOR BY SUCH IMITATION ONE WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME DEGRADED. ...The devotee should also know his own position and should not try to imitate a devotee situated on a higher platform. Nectar of Instruction, Text 5, purport

.....one who does not actually possess these qualities should not try to engage his followers and devotees in offering him glory for them, even though these qualities might be manifest in the future. If a man who does not factually possess the attributes of a great personality engages his followers in praising him with the expectation that such attributes will develop in the future, THAT SORT OF PRAISE IS ACTUALLY AN INSULT. - Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.15.23, Purport

Reporter: But the bad gurus...
Srila Prabhupada: And what is a "bad" guru?
Reporter: A bad guru just wants some money or some fame.
Srila Prabhupada: Well, if he is bad, how can he become a guru? [Laughter.] How can iron become gold? Actually, a guru cannot be bad, for if someone is bad, he cannot be a guru. - The Science of Self Realization, Chapter Two, Choosing a Spiritual Master - "Saints and Swindlers

Dr. Patel: He is rascal guru.
Prabhupada: He is a rascal, not guru. Rascal cannot be guru. You cannot add this. Then they are the same, daridra-narayana. Narayana cannot be daridra; daridra cannot be Narayana. Similarly, rascal cannot be guru, and guru is not rascal. - Morning Walk -- April 5, 1974, Bombay

If a so-called spiritual master accepts a disciple for his personal benefit or for material gain, the relationship between the spiritual master and the disciple turns into a material affair, and the spiritual master becomes like a smarta-guru. There are many caste goswamis who professionally create some disciples who do not care for them or their instructions. Such spiritual masters are satisfied simply to get some material benefits from their disciples. Such a relationship is condemned by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, who calls such spiritual masters and disciples A SOCIETY OF CHEATERS AND CHEATED. - Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya Lila 24.330, Purport

Those who imitate an uttama-adhikari by flaunting a sense of oneness or fellowship but who behave on the bodily platform are actually false philanthropists. - Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 6, Purport 

They take the dress of the renounced order of life and engage in all nonsense in that dress. Actually there are so many restrictions for one who has renounced this world. The demons, however, do not care for such restrictions. - Bhagavad-Gita 16.17, Purport

THE SO-CALLED ACHARYAS OF THE AGE OF KALI ARE MORE CONCERNED WITH EXPLOITING THE RESOURCES OF THEIR FOLLOWERS THAN MITIGATING THEIR MISERIES. - Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi 3.98, Purport

One cannot deny the order of a spiritual master. Therefore one has to select a spiritual master whose order, carrying, you'll not commit a mistake. You see? Now, suppose if you accept a wrong person as spiritual master, and if you, if he guides you wrongly, then YOUR WHOLE LIFE IS SPOILED. So one has to accept a spiritual master whose guidance will make his life perfect. That is the relation between spiritual master and disciple. It is not a formality. It is a great responsibility both for the disciple and for the spiritual master. - Bhagavad-Gita Lecture 2.7-11--New York, March 2, 1966

The ignorant pseudo religionists and the manufacturers of so-called incarnations who directly violate the Vedic injunctions ARE LIABLE TO ENTER INTO THE DARKEST REGION OF THE UNIVERSE because they mislead those who follow them. - Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 12, Purport

By a false display of religious sentiments, they present a show of devotional service while indulging in all sorts of immoral activities. In this way they pass as spiritual masters and devotees of God. Such violators of religious principles have no respect for the authoritative acharyas, the holy teachers in the strict disciplic succession......to mislead the people in general they themselves become so-called acharyas, but they do not even follow the principles of the acharyas.
These rogues are the most dangerous elements in human society. Because there is no religious government, they escape punishment by the law of the state. They cannot, however, escape the law of the Supreme, who has clearly declared in the Bhagavad-Gita that envious demons in the garb of religious propagandists SHALL BE THROWN INTO THE DARKEST REGIONS OF HELL(Bg. 16.19-20). Sri Isopanisad confirms that these pseudo religionists are HEADING TOWARD THE MOST OBNOXIOUS PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE after the completion of their spiritual master business, which they conduct simply for sense gratification. - Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 12, Purport

There are many renegades from the Brahma-sampradäya whose only business is to make men more forgetful of the Lord and thus entangle them more and more in material existence. Such persons are never dear to the Lord, and the Lord sends them deeper into the darkest region of matter so that such envious demons may not be able to know the Supreme Lord. - SB 2.9.19, Purport

These foolish creatures do not know that they are nothing but play dolls in the hands of material nature and that at any moment material nature's pitiless intrigues can crush to dust all their plans for godless activities. - Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi 3.98, Purport

"As for your next question: 'Can only a few pure devotees deliver others?' Anyone, if he is pure devotee he can deliver others, he can become spiritual master. But unless he is on that platform he should not attempt it. THEN THEY WILL BOTH GO TO HELL, like blind men leading the blind." - Letter to Tusta Krishna, 12/14/72

...because of the instructions of a foolish guru one remains perpetually in material existence and suffers its tribulations. - Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.24.51, Purport

Mundane manufactured sound has no potency, and as such, seemingly transcendental sound received from an unauthorized person also has no potency. (SB 2.9.8, Purport)

Thus mental absorbtion in social, political, pseudoreligious, national, and communal consciousness is cause for bondage. (SB 4.28.20, Purport)

Those are, therefore, greatly mistaken who are disposed to look forward to the amelioration of the worldly state--in any worldly sense--from the worldly success of any really spiritual movement. It is these worldly expectants who become the patrons of the mischievous race of the pseudo-teachers of religion, the Putanas, whose congenial function is to stifle the theistic disposition at the very moment of its suspected appearance. But the real theistic disposition can never be stifled by the efforts of those Putanas. The Putanas have power only over the atheist. It is a thankless, but salutary, task which they perform for the benefit of their unwilling victims.- ORGANIZED RELIGION- His Divine Grace Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja Prabhupada

Quotations that conclusively establish that the origin of the living entity (jiva) is in the spiritual world as opposed to the brahmajyoti.

"As living spiritual souls we are all originally Krsna conscious entities, but due to our association with matter from time immemorial, our consciousness has now become polluted by the material atmosphere." (Original Hare Krsna album)

As soon as we try to become Lord, immediately we are covered by Maya. Formerly, we were with Krsna in His lila or sport. But this covering of Maya may be of very, very, very, very long duration-therefore, many creations are coming and going. Due to this long period of time, it is sometimes said that we are ever-conditioned. But this long duration of time becomes very insignificant when one actually comes to Krsna consciousness.
This Brahma-sayujya mukti is non-permanent. Every living entity wants pleasure, but brahma-sayujya is minus pleasure. There is eternal existence only. So when they do not find transcendental bliss they fall down to make a compromise with material bliss. Unless one develops full devotional service to Krsna, he goes up only to brahma-sayujya but falls down. But after millions and millions of years of keeping oneself away from the lila of the Lord, when one comes to Krsna consciousness, this period becomes insignificant, just like dreaming. Because he falls down from brahma sayujya, he thinks that may be his origin, but he does not remember that before that even, he was with Krsna. (THE ORIGIN OF THE JIVA: BRAHMAJYOTI OR KRISHNA LILA? - Australian conversation with Srila Prabhupada Transcribed as Nectar of the Month, BBT Report, January, 1982)

The conditioned living being has forgotten his eternal relationship with God and he has mistakenly accepted the temporary place of birth as all-in-all... The living entities are not without spiritual senses; every living being in his original, spiritual form has all the senses, which are now material, being covered by the body and mind. Activities of the material senses are perverted reflections of spiritual pastimes. (Sri Isopanisad 11 Purport)

Svarupa Damodara: The spirit soul must necessarily have a body, either spiritual or material.
Prabhupada: He has got already spiritual body. Material body is his covering. It is unnatural. Real body is spiritual. Just like your coat, this is unnatural. But your real body is natural. Otherwise how transmigration is possible? I am accepting different unnatural bodies. Unnatural means to my constitution. My real constitutional body is servant of Krsna. So, so long I do not come to that position, I remain servant of nature and I get so many bodies. . . . . . . .
Paramahamsa: But ultimately if we come to Krsna, there’s no return. But nevertheless, Jagai, and..., the two gatekeepers, they returned?
Prabhupada: There is return, that is voluntary. Return there is.
Paramahamsa: If we want.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Paramahamsa: So we can come to the spiritual world and return?
Prabhupada: Yes.
Paramahamsa: Fall down?
Prabhupada: Yes. As soon as we try, "Oh, this material world is very nice," "Yes," Krsna says, "yes, you go." Just like nobody is interested in Krsna consciousness. Do you think everyone is interested? So. They want to enjoy this material world. Otherwise what is the meaning of free will? Every living entity has got a little free will. And Krsna is so kind, He gives him opportunity, "All right, you enjoy like this." Just like some of our students, Krsna conscious, sometimes go away, again come back. It is free will, not stereotyped. Just like one goes to the prisonhouse, not that government welcomes, "Come on. We have got prisonhouse. Come here, come here." He goes out of his free will; again comes out, again goes. Like that. Krsna-bahirmukha hana bhoga vancha kare, nikata-stha maya tare japatiya dhare. The police is there. Just like the police car was there. We have nothing to do with it. But if you do anything criminal, immediately you will be arrested, under police custody. The maya may be there, but maya captures him who is not a devotee of Krsna. That’s all. Therefore, mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te: "Anyone who surrenders unto Me, maya does not interfere anymore."
Paramahamsa: So our desire to enjoy, we achieve these bodies; and our desire to achieve Krsna brings us to our natural position.
Prabhupada: Yes. (Morning Walk At Cheviot Hills Golf Course--May 13, 1973, Los Angeles)

This attachment of the devotee to a particular form of the Lord is due to natural inclination. Each and every living entity is originally attached to a particular type of transcendental service because he is eternally the servitor of the Lord.
Lord Caitanya says that the living entity is eternally the servitor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna, therefore, every living entity has a particular type of service relationship with the Lord, eternally. (SB3.9.11 Purport)

We have to learn how to act only for Krsna, how to love only Krsna. Then our life is successful. And the human life... Because we have also come down from Vaikuntha some millions and millions of years ago. Anadi karama-phale. Anadi means before the creation. We living entities, we are eternal. (Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 2.6 -- London, August 6, 1973)

These spirit souls and all spirit souls are coming from Vaikuntha, but in these material worlds, they are taking various grades of bodies. - Letter, July 9, 1970

. . . if he is properly guided, then he is very easily sent back to home, back to Godhead wherefrom originally he fell down." - Letter, January 20, 1971

. . . we may fall down from Vaikuntha at any moment . . . so even in the Vaikuntha, if I desire that 'Why shall I serve Krsna? Why not become Krsna?' I immediately fall down." - Lecture in Honolulu, July 4, 1974

He is fallen already from Vaikuntha planet. He is fallen in this material world, and he is again trying to make progress." - Bhagavatam lecture in Los Angeles, June 15, 1972

We are all originally situated on the platform of Krsna consciousness in our eternal personal relationship of love of Krsna. - Letter, November 17, 1970.

(H)e has fallen means he has given up the service of Krsna. - Lecture in Tokyo, April 20, 1972.

(L)ittle independence, we can misuse that. Krsna-bahirmukha hana bhoga vancha kare: that misuse is the cause of our falldown. - Room conversation in Mayapur, February 19, 1976.

After all, the living entity falls down from the spiritual world. Just like Jaya-Vijaya. There is possibility . . .even if you are in Vaikuntha, you will fall down, what to speak of this material world". - Bhagavad-gita lecture of July 4, 1974

Therefore, if we practice devotional service . . . we will be reinstated in our original, constitutional position and thus be saved." - Purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.39

TRANSLATION
Only the purified soul can attain the perfection of associating with the Personality of Godhead in complete bliss and satisfaction in his constitutional state. Whoever is able to renovate such devotional perfection is never again attracted by this material world, and he never returns. (SB 2.2.31)

When the pure soul wants to give up the Lord’s service to enjoy the material world, Krsna certainly gives him a chance to enter the material world. As stated in the prema-vivarta: krsna-bahirmukha hana bhoga vancha kare. This is the reason the pure spirit soul falls down to the material world. (SB 5.14 Chapter Summary)

S.B. 2.5.19
Karya-karana-kartrtve Dravya jnana-kriyasrayah
Badhnanti NITYADA MUKTAM mayinam purusam gunah

Karya -effect; karanam-cause; kartrtve-in activities; dravya-material; jnanam-knowledge; Kriya-asrayah-manifested by such symptoms; badhnanti-conditions; NITYADA-eternally; MUKTAM-transcendental; MAYINAM-affected by material energy; purusam-the living entity; gunah-the material modes.

Translation: These three modes of material nature, being further manifested as matter, knowledge and activities, PUT THE ETERNALLY TRANSCENDENTAL LIVING ENTITY UNDER CONDITIONS OF CAUSE AND EFFECT AND MAKE HIM RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH ACTIVIES

Purport: Because they are between the internal and external potencies, the ETERNALLY TRANSCENDENTAL LIVING ENTITIES ARE CALLED MARGINAL POTENCY of the Lord. Factually, the living entities are not meant to be so conditioned by material energy, but due to their BEING AFFECTED by the false sense of lording it over the material energy, they come under the influence of such potency and THUS BECOME CONDITIONED by the three modes of material nature. This external energy of the Lord COVERS UP THE PURE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LIVING ENTITY’S ETERNALLY EXISTING WITH HIM, BUT THE COVERING IS SO CONSTANT THAT IT APPEARS THAT THE CONDITIONED SOUL IS ETERNALLY IGNORANT. Such is the wonderful action of maya, or external energy manifested as if materially produced.

We are servant of Krsna. But somehow or other, we revolted. Still we are revolting. Although Krsna coming and canvassing, "Just surrender unto Me," but still we are revolting. This is our disease. Manah sasthanindriyani prakrti-sthani karsati.
So if we want to be cured again and come to our original consciousness, Krsna consciousness, which is svacchatvam avikaritvam santatvam iti cetasah, then we have to take to this Krsna consciousness. That is the only way. (Lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.23-4--Bombay, January 1, 1975)

Bhaktijana: When the souls that were never conditioned at all..., do they also have the independence?
Prabhupada: Yes, but they have not misused. They know that "I am meant for Krsna’s service," and they are happy in Krsna’s service.
Bhaktijana: Could they ever misuse it?
Prabhupada: Yes, they can misuse it also. That power is there. Yes?
Devotee: Well, I believe you once said that once a conditioned soul becomes perfected and gets out of the material world and he goes to Krsnaloka, there’s no possibility of falling back.
Prabhupada: No! There is possibility, but he does not come. Just like after putting your hand in the fire, you never put it again if you are really intelligent. So those who are going back to Godhead, they become intelligent. Why going back to Godhead? Just like we are in renounced order of life. So we have renounced our family life after thinking something. Now, if somebody comes, "Swamiji, you take thousand millions of dollars and marry again and become a family man," I’ll never become, because I have got my bad experience. I’ll never become. . . . . . . .
Bhaktijana: Has my soul ever been liberated?
Prabhupada: That you know. I do not know.
Bhaktijana: If I was once liberated...
Prabhupada: You are liberated. You are liberated. Simply just a cloud has covered you. Drive away the cloud. There is no question that you were ever. You are ever-liberated. That, the sky is always spiritual, but it is sometimes overcrowded with cloud, this maya. This is called maya. Actually, you are not conditioned. You are thinking. Just like in the dream you are thinking that tiger is eating you. You were never eaten by tiger. There is no tiger. So we have to get out of this dream. Don’t you sometimes dream that tiger is eating you? Is there any tiger? You are simply thinking. So if you keep in Krsna consciousness, that nonsense thinking will go away. Therefore we have to keep ourself always in Krsna-thinking so that this dream will never come. If you are always awakened, then dream never comes. So keep yourself always awakened by Krsna consciousness. All right. Distribute prasadam. (end) (Lecture on Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 7.108--San Francisco, February 18, 1967)

Devotee: Srila Prabhupada, you say in your books so many times that somehow or other we have fallen into this material world due to our enviousness or our independence.
Srila Prabhupada: Many. There are many reasons.
Devotee: I can't seem to get a grasp on this at all. If we, in our original constitutional position as part and parcel of Krishna--and in that position, that, original position of full knowledge and full bliss--and being in our eternal nature . . . Now I have some experience of how strong this material energy is and how Maya works, somewhat. But, if I had known this and had this full knowledge, then I would have had this knowledge of how Maya works and . . . How I might fall?
Srila Prabhupada: You read the life of Jaya, Vijaya, Hiranyakasipu, Hiranyaksa? They were Krishna's Doorkeepers. How they fell down? Did you read it? Did you read the life of Hiranyakasipu or Hiranyaksa?
Devotee: Yes, Srila Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada: So how they did fall? They are from Vaikuntha. They are Krishna's personal associates, keeping . . . the Doorkeepers. How did they fell down? Anyway, there is chance of falling down at any moment.
Devotee: Well, in His family, they wanted to enjoy the material world?
Srila Prabhupada: Whatever it may be, the falldown is there. So, because we are living entities, we are not as powerful as Krishna. Therefore, we may fall down from Vaikuntha at any moment. Iccha-dvesa samutthena sarge yanti parantapa. Find out this verse. (emphasis added)
Pusta Krishna Swami: iccha-dvesa samutthena dvandva-mohena bharata sarva-bhutani sammoham sarge yanti parantapa: "O scion of Bharata, O conqueror of the foe, all living entities are born into delusion, overcome by the dualities of desire and hate."
Srila Prabhupada: Purport?
Pusta Krishna Swami: "The real constitutional position of the living entity is that of subordination to the Supreme Lord, Who is pure knowledge. When one is deluded into separation from this pure knowledge, he becomes controlled by illusory energy and cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The illusory energy is manifested in the duality of desire and hate. Due to desire and hate, the ignorant person wants to become one with the Supreme Lord and envies Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Pure devotees, who are not so deluded or contaminated by desire and hate, can understand that Lord Sri Krishna appears by His internal potencies. But those who are deluded by duality and nescience think that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is created by material energies. This is their misfortune. Such deluded persons symptomatically dwell in dualities of dishonor and honor, misery and happiness, woman and man, good and bad, pleasure and pain, etc., thinking 'This is my wife, this is my house; I am the master of this house, I am the husband of this wife.' These are the dualities of delusion. Those who are so deluded by dualities are completely foolish and cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
Srila Prabhupada: So, even in the Vaikuntha, if I desire that--"Why shall I serve Krishna? Why not become Krishna?"--I immediately fall down. That is natural. A servant is serving the master, (but) sometimes he may think that, "If I could become the master." They are thinking like that; they are trying to become God. That is delusion. You cannot become God. That is not possible. But he's wrongly thinking. (emphases added)
Vipina Purandara prabhu: Why doesn't Krishna protect us from that desire?
Srila Prabhupada: He's protecting. He says, "You rascal, don't desire. Surrender unto Me." But you are rascal; you do not do this.
Vipina Purandara prabhu: Why doesn't He save me from thinking like that?
Srila Prabhupada: That means you lose your independence.
Vipina Purandara: And no love.
Srila Prabhupada: That is force . . . In Bengali it is said, "If you catch one girl or boy, 'You love me, you love me, you love me.' " Is it love? "You love me, otherwise I will kill you!" Is that love? So Krishna does not want to become a lover like that, on the point of revolver--"You love me, otherwise I shall kill you!" That is not love; that is threatening. Love is reciprocal, voluntary, good exchange of feeling. Then there is love. Not by force; that is rape. . . Why one is called lover, another is called rape?
Vipina Purandara prabhu: But isn't it by force anyway? If we don't love Krishna, we suffer.
Srila Prabhupada: That is your business. You'll suffer. But that Krishna does not force you. He says the real, "You love me, you'll be happy. If you don't love, you suffer." But that is your business. - Excerpt from an Evening Darsana on July 8, 1976 in Washington D.C.

Acyutananda: So what made the soul take birth in the first place?
Prabhupada: In the first place?
Acyutananda: What is the first birth? What is the cause of the first birth.
Prabhupada: Yes. That is stated in the Prema-vivarta:
krsna-bahirmukha hana bhoga vancha kare
nikata-stha maya tare japatiya dhare
As soon as... We are eternal servant of Krsna. As soon as we want to become master, that is the beginning of our first birth in the material world. We have got independence. Because, Krsna says, mamaivamso jiva bhutah—we are part and parcel of Krsna—so Krsna has got full independence, but we are minute; therefore we have got minute independence. Our business is to serve Krsna, but as soon as we give up this idea, we want to become master. That is the beginning of our material birth. (Lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.5.2--Hyderabad, April 11, 1975)

Acyutananda: .....But in the Gita, it says, "Once coming there, he never returns."
Prabhupada: But if he likes, he can return.
Acyutananda: He can return.
Prabhupada: That independence has to be accepted, little independence. We can misuse that. Krsna-bahirmukha hana bhoga vancha kare. That misuse is the cause of our falldown.
Acyutananda: In Krsna book it says that there were some color fighting in Dvaraka. They were throwing color. And some men became lusty seeing the women. So is... Will that be the first part of their falldown, to be in Vaikuntha and think of personal lust with Krsna’s associates?
Prabhupada: Yes. (break) Whatever He likes, He’ll do. That is God. God is not meant for satisfying you. (Morning Walk--February 19, 1976, Mayapura)

However, because of contact with matter, the imprisoned soul loses the memory of his original spiritual form in Vaikuntha. . . material rasas are perverted reflections of the soul's original spiritual rasas. - Srila Bhaktivinoda Takura, Prema-pradipa, p. 83

It is the jivas who are the attendants in His Sports. They become attached to matter, having deviated from their own essential nature as the result of their desire for enjoyment. But when again the soul . . . gains true wisdom of the transcendental region of God . . . he begins to get back his pure essential nature . . . - Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada, Sri Caitanya's Teachings, p. 323.

Then, being bewildered and covered, he is fallen from advaya-vaikuntha. - Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada, Vivritti commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam, 11.2.48

Unless, therefore, one is saved from the wrong conception of the body and the soul, there is no knowledge of Godhead. . . (SB 2.7.42, Purport)

Existence in the impersonal brahma is also within the category of non-Krsna consciousness. Those who are in the brahman effulgence, they are also in the fallen condition. So there is no question of falling down from a fallen condition. - Letter, June 13, 1970

How he is realized soul? If he is speaking something wrong, how he is realized soul? Against the sastra. That is not realized soul. Yah sastra-vidhim utsrjya vartate kama-karatah, na siddhim avapnoti. Sastra reference must be there.- Morning Walk -- April 5, 1974, Bombay

Human reason fails to understand how by serving the devotee bhagavat or the book bhagavat one gets gradual promotion on the path of devotion. But, actually, these are facts . . .(SB1.2.18, Purport)

The sound of Srimad-Bhagavatam is transcendental, and the resonance of Srimad-Bhagavatam is as good as that of the Vedas. Thus the topic of the Srimad-Bhagavatam is the science of both the Lord and the living entity. Regular reading or hearing of Srimad-Bhagavatam is also performance of bhakti-yoga, and one can attain the highest perfection simply by the association of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Both Sukadeva Gosvami and Maharaja Pariksit attained perfection through the medium of Srimad-Bhagavatam. (SB 2.9.4, Purport)

By sincere efforts to hear Srimad-Bhagavatam one realizes his constitutional relationship with the Lord in the transcendental humor of servitude, friendship, paternal affection or conjugal love, and by such self-realization one becomes situated at once in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. (SB 2.8.5, Purport)

TRANSLATION: Persons who hear Srimad-Bhagavatam regularly and are always taking the matter very seriously will have the Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna manifested in their hearts within a short time. (SB 2.8.4)

TRANSLATION: The sound incarnation of Lord Krsna, the Supreme Soul [i.e. Srimad-Bhagavatam], enters into the heart of a self-realized devotee, sits on the lotus flower of his loving relationship, and thus cleanses the dust of material association, such as lust, anger and hankering. Thus it acts like autumnal rains upon pools of muddy water. (SB 2.8.5)

By reading and hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam as a scientific presentation, the conditioned souls will gradually be promoted to the higher status of transcendental knowledge after being freed from the illusory energy based on sense enjoyment. (SB 2.7.53, Purport)

As we have already explained, Srimad-Bhagavatam is so scientifically presented that any sincere student of this great science will be able to understand the science of God simply by reading it with attention or simply by regularly hearing it from the bona fide speaker. (SB 2.7.52, Purport)

"In meantime, I have also received one letter which is very depressing from Hrsikesa. I understand that he has been induced by Bon Maharaja to be initiated by him for giving him shelter, and this foolish boy has accepted his inducement. This isn't very happy news, and I have replied Hrsikesa's letter in the following words, which please take note, and in the future, we shall be very cautious about them. "My Dear Hrsikesa, Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter of March 14, 1968, and I am greatly surprised. I AM GREATLY SURPRISED FOR BON MAHARAJA'S INITIATING YOU IN SPITE OF HIS KNOWING THAT YOU ARE ALREADY INITIATED BY ME. SO IT IS DELIBERATE TRANSGRESSION OF VAISNAVA ETIQUETTES AND OTHERWISE A DELIBERATE INSULT TO ME. I DO NOT KNOW WHY HE HAS DONE LIKE THIS BUT NO VAISNAVA WILL APPROVE OF THIS OFFENSIVE ACTION. I very much appreciate your acknowledgement of my service unto you and you will always have my blessings, BUT YOU MUST KNOW THAT YOU HAVE COMMITTEE. A GREAT BLUNDER. I do not wish to discuss on this point more elaborately now, but if you are desirous to know further about it, I shall be glad to give you more enlightenment. Mukunda is not here. He has gone to L.A. Hope you are well." If Hrsikesa writes you letter I think you may avoid reply. I DO NOT APPROVE BOTH HRSIKESA'S AND BON MAHARAJA'S THIS OFFENSIVE ACTION. Hoping you are both well." Letter to Mukunda, March 26, 1968

"Regarding the action of Bon Maharaja: We shall discuss the matter when we meet. For the present, you may know that this gentleman is very much materially ambitious. He wants to utilize Krsna consciousness for his material name and fame. Sometimes he greatly offended our Guru Maharaja, and it so happened that at the last stage, practically Guru Maharaja rejected him. And the result, we can find that instead of becoming a great preacher of Krsna consciousness this gentleman has become artificially a head of a MUNDANE INSTITUTION. To become a very important man in the mundane estimation is not success in Krsna consciousness... On the whole, you may know that he is not a liberated person, and therefore, he cannot initiate any person to Krsna consciousness. It requires special spiritual benediction from higher authorities. - Letter to Janardana, 4/26/68

"You are right about Sridhara Maharaja's genuineness. But in my opinion he is the best of the lot. He is my old friend, AT LEAST HE EXECUTES THE REGULATIVE PRINCIPLES OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICE. I do not wish to discuss about activities of my Godbrothers but it is a fact they have no life for preaching work. All are satisfied with a place for residence in the name of a temple, they engage disciples to get foodstuff by transcendental devices and eat and sleep. They have no idea or brain how to broacast the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. My Guru Maharaja used to lament many times for this reason and he thought if one man at least had understood the principle of preaching then his mission would achieve success. In the latter days of my Guru Maharaja he was very disgusted. Actually, he left this world earlier, otherwise he would have continued to live for more years. Still he requested his disciples to form a strong Governing body for preaching the cult of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. HE NEVER RECOMMENDED ANYONE TO BE ACARYA OF THE GAUDIYA MATH. BUT SRIDHARA MAHARAJA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DISOBEYING THIS ORDER OF GURU MAHARAJA, AND HE AND OTHERS WHO ARE ALREADY DEAD UNNECESSARILY THOUGHT THAT THERE MUST BE ONE ACARYA. If Guru Maharaja could have seen someone who was qualified at that time to be acarya he would have mentioned. Because on the night before he passed away he talked of so many things, but never mentioned an acarya. His idea was acarya was not to be nominated amongst the governing body. He said openly you make a GBC and conduct the mission. So his idea was amongst the members of GBC who would come out successful and self effulgent acarya would be automatically selected. So Sridhara Maharaja and his two associate gentlemen unauthorizedly selected one acarya and later it proved a failure. THE RESULT IS NOW EVERYONE IS CLAIMING TO BE ACARYA EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY BE KANISTHA ADHIKARI WITH NO ABILITY TO PREACH. IN SOME OF THE CAMPS THE ACARYA IS BEING CHANGED THREE TIMES A YEAR. THEREFORE WE MAY NOT COMMIT THE SAME MISTAKE IN OUR ISKCON CAMP. ACTUALLY 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. This attempt was made previously by them, especially Madhava Maharaja and Tirtha Maharaja and Bon Maharaja but somehow or other I saved the situation. This is going on. We shall be very careful about them and not mix with them. This is my instruction to you all. They cannot help us in our movement, but they are very competent to harm our natural progress. So we must be very careful about them."Letter to Rupanuga, April 28, 1974

"Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 3, 1975 with the enclosed statement about Van Maharaja. So I have now issued orders that all my disciples should avoid all of my godbrothers. THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY DEALINGS WITH THEM NOR EVEN CORRESPONDENCE, NOR SHOULD THEY GIVE THEM ANY OF MY BOOKS OR SHOULD THEY PURCHASE ANY OF THEIR BOOKS, NEITHER SHOULD YOU VISIT ANY OF THEIR TEMPLES. PLEASE AVOID THEM." Letter to Visvakarma, November 09, 1975

"Regarding the Gaudiya Math books being circulated there, who is distributing? Who is sending these books? The Gaudiya Math does not sell our books, why we should sell their books. Who has introduced these books? Let me know. THESE BOOKS SHOULD NOT AT ALL BE CIRCULATED IN OUR SOCIETY. BHAKTI VILAS TIRTHA IS VERY MUCH ANTAGONISTIC TO OUR SOCIETY AND HE HAS NO CLEAR CONCEPTION OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICE. HE IS CONTAMINATED. ANYWAY, WHO HAS INTRODUCED THESE BOOKS? YOU SAY THAT YOU WOULD READ ONLY ONE BOOK IF THAT WAS ALL THAT I HAD WRITTEN, SO YOU TEACH OTHERS TO DO LIKE THAT. You have very good determination." Letter to Sukadeva, November 14, 1973

"You should not write anything to Madhava Maharaja's camp. You may have talked many things with Mangala Niloy but why write him in black and white. The letter must not be sent. THEIR POLICY HAS BEEN ALL ALONG TO SUPPRESS ME AND TAKE CREDIT FOR HIMSELF. THEIR PROPOSAL FOR COOPERATION IS A MYTH. THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WHICH IS COOPERATIVE. YOU KNOW IN A RECENT ARTICLE THEY MANAGED TO WRITE IN SUCH A WAY THAT MADHAVA IS DOING THE WORLD MOVEMENT AND WE ARE HIS SUBORDINATE. FROM THE BEGINNING THAT HAS BEEN THEIR MENTALITY. SO THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF COOPERATION WITH THEM. RATHER YOU SHOULD AVOID STRICTLY MEETING WITH THEM. THEY ARE NOT AFTER PREACHING BUT MATERIAL GAIN AND REPUTATION AND ADORATION. OTHERWISE WHY THEY ARE NON COOPERATING WITH ME? SO NO COOPERATION IS POSSIBLE. Do not think or indulge in loose talks. Be careful always. Let us do the duty of propagation sincerely and seriously on our own principles. Krsna and Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura are our only hope and they and helping us. If anything thing has to be done it is to be talked on the higher level between Madhava Maharaja and myself, but I know his mentality is different and there is no possibility of cooperation." Letter to Acyutananda, June 08, 1974

"SO FAR AS COOPERATING WITH MY GODBROTHERS IS CONCERNED, THAT IS NOT VERY URGENT BUSINESS. SO FAR UNTIL NOW MY GODBROTHERS HAVE REGULARLY NOT COOPERATED WITH ME AND BY THE GRACE OF MY SPIRITUAL MASTER, THINGS ARE STILL GOING AHEAD. SO COOPERATION OR NON-COOPERATION, IT IS THE DESIRE OF BHAKTIVINODE THAKURA TO PREACH THE CAITANYA CULT ALL OVER THE WORLD AND IN 1875 HE PREDICTED THAT SOMEONE WOULD COME VERY SOON WHO WOULD INDIVIDUALLY PREACH THIS CULT ALL OVER THE WORLD. SO IF HIS BENEDICTION IS THERE AND MY GURU MAHARAJA'S BLESSINGS ARE THERE, WE CAN GO AHEAD WITHOUT ANY IMPEDIMENT BUT ALL OF US MUST BE VERY SINCERE AND SERIOUS. Letter to Jayapataka, August 23, 1971

"Do not be depressed. ALL ALONG MY GODBROTHERS GAVE ME ONLY DEPRESSION, REPRESSION, COMPRESSION--BUT I CONTINUED STRONG IN MY DUTY." Letter to Gurudasa, August 29, 1972

Prabhupada:Yes. If by the dress of sannyasi, you take some money and eat and sleep, then it is transcendental fraud. (SP laughs) (Hindi) Just like others are toiling, and we are getting money by some dress. That's all. They are getting money by laboring hard, and we are getting money... In India, mostly the sannyasis, they do that. The priests also, they do that. This is our profession, just... My Guru Maharaja said that thakura dekhiye paya rasta karache, rastaye 'yandiya jivika badram karam bhari (?). Instead of earning livelihood by showing the Deity in the temple, it is better to take the profession of a sweeper in the street and live honestly. He said like that. The sweeper is working hard toiling and getting some money and living. This is honest living. But just like in Vrndavana, all the Goswamis. They have got their Deity. People are coming, contributing. Typical example, Gauracanda Goswami. Thakura dekhiye paisa rasta. (?) All the sevaites, they are meant for... Our Kunja Babu also planned like that. He thought, "By cheating all the God-brothers, I have got now Caitanya Matha. And people will come to see Caitanya Mahaprabhu's birthplace, and I will get good income. And it will be distributed amongst my brothers and sons and myself. That's all." That is his scheme.
Tamala Krsna: Perfect material plan.
Prabhupada: Yes. It is another way of earning money. And he was always after Guru Maharaja only for this purpose. Guru Maharaja took that "Oh, this man is helping me." But he had no such plan, to help Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. He had the plan, "Keep Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati in front, earn money, and put it in my pocket." That was his very beginning. He was taking money like anything. But he was a good manager. Other God-brothers complained, sannyasis. Guru Maharaja used to say that "Why you are complaining? You cannot reform him, your God-brother? And if I would have to keep expert manager like him, I would have to pay something. Suppose he is taking something, why do you grudge?" (Prabhupada laughing) He would say like that. So nobody could say anything. But after the demise, everything burst out. "Kunja Babu must be driven out." That was the whole plan of Gaudiya Matha breakdown. The grudge was against Kunja Babu.
Tamala Krsna: Who is Kunja Babu?
Prabhupada: That Tirtha Maharaja. His name is Kunja Vihari Sar. So that was boiling in everyone's heart. So as soon as Guru Maharaja passed away, so that burst out. And the whole plan was how to get out this Kunja Babu.
Tamala Krsna: Not how to preach.
Prabhupada: No. This was the cause of breakdown. This was suppressed by Guru Maharaja under his influence, but the rebellious was there during his lifetime. And it burst into... Therefore he advised that "You make a governing body and Kunja Babu should be allowed to remain manager." This was directly spoken. He 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 NEVER SAID THAT KUNJA BABU SHOULD BE ACARYA. NONE, 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. "LET THEM MANAGE BY STRONG GOVERNING BODY, AS IT IS GOING ON. THEN ACARYA WILL COME BY HIS QUALIFICATIONS." But they wanted that... Because at heart, they were, "After demise of Guru, I shall become acarya." "I shall become acarya." So all the acaryas began fight. One side, that Vasudeva Acarya and Sar Kunja Babu Acarya. And Paramananda, he thought that "Whoever will be powerful, I shall join them." (laughing) He only thought. But Guru Maharaja never asked that these three men should be trustees. He wanted governing body. So the rebellion broke out immediately after his passing away. And then fight in the High Court. And Kunja Babu, he is very intelligent man. So from the very beginning he knew that "There will be fight after the demise of Guru Maharaja. So fight will be in the High Court. So at the expense of Guru Maharaja, let my brother and sons become attorneys and barrister so I will have not to pay all these things." It was a planned thing. And that is being done. He was a clerk, it was not in his power to make his brother and sons attorneys and barristers. They were all made at the cost of Gaudiya Matha to fight with (indistinct) in favor of Tirtha Maharaja. These were the planned things. But I was a rotten grhastha. I did not join any one of them. (Prabhupada laughs) I was rotting in my household life. That's all. But I was planning how to make, how to make this. That was my desire from the very beginning, since I heard it. But I was never with them, either this party or that party. And Guru Maharaja also recommended, apnader tasturi tublia thaki bhavan. Takhona (?). "When there will be need, he will do himself. There is no need of living with you. It is better to live apart from you." When I was recommended by Goswami Maharaja to live in the Matha, that "He is so nice." Sometimes he recommended. In Bombay, here in this Bombay. That house. Yes. He (Guru Maharaja) said "Yes, he is very expert. He can do. So it is better to live apart from you. And he will do everything when there is need." He said. I could not understand. Although I was apart from them, a grhastha. In this Bombay I was doing business." (people talking outside) Room Conversation, September 21, 1973, Bombay

"If you are serious to be an important assistant in our Society you should fully engage yourself in translation work, AND DO NOT MIX YOURSELF WITH MY SO-CALLED GOD-BROTHERS. AS THERE ARE IN VRINDABAN SOME RESIDENTS LIKE MONKEYS AND HOGS, SIMILARLY THERE ARE MANY RASCALS IN THE NAME OF VAISNAVAS, be careful of them. Letter to Niranjana, November 21, 1972

"REGARDING THE BOOK LIST: "LORD GAURANGA" BY S.K. GHOSE AND VEDER PANCHAYA BY BON MAHARAJA ARE USELESS AND YOU MAY NOT GET THEM. The other books and the Gaudiya paper are acceptable. If you have free use of Xerox machine you may make copies, of some of the smaller works. REGARDING BHAKTI PURI, TIRTHA MAHARAJA, THEY ARE MY GOD-BROTHERS AND SHOULD BE SHOWN RESPECT. BUT YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY INTIMATE CONNECTION WITH THEM AS THEY HAVE GONE AGAINST THE ORDERS OF MY GURU MAHARAJA." Letter to Pradyumna, February 17, 1968

Prabhupada:Daily night. And he was shocked. ONE OF MY GAUDIYA MATHA GODBROTHERS, BIG, HE BECAME THE HEAD OF THIS BHAG BAZAAR GAUDIYA MATHA. So his wife was debauched, and she was bringing new paramour, and the child protested.
Pusta Krsna: New?
Prabhupada: Paramour. And the boy, he was ten years or twelve years old, he could understand: "Who is this man?" So he protested and said, "I shall tell all these things to my father." And he was killed.
Pusta Krsna: The boy was killed?
Prabhupada: By the mother.
Hari-sauri: She murdered him?
Prabhupada: Yes. Killed means given poison. And the father, that is, my Godbrother, seeing this, he also took poison. This is the end of Gaudiya Matha scandal. He was also one of the trustees. This Tirtha Maharaja was a trustee, and another Godbrother and this man. In the beginning, they were made trustees. In the beginning, Prabhupada was to undergo surgical operation. So he was a little nervous, that "I may die." So he made a scrap paper, that "In case I die, these three disciples will be trustees of the Gaudiya Matha Institute." That's all. So this Kunja Babu kept this. There are many long histories. SO ONE OF THE SO-CALLED TRUSTEES WAS THIS VASUDEVA. So he died, his end was like this.
Pusta Krsna: His son was killed, isn't it?
Prabhupada: His wife was a regular prostitute, and she killed her child, and on this shock, he took poison and died.
Pusta Krsna: He killed himself, oh.
Prabhupada: Naturally, he became shocked, that "This is my family life--the wife is prostitute and son is killed. What is the value of my life?" This was his spiritual realization. Just see. (laughs) AND HE WAS MADE THE CHIEF, AND ONE OF THE SUPPORTER WAS SRIDHARA MAHARAJA.
Pusta Krsna: Vasudeva Sridhara?
Prabhupada: No, no. He was made chief. Guru Maharaja did not make him chief. But after his passing away, some of our Godbrothers voted him chief.
Pusta Krsna: Am I mis...? You had told me once, I'm not certain. Maybe I made a mistake. YOU SAID THAT VASUDEVA, IT WAS KNOWN FACT THAT HE WAS HOMOSEX?
Prabhupada: Yes.
Pusta Krsna: Vasudeva.
Prabhupada: HE WAS HOMOSEX AND SEX, EVERYTHING. Room Conversation, June 18, 1976, Toronto

Prabhupada: "He cannot make any comment. These are facts. Two parties there were. One party, to use guru as their instrument for self-aggrandizement, and another party left guru. So both of them are offenders. This Kunja Babu, this Tirtha Maharaja's party, he wanted to enjoy senses through guru. And the Bagh Bazaar party, they left.
Tamala Krsna: Vasudeva.
Prabhupada: So both of them are severe offenders.
Tamala Krsna: What about Sridhara Maharaja?
Prabhupada: SRIDHARA MAHARAJA BELONGED TO THE BAGH BAZAAR PARTY. And I was living aloof. My Guru Maharaja approved. He said, "It is better that he is aloof from them."
Tamala Krsna: He could understand that his disciples were not...
Prabhupada: No, he was very sorry. AT THE LAST STAGE HE WAS DISGUSTED." Room Conversation, April 22, 1977, Bombay

Prabhupada: "At least historically it be proved. (break) ...cause of envy of my Godbrothers. I was known. Although they knew that Prabhupada liked me very much, because I am grhastha, I was known as paca-grhastha. PACA-GRHASTHA MEANS A ROTTEN GRHASTHA. And now they say, "This grhastha has come out more than us? What is this?" (break) Sridhara Maharaja's chief disciple...?
Bhavananda: Gaura.
Prabhupada: HE ALWAYS USED TO SAY TO SRIDHARA MAHARAJA THAT "YOU ARE SEEING ABHAY BABU AS GRHASTHA, BUT HE IS MORE THAN MANY YOGIS." HE WAS TELLING." Room Conversation, February 3, 1976, Mayapur

Bhavananda: "People are attracted by the Westerners coming to the matha. So if we're up at that matha, any of us, and then they say, "Just see." They say in Bengali, "Just see. They are coming. To see our guru maharaja, they are coming."
Prabhupada: THAT WAS THE POLICY OF MADHAVA MAHARAJA AND SRIDHARA MAHARAJA, THAT "ALTHOUGH BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI IS PROPAGATING THROUGHOUT, HE IS SUBORDINATE TO US, UNDER OUR INSTRUCTION." SO ALL THESE THREE." (Note: Ananta Vasudeva was the THIRD above mentioned) Room Conversation, January 19, 1976, Mayapur

2) Your so-called disciple, the jackal named Ananta Vasudeva, disobeyed your final instructions to keep the mission united, and thereby created a scandalous fiasco.
The result of this philosophical deviation is evident to this day as imitative sahajiyas are being worshiped as gurus in your temples.
3) Is there a single temple to be found where your instructions are still being followed? As it is said: "punar musiko bhava"- Everyone has "again become a mouse."
4) The lion's food has been stolen away by the deceptive tricks of the jackal Now caught in Maya's mighty clutches everyone is reduced to wailing and weeping." Viraha Astaka 1958

"Another meaning of guna is rope; it is to be understood that the conditioned soul is tightly tied by the ropes of illusion. A man bound by the hands and feet cannot free himself--he must be helped by a person who is unbound. Because the bound cannot help the bound, the rescuer must be liberated. Therefore, only Lord Krsna, or His bona fide representative the spiritual master, can release the conditioned soul." Purport Bg 7.14

“The initiating and instructing spiritual masters are equal and identical manifestations of Krsna, although they have different dealings.” Caitanya-caritamrita Adi 1.34, purport

“Therefore, there is no difference between siksa-guru and diksa-guru . . .” Room conversation in Bhubanesva on Jan. 31, 1977

“According to sastric injunctions, there is no difference between siksa-guru and diksa-guru, and generally the siksa-guru later on becomes the diksa-guru.” Srimad-bhagavatam 4.12.32, purport

“There is no difference between the shelter-giving Supreme Lord and the initiating and instructing spiritual masters. If one foolishly discriminates between them, he commits an offense in the discharge of devotional service.” Caitanya-caritamrita Adi 1.47, purport

“Sometimes a caste guru says that yei krsna-tattva-vetta sei guru haya means that one who is not a brahmana may become a siksa-guru or a vartma-pradarsaka-guru but not an initiator guru. According to such caste gurus, birth and family ties are considered foremost. However, the hereditary consideration is not acceptable to Vaisnavas. The word guru is equally applicable to the vartma-pradarsaka-guru, siksa-guru and diksa-guru.” Caitanya-caritamrita Madhya 8.128, purport

“A siksa-guru who instructs against the instruction of spiritual, he is not a siksa guru. He is a demon. Siksa-guru, diksa-guru means... Sometimes a diksa-guru is not present always. Therefore one can take learning, instruction, from an advanced devotee. That is called the siksa-guru. Siksa-guru does not mean he is speaking something against the teachings of the diksa-guru. He is not a siksa-guru. He is a rascal.” Lecture in Honolulu July 4, 1974

“These eternally liberated Vaikuntha-vasis are always helping others. Acting in the material world, they protect sincere persons from misunderstanding the principles of devotional service and thereby falling down and being punished by the agents of Yamaraja. The Vaikuntha-vasis encourage the descent of advanced devotees into saintly families, act for the increased prosperity and influence of those devotees, and render unseen help to the devotees’ preaching, by which more and more conditioned jivas are brought back to Krsna consciousness. As instructing spiritual masters, the Vaikuntha-vasis and their representatives remove the obstacles of attachment to karma and jnana and inspire their disciples in various ways to dedicate themselves fully to Krsna’s service. Because the residents of Vaikuntha are free from the restrictions of karma, their efforts never go in vain.” Brhad-bhagavatamrita 1.3.46, translated by Gopiparanadhana das

“The diksa-guru and the siksa-guru are both intimate servitors of Lord Krsna.” From Harinama-cintamani of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur as translated by Bhanu Swami

“ . . . the pure devotee who instructs and guides the disciple in the confidential service of Sri-Sri Radha and Krsna is the siksa-guru.”
“One should . . . worship both the initiating and instructing spiritual masters with great attachment, never thinking that the guru is merely a great sage—rather, that he is one's most intimate and well-wishing friend.” Both quotes from Sri Manah Siksa by Srila Raghunatha das Gosvami, as translated by Sarvabhavana das

“So Krsna is within as caitya-guru, and when we are serious He comes out as the spiritual master. Siksa-guru, diksa-guru. So there is no difference between siksa-guru and diksa-guru and Krsna. Krsna manifests Himself externally as siksa-guru and diksa-guru.” Lecture in Vrindavan on Oct. 29, 1972

“The first manifestation described is the spiritual master, who appears in two plenary parts called the initiating spiritual master and instructing spiritual master. They are identical because both of them are phenomenal manifestations of the Supreme Truth.” Caitanya-caritamrita Introduction to Adi Lila

“He helps us from within as Caitya Guru, and He expands Himself externally as Siksa Guru (as instructor) and Diksa Guru (initiator). So the principle is that whatever you are instructed by the Caitya Guru internally may be confirmed by the instructor or initiator externally. Then your progress will be complete.” Letter to Sivananda May 21, 1969

“Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami states that the instructing spiritual master is a bona fide representative of Sri Krsna. Sri Krsna Himself teaches us as the instructing spiritual master from within and without. From within He teaches as Paramatma, our constant companion, and from without He teaches from the Bhagavad-gita as the instructing spiritual master. There are two kinds of instructing spiritual masters. One is the liberated person fully absorbed in meditation in devotional service, and the other is he who invokes the disciple’s spiritual consciousness by means of relevant instructions. Thus the instructions in the science of devotion are differentiated in terms of the objective and subjective ways of understanding.” Caitanya-caritamrita Adi 1.47, purport

“A devotee must understand that the adiguru, original spiritual master of the sampradaya, is the siksa-guru, and only his teachings are to be accepted and not those of any other scholar or teacher.” Harinama-cintamani of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur as translated by Bhanu Swami

“The initiating and instructing spiritual masters are equal and identical manifestations of Krsna, although they have different dealings.” Caitanya-caritamrita Adi 1.34, purport

“Guror avajna. First offense is guror avajna: Defying the authority of guru. This is the first offense. So one who is offensive, how he can make advance in chanting? He cannot make. Then everything is finished in the beginning. Guror avajna. Everything is there. If one is disobeying the spiritual master, he cannot remain in the pure status of life. He cannot be siksa-guru or anything else.” Lecture in Honolulu July 4,1974

Fortunate means everyone has got his discretion. So one who has the fortune to discriminate, then he can understand Krishna very easily. - Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.15--London, July 30, 1971

Therefore, he did not have very good intelligence, and how can an unintelligent person be delivered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead? (SB 9.4.65, Purport)

We should not give up our reason and discriminatory power just to be gentle. One must have good discriminatory power to judge a thing on its merit. We should not follow the mild nature of a woman and thereby accept that which is not genuine. (SB, 1.7.42)

(W)ithout first properly understanding the science of the Absolute Truth, one cannot possibly develop firm devotion to the Supreme Lord". - Renunciation Through Wisdom, page 30

yah sastra-vidhim utsrjya
vartate kama-karatah
na sa siddhim avapnoti
na sukham na param gatim

TRANSLATION: But he who discards scriptural injunctions and acts according to his own whims attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme destination. Bhagavad-gita 16.23

Mundane manufactured sound has no potency, and as such, seemingly transcendental sound received from an unauthorized person also has no potency. One should be qualified enough to discern such transcendental potency, and either by discriminating or by fortunate chance if one is able to receive the transcendental sound from the bona fide spiritual master, his path of liberation is guaranteed. - SB 2.9.8, Purport

Innocence is no excuse of law. If you say that somebody misled me to go to the left side in the court that does not mean that you will be saved from the fine. So, you have to become such intelligent person that you may not be misled by others. - Lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.6.6-9 - San Francisco, March, 1968

The science of learning a subject matter seriously is different from the sentiments of fanatics. (SB 2.7.53, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada: Nitir, by argument, by logic, when one becomes victorious, that victory is Krishna, niti. Without Krishna...
Chandobhai: It is God's victory, not his.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes.
- Morning Walk--April 2, 1974, Bombay

So if one is actually interested to make his life perfect, then we should accept the standard knowledge instead of manufacturing now different ways. No. Here is standard knowledge, Bhagavad-gita, the sastra. Sadhu-sastra-guru-vakya tinete kariya aikya. Yah sastra-vidhim utsrjya vartate kama-karatah [Bg. 16.23]. If you do not follow the standard knowledge of perfect sastra, then Krsna says, na siddhim savapnoti. He never gets siddhi. Here it is said, siddhaye. Manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye [Bg. 7.3]. Siddhaye, to become perfect. So unless we follow the injunction of the sastra, then there is no possibility of siddhi. Na siddhim savapnoti na sukham na param gatim. Neither perfection, neither happiness in this life, and what to speak of next life? These things are not possible if we do not follow standard knowledge. So for the standard knowledge, manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye. And those who have taken the standard knowledge, yatatam api siddhanam [Bg. 7.3]. - Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 7.1-3 -- Ahmedabad, December 14, 1972

siddhanta baliya citte na kara alasa iha haite krsna lage sudrdha manasa [Adi 2.117].
A sincere student should not neglect the discussion of such conclusions, considering them controversial, for such discussions strengthen the mind. Thus one's mind becomes attached to Sri Krsna. You should be always alert in understanding the sastric conclusions that will help you, otherwise we can be misled by bogus philosophies." Letter to: Ayodhyapati -- Vrindaban 22 September, 1976

We are also lawyer. Not in the material sense. But we know what is the law of God. - Room Conversation with Monsieur Mesman, Chief of Law House of Paris--June 11, 1974, Paris

Our process is to show Krishna Consciousness as it is, not as others want to see it. - Letter to: Yogesvara--Bombay, 28 December, 1971

When my Guru Maharaja was present even big, big scholars were afraid to talk with His beginning students. My Guru Maharaja was called "Living Encyclopedia" , he could talk with anyone on any subject. He was so learned--so we should be like that as far as possible. No compromise--Ramakrishna, avataras, yogis, EVERYONE WAS ENEMY TO GURU MAHARAJA--he never compromised. Some God-brothers complained that this preaching was chopping technique and it would not be successful. But we have seen that those who criticized, they fell down. For my part I have taken up the policy of my Guru Maharaja--NO COMPROMISE. - Letter to Karandhara 27 July, 1973

Satyam, truthfulness, means that facts should be presented as they are, for the benefit of others. Facts should not be misrepresented. According to social conventions, it is said that one can speak the truth only when it is palatable to others. But that is not truthfulness. The truth should be spoken in a straightforward way, so that others will understand actually what the facts are. If a man is a thief and if people are warned that he is a thief, that is truth. ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES THE TRUTH IS UNPALATABLE, ONE SHOULD NOT REFRAIN FROM SPEAKING IT. Truthfulness demands that the facts be presented as they are for the benefit of others. That is the definition of truth. - Bhagavad-Gita 10.4-5, Purport

Dr. Patel: With all my due respect, sir, well, we must have some sort of forbearance for others' views.
Prabhupada: No, no. Because if we have got to preach, we cannot make any compromise.
Dr. Patel: You feel that way, we have no objection. But we should also respect somebody else's views.
Prabhupada: No, we have got all respect, but not unnecessary respect.
Dr. Patel: But even unnecessary respect sometimes you unnecessarily go beyond, according to the...
Prabhupada: No, no, we have respect. But A THIEF SHOULD BE CALLED A THIEF. That is truth.
Dr. Patel: You are the magistrate and you are the judge and you are the...
Prabhupada: No, no, I am not judge. I am talking on the basis of Bhagavad-gita. - Morning Walk -- April 5, 1974, Bombay

Svarupa-jnana--or intrinsic knowledge concerning the sadhaka, the sadhana, and sadhya--is non different from the svarupa of suddha bhakti. When such svarupa-jnana has not yet arisen in a sadhaka--but the desire to cross over the ocean of material existence has arisen within him--then the symptoms of bhakti visible in him at that time are merely bhaktyabhasa. This bhaktyabhasa transforms into suddha-bhakti when one obtains svarupa-jnana. Even for Vaisnavas duly initiated into a genuine sampradaya, the vastu-prabha--the illumination of one's identity arising from the mantra received upon initiation by his diksa guru--does not appear until he receives the enlightenment of his svarupa-jnana by the mercy of siksa guru. Due to ignorance of svarupa-jnana, svarupa-suddha-bhakti remains covered. Hence, only bhaktyabhasa is visible.

Unfortunately, in present day society, in the name of suddha-bhakti, various types of mixed devotion--such as karma-misra, jnana-misra, and yoga-misra, as well as various polluted and imaginary conceptions--are spreading like germs of plague. People in general consider these polluted and mixed conceptions to be bhakti. They respect them as such and thus are deprived of suddha-bhakti. These polluted and mixed conceptions are our greatest enemies. Some people say that there is no value in bhakti: that God is only imaginary sentiment, that man has merely created the image of God through imagination, and that bhakti is a diseased state, unable to benefit us in any way.

These types of opponents cannot harm us much, because we easily recognize them and avoid them. However, those who propagate bhagavad-bhakti as the highest dharma--yet behave against the principles of suddha-bhakti--can be especially harmful to us. In the name of bhakti, they instruct us against the actual principles of bhakti. This ultimately lead us to a path that is diametrically opposed to bhagavad-bhakti. Therefore, with great endeavor, our previous acaryas have defined the svarupa or intrinsic nature of bhakti, repeatedly cautioning us to keep away from polluted and mixed concepts. - Bhakti Viveka Tattva - By His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktivinode Takura Prabhupada

You cannot judge a movement simply by the number of its followers. If one man is genuine, then the movement is successful. It is not a question of quantity, but quality. - Science of Self Realization, Ch. 2, "Choosing a Spiritual Master-Saints & Swindlers"

Do not be depressed. All along my godbrothers gave me only depression, repression, compression--but I continued strong in my duty. - Letter to: Gurudasa--Los Angeles, 29 August, 1972

My godbrothers always discouraged me but I did not give up, I am doing my duty and always keeping my spiritual master in front. - Letter to: Krsna dasa--Dallas, 9 September, 1972

We must pray to Krsna to save us from the attack of so many bad elements. - Letter to: Rupanuga--Bombay, 18 December, 1974

Ekas candras tamo hanti na ca tarah sahasrasah. If we can, I mean to say, raise one person to Krishna consciousness, that means we have successfully preached our mission. One moon is better than millions of stars. Hare Krishna. - Press Release--Los Angeles, December 22, 1968.