How a Guru Should Encourage His Disciples

A concise summary of Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1 Chapter 5

Sage Narada sets an example of how a Spiritual Master should encourage his disciples to succeed in the path of self-realization. He instructs Srila Vyasadeva to compile Srimad Bhagavatam.

Narada begins with a question asking whether it is good enough to associate with body and mind to attain self-realization. Self-Realization always begins with a question. Spiritual Master should question his disciples to make them think beyond body and mind.

Narada glorifies Vysadeva’s achievements a follows:

• You composed a great epic Mahabharatha which describes the matters related to the duties of human life

• You have experienced Brahman, the Universal Spiritual Energy and also described it in the Vedas

• You have a spiritual vision as well as you are enlightened, and you are qualified to perceive the spiritual activities and glories of the Supreme Person in meditation

Narada points out the weakness in Vysadeva’s approach as follows:

• You haven’t described the glories of the Supreme Person, Bhagavan. It is Bhagavan’s spotless activities that satisfy even the self-realized beings

• Your compositions don’t describe the glories of the Supreme Person can’t bring auspiciousness regardless of how well those sound

• Your literature that is focused on self-realization without devotion to the Supreme Person does not purify the mind completely. So, it is essential to compose literature that highlights the devotional service

Narada provides the reasoning for why he wants Srila Vysadeva to take action:

• A layman is only interested in enjoying life. You have described various religious rituals in the Vedas which would help in the fulfillment of desires. A layman would assume that is the goal of the religion

• You should show a way through your composition for laymen to connect with the form, activities, and adventures of the Supreme Person. They will gradually develop devotion to the Lord. They may make mistakes in the process but they will ultimately become successful. A devotee of Lord Krishna will never undergo suffering for his mistakes

• Your composition should also benefit spiritually intelligent men and women to develop devotion to the Supreme Person

• Self-realized sages over the millennia have confirmed that the ultimate goal of Vedic sacrifices, meditation, chanting of Vedic hymns, austerities (e.g. fasting), etc. is the develop devotion to the Supreme Person

Narada shares his own experience with Srila Vysadeva:

• I was born as the son of a maidservant in my previous birth. My mother was served the sages and I also got to serve them

• They were pleased with my service and blessed me. I got to eat the remanent so the food those sages ate, which is supposed to purify the mind

• I also got to hear about the stories of Sri Krishna from those sages. I realized that I was living in ignorance because my mind got purified by hearing those stories

• Those sages had also instructed me the confidential knowledge about God. I understood the Lord Vasudeva is the ultimate creator, maintainer, and destroyer of this Universe. I wanted to meet him in person

• I learned that any action performed for Sri Vasudeva will free us from the miseries of life

• As I dedicated my activities to the Lord, I was endowed with spiritual knowledge followed by devotion

• Thus, it is important to compose that confidential knowledge that can help one develop devotion and dedicate one’s activities to the Supreme Person, Sri Vasudeva

Narada finally concludes his coaching by asking Sri Vyasadeva to chant together the names and glories of Lord Vasudeva. The Lord is personally present in the sound representation of his names

Vysasadev glorifies Narada as follows. The disciple needs to glorify his Spiritual Master as well.

• Narada knows all the secrets of self-realization because he is devoted to the Supreme Person, Bhagavan Vasudeva

• Narada is well known everywhere for his compassionate attitude

• Narada can connect directly with the hearts of people

In essence, Vysadeva is highlighting the required qualities of a Spiritual Master.

Thus, we can summarize Narada’s approach to guide his disciple Srila Vysadeva:

1. Glorify the disciple

2. Point out the weakness in the disciple

3. Provide reason for action

4. Share your experience

5. Conclude with the remembrance of the Lord