About the Disciple
The spiritual master formally accepts a disciple during the diksha or initiation ceremony. This ceremony means the beginning of the relationship between the teacher and the disciple (initiation). Later, this relationship must be maintained and nurtured. It is necessary to clearly understand that initiation is the beginning of the journey, not the end. A disciple who, after receiving initiation, maintains no further contact with their spiritual master, is no disciple at all. As soon as the disciple begins to consciously offend the lotus feet of the spiritual master, at that very moment the connection between the teacher and the disciple automatically breaks.
Basis of Relationship
Just as fertile soil and constant watering are needed for a seed to sprout, the instructions of a bona-fide spiritual master can take root only in the heart of a sincere disciple. The basis of their relationship is trust. The spiritual master takes the great responsibility of leading the disciple along the path of spiritual advancement, thinking that the disciple will follow his instructions. The disciple surrenders to the spiritual master's instructions, understanding that they are for their own spiritual benefit.
The fundamental qualities of a disciple are presented in the Bhagavad-gita (4.34):
tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ
"Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth."
Here Sri Krishna presents two main characteristics of a disciple: obedience and a mood of service.
Obedience
Obedience is practiced by surrendering to the spiritual master's instructions. For example, if the spiritual master wants the disciple to follow certain regulative principles, the disciple must obey these instructions and strictly follow these principles.
A disciple should never be proud of their material qualifications: education, beauty of the body, wealth, high birth. Such qualifications have nothing to do with spiritual life.
Mood of Service
When the spiritual master gives some service to the disciple, one must understand that it is meant only for the disciple's purification, to help them on the spiritual path.
Activity performed under the guidance of a spiritual master is under the control of Krishna's internal or spiritual energy, therefore it is considered pure devotional service.
Meeting of Rupa Gosvami and Chaitanya
Even the most educated disciples must approach a spiritual master very humbly. When Rupa Gosvami, a literary genius of his time, stood before Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, he was very aggrieved about his ignorance, because not only did others consider him very educated, but he himself actually believed what others said. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, pleased with Rupa Gosvami's humility, told him in great detail about the details of the science of devotion.
Inquisitiveness
It is the disciple's duty to inquire from the spiritual master about matters concerning the spirit. A disciple who does not inquire from the spiritual master, is not performing their function as a disciple. Scriptures are full of knowledge, but it must be interpreted according to time, place, and circumstances. Answering a specific question of the disciple, the spiritual master adapts these scriptural statements so that they best fit the circumstances. In this way, questions are the basis of all instructions, these instructions are the basis of obedience, and obedience is the basis of spiritual progress.
The spiritual master guides the disciple so that they become competent in spiritual matters. The disciple glorifies the spiritual master thus: "I was born in the darkest ignorance, but my spiritual master, by opening my eyes with the torch of knowledge, has opened my eyes." Thus, the spiritual master opens the disciple's eyes, but does not become the disciple's eyes.
Faith
The disciple must have unflinching faith in the spiritual master, and make his instructions the essence of their life. Shvetashvatara Upanishad (6.38) says:
yasya deve parā bhaktir
yathā deve tathā gurau
tasyaite kathitā hy arthāḥ
prakāśante mahātmanaḥ
"Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed."
The faith described here is not merely intellectual acceptance of some theological matters. The disciple must completely surrender to the spiritual master as a servant and accept the master's instructions as their life's mission. Transcendental knowledge about God is never revealed to speculative or mundane thinking. It is seen only by the eyes of faith and devotion. Of course, this does not mean that the disciple gives up their ability to think. All things must be accepted only after they are independently confirmed by guru-sadhu-shastra – guru, self-realized souls, and scriptures.
Gratitude
Important!
The spiritual master acts as the disciple's savior. He alone can impart Vedic knowledge and thus lead the disciple toward liberation. Therefore, the disciple is indebted to their spiritual master, who pulled them out of ignorance.
⚠️ Offenses to the lotus feet of the spiritual master are worse than vaishnava aparadha and can completely destroy spiritual life. Even if the spiritual master does not take offense, Krishna will not forgive offenses to His devoted servants.
Conclusion
The relationship between the disciple and their spiritual master is transcendentally sweet and pleasing. It involves mutual love and service. The disciple serves the spiritual master by rendering menial service, following instructions, and the master in turn humbly performs duties as a servant of the Supreme and his own spiritual master.
Prabhupada says that if the teacher is intelligent and qualified, and the disciple is foolish and neglectful, nothing good will come of such a union. It is best when the teacher is a personality who knows Krishna, and the disciple also possesses proper qualities.
Qualities of a Disciple in Scriptures
Summarized Qualities:
- The disciple must inquire and listen from the spiritual master.
- The disciple must strictly follow the spiritual master's instructions. The disciple eternally associates with their spiritual master by following his vani – instructions.
- The disciple must serve the spiritual master
- The disciple must satisfy and please the spiritual master.
- The disciple must have faith in the spiritual master.
- The disciple must be obedient and humble.
- The disciple must respect the spiritual master as a manifestation of the Supreme or God Himself.
- Disciple grihasthas (householders) regulate sexual life in accordance with the spiritual master's instructions.
- Disciple's behavior with their Godbrothers.
- The disciple must respect their spiritual master's Godbrothers.
- Proper behavior between a disciple and the spiritual master's young wife.
- The disciple makes progress in Krishna Consciousness only by the mercy and blessings of the spiritual master.
- The disciple must avoid offenses to their spiritual master.
Hari Bhakti Vilasa highlights these qualities of a disciple:
✓ The Disciple MUST be:
- Truthful
- Polite and kind
- Pleasing in appearance
- Without behavioral faults
- Intelligent
- Controlling their senses
- Showing proper respect to elders
- Silent about material matters
- Without attraction to sinful activity
- Desiring to know the Absolute Truth
- Devoted to the guru's lotus feet
- Absorbed in service to the Lord
- Capable of keeping vows
✗ The Disciple MUST NOT be:
- Lazy, dirty, or sickly
- Always lamenting
- Arrogant, proud, or lusty
- Overwhelmed by material desires
- Demonstrating a spirit of enjoyment
- Stingy, envious, angry, or wicked
- Causing pain to others
- Using vulgar words
- Engaging in illicit relationships
- Constantly criticizing others
- Proud of material education
- Ignorant
- Absorbed in other philosophies
- Prone to overeating
Note
Even if a person does not possess all the qualities listed here, but is devoted to their spiritual master and the Lord, they can by performing devotional service purify themselves over time and become a suitable candidate for initiation.
6 Categories of Bad Disciples
Srila Bhaktivedanta Vamana Gosvami used to quote a verse from the shastras, which says that there are six categories of bad disciples:
1. Ali (bee)
The guru asks to go to the market to buy groceries. He visits all his friends and returns empty-handed because the market is already closed. Like a bee that flies from flower to flower but takes honey from none.
2. Banah (arrow)
The teacher says: "go to the market", and he immediately shoots off. Only when he is at the market does he realize he doesn't know why he ran there. Like an arrow, full of enthusiasm, he rushes to execute instructions without understanding the master's heart.
3. Baka (crane)
The crane stands very quietly in the water on one leg and meditates. Such disciples chant mantras, meditate, but inside they have many material desires: for bodily pleasures, fame, and respect.
4. Proshita preshika (delegation)
When the spiritual master gives an instruction, this one starts looking around and tells another devotee to go because Gurudeva ordered it. Thus, ultimately the master's instruction is never executed.
5. Kim ekaki ("me alone?")
Upon receiving the master's instruction, immediately asks: "What, me alone? I need people, helpers." He does not believe in the spiritual master's instructions. He cannot show a bit of determination and initiative.
6. Jyotisha (astrologer)
He is always thinking about the future. The master ordered him to go to the market, and he starts asking: "What if the market is closed? What if I run out of money?" He is afraid of the future.
Who is this for?
These six types of bad disciples are presented not so that we look at others and say: "Look, he is like that", but so that looking into our own hearts we see what is wrong with us, not with others.
APPENDIX
In Hari Bhakti Vilasa, verse 2.147, Srila Sanatana Gosvami quotes "Sammohana-tantra":
gopayec ca nijāṁ mantraṁ gopayen nija-mālikām
"The disciple must hide their ishta-deva, they must hide their guru, they must hide their mantra and they must hide their japa mala."
Wise people keep valuable things in a safe place. Similarly, an intelligent sadhaka does not advertise their guru and does not announce themselves as disciples of their guru. Considering themselves very fallen and unfit to be considered disciples, sincere devotees do not want to advertise who their guru is.
Antarmukha-shishya
Means looking inward – introspective disciple.
- Desires to please their guru
- Focused on guru's instructions
- Keeps relationship with guru confidential
- Inclined to follow instructions, not advertise
- Is anartha-mukta-avasthā – liberated from anarthas
Bahirmukha-shishya
Means looking outward – absorbed in external things.
- Highly advertises their guru
- Pretends to be great or very intimate disciples
- Does not think about the teacher's internal intentions
- Called guru-giri – business with the teacher
- Is anartha-yukta-avasthā – possesses material desires
"It is not enough just to advertise oneself again and again as a devotee of Mahaprabhu and say: 'I am Gaura's!' It is more understood that those who follow the practice taught by Mahaprabhu obtain the results of a follower of the Lord."
Essential Principle
Srila Sanatana Gosvami's instruction gopayed gurum ātmanaḥ – "disciple must hide their guru" – advises devotees to deepen their relationship with the guru, basing this relationship on instructions about service and bhajana given to them by their guru.
Self-Check Questions
- Quote a free translation of the verse from Bhagavad-gita (4.34) about the qualities of a disciple.
- Which qualities of a disciple in relation to the spiritual master should be highlighted the most?
- Do you think you have enough qualities to be a good disciple?
- What hinders you the most from being a good disciple? Can these obstacles be removed?