Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhara Deva-Goswami Maharaja
and associates
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whenever there is any difference in the spiritual advice we may receive from different directions, we are to see the common thread. However, the absolute position will warrant a higher consideration than the relative one. Both the absolute and relative considerations must continue, because without that, no progress is possible.


Absolute and relative - both considerations must go side by side. But the absolute has the primary position, and the relative, the temporary, shall be evaluated according to what is suitable to the particular time, place, person, and purpose. So in this, the longest journey of our lives, and for our greatest interest, we are given the truth, the connection of the Absolute, always - and there is unity.

Even in the case of an ordinary Guru of lower type, the sastra has also maintained that link: paroksa-vada vedo 'yam. If a certain standard of self-discipline such as no meat or fish-eating, etc. is demanded of those who are very much conditioned by lower propensities, then they won't come into the fold; but the policy is that they must come, so some allowances are given. For a particular type of disciple there will be a corresponding Guru and a similar sastra, but it is with the hope that they will take up the path of progress. The sastras are so generous in going to the lowest section, and the corresponding Guru will also be there. Similar Guru, similar sastra, and similar sadhu - all are extended to the lowest plane to elevate the conditioned souls by a gradual process.

And the sastra also has got in its mind that in this gradual process some provision must be given, otherwise a great many will give it up. That universal mind is there, and that sort of consciousness is in the minds of the rsis who have prepared those sastras, and in the corresponding Gurus as well.


The sadhus and sastras are going to the extremity of the sinful area, because otherwise there would be no chance for anyone to rise from that level. But generally the disciples, the sadhakas, will take up spiritual practices from their own plane - their own level of realization or inner evolution - they'll go up from there, and along the way also they will find the appropriate Guru and sastra.

It is just like this: our sight is within a particular spectrum - we can't see very much intense light, nor very meager light either. The same with sound; we can't hear very high frequency sound, nor very low. So we are working in the relative position.


But we are told to stick to the absolute thread continually in order to properly understand the whole. Therefore don't undermine the Acarya. Although you may be seeing some ordinary characteristics there - eating, sleeping - don't undermine him! Otherwise you'll be the loser. Just as in the Ganges water, we are not to take notice of the stones, the wood, the foam; Ganges water can purify everything.


What is it that can purify? Its water aspect? No.


There is another aspect, and if that is analyzed, ultimately we will see the order of the Lord: it is His order that Ganges water will purify. So the purifying power comes from His will; His will is backing that. We shall try to find the absolute backing everywhere; and if we can't sacrifice the relative position, then we'll have to go to the plane of nirvisesa (the undifferentiated aspect of the absolute in which service is absent).

There is a complete system which comprises Krsna and His Associates of different types, and we want to have our connection with both Sakti (the Potency) and Saktiman (the Possessor of Potency). We can never sacrifice either of Them, especially Sakti. For example, when Raghunatha Das Goswami says, "I do not want Krsna if Radharani is not there; rather, I want Radharani," then who is Radharani? Who is She? She is the one who is full of Krsna to the greatest degree, so Das Goswami says, "I want Radharani." Krsna is there, and in different relative positions He comes to each particular person as sweet, sweeter, sweetest. In this way, we find such relativity.