"So we should associate by vibration, and not by the physical presence. That is real association.". Srila Prabhupada lecture, Srimad Bhagavatam, August 18, 1968
Real association means hearing the teachings of the spiritual master, not physically associating with him. Srila Prabhupada speaks about some of his god brothers, who had extensive physical association with Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, but have become USELESS due to their NOT following the orders of their spiritual master:
"So far as personal association with Guru is concerned, I was only with Guru Maharaj 4 or 5 times, but I have never left his association, not even for a moment. Because I am following his instruction, I have never felt any separation. There are some of my God brothers here in India, who had constant personal association with Guru Maharaja, but who are neglecting his orders. This is just like the bug who is sitting on the lap of the king. He may be very puffed up by his position but all he can succeed in doing is biting the king. Personal association is not so important as association through serving."
"I went to your country for spreading this information of Krishna Consciousness and you are helping me in my mission, although I am not physically present there but spiritually I am always with you." - Srila Prabhupada letter to Nandarani, Krishna Devi and Subala, October 3, 1967
The real blessings of Srila Prabhupada can be obtained by hearing his teachings, reading his books, hearing his audio lectures, and so on. There were many people who may have had Srila Prabhupada’s physical association, but the real connection with Srila Prabhupada comes when one hears his teachings by reading his books hearing his audio lectures. To judge one’s relationship with Srila Prabhupada on the basis of how much or how little physical association they may have had with him is a material conception. A spiritual conception of the relationship with Srila Prabhupada is judged by how deeply one has imbibed his teachings within one’s heart. - Kanhaiya prabhu. 2012.
"I am always with you. Never mind if I am physically absent."
- Srila Prabhupada letter to Jayananda, September 16, 1969
Comments
Editor; note; Srila Prabhupada had no written authorization to be guru, but was sent by his spiritual master alone to the West with a few books, to preach, and instruction to preach in English.
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"All my disciples will take the legacy. If you want, you can also take it. Sacrifice everything. I, one, may soon pass away. But they are hundreds, and this movement will increase. It is not that I give an order, 'Here is the next leader.' Anyone who follows the previous leadership is the leader.... All of my disciples are leaders, as much as they follow purely. If you want to follow, you can also lead. But you don't want to follow. Leader means one who is a first class disciple. Evam param parapraptam. One who is following is perfect."
(Srila Prabhupada, Back to Godhead magazine, Vol. 13, No. 1-2)
pamho tamohara prabhu agtACBSP,yes i agreed because the bonafide spiritual master is even more merciful then SRI KRSNA, the guru is in power by SRI KRSNA to deliver all the fallen souls of this age through the pure reflection connected to the supersoul within and without since the previous lives like our beloved acharya he is the perfect yogi able to go inside the heart of all the suffering souls and change it by making the sincere sadhaka eager to get SRI SRI GURU GAURANGA by increasing the faith through the daily sadhana bhakti which increase the spiritual activities as well therefore we will get there by the causeless mercy of our eternal gurudeva HDG ACBSP,once SRILA PRABHUPADA told to a disciple I will never leave the service to my guru maharaj HE was so attached to the order of HIS spiritual master that HE is still change the world with the special enlightenment we get daily by reading the matchless gift HE left for the welfare of the next generations within this small satya yuga for the next 9.500 years through the divine SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM SRIMAD BHAGAVAD GITA etc.. we are so lucky to get this chance in this life through the best spiritual master HDG ACBSP,HE all the time gives special preference to HIS spiritual master HDG SBSTP, SRILA PRABHUPADA use to say that HIS guru SRILA BHAKTISIDDHANTA were a citizen of vaikunta indeed HIS father SRILA BHAKTIVINODA THAKUR one day saw HIS house transformed in vaikuntaloka because all of THEM were a family of yogis like our beloved acharya that's why by meditating on THEIR sublime lives we get spiritual relief therefore THEY are worthy to be worship by the three world lokanath lokera jivana THEY instructions will become our entire and ideal life because THEY explain the way out from this troublesome world in a very simple way through THEIR purity,we hope to become pure as the rod become fire in contact with the fire we will become pure in contact with the best spiritual master 108 SRI SRIMAD HDG ACBSP ki jai.thank you for your sat-sanga and blessing agtys ys a.c seva das haribol