Srila Prabhupada quoted the following Bhagavad-gita verse at the time of giving sannyasa to Srila Gour Govinda Swami:
sri-bhagavan uvaca anasritah karma-phalam
karyam karma karoti yahsa sannyasi ca yogi ca
na niragnir na cakriyah
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: One who is unattached to the fruits of his work and who works as he is obligated, is in the renounced order of life, and he is the true mystic, not he who lights no fire and performs no duty.” (BG, 6.1)
He uttered this verse and said, “He is a real sannyasi,” then gave him the sannyasa mantra and danda. Shortly thereafter, many sannyasis and GBC members started complaining, “How has he taken sannyasa? He is a new man!” Then Srila Prabhupada told them, “He is a devotee from birth - you are new men!"
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