Sutra 49
Now that Lord Caitanya, the teacher of all, has appeared in this world, there is no need for any other teacher.
Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Here someone may ask: How is it possible to understand this knowledge of devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead without first taking shelter of a spiritual master?
To answer this question, the author speaks this sutra. He says: Now that Lord Caitanya, the teacher of all saintly Vaisnavas who know the spiritual truth, has appeared in this world, there is no need for any other teacher. That is the meaning. In the Gopala-tapani Upanisad it is said:
"It was Krsna who in the beginning instructed Brahma in Vedic knowledge and who disseminated Vedic knowledge in the past. I, who desire liberation, surrender to Lord Krsna, who enlightens the intelligence with transcendental knowledge."
In Bhagavad-gita (10.11) the Supreme Personality of Godhead explains:
"Out of compassion for them, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance."
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Everyone is engaged in action. The law of karma means that there are reactions to every action and that a person must endure the reactions to his actions.
Science of Identity Foundation - Siddhaswarupananda
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In Srimad Bhagavatam (11.17.27) Lord Krsna explains:
"One should know the acarya as Myself and never disrespect him in any way."
In the Narada-pancaratra, Guru-mahatmya, it is said:
"The spiritual master teaches the truth of spiritual mantras and the process of worshipping the Lord. It is because of his teaching of mantras and worship that devotional service to Lord Krsna is possible.
"O sage, at the highest place in the spiritual world is a thousand-petal lotus flower. In a spiritual form, the spiritual master resides there eternally."
In the Hari-bhakti-vilasa it is said:
"By the mercy of Lord Krsna, by the association of devotees, and by hearing the glories of devotional service, one desires to engage in devotional service. At that time one finds a spiritual master and dutifully worships him.'
In Srimad Bhagavatam (11.20.17) the Supreme Personality of Godhead explains:
"When one wants to cross a large ocean he requires a strong boat. It is said that this human form of life is a good boat by which one can cross the ocean of nescience. In the human form of life one can obtain the guidance of a good navigator, the spiritual master. One also gets a favourable wind by the mercy of Krsna, and that wind is the instructions of Krsna. The human body is the boat, the instructions of Lord Krsna are the favourable winds, and the spiritual master is the navigator. The spiritual master knows well how to adjust the sails to catch the winds favourably and steer the boat to its destination. If, however, one does not take advantage of this opportunity, one wastes the human form of life. Wasting time and life in this way is the same as committing suicide."
