Dear *** Prabhu,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
In Sastras there are many different instructions that vary depending on the person and circumstances.
Since it is a vast topic, I’ll make it as simple as I can.
In the Mundaka Upanisad 1.2.12 verse a Guru and a Sisya (disciple) are described.
tad vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet
samit panih srotriyam brahma-nistham
The last two words say that a Guru must be vastly learned (srotriyam) and a pure or sinless devotee (brahma-nistham).
Those persons who pose themselves as “Guru” knowing very well to not be erudites nor sinless, are cheaters and must be rejected. They are not fallen Gurus. They were never Gurus.
To anyone who may object with me on the ground that there is a book where Guru falling is expected and excused, I’ll respond that those were different cases, not applicable to the specific case we are discussing.
It’s also important to note that the Mundaka Upanisad verse, as well as the Bhagavad-gita 4.34 verse, describe what a disciple should be.
While in the beginning a devotee who takes any peace of yellow metal as gold is excused, after some time he is expected to know more. If he continues to say that a peace of metal painted of yellow is gold, he is simply a fool.
A sincere devotee, once he discovers that he has been cheated, should immediately reject that person and go looking for a real Guru, who can give proof of erudition and holiness.
I hope not to have hurt your feelings in any way. If so it was not the intention.
Your servant
Manonatha Dasa (ACBSP)
PS
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