Dear *** Prabhu,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It is quite a broad subject. I’ll just say something.
What Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says in Jaiva Dharma
https://www.isvara.org/archive/what-kind-of-guru-is-fit-to-be-rejected-bhaktivinoda-thakura/
is corroborated by Shastra, our Guru Srila Prabhupada and Sadhu.
If a disciple discovers that his “guru” was never qualified as such, that he was cheated in accepting a common sinful person as spiritual guide, then he should immediately reject him.
But it can’t be called “Guru rejection” because that person was never a Guru.
Then he has to take initiation, but should not call it reinitiation because the previous “initiation” was fake.
Someone who was qualified and then have a minor fall down should not be rejected.
It could be done only in extreme situations, the ones Bhaktivinoda Thakura mentions
Narahari Sarakara Thakura (a contemporary of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu) says in his Krishna Bhajanamrita:
Verse 64
However, if the spiritual master:
• acts enviously towards ‘isvarebrantah’, that which is connected with the Supreme;
• is bewildered regarding the Supreme Personality of Godhead;
• is averse to expanding the fame of Lord Krsna;
• personally refuses to accept hearing or chanting about the glorious pastimes of Lord Sri Krsna;
• has become totally bewildered, listening to the false praise of ignorant persons and day by day is more materially contaminated and fallen
• then the spiritual master must be renounced.
Verse 65
Under those circumstances one should not doubt, “How can I give up my spiritual master?” With a strong desire for achieving spontaneous devotional service and attaining the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, a devotee accepts the shelter of a spiritual masters the via media to Lord Sri Krsna. However, after accepting the responsibility of serving the spiritual master, if that spiritual master takes on “asura” qualities or a demoniac mentality then it is one’s duty to reject such a demon “asura” guru and in his place accept a Krsna conscious spiritual master and worship him.
Verse 66
By taking shelter of the strength of the Krsna conscious spiritual master’s devotional service the ill effects or contamination of the demoniac previous spiritual master is counteracted and destroyed. These activities are recommended by all vaisnava authorities as the authorized conclusion of the shastra.
Verse 67
During the pastimes of Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu there have been many practical examples of the above.
This concludes the deliberation and final conclusions of sadhu, shastra and guru on the spiritual master and related matters.
Your servant
Manonatha Dasa (ACBSP)
PS
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