Fledgling Putanas
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta describes how the duplicitous desire to become guru arises in the heart of the conditioned soul:
If I do not remember the lotus feet of Sri Guru at the beginning of every new year, every new month, every new day, and every new moment, then I am sure to fall into far greater inconveniences. If I do not remember his lotus feet, then the desire will come to dress myself in the garb of guru. I will become liable to the bad desire of seeking to be worshiped by other people as guru. It is this which constitutes addiction to things other than the truth.
(Sri Chaitanya’s Teachings, page 262-263.)
One who does not constantly remember and take shelter of one’s transcendental teacher is unable to appreciate how that teacher is still present even after his physical departure. The history of the world’s religions has shown that such materialistic followers commonly start to think, “My mentor is no longer present. How will his mission go on? I may not be qualified, but someone has to be the guru and priest. I don’t see anyone else who can do it, so I will have to myself.” Srila Saraswati Thakur says that in this way the “bad desire” to falsely dress as guru arises in the heart of the follower. Putana thus takes birth.
(Continued in the next issue)
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