Q143. What are the symptoms of a spiritual master?

01. He is completely free from lust. 02. He is completely free from violence. 03. He is friendly to all living beings, even to the animals (he does not kill them). 04. He can describe God and His pastimes. 05. He orders justice for all living beings. 06. He does not force anyone to follow him. 07. He is very humble, tolerant, and forgiving. 08. He does not incite hatred towards any living being. 09. He does not curse anyone and is kind to all. 10. He wants every living entity to get liberation. 11. He loves everyone. 12. He follows the scriptures and quotes from them. 13. He lives very simply. Makes no demands and does not trouble anyone. 14. His behavior is a role model for all to follow. Based on Sanatan-Dharma standards. A genuine spiritual master, will exhibit all the above-mentioned qualities. "The symptoms of a sadhu are that he is tolerant, peaceful, merciful, pure hearted, friendly to all living beings, and he follows the scriptures." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.21) “A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind’s demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world.” (Nectar of Instruction, text 1) “The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O Uddhava, a saintly person is merciful and never injures others. Even if others are aggressive he is tolerant and forgiving toward all living entities.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.11.29) Now days, there are many bogus Gurus, and Swamis who preach their own nonsense philosophy and completely deviate from the teachings of the Vedic scriptures. So be aware of this and only accept the teachings of someone if they can back up their statements by quoting from the Vedic scriptures. “You can get true knowledge and understanding by serving and inquiring from a self-realized spiritual master who has seen the truth.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 4.34) I would recommend his Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and his disciples as spiritual masters. Visit www.Krishna.com for more information and visit an ISKCON temple near you. Materialistic means bodily consciousness and thus sense gratification (engaging in violence/wars/raids/sex, attachment to women and objects, intoxications). One

should never accept a materialistic person as a Guru. One should only hear and learn religious values from saintly persons.