IS THE THIRD OFFENSE
All glories to Sri Pancatattva and Sri Sri RadhaMadhava.
All glories to Navadwipadhama, Vrajadhama, Jamunadevi and all
the Vaisnava devotees.
Srila Haridasa Thakura said, "O Lord, kindly allow me to
explain the third namparadha. This aparadha is to disobey the
orders of the spiritual master and thus to disrespect him."
The soul travels through many lifetimes in different bodies
and at last gets a chance at the rare human birth, which is
auspicious in every respect. The soul has rotated through
8,400,000 different species, It is by ajnatasukriti or
unintentional pious activities that the soul finally attains a
human body. A birth in the human form is most uncommon, because
only in that body are spiritual activities possible to perform,
unlike any other species.
A demigod or denizen of the heavenly planets is destined
only to enjoy the reactions of his past good karma. He cannot
voluntarily initiate any spiritual activities. Animals are
likewise bound by karmic reactions and are too steeped in gross
ignorance to undertake any pious activities independently. The
human birth alone is most conducive for spiritual life and
service to the Supreme Lord.
A spiritual master is essential for everyone Yet the fact
remains that this body is transient. If one does not carefully
endeavor for selfrealization, which is the greatest benediction,
then he returns again to the endless cycle of birth and death. An
intelligent person will therefore utilize this rare opportunity.
He will search out a spiritual master who can lead him to the
Supreme Lord Krsna.
[Footnote 1 by Bhaktivinoda] Such a spiritual master is the
only helmsman who can help the drowning jiva get across the ocean
of material nescience. Only the most foolish persons will attempt
to cross this ocean by their own intelligence. The achievement of
any success in this world requires the help of a teacher's
instructions. How, then, will one obtain perfection in the best of
all subjects, spiritual science, without the aid of a teacher? He
is who fit to teach this science is he who is self realized and
fully proficient in Krsna consciousness. [End of footnote 1]