More of Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Prabhupada’s quotes on the verse Amara Ajnaya Guru Hana:
1) Lecture on SB 7.9.7 — Mayapur, February 14, 1976: The guru, as specified by Caitanya Mahāprabhu, that is not very difficult, who is guru? Caitanya Mahāprabhu said,
yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
He is guru. One who is strictly following the instruction of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and after following Him, he is just delivering the instruction as Kṛṣṇa has said, then you become guru. It is not difficult.
2) Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.100 — Washington, D.C., July 5, 1976: Para-upakāra. Not exploit others—to give something. That is Indian mission, that he has to give something. He has nothing to take. He has to give something. And what is that? That Caitanya Mahāprabhu teaches, that āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. Even if you cannot deliver the whole world or very expansive area, at least, wherever you are, you just deliver them. Āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa. “You become a guru by My order.” So one may say that “I have no qualification. How can I become a guru or how can I deliver these fallen persons?” So Kṛṣṇa, Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, “Don’t be disappointed.”
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa
yāre dekha tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
Bas. Simply as messenger, as peon, you simply carry the messages of Bhagavad-gītā, kṛṣṇa-upadeśa. Then you become guru. Then you become guru. It is not difficult.
3) Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.112 — Bombay, November 24, 1975: Guru and Kṛṣṇa. Two persons’ favor, guru and Kṛṣṇa.
So Kṛṣṇa is asking to become a guru, everyone. Everyone become a guru, Caitanya Mahāprabhu says.
āmāra ajñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa
yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
Āmāra ajñāya guru hañā. Caitanya Mahāprabhu said… Because Caitanya Mahāprabhu is mahā-vadānyāvatāra, most munificent incarnation to reclaim all the fallen souls. Ei rūpe brahmāṇḍa bhramite kono bhāgyavān jīva [Cc. Madhya 19.151]. So the guru’s business is to make everyone a bhāgyavān, fortunate.
4) Sri Vyasa-puja — London, August 22, 1973: So Caitanya Mahāprabhu says,
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa
yāre dekha, tāre kaha, ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
Just see. It is very nice. You’ll find in Caitanya-caritāmṛta, now it is published. Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, He is the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa. He says, āmāra ājñāya. “Whatever I say, āmāra ājñāya, by My order, you become a spiritual master.” Caitanya Mahāprabhu. So one may be very illiterate, no education, or no scholarship, may not be born in brāhmaṇa family, or may not be a sannyāsī.
5) Sri Vyasa-puja — Hyderabad, August 19, 1976: The world is full of rascals, therefore there is need of so many gurus to teach them. But what is that qualification of the guru? How everyone can become guru? This may be the question, next question. Because Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. Ei deśa means wherever you are living you become a guru and deliver them. Suppose you are living in a small neighborhood, you can become a guru of that neighborhood and deliver them. “How it is possible? I have no education, I have no knowledge. How I can become guru and deliver them?” Caitanya Mahāprabhu said it is not at all difficult. Yāre dekha tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. This is your qualification.
6) Arrival Lecture — San Francisco, July 15, 1975: Then if anyone says that “I have no knowledge. I have no education. How I can learn all these books and become, make my life perfect, and then I preach?” so Caitanya Mahāprabhu says that you haven’t got to learn so many books. He says, āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa: [Cc. Madhya 7.128] “You just become guru on My order.” “Then what is your order, Sir?” Yāre dekha, tāre kaha kṛṣṇa-upadeśa. This is guru. You haven’t got to learn very much. You simply repeat like parrot what Kṛṣṇa has said. That’s all. Is it very difficult? Kṛṣṇa has said everything in the Bhagavad-gītā. You learn Bhagavad-gītā, and you repeat that. You become guru. This is guru.
7) Arrival Lecture — San Francisco, July 15, 1975: So we are, of course, opening so many branches all over the world, and I am very pleased to see this bra
nch. There is wonderful prospective. Utilize it properly and stick to the principle that āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. The ājñā, Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and ājñā, our Kṛṣṇa, not different. Because Caitanya Mahāprabhu is Kṛṣṇa Himself, and when He appeared as Kṛṣṇa, people misunderstood Him; therefore He has come as a devotee to teach us how to love Kṛṣṇa.
8) Arrival Address — Vrndavana, September 3, 1976: You cannot sit idly to show your gorgeousness in a secluded place, imitating Haridāsa Ṭhākura: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa. No. You have to preach. That is the order of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. That is really following the Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s… Not to imitate Haridāsa Ṭhākura. You can… Even you do that very nicely, that is for your safety. Supposing that you are doing nicely, but that is for your safety. But one who is facing dangerous position for others’ benefit, they are very quickly recognized by Kṛṣṇa.
9) Arrival Talk — Aligarh, October 9, 1976: So that is Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mission. He practically did it, and He asked everyone to do it. Āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. “This is My order.” He could remain a big devotee at His home. He was very popular in Navadvīpa, even when He was twenty years old. But still, He took sannyāsa and went door to door, village to village, town to town in India, and He left His order: pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi-grāma. “All over the world, as many towns and villages are there, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement should be…” Not that “We are big, big gosvāmīs and bābājīs.
10) Excerpt from Sannyasa Initiation of Viraha Prakasa Swami — Mayapur, February 5, 1976: So He exhibited personally how to do para-upakāra, welfare to others, fallen souls. So this sannyāsa means following the order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu that,
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tara’ ei deśa
yāre dekha tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
So not only… We are trying to create a position that not only the Indians have got this responsibility, but according to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, anyone—pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi grāma—they should take up this missionary work. And I am so much obliged to you, you American boys and girls also, that you have taken this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement very seriously.
11) Pandal Lecture — Bombay, April 6, 1971: Our process is that we are trying to receive knowledge from Kṛṣṇa, the greatest mahājana, the greatest authority, and if we follow the instruction of Kṛṣṇa, then we are perfect. The same example, as Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu says,
āmāra ajñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa
yāre dekha tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
This is necessary. It is not that you have to become completely perfect by following certain process. If you simply perfectly follow the instruction of Kṛṣṇa, then you become perfect.
12) Lecture — Detroit, July 16, 1971: Caitanya Mahāprabhu said that “Under My order, every one of you go and preach and become spiritual master.” And what is that order? The order is that “Whomever you meet, you talk to him about Kṛṣṇa.”
yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
āmāra ajñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
He says that “Under My order, you become a spiritual master.” To become a spiritual master under the order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is not very difficult. Unless we adulterate, mix in something nonsense in His teachings, if we simply present, as it is, then every one of us can become a spiritual master.
13) Pandal Lecture — November 14, 1971, Delhi: This is Bhāgavata-dharma. Therefore, Caitanya Mahāprabhu, being compassionate to the all fallen conditions of this age, He said that
yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
He says that “On My order, every one of you, especially Indians, you become a guru on My order.” So “I am a fool, how can I become a guru?” Caitanya Mahāprabhu says āmāra ājñāya, “You simply carry out My order.”
14) Lecture Engagement at Birla House — Bombay, December 17, 1975: So this attempt has been done by us individually, with teeny effort, but it is becoming successful. But if we take up seriously this movement, every one of us become completely aware of this movement and take this mission as Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa: [Cc. Madhya 7.128] “Every one of you, you become a guru,” by the order of C
aitanya Mahāprabhu. So “I shall become guru? What shall I do? I do not know anything.” No! You haven’t got to know anything. You simply, yāre dekha tāre kaha kṛṣṇa upadeśa. You simply repeat the instruction of Bhagavad-gītā.
15) Lecture — Nellore, January 4, 1976: Therefore Caitanya Mahāprabhu says that—His mission is especially to the Indians, those who are born in India—that āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. This instruction was given in South India when Caitanya Mahāprabhu was traveling in South India. So many people… He was attractive, and… “Sir, take me with You. Sir, take me with You.” He traveled in the villages, villages, very extensively. Especially He traveled in South India. So at that time this instruction was given to some South Indian brāhmaṇa: “My dear sir, better stay here. Don’t come with Me. You try to preach My philosophy. You haven’t got to come with Me.” So He said, āmāra ājñāya guru hañā, that “Why you want to come with Me? My mission is this. If you want to help Me, then you become a guru under My instruction. You become a guru.” “Sir, I have no education. I am not a brāhmaṇa. I am this. I am that. How can I become guru?” So Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa: [Cc. Madhya 7.128] “Where you are living, you just try to deliver them. But you become a guru.”
16) Speech to Devotees — Vrndavana, April 7, 1976: Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to follow what Kṛṣṇa says. That is Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mission. Caitanya Mahāprabhu has said, āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. Ei deśa. Wherever you are, it doesn’t matter. Either you are in India or in America or France or anywhere, any deśa, or any country, wherever you are, just try to deliver them. Because guru’s business is to deliver the fallen souls.
17) Room Conversation with Reporter from Researchers Magazine — July 24, 1973, London:
Prabhupāda: They’re thinking, “And to become Kṛṣṇa’s representative is very difficult thing.” It is not very difficult.
Reporter: It is not difficult.
Prabhupāda: Because Kṛṣṇa… Who is Kṛṣṇa’s representative? Just like Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, that
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa
yāre dekha tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
You understand Bengali?
18) Morning Walk — March 9, 1974, Mayapura:
Because preaching is required everywhere. Arjuna was gṛhastha. So yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā sei guru haya [Cc. Madhya 8.128]. One must know the science of Kṛṣṇa. Then you can become preacher.
kibā vipra kibā nyāsī śūdra kene naya
yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā sei guru haya
[Cc. Madhya 8.128]
yāre dekha tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
āmāra ājñāya guru haña tāra ei deśa
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
This is preaching. It doesn’t matter whether one is sannyāsī or gṛhastha, Or a brāhmaṇa or a śūdra.
19) Room Conversation — August 21, 1975, Bombay: Prabhupāda: No, what I learn from Kṛṣṇa I say. I don’t say independently. That is not my business. That is Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s instruction. [break] How? Āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. You deliver your village people and become a guru. Everyone is not going to be so big that he can go all over the world. But everyone can teach within his limit, within his family, within his community, within his village, within his town, within his district. As he is capable, he can increase. But everyone can become a guru and deliver the local people. How? Yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. Then you are guru.
20) Morning Walk — November 2, 1975, Nairobi: Prabhupāda: [break] …given by God. Mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanam. You have no intelligence even, so that is given by God. (Hindi) Let them become devotees. Why these old men, they are not coming? They are still after money? Amara ajñaya guru hana tara ei deśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128], Caitanya Mahāprabhu says. So you have come to this country. Do something good for these Africans.
Morning Walk — November 3, 1975, Bombay: This time I have requested all Nairobi important friends that “Now you take sannyāsa and become guru. Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked everyone to become guru. amāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. You have come to Africa. Now become their guru and deliver them.”
21) Room Conversation — August 2, 1976, New Mayapur (French farm):
The more we preach, the more we are successful. Yāre dekha tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa. This is Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s preaching.
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa
yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa’
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
This is Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Every one of you become guru and deliver the residents of your neighborhood. Ei deśa. Wherever you are living, just deliver them. Become their guru. How to become guru? It is not difficult. Yāre dekha tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128].
22) Evening Darsan — August 10, 1976, Tehran: “He’s My most beloved person, who does this.” So why shall I give up this simple job and become recognized by Kṛṣṇa? It is very simple thing. That is the advice of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Caitanya Mahāprabhu says āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. “All of you become guru and deliver these persons where you live.” So how can I become guru? I have no education, I have no knowledge. No, no. You haven’t got to-yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. “You go and simply instruct him what Kṛṣṇa has said, you become guru.”
23) Room Conversation (Bullock Cart SKP) — September 12, 1976, Vrndavana:
So chant as much possible and eat prasādam. No education required, no philosophy required. But follow the Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s instruction and become guru.
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa
yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
If they have got little brain, then kṛṣṇa-upadeśa. Otherwise, Hare Kṛṣṇa upadeśa, that’s all. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Very simple. The preacher does not require to be very highly educated. If he follows simply Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s instruction, yāre dekha tāre kaha kṛṣṇa-upadeśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128], then he’s successful.
24) Evening Darsana — December 3, 1976, Hyderabad: “Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He wants that you surrender unto Him.” So any child can carry these words. Any foolish man can carry these words. And if you do that, Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, then you become guru, simply by carrying these words. Āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. Even in your village, in your home, you can say to your wife, to your children. They will accept you that “Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” Then you become guru at home.
25) Room Conversation with Ratan Singh Rajda M.P. “Nationalism and Cheating” — April 15, 1977, Bombay: Prabhupāda: “Like father, like son.” You should be. Gaurāṅgera bhakta…, jane. Everyone. Therefore Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. He asked everyone, “Just become guru.” Follow His instruction. You become guru. Āmāra ājñāya. Don’t manufacture ideas. Āmāra ājñāya. “What I say, you do. You become a guru.” Where is the difficulty? “And what is Your ājñā?” Yāre dekha tāre kaha kṛṣṇa-upadeśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128].
26) Evening Darsana — May 11, 1977, Hrishikesh: That is Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mission. He said, “Every one of you become guru and deliver your surrounding persons, either you are in family or in neighborhood or in society or in nation, as much as you can.” Āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. So whatever limited circle, you just become guru and deliver them. Deliver means deliver from the ignorance. Everyone is in ignorance, dehātma-buddhiḥ. Yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tri-dhātuke, sa eva go-kharaḥ [SB 10.84.13].