Srila Sanatana Gosvami told Srila Gopal Bhatta Gosvami some rules and regulations according to Vaisnava etiquette by which one can become eligible to worship Radha and Krsna (or any Visnu-tattva Deity) – how to take sannyasa, how to take diksa, how to take mantra, what are the qualifications of a disciple, and what are the qualifications of guru. It is not that everyone can be guru, neither can everyone be a disciple. Only those who are detached from worldly desires and sense gratification, those who are learned in all the Vedas and Vaisnava scriptures, and those who have some realization of service to both Radha and Krsna can be guru, regardless of caste or creed.
kiba vipra, kiba nyasi, sudra kene naya
yei krsna –tattva veta , sei 'guru' haya
(Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 8.128)
If anyone knows krsna-tattva, the science of Krsna, he is guru. Those who know who is Krsna, who is Srimati Radhika, who they themselves are, what is the service of Radha and Krsna – and who is loving Them, performing prema-seva, not only worship, they are gurudeva. Those who are doing not less than one lakh (64 rounds) of harinama daily, and who have controlled Krsna in their hearts – they are guru. Those who can take Krsna and place Him in the disciples' hearts – they are guru. So, you can imagine the glorious symptoms of a bona-fide guru. If any person has a guru like this, he is so, so lucky.
We are lucky that we are direct disciples of our guruji, who was a direct disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. Also, those who are disciples of Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja are so lucky. To have a qualified guru is a great fortune.
Gopal Bhatta wrote a book with all such directives, and it was called "Hari-bhakti-vilasa." The title of this book has a very beautiful, wonderful meaning, "Hari-bhakti-vilasa." In the full bloom of youth, Krsna is always relishing prema. He is always enjoying loving pastimes (vilasa). "Hari-bhakti-vilasa." Hari means Krsna who takes the heart of Srimati Radhika, and He is Hari who is always dancing and singing in the hearts of Srimati Radhika and the gopis. He is Hari.
lecture for the Appearance Day of Sri Sri Radha Raman, 26 Oct. 1996