SIX
The Perfect Devotee February 29, 1972, evening
ŚYĀMASUNDARA:  Śrila Prabhupāda, this afternoon we were discussing austerities.
ŚRĪLA PRABHUPĀDA:  Mm?
ŚYĀMASUNDARA:  If we don't practice austerities voluntarily, then we must involuntarily practice some austerities.
ŚRĪLA PRABHUPĀDA:  Yes, under the direction of the spiritual master one should . . . You have no mind to follow austerities, but when you accept a spiritual master, you have to carry out his order. That is austerity.
ŚYĀMASUNDARA:  Even if you don't want to practice austerity, you must.
ŚRĪLA PRABHUPĀDA:  Yes, you must. Because you have surrendered to your spiritual master, his order is final. So even if you don't like it, you have to do it. To please me.
ŚYĀMASUNDARA:  Ah.
ŚRĪLA PRABHUPĀDA:  But you don't like . . . [ He laughs. ] Nobody likes to fast, but the spiritual master says, "Today, fasting," so what can be done? [ Śyāmasundara laughs. ] A disciple is one who has voluntarily agreed to be disciplined by the spiritual master. That is austerity.
ŚYĀMASUNDARA:  Say, like our parents or many people in the material world, completely enamored by the material
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