SIX
The Perfect Devotee
February 29, 1972, evening
SYAMASUNDARA: Srila Prabhupida, this afternoon we
were discussing austerities.
SRILA PRABHUPADA: Mm?
SYAMASUNDARA: If we don’t practice austerities volun-
tarily, then we must involuntarily practice some austerities.
SRILA PRABHUPADA: Yes, under the direction of the spiri-
tual 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.
SYAMASUNDARA: Even if you don’t want to practice
austerity, you must.
SRILA-PRABHUPADA: Yes, you must. Because you have sur-
rendered to your spiritual master, his order is final. So even
if you don’t like it, you have to do it. To please me.
SYAMASUNDARA: Ah.
SRILA PRABHUPADA: But you don’t like . . . [He laughs]
Nobody likes to fast, but the spiritual master says, “Today,
fasting,” so what can be done? [Syamasundara laughs.] A dis-
ciple is one who has voluntarily agreed to be disciplined by
the spiritual master. That is austerity.
SYAMASUNDARA: Say, like our parents or many people in
the material world, completely enamored by the material
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