Choosing a Spiritual Master 65

im India. Ramanujacadarya, Madhvacarya, Lord Caitanya, and so many
others. You are all representatives of newspapers, so I ask you to try to
understand this movement as far as possible for the good of all human
society.
Reporter: Do you think your movement is the only way to know God?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes.
Reporter: How are you assured of that?
Srila Prabhupada: From the authorities and from God, Krsna. Krsna
says:
sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam Saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
moksayisyami ma Sucah

“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall
deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.” [Bhagavad-gitd 18.66]
Reporter: Does ‘‘surrender’’ mean that someone would have to leave his
family?

Seila Prabhupada: No.

Reporter: But suppose I were to become an initiate. Wouldn’t I have to
come and live in the temple?

Seila Prabhupada: Not necessarily.

Reporter: I can stay at home?

Seila Prabhupada: Oh, yes.

Reporter: What about work? Would I have to give up my job?

Seila Prabhupada: No, you’d simply have to give up your bad habits and
chant the Hare Krsna mantra on these beads—that’s all.

Reporter: Would I have to give any financial support?

Ssila Prabhupada: No, that is your voluntary wish. If you give, that’s all
night. And if you don’t, we don’t mind. We do not depend on anyone’s fi-
gancial contribution. We depend on Krsna.

Reporter: I wouldn’t have to give any money at all?

Seila Prabhupada: No.

Reporter: Is this one of the main things that distinguishes the genuine
guru from the fake guru?

Scila Prabhupada: Yes, a genuine guru is not a businessman. He is a
representative of God. Whatever God says, the guru repeats. He does not
speak otherwise.

Reporter: But would you expect to find a real guru, say, traveling in a
Rolls Royce and staying in a penthouse suite in a classy hotel?
