228 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 8, Ch. 16

suhrdam sarva-bhitanam
Jfiidtva mam santim rcchati

“The sages, knowing Me as the ultimate purpose of all sacrifices and
austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods and the
benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attain peace from the
pangs of material miseries.” (Bg. 5.29)

Whenever one is perplexed, let him take shelter of the lotus feet of
Vasudeva, Krsna, who will give the devotee intelligence to help him sur-
pass all difficulties and return home, back to Godhead. KaSyapa Muni ad-
vised his wife to seek shelter at the lotus feet of Vasudeva, Krsna, so that
all her problems would be very easily solved. Thus Kasyapa Muni was an
ideal spiritual master. He was not so foolish that he would present him-
self as an exalted personality, as good as God. He was actually a bona fide
guru because he advised his wife to seek shelter at the lotus feet of
Vasudeva. One who trains his subordinate or disciple to worship
Vasudeva is the truly bona fide spiritual master. The word jagad-gurum
is very important in this regard. Kasyapa Muni did not falsely declare
himself to be jagad-guru, although he actually was jagad-guru because
he advocated the cause of Vasudeva. Actually, Vasudeva is jagad-guru,
as clearly stated here (vdsudevam jagad-gurum). One who teaches the
instructions of Vasudeva, Bhagavad-gitd, is as good as vasudevam jagad-
gurum. But when one who does not teach this instruction—as it is—
declares himself jagad-guru, he simply cheats the public. Krsna is jagad-
guru, and one who teaches the instruction of Krsna as it is, on behalf of
Krsna, may be accepted as jagad-guru. One who manufactures his own
theories cannot be accepted; he becomes jagad-guru falsely.

TEXT 21

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sa vidhasyati te kaman
harir dinanukampanah
amogha bhagavad-bhaktir

netareti matir mama
