234 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 8, Ch. 16
PURPORT

Here the process of devotional service is further explained. Kasyapa
Muni wanted to instruct Aditi in the same process recommended to him
by Brahma for satisfying the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is
valuable. The guru does not manufacture a new process to instruct the
disciple. The disciple receives from the guru an authorized process
received by the guru from his guru. This is called the system of disciplic
succession (evam parampara-praptam imam rdjarsayo viduh). This is
the bona fide Vedic system of receiving the process of devotional service,
by which the Supreme Personality of Godhead is pleased. Therefore, to
approach a bona fide guru, or spiritual master, is essential. The bona fide
spiritual master is he who has received the mercy of his guru, who in
turn is bona fide because he has received the mercy of his guru. This is
called the parampara system. Unless one follows this parampara system,
the mantra one receives will be chanted for no purpose. Nowadays there
are so many rascal gurus who manufacture their mantras as a process for
material advancement, not spiritual advancement. Still, the mantra can-
not be successful if it is manufactured. Mantras and the process of devo-
tional service have special power, provided they are received from the
authorized person.

TEXT 25
PUTAS T seMe THAT |
atte ae TeRaTfeaa: 4
_ phdalgunasyamale pakse
dvadasaham payo-vratam
arcayed aravindaksam
bhaktyaé paramayanvitah

phalgunasya—of the month of Phalguna (February and March);
amale—during the bright; pakse—fortnight; dvadasa-aham—for
twelve days, ending with Dvadasi, the day after Ekadasi; payah-
vratam—accepting the vow of taking only milk; arcayet—one should
worship; aravinda-aksam—the lotus-eyed Supreme Personality of God-
head; bhaktya—with devotion; paramayé—unalloyed; anvitah—
surcharged.
