How Bhakti-yoga Works 37
as stated in the Fourth Chapter. That is, that the Gita is
coming down in disciplic succession: “I first of all instructed
this yoga system to the sun-god Vivasvan, who taught it to
Manu, who taught it to Iksvaku.” From Krsna the disciplic
succession is coming down, but “in course of time the disciplic
succession was broken.” Arjuna is therefore made the new
disciple. In the Second Chapter, Arjuna surrenders: “So far we
have been talking as friends, but now I accept You as my
spiritual master.” Anyone following the principle in this line
accepts the guru as Krsna, and the student must represent
Arjuna. Krsna is speaking as the spiritual master of Arjuna,
and Arjuna says, “Whatever You are saying I accept.” Read
it like that—not: “T like this, so I accept it; this I don’t like,
and so I reject it.” Such reading is useless nonsense. ,

The teacher must be a representative of Krsna, a devotee,
and the student must be like Arjuna. Then this Krsna con-
scicusness study is perfect. Otherwise it is a waste of time.
In the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is stated: “If anyone wants to
understand the science of Krsna, he should associate with
pure devotees. When discussions take place among pure devo-
tees, the potency of spiritual language is revealed.”’ Scholarly
discussion of the Gita is futile. In the Upanisads it is stated:
“To one who has firm faith in God, and similar faith in God’s
representative, all the import of Vedic language will be re-
vealed.””» We must have the qualification of being a devotee.
Become dear to God. My spiritual master used to say, “Don’t
try to see God. Act in such a way that God will see you.” We
have to qualify ourselves. By your qualification God Himself
will come and see you.

If one can perceive God, he is transcendental to all material
demands. We are always dissatisfied in the material worid in
circumstances that won’t continue; happiness is temporary,
and temporary plight also will not exist for much time. Cold,
heat, duality—it is all coming and going. To get to the absolute
