Gaudiya Discussions Archive » PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY

Discussions on the doctrines of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Please place practical questions under the Miscellaneous forum and set this aside for the more theoretical side of it.

akhanda-guru-tattva -

Kulapavana - Wed, 19 Oct 2005 19:10:59 +0530

akhanda-guru-tattva or "The Guru is One" concept. Most devotees here probably (at least) are familiar with the concept.

how does it fit into traditional Gaudiya philosophy? insights and information humbly appreciated...

Madhava - Wed, 19 Oct 2005 19:57:19 +0530

It is called samAsti-guru. I believe the concept surfaces in a good many earlier discussions, check it out. Jiva Goswami mentions the concept in his Bhakti-sandarbha, but it isn't treated elaborately in any his works that I'd be aware of. Also of interest: Teachings on Guru-tattva.

Kulapavana - Wed, 19 Oct 2005 20:51:53 +0530

Thanks for the info. Any ideas on the origin of akhanda-guru concept itself (besides SJG)?

Madhava - Wed, 19 Oct 2005 22:21:08 +0530

Well, AcAryaM mAM vijJAnIyam is there in the Bhagavata, and is a very basic element in understanding guru-tattva.

Maha Bhava - Mon, 21 Nov 2005 18:29:39 +0530

QUOTE(Kulapavana @ Oct 19 2005, 04:21 PM)

Thanks for the info. Any ideas on the origin of akhanda-guru concept itself (besides SJG)?

Acaryam mam vijaniyat. Acaryavan puruso veda: “One who has accepted acarya, he knows things are they are.”

Sakhicharan - Wed, 23 Nov 2005 03:19:22 +0530

QUOTE(Kulapavana @ Oct 19 2005, 09:21 AM)

Thanks for the info. Any ideas on the origin of akhanda-guru concept itself (besides SJG)?

Here is another verse to consider in relation to the concept of akhaNDa-guru-tattva...

kRSNa, guru, bhakta, zakti, avatAra, prakAza |
kRSNa ei chaya-rUpe karena vilAsa || CC 1.1.32

Krishna appears in six different features, namely...Sri Krishna, guru, bhakta, sakti, avatara, and prakasa...He performs His vilasa in this way.