- Chapter Six-

Disobeying or Disrespecting
the Spiritual Master

All glories to Sri Panca-tattva and Sri Radha-Madhava. All glories to Navadvipa-dharma, Vraja-dhama, Yamuna-devi and to all the Vaisnava devotees.

The preciousness of human life

SRILA HARIDASA THAKURA SAID, "O Lord, kindly allow me to explain the third namaparadha. This aparadha is to disobey the orders of the spiritual master or to disrespect him.

"The soul travels through many lifetimes in different bodies and at last gets the chance of a rare human birth, which is auspicious in every respect. The soul has rotated through 8,400,000 different species; by ajnata-sukrti, or involuntary pious activities, the soul finally attains a human body.

What are you worth? Your physical body made of various chemicals is not really worth very much. It may be worth $5 or $10, but is that all you are worth? Is that all your wife or your child, or your friend, or your mother, or your father are worth?
Science of Identity Foundation | Jagad Guru Speaks

A birth in the human form is most uncommon, because only in that body are spiritual activities possible, not in any other species. A demigod or denizen of the heavenly planets is destined only to enjoy the reactions of his past pious activities; he cannot voluntarily initiate any saintly activities. Animals are likewise bound by karmic reactions and are too steeped in gross ignorance to undertake any pious activities independently. The human birth alone is most conducive for spiritual life and for service to the Supreme Lord.

A spiritual master is essential for everyone

"Yet the fact remains that this body is transient. If one doos not carefully endeavor for self-realization, which is the greatest benediction, then he returns again to the endless cycle of birth and