Why Should We Trust Any Leader

By krishnasmercy on November 10, 2026 • ( 0 )

“When Uddhava said that he had a message from Krishna, the gopis were more interested in hearing the message than in hearing about their exalted position. They did not very much like being praised for their high position. They showed their anxiety to hear the message which Uddhava had brought from Krishna.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Volume 1, Chapter 46)

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FRIEND1: What do you make of the cheating spiritual leaders?

FRIEND2: Umm. What is there to make? They are cheaters, right?

FRIEND1: Well, of course. That is why I bring it up. They got exposed. The list is pretty long, too. There are movements that grow out of this.

FRIEND2: Out of what?

FRIEND1: The cheating. These experts pop up, who warn against joining cults.

FRIEND2: I see. So they pin the blame on the cult-like following? Let me guess. Since the followers propped up these leaders, those leaders then gained enough confidence to cheat.

FRIEND1: Something like that. The hypocrisy is what really gets people. The leader claims to be celibate. They broadcast the fact, as a kind of achievement. Then, it turns out that they are not. The leader claims to be on an elevated plane of understanding. Then, it turns out they are just as miserable as everyone else. They lie, cheat, and steal. They yell. They abuse. With most of them it is verbal, but sometimes the abuse crosses the line into the physical category.

FRIEND2: Okay, so what do you want to know? Why are we talking about this today?

FRIEND1: Because the so-called experts on the cults then transition to denouncing any type of spiritual group. You see, you can’t trust any of the gurus. They are all cheaters. There is no leading people towards Divine connection. You have to do it yourself. You don’t need to read books. You don’t need to approach anyone.

FRIEND2: I see. Listen, before you proceed, I am having a difficult time understanding you. Can you expound upon those principles in written form? You know, put all of your thoughts, ideas, and warnings together, collate them, and then publish a book. You think you have enough material to fill one hundred pages or so?

FRIEND1: Umm, I just told you that these experts say we don’t need books.

FRIEND2: That is fine, but I would like to hear that warning in writing. I learn better through reading.

FRIEND1: I see what you are doing. Clever.

FRIEND2: Think about it. The book is nothing more than recorded instruction. If you are instructing me to stay away from all gurus, from all spiritual teachers, then it is like you are writing a book. You are acting as a guru!

FRIEND1: Listen, I understand what you are trying to do.

FRIEND2: But do you? If you want to denounce instruction itself, in declaring all authorities to be frauds, then we might as well give up on human civilization. Because your parents were mean to you, all parents are bad. Since all parents are bad, we do not need to listen to anyone. We should just do whatever we want. No regulation. No control. No direction. Just be animals, even though we are human beings.

FRIEND1: Okay, but that is the conclusion some people are going to reach, with every scandal that breaks out. What is the alternative? How does a person find a teacher they can trust?

FRIEND2: Is that a serious question? People extend faith all the time. From morning until night. Every single day. You find someone, listen to them, and then make your own decision. This is the same process you follow for everything else. Why does this policy fail to apply to spiritual life?

FRIEND1: Okay, but many people trusted these leaders that later turned out to be frauds. How do we guard against that?

FRIEND2: Ask a few questions. What exactly is the leader after? Money? Attention? Do they insist upon physical contact? Those are all red flags. The teacher should be able to show you the truth, since they have seen it themselves. This is the way of parampara, as kindly presented in Bhagavad-gita:

तद् विद्धि प्रणिपातेन
परिप्रश्नेन सेवया
उपदेक्ष्यन्ति ते ज्ञानं
ज्ञानिनस् तत्त्व-दर्शिनः

tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ

“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.34)

FRIEND1: Okay, but why should we trust Bhagavad-gita?

FRIEND2: Why not? Give it a try. See if it makes sense to you. The genuine followers who recommend it do not care whether you thank them or not. They are only after your wellbeing. They provide a foundation of practice, of dedication, that can be established independent of specific parameters.

FRIEND1: What does that mean?

FRIEND2: For instance, you can chant the holy names anywhere: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. You can think of Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, wherever you are. You can worship in your home. You can remember. You can contemplate. You can deliberate.

FRIEND1: Okay, but a follower might insist on direct contact with an elevated personality. You need to associate with a maha-bhagavata. You need their sanction. You need to take shelter. You need to extinguish your karma through a formal relationship. Otherwise, you will only be speculating. You are doomed.

FRIEND2: Alright, but the books are an extension of elevated teachers. And who is to say that only a famous person, known to many, is qualified to lead? I can find someone rather anonymous to serve as my inspiration. They are not after notoriety. They do not crave followers. They serve selflessly, with kindness, but also dedication. I take them to be my leaders. You cannot stop me. You cannot convince me out of the path. The gopis of Vrindavana heard praise from Uddhava, in the message passed along by Krishna. They were not interested in receiving a certificate of achievement. They only wanted the best for Krishna. They were thinking of Him in separation. They were not the wise scholars of the time, but see the inspiration they leave behind.