The spiritual master is Krishna's mercy manifest, channeling divine knowledge through disciplic succession to awaken Krishna consciousness in surrendered souls.Listen — Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
Śrī Vyāsa-pūjā Lecture — August 22, 1973, London 730822VP-LONDON [36:33 Minutes] Lecture_730822VP-LONDON VyasaPuja_730822VP-LONDON Prabhupāda: So my dear sons and daughters, I am so much obliged to you that you have become so enthusiastic for offering Vyāsa-pūjā. Now try to understand. Several times we have explained why this function is called Vyāsa-pūjā. I have already explained in the morning: this offering worshiping, one may think that "This man is teaching his disciples man-worshiping, anthropomorphism." But it is not man-worshiping.
One should not misunderstand. Vyāsadeva is the original spiritual master. Original spiritual master is Kṛṣṇa. From Kṛṣṇa, Brahmā was initiated, Lord Brahma. Tene brahma hṛdāya ādi-kavaye muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ.
It is stated in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam that when Brahmā was created, it was all darkness within the universe. He could not understand what is the purpose of his becoming there. Then he engaged himself in tapasya, and he was initiated from within. Kṛṣṇa is within everyone. Īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe 'rjuna tiṣṭhati [Bg. 18.61]. So He is called caitya-guru, means guru within the heart.
And when Kṛṣṇa understands... Because Kṛṣṇa knows everything, whatever we are willing, whatever we are doing. He is the Paramātmā; He's sitting within our hearts as a witness. Anumanta upadṛṣṭā.
Upadṛṣṭā means simply observing what we are doing and what we are desiring. So as we desire, Kṛṣṇa is very kind, He gives us facility. We have many times explained. Therefore, we have got varieties of bodies to enjoy this material world.
So when Kṛṣṇa sees... [child making noises] [aside: Don't disturb] When Kṛṣṇa sees that a living entity is very anxious to understand Him or to revive his Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then Kṛṣṇa gives him all opportunity, especially by manifesting Himself as the spiritual master. Antar bahiḥ. The spiritual master is therefore Kṛṣṇa's manifestation, Kṛṣṇa's mercy manifestation to help a person to develop his Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
From within He's helping. Therefore He's called caitya-guru, and from without, He sends His representative to help how to become advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Therefore, to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness we require two kinds of help—one from Kṛṣṇa and another from the spiritual master. It is stated in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta... You'll be glad now that Caitanya-caritāmṛta is now published. Devotees: Jaya!