# Twenty-Four Gurus

Sukadeva Goswami continued narrating the conversation between Krishna and Uddhava. Krishna confirmed He was indeed leaving the world.&#x20;

He urged Uddhava to embrace *sannyasa* and plan his departure too, since Kali-yuga would soon begin. Uddhava, feeling himself lowly and unqualified, requested an injection of transcendental knowledge to awaken his natural detachment.&#x20;

Krishna first explained how an intelligent person can observe the world around them and decipher powerful lessons to elevate their consciousness. To illustrate this, He narrated the story of an *avadhuta brahmana* who was wandering carefree in deep spiritual ecstasy. When Maharaja Yadu questioned him on how he attained such an enlightened state, the *brahmana* replied by delineating the 24 gurus through whom he received profound spiritual instruction. Some key lessons from these gurus are below (not an exhaustive analysis):&#x20;

• **Earth:** One should remain undisturbed by aggressors and instead be absorbed in selfless service to others.&#x20;

• **Air:** Though surrounded by material objects, and situated within a material body, one must learn to remain aloof and untouched.&#x20;

• **Sky:** The individual soul and Supersoul never mix with anything nor can be divided by anything.&#x20;

• **Water:** Saintly persons are purifying and pleasing, constantly moving and enlightening others with the beautiful sound of their words.&#x20;

• **Fire:** One should absorb things and yet remain untained by them – saintly persons, for example, can incinerate the karmic reactions of their followers and remain unaffected.&#x20;

• **Moon:** Apparent changes in the body do not affect the soul, which remains constant and unchanged.&#x20;

• **Sun:** One should accept material objects and then utilise them at the appropriate time, remaining unsullied in the process.&#x20;

• **Pigeon:** One must be careful of excessive affection and attachment, which inevitably causes suffering.&#x20;

• **Python:** One should avoid excessive endeavours for material preservation, and instead remain focused on one’s real spiritual self-interest.&#x20;

• **Ocean:** Regardless of success or failure, prosperity or struggle, one must remain steady and serene.&#x20;

• **Moth:** One must not fall prey to the allurement of sense objects, of which attraction to the opposite sex is foremost.&#x20;

• **Honeybee:** One must guard against greed and over-consumption, only accepting what is required for his daily maintenance.&#x20;

• **Elephant:** One should carefully avoid exploiting and enjoying the opposite sex, lest they create more complexities for themselves.&#x20;

• **Honey Thief:** If one acquires wealth and greedily stores it, he will inevitably be plundered.&#x20;

• **Deer:** Saintly renunciates should avoid mundane entertainment in the form of singing, dance or music.&#x20;

• **Fish:** Failing to control the urges of the tongue will likely cause one’s spiritual downfall.&#x20;

• **Pingala:** Having unsuccessfully tried to enjoy the material world, one should develop detachment from the illusory pursuits of material family, friendship and love.&#x20;

• **Kurara Bird:** By renouncing attachment and possessiveness, one experiences spiritual happiness.&#x20;

• **Child:** One who gives up concerns of home, children and reputation can wander freely without any anxiety.&#x20;

• **Young Girl and Bracelets:** When people live communally there is inevitably conflict, disagreement and frivolous conversation.&#x20;

• **Arrow Maker:** Through yoga practice, one must steady the mind and focus it on the Supreme Lord without deviation.&#x20;

• **Snake:** One should avoid making complicated practical arrangements, and rather accept a simple lifestyle for maintenance of the body.&#x20;

• **Spider:** The Lord utilises His energies to create the cosmic manifestation, which eventually reenters within Himself again.&#x20;

• **Wasp:** Whatever one constantly meditates on, that he will surely become.