The qualities of a speaker of Bhagavatam
These are the qualities one should look for in an instructor guru. (From Padma Purāṇa, Bhāgavata-māhātmya , 6.20) विरक्तो वैष्णवो विप्रो वेदशास्त्रविशुद्धिकृत् दृष्टान्तकुशलो धीरो वक्ता कार्योऽतिनिःस्पृहः virakto vaiṣṇavo vipro veda-śāstra-viśuddhi-kṛt dṛṣṭānta-kuśalo dhīro vaktā kāryo'tiniḥspṛhaḥ virakta. This means the speaker of Hari-kathā should not sufficiently be beholden to the audience in such a way that he speaks just to please them. If one wants unbiased truth, one should listen to someone who is detached. Vaiṣṇava - One should listen to the Bhāgavatam from a devotee since the goal of the Bhāgavatam is to attain perfection in devotion. If one's goal is different, then one may hear from anyone. vipra - This word means he has undergone the samskāras , not necessarily that he is a born brahmin, though one who is born a brahmin may have a privileged upbringing. He must have undergone spiritual purification. The spiritual aspirant is usually ...