The spiritual master knows perfectly how foolish, incompetent, evil, and unsteady we are. Thus he makes suitable arrangements for us to cure all our material deseases.

A bona fide spiritual master is one who teaches us what we need to know and hear. If we surrender one hundred percent at the lotus feet of such a personality, in whose hands the most auspicious Supreme Lord has entrusted our well-being, then he will award us complete fortune. But if we take shelter of duplicity, follow a double standard, pretend to be devotees, and make only a show of executing devotional service, he will deceive us. He will say, "You have not become disciples. You do not follow the rules and regulations and still maintain material or sinful desires in your heart. Since you love to hear what the cheaters have to say and have not yet developed proper ears to hear my instructions, you are cheated." It is our duty to gladly obey the instructions our spiritual master mercifully and sincerely imparts. Such willingness to hear is a symptom of a surrendered soul.