Distinguished Teachers: On Cultivating Discernment in the Puṣṭimārga

Abstract

The article Distinguished Teachers by Priya Kothari explores the pedagogical culture and discernment practices in the Vallabha Sampradāya (Puṣṭimārga). Drawing on the Jalabheda text, Kothari shows how metaphors of water and fluidity describe the varied qualities of spiritual teachers—some invigorating, some constraining. The piece articulates the need for spiritual discrimination (vivēka) in choosing a guru, balancing reverence with critical understanding. Through poetic idioms and theological nuance, the article connects aesthetic sensitivity to the spiritual trajectory of the devotee, underscoring the guru’s transformative potential.