For those who are still in doubt as to the statuses of Srila Prabhupada bona fide and qualified Diksha disciples regarding Guruship, I may post the following letter which for the sincere and intelligent reader presents no alternative as to the conclusion to be reached on this matter: Srila Prabhupada bona fide and qualified disciples are full fledged and bona fide Gurus on their own right or have the option to take the position of full fledged and bona fide Gurus on their own right, remaining always under the knowledge and practice umbrella of our Founder-Acarya.

New Delhi
2 December, 1975
75-12-02

My Dear Tusta Krishna Swami,

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 21 November, 1975. Every student is expected to become Acarya. Acarya means one who knows the scriptural injunctions and follows them practically in life, and teaches them to his disciples. I have given you sannyasa with the great hope that in my absence you will preach the cult throughout the world and thus become recognized by Krishna as the most sincere servant of the Lord. So I’m very pleased that you have not deviated from the principles I have taught, and thus with power of attorney go on preaching Krishna consciousness, that will make me very happy as it is confirmed in the Guru vastakam yasya prasadat bhagavata prasadah just by satisfying your Spiritual Master who is accepted as the bona fide representative of the Lord you satisfy Krishna immediately without any doubt.

I am very glad to inform you that Sudama Vipra Maharaja is also now following my principles. So I am very very happy to receive all this news. Thank you very very much.

Keep trained up very rigidly and then you are bona fide Guru, and you can accept disciples on the same principle. But as a matter of etiquette it is the custom that during the lifetime of your Spiritual Master you bring the prospective disciples to him, and in his absence or disappearance you can accept disciples without any limitation. This is the law of disciplic succession. I want to see my disciples become bona fide Spiritual Master and spread Krishna consciousness very widely, that will make me and Krishna very happy.

I hope this letter finds you well,

Your ever well wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
ACBS/hda

Moreover, in 750325CC.May, Srila Prabhupada gives yet another qualification of the Guru:

“So therefore guru is very important, because he has accepted Kṛṣṇa… Tattva-darśibhiḥ, he has seen the truth. So therefore guru is first offered. This is the test of guru. Guru does not become Kṛṣṇa Himself, but he canvasses door to door to induce that “You become devotee of Kṛṣṇa.” This is sign of guru. Vande gurūn īśa-bhaktān.“