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“Glory to the Sri Krishna sankirtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life of repeated birth and death. This sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious.”

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It is not possible to explore the history of the World Vaishnava Association without a brief examination of the life of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. It was due to the desire of some of the principal disciples of Sri Chaitanya that the WVA came into existence.

Perhaps one of the most contrasting and difficult concepts for the Western mind to grasp in relation to Vaishnavism is the question of spiritual authority. In Vaishnavism as with all theology, spiritual authority lies with God. For Vaishnavas this authority is manifest in the world through guru (the spiritual master), sadhu (the saintly teachers), and Shastra (the holy scriptures – or the Word of God). This authority is never found in an institution, so there is never a central institution or hierarchy from whom all authority emanates.

An all-important feature of Vaishnavism is the need for a sincere seeker of the truth to search for a bona fide, living representative of God (guru), and surrender to him/her establishing a guru/disciple relationship. A bona fide guru will then instruct and enlighten the worthy disciple as to how he/she can fully reestablish his/her eternal loving relationship with the Supreme Lord. The character, qualities, and qualifications of such a bona fide guru are expounded by the Vedic literature.