If you see the representative of Kṛṣṇa, that means you are seeing Kṛṣṇa. Because you have to see Kṛṣṇa through that representative; otherwise there is no seeing Kṛṣṇa. He is the transparent via media. Everyone has no idea what is Kṛṣṇa. And because the representative of Kṛṣṇa induces one to see Kṛṣṇa and gives his knowledge and intelligence and tactics how to see Kṛṣṇa, therefore he is as good as Kṛṣṇa. That is the verdict of all śāstras. Sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair. Samasta means "all," and śāstra means "scripture."
Śāstra—Vedic literature, authorized literature. That is the verdict. Kintu prabhor yaḥ: but it does not mean, not like the Māyāvādī . . . the Māyāvādī, they present he is Kṛṣṇa. But the Vaiṣṇava, spiritual master, he does not say that, "I am Kṛṣṇa." He says, "I am humble servant of Kṛṣṇa." That is his position: kintu. But the servant, why he is as good as Kṛṣṇa? Because he is the most confidential servant. Therefore he is as good as Kṛṣṇa.
So here the question is that a disciple, a follower, is advised to serve Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is far away. His representative . . . just like cats and dogs. Vaiṣṇava ṭhākura tomāra kukura baliyā jānaha more. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has written one song, Vaiṣṇava Ṭhākura. A spiritual master, or a Vaiṣṇava, is called ṭhākura. Just like we say "Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura." Ṭhākura means "as good as God." Ṭhākura. Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura.
So Vaiṣṇava who is actually representative of Kṛṣṇa, he is also ṭhākura. "Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura," we say. "Baladeva Vidyābhūṣana Ṭhākura." All the big Vaiṣṇavas, those who are representatives of Kṛṣṇa, they are called ṭhākura. So vaiṣṇava ṭhākura tomāra kukura. Vaiṣṇava . . . Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura is addressing, "My dear Vaiṣṇava, devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa, you are ṭhākura. You are as good as Kṛṣṇa. So you accept me," tomāra kukura, "you accept me as your dog."
So he has sung a very lengthy song, tomāra kukura baliyā jānaha more: "So please accept me as your dog." Then he describes, as a dog watches the door, no outsiders are allowed to come in. So he says: "I shall always watch your door. I shall not allow any non devotee to enter your house." He is saying like that. "And for my food, whatever remnants of food you throw me, I shall be satisfied with that." In this way he has presented himself as a dog to the devotee.