"One should not become a spiritual teacher unless he has reached the uttama-adhikārī platform. A neophytus vaisnava or a vaisnava located on the intermediate plane can also accept disciples, but such disciples must be on the same plane, and it should be understood that they cannot advance very well towards the ultimate goal of life under their insufficient guidance. Therefore, the disciple should be careful and accept a uttama-adhikārī as a spiritual teacher. The Nectar of Instruction, 5: Srila Prabhupada SIGNIFYED