A Spiritual Master is always liberated. In any condition of His life He should not be mistaken as ordinary human being. This position of a Spiritual Master is achieved by three processes: Sadhana siddha - one who is liberated by executing the regulative principle of devotional service; Krpa siddha - one who is liberated by the mercy of Krsna or His devotee; Nitya siddha - one who is never forgetful of Krsna throughout his whole life. These are the three features of the perfection of life.
Letter to Tamala Krsna, June 21, 1970