What the spiritual master is examining is the heartfelt submission (of a potential disciple) in any condition of life (whether in Household life or temple life), because without submission there cannot be any transfer of transcendental knowledge. Tad viddhi pranipatena, pariprasnena sevaya: a disciple must inquire submissively and render service. That is the system that Krishna Himself established for those who wish to give and receive transcendental knowledge.
Lectures from a disciple, Vol 1, Pg 64, last paragraph