Prabhupadanuga World: A compendium of Quotes on Diksha

Tuesday 17 January 2012

A compendium of Quotes on Diksha

By:

Yashodanandana Dasa

“And another thing, just like we are holding this ceremony, initiation ceremony. It should not be accepted just we are functioning some ritualistic ceremony. No. It is different from ritualistic ceremony. Although it appears like ritualistic, it is transcendental.”
- Srila Prabhupada Talk, Initiation Lecture, and Ten Offenses Lecture, Los Angeles, December 1, 1968

“So diksha means the initiation to begin transcendental activities. That is called initiation. Therefore we take promise from the disciple that "You chant so many times," "Yes, sir." "You observe these rules and regulations," "Yes, sir." That is initiation. He has to observe; he has to chant. Then everything comes automatically. In the beginning he is faulty; then how he can make progress?”
- Srila Prabhupada Lecture Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.15 -- Auckland, February 22, 1973

The chanting Hare Krishna is our main business, that is real initiation. And as you are all following my instruction, in that matter, the initiator is already there.”
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Tamala Krishna, 19 August, 1968

“So anyway, from 1922 to 1933 practically I was not initiated, but I got the impression of preaching Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's cult. That I was thinking. And that was the initiation by my Guru Maharaja.”
- Srila Prabhupada Lecture, December 10, 1976, Hyderabad

"Of course, for anyone to hear the message of Srimad-Bhagavatam will produce a favorable result but formally one should receive this knowledge from the disciplic succession. For example, Arjuna and Krishna were friends but still Arjuna submitted himself formally as Krishna's disciple. This is essential. We should take example from these great Personalities. Arjuna was hearing Krishna speaking Bhagavad-gita but still he submitted as Krishna's disciple. "Now I submit unto You, please teach me." So this is the process. I hope this will clear up your question sufficiently.”
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to John Darsinos, November 23, 1968

“Actually this is Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's initiation of Dabira Khasa and Sakara Mallika. They approached the Lord with all humility, and the Lord accepted them as old servants, as eternal servants, and He changed their names. It is to be understood from this that it is essential for a disciple to change his name after initiation.”
- Madhya 1.208, The Later Pastimes of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

“He is therefore asking Lord Krishna, the supreme spiritual master, to make a definite solution. He offers himself to Krishna as a disciple. He wants to stop friendly talks. Talks between the master and the disciple are serious, and now Arjuna wants to talk very seriously before the recognized spiritual master.”
- Bhagavad Gita, 2:7

“So I was at that time a fool, but I opined like this. And I accepted him as my spiritual master immediately. Not officially, but in my heart. That was in 1922. “Now instruct them very seriously about their responsibilities. To promise to follow the four prohibitive rules and to daily chant sixteen rounds means they cannot deviate. You can hold a fire yajna and inform them that in promising before the Deity and before the spiritual master, one cannot later break the rules without being punished, just as in the law court one is held for perjury.”
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Damodara, 16 January, 1974

“Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental books transmit transcendental knowledge which vanquish all material contamination caused by our previous sinful activities and thus bring us to pure love of God, where we can directly worship Krishna. This perfectly corresponds with shastric definitions of diksha.
- Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya lila 15-108, 9-61, 4-111).”[…]

Srila Prabhupada describes our daily reading of His books as process of revealing or awakening transcendental knowledge. This process is described in theshastra as diksha.”

“The official initiation has no meaning unless one who has fully surrendered to guru. There is no question of initiation. “Dibya-jnana hrdi prokasito”
- Srimad Bhagavatam Lecture New Vrindavana 1974

“Well, initiation or no initiation, first thing is knowledge. [break] ...knowledge. Initiation is formality. Just like you go to a school for knowledge, and admission is formality. That is not very important thing.”
- Srila Prabhupada Press Interview, October 16, 1976, Chandigarh

"Actually amongst my God brothers no one is qualified to become acharya. So it is better not to mix with my God brothers very intimately because instead of inspiring our students and disciples they may sometimes pollute them."
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Rupanuga, April 28, 1974

"So Sridhara Maharaja and his two associate gentlemen unauthorizedly selected one acharya and later it proved a failure."
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Rupanuga, April 28, 1974

"In other words, the spiritual master awakens the sleeping living entity to his original consciousness so that he can worship Lord Vishnu. This is the purpose ofdiksha, or initiation. Initiation means receiving the pure knowledge of spiritual consciousness."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya, 9.61, Purport

"Diksha actually means initiating a disciple with transcendental knowledge by which he becomes freed from all material contamination."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya, 4.111, Purport

"Diksha is the process by which one can awaken his transcendental knowledge and vanquish all reactions caused by sinful activity. A person expert in the study of the revealed scriptures knows this process as diksha."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya, 15.108, Purport

"...in order to receive the real message of Srimad-Bhagavatam one should approach the current link, or spiritual master, in the chain of disciplic succession."
- Srimad Bhagavatam 2.9.7, Purport

"Jagannatha Dasa Babaji INITIATED Bhaktivinoda Thakura." (Adi, 1, Introduction)

Initiation means receiving the pure knowledge of spiritual consciousness."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya, 9.61, Purport

"Diksha actually means initiating a disciple with transcendental knowledge by which he becomes freed from all material contamination."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya, 4.111, Purport

Maha-bhagavata -srestho brahmano vai gurur nrnam
sarvesam eva lokanam asau pujyo yatha harih
maha-kula-prasuto' pi sarva-yajnesu diksitah
sahasra-sakhadhya yi ca na guruh syad avaisnavah

"The guru must be situated on the topmost platform of devotional service. There are three classes of devotees, and the guru must be accepted from the topmost class."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya, 24.330, Purport

"When one has attained the topmost position of maha-bhagavata, he is to be accepted as a guru and worshipped exactly like Hari, the Personality of Godhead.Only such a person is eligible to occupy the post of a guru."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya, 24.330, Purport

"One who is situated in the disciplic succession can be understood by the result of his activities. This is always true as far as the activities of the Lord and His devotees are concerned."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita (BBT 1975) Madhya 16.65

"Hmm yes. [...] I am waiting for that [...] But the training must be complete [...] (The process of purification) O yes must be there [...] But be qualified [...] You can cheat, but it will not be effective [...] Don't go backwards.
- Morning Walk April 22nd 1977

Voting procedures [...] for guru candidate [...] who will be established by the voting members.
- GBC document

Voting for guru process [...] by a two third vote of the GBC [...] all GBCs are candidates for appointment as guru.
- GBC document

The GBC is the highest ecclesiastical body guiding ISKCON.
- Back To Godhead

"Mundane votes have no jurisdiction to elect a Vaishnava acharya. A Vaishnava acharya is self effulgent, and there is no need for any court judgement. A falseacharya may try to override a Vaishnava by a High Court decision, but Bhaktivinode Thakura says that he is nothing but a disciple of Kali-yuga."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita (BBT 1975) Madhya 1.220

"Srila Jiva Gosvami advises that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or customary social, and ecclesiastical conventions."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita (BBT 1975) Adi 1.35

"On the whole, you may know that he is not a liberated person, and therefore, he cannot initiate any person to Krishna Consciousness. It requires special spiritual benediction from higher authorities."
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Janardana, April 26, 1968

"One should take initiation from a bona fide spiritual master coming in the disciplic succession, who is authorised by his predecessor spiritual master. This is called diksha-vidhana."
- Srimad Bhagavatam 4.8.54, Purport

Indian man: When did you become spiritual the leader of Krishna Consciousness?
Srila Prabhupada: What is that?
Brahmananda: He is asking when did you become the spiritual leader of Krishna Consciousness.
Srila Prabhupada: When my Guru Maharaja ordered me. This is the guru parampara.
Indian man: Did it...
Srila Prabhupada: Try to understand. Don't go very speedily. A guru can become guru when he is ordered by his guru. That's all. Otherwise nobody can become guru.
- Srila Prabhupada Bhagavad gita, Lecture, October 28, 1975

"One who is now the disciple is the next spiritual master. And one cannot be a bona fide and authorised spiritual master unless one has been strictly obedientto his spiritual master."
- Srimad Bhagavatam 2.9.43, Purport

"Now, tenth, eleventh, twelfth. My Guru Maharaja is tenth from Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, I am eleventh, you are the twelfth. So distribute this knowledge."
- Srila Prabhupada Arrival Lecture, 18/5/72, Los Angeles

"At the same time, I shall request them all to become spiritual master . Every one of you should be spiritual master next."
- Srila Prabhupada Vyasa-Puja address, September 5, 1969, Hamburg

Reporter: What will happen to the movement in the United States when you when you die?
Srila Prabhupada: I will never die
Devotees:  Jaya! Haribol! (laughter)
Srila Prabhupada: I will live from my books and you will utilise.
- Srila Prabhupada Press Conference, July 16, 1975, San Francisco

"Don't become premature acharya. First of all follow the orders of acharya, and you become mature. Then it is better to become acharya. Because we are interested in preparing acharya, but the etiquette is at least for the period the guru is present, one should not become acharya. Even if he is complete he should not, because the etiquette is, if somebody comes for becoming initiated, it is the duty of such person to bring that prospective candidate to hisacharya."
- Srila Prabhupada, Chaitanya Charitamrita Lecture, April 6, 1975, Mayapur

"And to become acharya is not very difficult. [...] amara ajnaya guru hana tara ei desa, yare dekha tare kaha krsna-upadesa: "By following My order, you become guru." [...] Then, in future... suppose you have got now ten thousand. We shall expand to hundred thousand. That is required. Then hundred thousand to million; and million to ten million."
- Srila Prabhupada, Chaitanya Charitamrita Lecture, April 6, 1975, Mayapur

"Physical presence is not important."
- Srila Prabhupada Room conversation, October 6, 1977, Vrindavan
or
"Physical presence is immaterial."
- Srila Prabhupada Letter, January 1, 1967

"Therefore one must take advantage of the vani, not the physical presence."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita Antya, concluding words

"As far as the time of diksha (initiation) is concerned, everything depends on the position of the guru.[...] If the sad-guru, the bona fide spiritual master agrees, one can be initiated immediately, without waiting for a suitable time or place."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya, 24.331, Purport

"This is the process of initiation. The disciple must admit that he will no longer commit sinful activity [...] He promises to execute the order of the spiritual master. Then, the spiritual master takes care of him and elevates him to spiritual emancipation."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya, 24.256

Devotee: How important is formal initiation?
Srila Prabhupada: Formal initiation means to accept officially to abide by the orders of Krishna and his representative. That is formal initiation.
- Srila Prabhupada Lecture, February 22, 1973, Auckland

Srila Prabhupada: Who is my disciple? First of all let him follow strictly the disciplined rules.
Disciple: As long as one is following, then he is...
Srila Prabhupada: Then he is all right.
- Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, June 13, 1976, Detroit

"...unless there is discipline, there is no question of disciple. Disciple means one who follows the discipline."
- Srila Prabhupada Morning walk, March 8, 1976, Mayapur

"Reception of spiritual knowledge is never checked by any material condition."
- Srimad Bhagavatam, 7.7.1, Purport

"The potency of transcendental sound is never minimised because the vibrator is apparently absent."
- Srimad Bhagavatam, 2.9.8, Purport

"Our only tradition is how to satisfy Vishnu."
- Srila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita lecture, July 30, 1973, London

"No. Tradition, religion, they are all material. They are also all designations."
- Srila Prabhupada, Room Conversation, March 13, 1975, Teheran

"Diksha cannot be offered to a shudra [...] This initiation is offered not according to Vedic rules, because it is very difficult to find out a qualified brahmana."
- Srila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, Lecture, March 29, 1971, Bombay

What is the purpose of diksha?

What is the meaning of diksha?

How does one become free from material contamination?

What is the actual effect of the transcendental knowledge given by the guru?

"Diksha actually means initiating a disciple with transcendental knowledge by which he becomes freed from all material contamination."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya, 4.111, Purport

How does one vanquish all reactions caused by sinful activity?

"So anyway, from 1922 to 1933 practically I was not initiated, but I got the impression of preaching Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's cult. That I was thinking. And thatwas the initiation by my Guru Maharaja."
- Srila Prabhupada Lecture, December 10, 1976, Hyderabad

What is real initiation?

"Initiation is a formality If you are serious, that is real initiation. My touch is simply a formality. It is your determination, that is initiation."
- Back to Godhead, Search for the Divine

What is the meaning of disciplic succession?

Does one require to be initiated officially?

"...disciplic succession does not always mean that one has to be initiated officially. Disciplic succession means to accept the disciplic conclusion."
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Dinesh, October 31, 1969

What is the real initiation?

"The chanting of Hare Krishna is our main business, that is real initiation. And as you are all following my instruction, in that matter, the initiator is already there."
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Tamala Krishna, August 19, 1968

What is the first thing?

"Well, initiation or no initiation, first thing is knowledge... knowledge. Initiation is formality. Just like you go to a school for knowledge, and admission is formality. That is not very important thing."
- Srila Prabhupada Interview, October 16, 1976, Chandigarh

What is the definition of a disciple?

Relationship between disciple and discipline.

"...unless there is discipline, there is no question of disciple. Disciple means one who follows the discipline."
- Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, March 8, 1976, Mayapur

But what if one does not observe the discipline?

"If one does not observe the discipline, then he is not disciple."
- Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam Lecture, January 21, 1974

What are the requirements to become a disciple?

"In our Krishna Consciousness Movement the requirement is that one must be prepared to give up the four pillars of sinful life [...] In western countries especially we first observe whether a potential disciple is prepared to follow the regulative principles."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya, 24.330, Purport

What is the minimum time requirement for before initiations.

"In this way the disciple renders devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master or his representatives for at least six months to a year."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya, 24.330, Purport

Spiritual master should study the potential disciple for at least six months.

"The spiritual master should study the disciple's inquisitiveness for no less than six months or a year."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya, 24.330, Purport

"So there was no difficulty in communicating with Manu or Manu's son, Ikshvaku. The communication was there, or the radio system was so nice that communication could be transferred from one planet to another."
- Srila Prabhupada Bhagavad-gita Lecture, August 24, 1968

Can one be voted in as a guru?

Can one become acharya by court judgment?

Vaishnava acharya is self-effulgent.

"Mundane votes have no jurisdiction to elect a Vaishnava acharya. A Vaishnava acharya is self effulgent, and there is no need for any court judgement."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya, 1.220, Purport

Customary social convention

Ecclesiasti convention

"Srila Jiva Gosvami advises that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or customary social, and ecclesiastical conventions."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi, 1.35, Purport

"Generally a spiritual master who constantly instructs a disciple in spiritual science becomes his initiating spiritual master later on."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi, 1.35, Purport

"It is the duty of the siksa guru or diksha guru to instruct the disciple in the right way, and it depends on the disciple to execute the process. According toshastric injunctions, there is no difference between siksa guru and diksha guru, and generally the siksa guru later on becomes the diksha guru."
-Srimad Bhagavatam 4.12.32, Purport

Pradyumna: Guru-padasrayah. "First one must take shelter of the lotus feet of a spiritual master." Tasmat krsna-dikshadi-siksanam. Tasmat, "from him",krsna-dikshadi-siksanam, "one should take krsna-diksha, initiation, and Siksha."

Srila Prabhupada: Diksha means divya-jnanam ksapayati iti diksha. Which explains the divya-jnana, transcendental, that is diksha. Di, divya, dikshanam. diksha. So divya-jnana, transcendental knowledge... If you don't accept a spiritual master, how you'll get transcen... You'll be taught here and there, here and there, and waste time. Waste time for the teacher and waste your valuable time. Therefore you have to be guided by an expert spiritual master. Read it.

Pradyumna: krsna-dikshadi-siksanam.

Srila Prabhupada: Sikshanam. We have to learn. If you don't learn, how you'll make progress? Then?
- Srila Prabhupada Room conversation, January 27, 1977, Bhubaneswar

"Actually amongst my God brothers no one is qualified to become acharya*. [...] instead of inspiring our students and disciple they may sometimes pollutethem. [...] they are very competent to harm our natural progress."
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Rupanuga, April 28, 1974

(Srila Prabhupada used the terms 'acharya' and 'guru' interchangeably):

"I shall produce some guru. I shall say who is guru, 'Now you become acharya.' [..] You can cheat, but it will not be effective. Just see our Gaudiya Matha. Everyone wanted to be guru. A small temple and 'guru'. What kind of guru?"
- Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, April 22, 1977

Guest: Are you planning to choose a successor?
Srila Prabhupada: It is already successful.
Guest: But there must be somebody you know, needed to handle the thing.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. That we are creating. We are creating these devotees who will handle.
Hanuman: One thing he's saying, this gentlemen, and I would like to know, is your successor named or your successor will...

Srila Prabhupada: My success is always there.
- Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, February 2, 1975, Mexico

"After 80 years, no one can be expected to live long. My life is almost ended. So you have to carry on, and these books will do everything."
- Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, February 18, 1976

"So there is nothing to be said new. Whatever I have to speak, I have spoken in my books. Now you try to understand it and continue your endeavour. Whether I am present or not present it doesn't matter."
- Srila Prabhupada Arrival Conversation, May 17, 1977, Vrindavan

Reporter: What will happen to the movement in the United States when you die?
Srila Prabhupada: I will never die
Devotees: Jaya! Haribol! (laughter)
Srila Prabhupada: I will live from my books and you will utilise.
- Srila Prabhupada Press Conference, July 16, 1975, San Francisco

Reporter: Are you training a successor?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes, my Guru Maharaja is there.
- Srila Prabhupada Press Conference, July 16, 1975, San Francisco

"Only Lord Chaitanya can take my place. He will take care of the Movement."
- Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, November 2, 1977

Interviewer: What happens when that inevitable time comes a successor is needed
Ramesvara: He is asking about the future, who will guide the Movement in the future.
Srila Prabhupada: They will guide, I am training them.
Interviewer: Will there be one spiritual leader though?
Srila Prabhupada: No. I am training GBC, 18 all over the world.
- Srila Prabhupada Interview, June 10, 1976, Los Angeles

Reporter: Do you expect to name one person as your successor or have you already?
Srila Prabhupada: That I am not contemplating now. But there is no need of one person.
- Srila Prabhupada Interview, June 4, 1976, Los Angeles

Interviewer: I was wondering if he had a successor to do...Do you have a successor to take your place when you die?
Srila Prabhupada: Not yet settled up. Not yet settled up.
Interviewer: So what process? Would the Hare Krishnas...
Srila Prabhupada: We have got secretaries. They are managing.
- Srila Prabhupada Interview, July 14, 1976, New York

"The GBC should all be the instructor gurus I am the initiator guru, and you should be the instructor guru by teaching what I am teaching and doing what I am doing."
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Madhudvisa, August 4, 1975

"Sometimes a diksha guru is not present always. Therefore one can take learning, instruction, from an advanced devotee. That is called the siksa guru."
- Srila Prabhupada Bhagavad-gita Lecture, July 4, 1974, Honolulu

"Although Prithu Maharaja was factually an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he rejected those praises because the qualities of the Supreme Person were not yet manifest in him. He wanted to stress that one who does not actually possess these qualities should not try to engage his followers and devotees in offering him glory for them, even though these qualities might be manifest in the future. If a man who does not factually possess the attributes of a great personality engages his followers in praising him with the expectation that such attributes will develop in the future, that sort of praise is actually an insult."
- Srimad Bhagavatam 4.15.23, Purport

"Therefore a disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari as a spiritual master."
Unqualified gurus are also warned:
"One should not become a spiritual master unless he has attained the platform of uttama-adhikari."
- The Nectar of Instruction, text 5, Purport

"Regarding parampara system: there is nothing to wonder for big gaps [...] we find in the Bhagavad-gita that the Gita was taught to the sungod, some millions of years ago, but Krishna has mentioned only three names in this parampara system - namely, Vivasvan, Manu, and Ikshvaku; and so these gaps do not hamper from understanding the parampara system. We have to pick up the prominent acharyas, and follow from him [...] We have to pick up from the authority of the acharya in whatever sampradaya we belong to."
- Srila Prabhupada, Letter to Dayananda, April 12, 1968

"Srimad Viraraghava Acharya, an acharya in the disciplic succession of the Ramanuja-sampradaya, has remarked in his commentary that chandalas, or conditioned souls who are born in lower than shudra families, can also be initiated according to circumstances. The formalities may be slightly changed here and there to make them Vaishnavas."
- Srimad Bhagavatam. 4.8.54 Purport

"Srila Narottama dasa Thakura who accepted Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti as his servitor."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi,1

"...Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura. He accepted his guru, Narottama dasa Thakura."
- Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam Lecture April 17, 1976, Bombay

"...in order to receive the real message of Srimad-Bhagavatam one should approach the current link, or spiritual master, in the chain of disciplic succession."
- Srimad Bhagavatam 2.9.7, Purport

"Amongst my God brothers no one is qualified to become acharya."
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Rupanuga, April 28, 1974

"On the whole you may know that he (Bon Maharaja) is not a liberated person, and therefore he cannot initiate any person to Krishna Consciousness. It requires special benediction from higher authorities."
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Janardana, April 26, 1968

"If everyone just initiates there will be contradictory result. As long as it goes on, there will be only failure."
- Srila Prabhupada, Phalgun Krishnan Panchami, verse 23

"The guru, or acharya deva, as we learn from bona fide scriptures, delivers the message of the absolute world,..."
"...when we speak of the fundamental principle of gurudeva, or acharya deva, we speak of something that is of universal application."

"The acharya deva for whom we have assembled tonight to offer our humble homage is not the guru of a sectarian institution or one out of many differing exponents of the truth. On the contrary, he is the Jagad-Guru, or the guru of all of us..."

"Regarding Bhakti Puri, Tirtha Maharaja, they are my God brothers and should be shown respect. But you should not have any intimate connection with them as they have gone against the orders of my Guru Maharaja."
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Pradyumna, February 17, 1968

"Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati has not said or given any document that Swamiji (Srila Prabhupada) will be guru."
- ISKCON Journal 1990, p.23

The same person who said that Tirtha, Madhava and Sridhar Maharaja were bona fide acharyas, even though Srila Prabhupada had said none of themwere qualified:

"But there is a system in our sampradaya. So Tirtha Maharaja, Madhava Maharaja, Sridhar Maharaja, our Gurudev, Swamiji - Swamiji Bhaktivedanta Swami - they all became acharyas."
- ISKCON Journal 1990, p.23

Contrast the above with what Srila Prabhupada thought of one of these 'acharyas':
"Bhakti Vilas Tirtha is very much antagonistic to our Society and he has no clear conception of devotional service. He is contaminated."
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Sukadeva, November 14, 1973

and with what he said of the rest:
"Amongst my God brothers no one is qualified to become acharya."
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Rupanuga, April 28, 1974

The same person who recently claimed that Srila Prabhupada had not given everything, and that it was time for a rasika guru to gain higher knowledge.

Bhavananda: ' It starts off in big print, "Acharya deva Tridandi Swami Srila Bhakti vilasa Tirtha Maharaja. All learned men are aware that in the dark ages of India when the Hindu religion was in great danger..."

Srila Prabhupada: (laughs)...This is nonsense.

It is obvious what type of 'acharya deva' Srila Prabhupada considers Tirtha Maharaja (the same Tirtha who is hailed as a bona fide acharya in the 1990 ISKCON Journal mentioned earlier). Later on the pamphlet describes how Srila Bhaktisiddhanta was so fortunate to have a wonderful personality to carry on the mission.

Bhavananda: "...In proper time, he (Srila Bhaktisiddhanta) got a great personality who readily shouldered the..."
Srila Prabhupada: 'Just see now. "He got a great personality". He is that personality. He'll also prove that. ..(later)...No one accepts him...Where is his greatness? Who knows him? Just see. So he is making a plan to declare himself a great personality...(Tirtha Maharaj b) is very envious about us...These rascals they may create some trouble.'
- Srila Prabhupada Conversation, January 19, 1976, Mayapur

"A bona fide spiritual master is in the disciplic succession from time eternal and he does not deviate at all from the instructions of the Supreme Lord."
- Bhagavad-gita. 4.42, Purport

Bona fide members of the disciplic succession never deviate:
"God is always God, Guru is always Guru."
- The Science of Self Realisation, chapter 2

"Well if he is bad, how can he become a guru?"
- The Science of Self Realisation, chapter 2

"The pure devotee is always free from the clutches of Maya and her influence."
- Srimad Bhagavatam 5.3.14

"There is no possibility that a first class devotee will fall down."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya, 22.71

"A spiritual master is always liberated."
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Tamala Krishna, June 21, 1970

The gurus described by these previous acharyas could never have been bona fide members of the parampara: "Narada Muni, Haridasa Thakura and similar acharyas especially empowered to broadcast the glories of the Lord cannot be brought down to the material platform."
- Srimad Bhagavatam 7.7.14, Purport

"...we must see the previous acharyas through Prabhupada. We cannot jump over Prabhupada and then look back at him through the eyes of previous acharyas."
- Our Original Position, p. 163, GBC Press

"The bona fide spiritual master always engages in unalloyed devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
- Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi, 1.46

Srila Prabhupada taught that a guru will only fall down if he is not properly authorised to initiate:

"...sometimes a spiritual master is not properly authorised to initiate and only on his own initiative becomes a spiritual master, he may be carried away by an accumulation of wealth and a large number of disciples."
- Nectar of Devotion p. 116

A spiritual master is always liberated."
- Srila Prabhupada Letter June 21, 1970

Newsday Reporter: You are now the leader and the Spiritual Master. Who will take your place?
Srila Prabhupada: That Krishna will dictate, who will take my place.
- Srila Prabhupada Interview, July 14, 1976, New York

"The system of management will continue as it is now and there is no need of any change."
- Srila Prabhupada's Declaration of Will, 4th June, 1977

"The standards I have already given you, now try to maintain them at all times under standard procedure. Do not try to innovate or create anything or manufacture anything, that will ruin everything."
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Bali Mardan and Pusta Krishna, September 18, 1972

"Now I have invested the GBC for maintaining the standard of our Krishna Consciousness Society, so keep the GBC very vigilant. I have already given you full directions in my books."
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Satsvarupa, September 13, 1970

"I have appointed originally 12 GBC members and I have given them 12 zones for their administration and management, but simply by agreement you have changed everything, so what is this, I don't know."
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Rupanuga, April 4, 1972

"What will happen when I am not here, shall everything be spoiled by GBC?"
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Hansadutta, April 11, 1972

Devotee: Srila Prabhupada when you're not present with us, how is it possible to receive instructions? For example in questions that may arise...

Srila Prabhupada: Well the questions are answ...answers are there in my books.
- Morning Walk, Los Angeles, May 13, 1973

So utilise whatever time you find to make a thorough study of my books. Then all your questions will be answered.
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Upendra, January 7, 1976

If it is possible to go to the temple, then take advantage of the temple. A temple is a place whereby one is given the opportunity to render direct devotional service to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. In conjunction with this you should always read my books daily and all your questions will be answered and you will have a firm basis of Krishna Consciousness. In this way your life will be perfect.
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Hugo Salemon, November 22, 1974

Every one of you must regularly read our books at least twice, in the morning and evening, and automatically all questions will be answered.
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Randhira, January 24, 1970

In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop.
- Srila Prabhupada Letter to Brahmarupa Dasa, November 22, 1974

Srila Prabhupada: Even a moment’s association with a pure devotee - all success!
Revatinanda:  Does that apply to reading the words of a pure devotee?
Srila Prabhupada:  Yes
Revatinanda:  Even a little association with your books has the same effect?
Srila Prabhupada:  Effect. Of course it requires both things. One must be very eager to take it.
- Room Conversation, December 13, 1970

After 80 years, no one can be expected to live long. My life is almost ended. So you have to carry on, and these books will do everything.
- Room Conversation, December 18, 1976

Paramahamsa: My question is, a pure devotee, when he comments on Bhagavad-gita, someone who never sees him physically, but he just comes in contact with the commentary, explanation, is this the same thing?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. You can associate with Krishna by reading Bhagavad-gita. And these saintly persons, they have given their explanations, comments. So where is the difficulty?
- Morning Walk, Paris June 11, 1974 ...

There is nothing new to be said. Whatever I had to say, I have already said in my books. Now you must try to understand it and continue with your endeavours. Whether I am present or not does not matter.
- Vrindavan, May 17, 1977

If I depart there is no cause for lamentation. I will always be with you through my books and orders. I will always remain with you in that way.
- Back To Godhead, December 1977

Srila Prabhupada Letter to Swami B S. Bhagavata Maharaja, August 21, 1969, Los Angeles

So practically there is no difference of opinion in our missionary activities, (between Gaudiya Matha and Iskcon) especially because we all are deriving inspiration from His Divine Grace Prabhupada Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja. I think all of our God brothers are doing the same missionary activities without a doubt, but still the regrettable fact is we are doing all separately, not in conjunction. I have also read specifically your articles on the matter of acharyas, wherein on the 14th Paragraph I see the acharya shall be entitled to nominate in writing his successive acharya. But we do not find any record where our Srila Prabhupada nominated any acharya after Him. Different persons have interpreted on this point, and every one of our God brothers are acting as acharya, so this is a controversial point which I do not wish to enter into while we are proposing for cooperation. I think now we should cooperate fully for preaching the Mission of Srila Prabhupada. He very eagerly desired that the message of Lord Chaitanya should be preached all over the world. ....

You cannot discover any better logic than this. Don't accuse that we are illogical, don't accuse. We are logical, completely logical. But we have got brain to understand. Yes. Logic, you can put forward, but one must have the brain to understand it. If one is dull like stone, how he can understand logic? This is very clear logic.
- September 2, 1973, London

They have made their own rascal philosophy that there is no life after death. Although they're experiencing that I am changing my body in this duration of life. I know that I have a child's body, child's body. That body's finished. Still I'm existing. So why I shall not exist after this body's finished? Where is the logic? Where is the... The simple logic they cannot understand. So dull brain. And they're advanced in civilization, big, big professor, big, big Indologist, this logic. The simple reason they cannot understand. What did they say? You have talked to many men about this logic?

Prabhupada: This is going on. All rascals have creative philosophy.

Pusta-krishna: When I hear in the United States there's a saying, a slogan, amongst the young people: "Do your own thing." And also in India now when I go there they say, "So many men, so many minds."

Prabhupada: Yes, that is Vivekananda. Yata mata tata patha. That means everyone can become authority. This is their philosophy.

Satsvarupa: Ultimately, they don't follow anyone, although they may like people, they...

Prabhupada: No, they follow.

Devotee: They say our only...

Prabhupada: But they are manufacturing their own philosophy. Philosophy there must be. They've become their own authority. That is a chaotic condition. Authority he has made himself. Yes. I am my authority. Authority has to accept. But he does not know that I am fool No. 1, what is the value of my authority?Authority he must accept. But he makes himself his authority. That is the tendency now. "In my opinion." All rascals say like that. "In my opinion." He does not... He's rascal No. 1, what is the value of his opinion? But he'll say, "In my opinion." That is the difficulty. And this is called creative philosophy. Is it not?

Pusta-krishna: Yes.

Prabhupada: This is going on. All rascals have creative philosophy.

Prabhupada: Yes, that is Vivekananda. Yata mata tata patha. That means everyone can become authority. This is their philosophy.

Satsvarupa: And this they praised as good.

Prabhupada: Ha?. want to go.

Prabhupada: Eh?

Devotee: I was taught in religion that God... That is His nature, not that I can't see Him, but He is a person. But that I can't see Him because He's invisible spirit.

Prabhupada: Invisible. That means you have no eyes to see. Even if He is spirit. That's all right. But invisible means you have no capacity to see. That is the meaning of invisible. That I cannot see. So you're disqualified, that does not mean He's dis... not visible. He's visible but not to you because you have no eyes to see Him. That we also say. Therefore we have to prepare the eyes to see. That is religion. I cannot see at the present moment that does not mean I shall stop (indistinct). I must prepare myself how to see. That is real intelligence. (end)
- Morning Walk, June 9, 1974, Paris

Tuesday 17 January 2012

A compendium of Quotes on Diksha

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