Not rubber stamp guru,it will not be effective

Prabhupada: What is the use of producing some rascal guru?
Tamala Krsna: Well, I have studied myself and all of your disciples, and it’s clear fact that we are all conditioned souls, so we cannot be guru. Maybe one day it may be possible...
Prabhupada: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: ...but not now.
Prabhupada: Yes. I shall choose some guru. I shall say, “Now you become acarya. You become authorised.” I am waiting for that. You become all acarya. I retire completely. But the training must be complete.
Tamala Krsna: The process of purification must be there.
Prabhupada: Oh, yes, must be there. Caitanya Mahaprabhu wants that. Amara ajnaya guru hana. "You become guru." (laughs) But be qualified. Little thing, strictly follower...
Tamala Krsna: Not rubber stamp.
Prabhupada: Then you'll not be effective. You can cheat, but it will not be effective. Just see our Gaudiya Matha. Everyone wanted to become guru, and a small temple and "guru." What kind of guru?

PADA:April 22, 1977 Tamal Krsna is admitting that he and his God brothers are all conditioned souls, that none of them are qualified to be gurus. So how is it that they ALL suddenly became "qualified gurus," all at the SAME TIME, immediately after Srila Prabhupada's disappearance? Srila Prabhupada is saying here in April of 1977 that no one is yet qualified to be guru, not one single person. How can it go from "no one" is qualified in April of 1977, to 11 are "qualified to be gurus" in just a few months?? Its called rubber stamp guru, not bona fide guru! 

Parampara Means to Accept The Prominent Acarya

Bhakta Mark – NY US: There are those who claim that if we continue to follow the Founder Acarya’s order and initiate new disciples on his behalf after his disappearance, there will be a break in the Parampara (disciplic succession) because a person needs a physically present Diksa (Initiating) Guru in order for the Parampara to continue.
Srila Prabhupada’s direct teachings show us otherwise.  Explicitly.
First note the names found commonly on the official list of our disciplic succession.

“Brahma is the direct recipient of Vedic knowledge from the Personality of Godhead, and anyone discharging his entrusted duties in disciplic succession from Brahma is sure to gain fame in this life and salvation in the next. The disciplic succession from Brahma is called the Brahma-sampradaya, and it descends as follows: Brahma, Narada, Vyasa, Madhva Muni (Purnaprajna), Padmanbha, Nhari, Madhava, Aksobhya, Jayatirtha, Jnanasindhu, Dayanidhi, Vidyanidhi, Rajendra, Jayadharma, Purusottama, Brahmanyatirtha, Vyasatirtha, Laksmipati, Madhavendra Puri, Isvara Puri, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Svarupa Damodara and Sri Rupa Gosvami and others, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Krsnadasa Gosvami, Narottama dasa Thakura, Visvanatha Cakravarti, Jagannatha dasa Babaji, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Gaurakisora dasa Babaji, Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami.”  (SB 3.13.8 : PURPORT)

Next, note the amount of rarified, advanced, pure devotees who also faithfully perpetuated the disciplic succession.

“Sri Haridasa Pandita was a disciple of Sri Ananta Acarya, who was a disciple of Gadadhara Pandita.” (CC Adi 8.54 Purport)
CC Adi 8.60
TRANSLATION
Ananta Acarya was a reservoir of all good qualities. No one can estimate how great he was. Pandita Haridasa was his beloved disciple.
PURPORT
Sri Ananta Acarya is one of the eternal associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. … In Jagannatha Puri, or Purusottama-ksetra, there is a monastery known as Ganga-mata Matha that was established by Ananta Acarya. In the disciplic succession of the Ganga-mata Matha, he is known as Vinoda-manjari. One of his disciples was Haridasa Pandita Gosvami, who is also known as Sri Raghu Gopala and as Sri Rasa-manjari. His disciple Laksmipriya was the maternal aunt of Ganga-mata, a princess who was the daughter of the King of Puliya. Ganga-mata brought a Deity of the name Sri Rasika-raya from Krsna Misra of Jaipur and installed Him in the house of Sarvabhauma in Jagannatha Puri. The disciple in the fifth generation after Sri Ananta Acarya was Sri Vanamali; in the sixth generation, Sri Bhagavan dasa, who was a Bengali; in the seventh generation, Madhusudana dasa, who was an Oriya; in the eighth generation, Nilambara dasa; in the ninth generation, Sri Narottama dasa; in the tenth generation, Pitambara dasa; and in the eleventh generation, Sri Madhava dasa. The disciple in the twelfth generation is presently in charge of the Ganga-mata monastery.
CC Adi 12.58
TRANSLATION
Bhagavata Acarya, Visnudasa Acarya, Cakrapati Acarya and Ananta Acarya were the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth branches of Advaita Acarya.
PURPORT
In his Anubhasya Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada says that Bhagavata Acarya was formerly among the followers of Advaita Acarya but was later counted among the followers of Gadadhara Pandita. The sixth verse of Sakha-niryayamrta, a book written by Yadunandana dasa, states that Bhagavata Acarya compiled a famous book of the name Prema-tarangini. According to the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika, verse 195, Bhagavata Acarya formerly lived in Vrndavana as Sveta-manjari. Visnudasa Acarya was present during the Khetari-mahotsava. He went there with Acyutananda, as stated in the Bhakti-ratnakara, Tenth Taranga. Ananta Acarya was one of the eight principal gopis. His former name was Sudevi. Although he was among Advaita Acarya’s followers, he later became an important devotee of Gadadhara Gosvami.
“In this connection, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, in his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya, gives this short note: “Sri Advaita Acarya is one of the important trunks of the bhakti-kalpataru, or desire tree of devotional service. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, as a gardener, poured water on the root of the bhakti tree and thus nourished all its trunks and branches.  (Adi 12.73 : PURPORT)

Reading the above quotes we find that some very influential acaryas are not mentioned in the common, official list of the disciplic succession of the Brahma Sampradaya, which we belong to.  There are full branches off some of the main trunks, and even important trunks that are not listed.  Why?

“Regarding parampara system: there is nothing to wonder for big gaps. Just like we belong to the Brahma Sampradaya, so we accept it from Krishna to Brahma, Brahma to Narada, Narada to Vyasadeva, Vyasadeva to Madhva, and between Vyasadeva and Madhva there is a big gap. But it is sometimes said that Vyasadeva is still living, and Madhva was fortunate enough to meet him directly. In a similar way, 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 Iksvaku; and so these gaps do not hamper from understanding the parampara system. We have to pick up the prominent acaryas, and follow from him. There are many branches also from the parampara system, and it is not possible to record all the branches and sub-branches in the disciplic succession. We have to pick up from the authority of the acharya in whatever sampradaya we belong to.” (Letter to: Dayananda — San Francisco 12 April, 1968)

The Prominent Acarya whose name gets mentioned in the list is one who had to make adjustments due to a break in the disciplic succcession.  He had to give teachings according to time place and circumstance that would point back to the Essence of the giver of the seed of Bhakti, Lord Caitanya.  There are many trunks, branches and sub-branches of disciples of disciples, but only the name of the PROMINENT ACARYA who starts a NEW main trunk is listed in our list of disciplic succession, and he is the important one to pick up from, Srila Prabhupada confirms this word for word in this next quote.

“Regarding your question about the disciplic succession coming down from Arjuna, it is just like I have got my disciples, so in the future these many disciples may have many branches of disciplic succession.
So in one line of disciples we may not see another name coming from a different line. But this does not mean that person whose name does not appear was not in the disciplic succession. Narada was the Spiritual Master of Vyasadeva, and Arjuna was Vyasadeva’s disciple, NOT AS INITIATED DISCIPLE but there was some blood relation between them. SO THERE IS CONNECTION IN THIS WAY and it is not possible to list all such relationships in the short description given in Bhagavad-gita As It Is.
Another point is that disciplic succession does not mean one has to be directly a disciple of a particular person. The conclusions which we have tried to explain in our Bhagavad-gita As It Is is the same as those conclusions of Arjuna. Arjuna accepted Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and we also accept the same truth under the disciplic succession of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (Letter to: Kirtanananda — L.A. 1/25/69)

So there are MANY ways to come under the disciplic succession, but the ONE COMMON POINT is that an authorized Acarya starts the particular trunk or branch.  He is the prominent acarya who’s orders must be followed if a disciple is to continue the branch.  If that disciple instructs differently than his acarya, the branch dries up.

“Advaita Acarya was a disciple of Madhavendra Puri, Isvara Puri’s spiritual master. Therefore Isvara Puri, the spiritual master of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, was Advaita Acarya’s Godbrother. As such, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu treated Advaita Acarya as His spiritual master, but Sri Advaita Acarya did not like this behavior of Lord Caitanya, for He wanted to be treated as His eternal servant. Advaita Prabhu’s aspiration was to be a servant of the Lord, not His spiritual master.” (Adi 17.68 : PURPORT)
“In this connection, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, in his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya, gives this short note: “Sri Advaita Acarya is one of the important trunks of the bhakti-kalpataru, or desire tree of devotional service. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, as a gardener, poured water on the root of the bhakti tree and thus nourished all its trunks and branches. But nevertheless, under the spell of maya, the most unfortunate condition of a living entity, some of the branches, not accepting the gardener who poured water on them, considered the trunk the only cause of the great bhakti-kalpataru. In other words, the branches or descendants of Advaita Acarya who considered Advaita Acarya the original cause of the devotional creeper, and who thus neglected or disobeyed the instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, deprived themselves of the effect of being watered and thus dried up and died. It is further to be understood that not only the misguided descendants of Advaita Acarya but anyone who has no connection with Caitanya Mahaprabhu-even if he is independently a great sannyasi, learned scholar or ascetic-is like a dead branch of a tree.” (Adi 12.73 : PURPORT)

Sri Advaita Acarya approached Lord Caitanya who was the most prominent acarya despite the fact that HIS initiating spiritual master was Madhavendra puri.  It is a fact that Madhavendra Puri is listed PREVIOUS to Lord Caitanya on the Parampara list of prominent acaryas.  Advaita acarya picked up from the Prominent Acarya, who was the current link who introduced something NEW to be followed by everyone, superseding the orders of the acaryas previous to him.  He strictly followed the teachings of that prominent acarya.

“As already stated, Brahma is the original spiritual master for the universe, and since he was initiated by the Lord Himself, the message of Srimad-Bhagavatam is coming down by disciplic succession, and 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.” (SB 2.9.7 : PURPORT)

The current link is the disciple who is following the Prominent Acarya’s orders, cent per cent. As the previous letter to Kirtananda (1/25/69) showed, such a link might “only” be an instructing spiritual master! He does not need to be an initiating spiritual master. It is right there in black and white.

“The conditions for hearing the transcendental message of the Absolute Truth are set forth herein. The first condition is that the audience must be very sincere and eager to hear. And the speaker must be in the line of disciplic succession from the recognized Acarya.” (SB 1.1.13 : PURPORT)

Currently”, the only acaryas I recognize are those who follow the instructions of the Founder-acarya of our trunk of the devotional tree.  He told us to become instructor gurus, but he would remain the initiating Guru.

“Regarding Sydney, that the President has left, if one does not follow the regulative principles, then he will leave. That is a fact. Has somebody else been elected? This is the function of the GBC, to see that one may not be taken away by maya. The GBC should all be the instructor gurus. I am in the initiator guru, and you should be the instructor guru by teaching what I am teaching and doing what I am doing. This is not a title, but you must actually come to this platform. This I want. (Letter to: Madhudvisa: — Detroit 75-08-04)
He shall be the supreme power with respect to all matters of the Society, and that status shall not be occupied by or shared with any other individual, either during his lifetime, OR AFTER HIS DEATH…” (Certificate of Incorporation: Jan 12 1976)
Nov 1977 – “The system of management will continue as it is now and there is no need of any change.”
(Section 1. Srila Prabhupada’s Last Will and Testament)
Nov 1977 – “In the event of death or failure to act for any reason of any of the said directors, a successor director or directors may be appointed by the remaining directors, provided the new director is my initiated disciple …”

In the Iskcon trunk of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Tree of Bhakti, there is one “Founder-acarya” and initiating spiritual master, who authorized all his disciples to represent him as priests for initiations, and to act as Siksa Gurus or Acaryas. He also said that only strictly obedient disciples can come to that platform of Siksa Guru.  Simple logic dictates that among those posing as Diksa Gurus within Iskcon, there is not ONE who meets this criteria of obedience.  Thus, sad to say, they themselves have produced dried up branches that cannot perpetuate the bonafide disciplic succession.
Om tat sat.
All glories to the Prominent Link Srila Prabhupada and his current links who follow his ritvik system!
Hare Krsna

GBC/GURUS got the temporary properties to enjoy not the power to preach

"We have actually seen that one of the disciples of Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura wanted to enjoy the property of his spiritual master, and the spiritual master, being merciful toward him, gave him the temporary property, but not the power to preach the cult of Caitanya Mahāprabhu all over the world. That special mercy of the power to preach is given to a devotee who does not want anything material from his spiritual master but wants only to serve him. The story of the demon Rāvaṇa illustrates this point. Although Rāvaṇa tried to abduct the goddess of fortune Sītādevī from the custody of Lord Rāmacandra, he could not possibly do so. The Sītādevī he forcibly took with him was not the original Sītādevī, but an expansion of māyā, or Durgādevī. As a result, instead of winning the favor of the real goddess of fortune, Rāvaṇa and his whole family were vanquished by the power of Durgādevī "(sṛṣṭi-sthiti-pralaya-sādhana-śaktir ekā [Bs. 5.44]). The Prayers Offered to the Lord by the Residents of Jambudvipa : SB 5.18.22 : PURPORT :

You cannot change a single alphabet.That is called parampara system

720624SB.LA                   
Lectures                 
The parampara system means... Just like we claim
parampara system from
Krsna.So whatever Krsna says or He said 5,000
years ago, we are repeating
the same thing. That is called parampara
system. Not that "The
world has changed. Scientific advancement is
very great. Now we can interpret
in this way and that way." This is
all nonsense. All nonsense. You cannot
change a single alphabet. They
are all unmistakable. They cannot be
changed. So that is niscayam
atmanah.
    If
you want to know positively, what is God, then we should take
lesson from a
self-realized soul who has understood, who has seen.
Jnaninas
tattva-darsinah. Just like here it is tattva-niscayam
atmanah. So
tattvam, the truth, so one must have seen the truth,
realized the
truth. Tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet. That is
guru. Means
one who has seen the truth. How he has seen the truth?
Through the
parampara system. Krsna said this, and then Brahma said
the same thing,
then Narada said the same thing, Vyasadeva said the
same thing, and then
disciplic succession, Madhvacarya, Madhavendra
Puri, Isvara Puri, Lord
Caitanya, Sad-gosvami, Krsnadasa Kaviraja
Gosvami, Srinivasa Acarya,
Narottama dasa Thakura, Visvanatha
Cakravarti Thakura. In this way.
Jagannatha dasa Babaji, Gaura Kisora
dasa Babaji, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. Then we are speaking. The
same
thing.Not that "Because we are modernized... Your modern
science has
changed." Nothing has changed.  It is all
foolishness.

The Initiator is Eternally Present

Bhakta Mark – NY US: The secret is that one must submissively listen to those who know perfectly the science of God, and one must begin the mode of service regulated by the preceptor.  A devotee already attracted by the name, form, qualities, etc., of the Supreme Lord may be directed to his specific manner of devotional service; he need not waste time in approaching the Lord through logic.  The expert spiritual master knows well how to engage his disciple’s energy in the transcendental loving service of the Lord, and thus he engages a devotee in a specific devotional service according to his special tendency.

A devotee must have only one initiating spiritual master because in the scriptures acceptance of more than one is always forbidden. There is no limit, however, to the number of instructing spiritual masters one may accept.
Generally a spiritual master who constantly instructs a disciple in spiritual science becomes his initiating spiritual master later.

** (From the beginning we are constantly instructed by Srila Prabhupada’s books, lectures, and conversations, and will continue to be until death) **

One should always remember that a person who is reluctant to accept a spiritual master and be initiated is sure to be baffled in his endeavor to go back to Godhead. One who is not properly initiated may present himself as a great devotee, but in fact he is sure to encounter many stumbling blocks on his path of progress toward spiritual realization, with the result that he must continue his term of material existence without relief. Such a helpless person is compared to a ship without a rudder, for such a ship can never reach its destination. It is imperative, therefore, that one accept a spiritual master if he at all desires to gain the favor of the Lord. The service of the spiritual master is essential.
If there is no chance to serve the spiritual master directly, a devotee should serve him by remembering his instructions. There is no difference between the spiritual master’s instructions and the spiritual master himself. In his absence, therefore, his words of direction should be the pride of the disciple.
(Adi 1.35 purport.)
Today, Sunday, November 10, 1974-corresponding to the 10th of Kārtikka, Caitanya Era 488, the eleventh day of the dark fortnight, the Rāma-ekādaśī-we have now finished the English translation of Śrī Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī’s Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta in accordance with the authorised order of His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākur Gosvāmī Mahārāja, my beloved eternal spiritual master, guide and friend. Although according to material vision His Divine Grace Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda passed away from this material world on the last day of December, 1936, I still consider His Divine Grace to be always present with me by his vāṇī, his words. There are two ways of association-by vāṇī and by vapu. Vāṇī means words, and vapu means physical presence. Physical presence is sometimes appreciable and sometimes not, but vāṇī continues to exist eternally. Therefore we must take advantage of the vāṇī, not the physical presence. Bhagavad-gītā, for example, is the vāṇī of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Although Kṛṣṇa was personally present five thousand years ago and is no longer physically present from the materialistic point of view, Bhagavad-gītā continues…
… I think that His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura is always seeing my activities and guiding me within my heart by his words. As it is said in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, tene brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye. Spiritual inspiration comes from within the heart, wherein the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in His Paramātmā feature, is always sitting with all His devotees and associates. It is to be admitted that whatever translation work I have done is through the inspiration of my spiritual master because personally I am most insignificant and incompetent to do this materially impossible work. I do not think myself a very learned scholar, but I have full faith in the service of my spiritual master, His Divine Grace Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhakura. If there is any credit to my activities of translating, it is all due to His Divine Grace.
Certainly if His Divine Grace were personally present at this time, it would have been a great occasion for jubiliation, but even though he is not physically present, I am confident that he is very pleased by this work of translation.
He was very fond of seeing many books published to spread the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Therefore our society, the International Society for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness, has formed to execute the order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His Divine Grace Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhakura.
(Cc. 1975: Concluding Words)
Indian Man (2): …like your company very much in Toronto and we feel like talk you so much, but we don’t have so much time to talk with you. You have so much mercy, so we have not… know so much about Kṛṣṇa from you.
Prabhupāda: So in my absence you read the books. What I talk, I have written in the books. That’s all.
Indian Man (2): Personally, we think more greater.
Prabhupāda: That’s all right. But still, you can associate with me by reading my books.
(Morning Walk — August 7, 1975, Toronto)
To answer your last point, one who teaches can be treated as Spiritual Master. It is not that after we become initiated we become perfect. No. It requires teaching. So if we take instruction from them, all senior godbrothers may be treated as guru, there is no harm. Actually, you have only one Spiritual Master, who initiates you, just as you have only one father. But every Vaisnava should be treated as prabhu, master, higher than me, and in this sense, if I learn from him, he may be regarded as guru. It is not that I disobey my real Spiritual Master and call someone else as Spiritual Master. That is wrong. It is only that I can call Spiritual Master someone who is teaching me purely what my initiating Spiritual Master has taught. Do you get the sense?
Letter to: Sri Galim — Delhi 20 November, 1971
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. Now the next initiation will be performed as a ceremony officially, of course that ceremony has value because the name, Holy Name, will be delivered to the student from the disciplic succession, it has got value, ( Letter to: Tamala Krsna — Montreal 19 August, 1968)
The GBC should all be the instructor gurus. I am in the initiator guru, and you should be the instructor guru by teaching what I am teaching and doing what I am doing. This is not a title, but you must actually come to this platform. This I want.
(Letter to: Madhudvisa: — Detroit 4 August, 1975)
Why distinguish between chanting and book distribution? These books I have recorded and chanted, and they are transcribed. It is spoken kirtanas. So book distribution is also chanting. These are not ordinary books. It is recorded chanting. Anyone who reads, he is hearing.
(Letter to: Rupanuga: — Mayapur 19 October, 1974)
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.
(Letter to: Janardana — New York 26 April, 1968)
The initiating spiritual master is a PERSONAL MANIFESTATION of Śrīla Madana-mohana vigraha, whereas the instructing spiritual master is a PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE of Śrīla Govindadeva vigraha.
(Adi 1.47 : PURPORT)
When one has attained the topmost position of maha-bhagavata, he is to be accepted as a guru and worshiped exactly like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. Only such a person is eligible to occupy the post of a guru.
( Madhya 24.330)
Satsvarūpa: By the votes of the present GBC. Then our next question concerns initiations in the future, particularly at that time when you’re no longer with us. We want to know how first and second initiation would be conducted.
Prabhupāda: Yes. I shall recommend some of you. After this is settled up, I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating ācāryas.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Is that called ṛtvik-ācārya?
Prabhupāda: Ṛtvik, yes.
(room conv. May 28. 1977)
His Divine Grace said, “You are a suitable person and you can give initiation to those who are ready for it. I have selected you among eleven men as “rittvik” or representative of the acharya, to give initiations, both first and second initiation, on my behalf.” (A newsletter is being sent to all Temple Presidents and GBC in this regard, listing the eleven representatives selected by His Divine Grace. Those who are initiated are the disciples of Srila Prabhupada, and anyone who you deem fit and initiate in this way, you should send their names to be included in Srila Prabhupada’s “Initiated Disciples” book. In this way the Temple Presidents will send their recommendations for initiation direct to the nearest representative who will give a spiritual name or chant on the Gayatri thread just as Srila Prabhupada has been doing.) (letter to Hamsadutta, July 10th 1977)
Tamala Krsna Maharaja: Upendra and I could see it for the last… [break]
Srila Prabhupada: “And nobody is going to disturb you there. Make your own field and continue to become ritvik and act on my charge. People are becoming sympathetic there. The place is very nice.” (Room Conversation, July 19th,1977)
Hamsadutta das: Srila Prabhupada replied my letter by paraphrasing my question and answering in a letter dated July 31st 1977 as follows:
“You have written to Srila Prabhupada saying you do not know why he has chosen you to be a recipient of his Mercy. His Divine Grace immediately replied, “It is because you are my sincere servant. You have given up attachment to a beautiful and qualified wife and that is a great benediction. You are a real preacher. Therefore I like you. (Then Laughing).  Sometimes you become obstinate, but that is true of any intelligent man. Now you have got a very good field. Now organize it and it will be a great credit. No one will disturb you there. MAKE YOUR OWN FIELD AND CONTINUE TO BE RITTVIK AND ACT ON MY BEHALF”
Prabhupada: “When it was not handed down. Simply understood by speculation. Or if it is not handed down as it is. They might have made some changes. Or they did not hand it down. Suppose I handed it down to you, but if you do not do that, then it is lost. Now the Krishna consciousness movement is going on in my presence. Now after my departure, if you do not do this, then it is lost. If you go on as you are doing now, then it will go on.” (Room conversations, May 9th,1975, Perth)
Nov 1977 – “The system of management will continue as it is now and there is no need of any change.”
(Section 1. Srila Prabhupada’s Last Will and Testament)
Nov 1977 – “In the event of death or failure to act for any reason of any of the said directors, a successor director or directors may be appointed by the remaining directors, provided the new director is my initiated disciple …”
(Section 3,  Srila Prabhupada’s Last Will and Testament)

Srila Prabhupada on the Gaudiya Matha-2

Prabhupāda: Liberated soul never says that "I am liberated." As soon as he says "liberated," he's a rascal. A liberated soul will never say that "I am liberated." That is liberated. Caitanya Mahāprabhu, He is God—guru more mūrkha dekhi' karila śāsan [Cc. Ādi 7.71]. "My Guru Mahārāja saw Me a fool number one, and he has chastised Me." He's God. This is the example. If one remains always a servant ever-lastingly of guru, then he is liberated. And as soon as he thinks that he is liberated, he's a rascal. That is the teaching of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Guru more mūrkha dekhi'. Caitanya Mahāprabhu is mūrkha? Why He's posing Himself that mūrkha? "I am fool number one." That means that is liberation. You must be ready always to be chastised by guru. Then he's liberated. And as soon as he thinks that "I am beyond this chastisement, I am liberated," he's a rascal. Why Caitanya Mahāprabhu says guru more mūrkha dekhi' karila śāsan? This is sahajiyā-vāda. He is thinking, "Oh I have become liberated. I don't require any direction of my guru. I'm liberated." Then he's rascal. Why this Gauḍīya Maṭha failed? Because they tried to become more than guru. He, before passing away, he gave all direction and never said that "This man should be the next ācārya." But these people, just after his passing away they began to fight, who shall be ācārya. That is the failure. They never thought, "Why Guru Mahārāja gave us instruction so many things, why he did not say that this man should be ācārya?" They wanted to create artificially somebody ācārya and everything failed. They did not consider even with common sense that if Guru Mahārāja wanted to appoint somebody as ācārya, why did he not say? He said so many things, and this point he missed? The real point? And they insist upon it. They declared some unfit person to become ācārya. Then another man came, then another, ācārya, another ācārya. So better remain a foolish person perpetually to be directed by Guru Mahārāja. That is perfection. And as soon as he learns the Guru Mahārāja is dead, "Now I am so advanced that I can kill my guru and I become guru." Then he's finished. (More...)

Srila Prabhupada on the Gaudiya Matha

"To one who has staunch faith in the words of the spiritual master and the words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the secret of success in Vedic knowledge is revealed." The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is being propagated according to this principle, and therefore our preaching work is going on successfully, in spite of the many impediments offered by antagonistic demons, because we are getting positive help from our previous ācāryas. One must judge every action by its result. The members of the self-appointed ācārya's party who occupied the property of the Gauḍīya Maṭha are satisfied, but they could make no progress in preaching. Therefore by the result of their actions one should know that they are asāra, or useless, whereas the success of the ISKCON party, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which strictly follows guru and Gaurāṅga, is increasing daily all over the world. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura wanted to print as many books as possible and distribute them all over the world. We have tried our best in this connection, and we are getting results beyond our expectations.

Srila Prabhupada speaks about his Godbrothers-3

Prabhupāda: Yes. If by the dress of sannyāsī, you take some money and eat and sleep, then it is transcendental fraud. (SP laughs) (Hindi) Just like others are toiling, and we are getting money by some dress. That's all. They are getting money by laboring hard, and we are getting money... In India, mostly the sannyāsīs, they do that. The priests also, they do that. This is our profession, just... My Guru Mahārāja said that ṭhākura dekhiye pāya rasta karache, rastaye 'yandiya jīvika badram karam bhari (?). Instead of earning livelihood by showing the Deity in the temple, it is better to take the profession of a sweeper in the street and live honestly. He said like that. The sweeper is working hard toiling and getting some money and living. This is honest living. But just like in Vṛndāvana, all the Goswamis. They have got their Deity. People are coming, contributing. Typical example, Gauracānda Goswami. Ṭhākura dekhiye paisa rasta. (?) All the sevaites, they are meant for... Our Kunja Babu also planned like that. He thought, "By cheating all the God-brothers, I have got now Caitanya Maṭha. And people will come to see Caitanya Mahāprabhu's birthplace, and I will get good income. And it will be distributed amongst my brothers and sons and myself. That's all." That is his scheme.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Perfect material plan.

Prabhupāda: Yes. It is another way of earning money. And he was always after Guru Mahārāja only for this purpose. Guru Mahārāja took that "Oh, this man is helping me." But he had no such plan, to help Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī. He had the plan, "Keep Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī in front, earn money, and put it in my pocket." That was his very beginning. He was taking money like anything. But he was a good manager. Other God-brothers complained, sannyāsīs. Guru Mahārāja used to say that "Why you are complaining? You cannot reform him, your God-brother? And if I would have to keep expert manager like him, I would have to pay something. Suppose he is taking something, why do you grudge?" (Prabhupāda laughing) He would say like that. So nobody could say anything. But after the demise, everything burst out. "Kunja Babu must be driven out." That was the whole plan of Gauḍīya Maṭha breakdown. The grudge was against Kunja Babu.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Who is Kunja Babu?

Prabhupāda: That Tīrtha Mahārāja. His name is Kunja Vihari Sar. So that was boiling in everyone's heart. So as soon as Guru Mahārāja passed away, so that burst out. And the whole plan was how to get out this Kunja Babu.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Not how to preach.

Prabhupāda: No. This was the cause of breakdown. This was suppressed by Guru Mahārāja under his influence, but the rebellious was there during his lifetime. And it burst into... Therefore he advised that "You make a governing body and Kunja Babu should be allowed to remain manager." This was directly spoken. He never asked anybody to become ācārya. He asked that "You form a governing body of twelve men and go on preaching, and Kunja Babu may be allowed to remain manager during his lifetime." He never said that Kunja Babu should be ācārya. None, none of them were advised by Guru Mahārāja to become ācārya. His idea was "Let them manage; then whoever will be actual qualified for becoming ācārya, they will elect. Why I should enforce upon them?" That was his plan. "Let them manage by strong governing body, as it is going on. Then ācārya will come by his qualifications." But they wanted that... Because at heart, they were, "After demise of Guru, I shall become ācārya." "I shall become ācārya." So all the ācāryas began fight. One side, that Vāsudeva Ācārya and Sar Kunja Babu Ācārya. And Paramānanda, he thought that "Whoever will be powerful, I shall join them." (laughing) He only thought. But Guru Mahārāja never asked that these three men should be trustees. He wanted governing body. So the rebellion broke out immediately after his passing away. And then fight in the high-court. And Kunja Babu, he is very intelligent man. So from the very beginning he knew that "There will be fight after the demise of Guru Mahārāja. So fight will be in the high-court. So at the expense of Guru Mahārāja, let my brother and sons become attorneys and barrister so I will have not to pay all these things." It was a planned thing. And that is being done. He was a clerk, it was not in his power to make his brother and sons attorneys and barristers. They were all made at the cost of Gauḍīya Maṭha to fight with (indistinct) in favor of Tīrtha Mahārāja. These were the planned things. But I was a rotten gṛhastha. I did not join any one of them. (Prabhupāda laughs) I was rotting in my household life. That's all. But I was planning how to make, how to make this. That was my desire from the very beginning, since I heard it. But I was never with them, either this party or that party. And Guru Mahārāja also recommended, apnader tasturi tublia thaki bhavan. Takhona (?). "When there will be need, he will do himself. There is no need of living with you. It is better to live apart from you." When I was recommended by Goswami Mahārāja to live in the Maṭha, that "He is so nice." Sometimes he recommended. In Bombay, here in this Bombay. That house. Yes. He (Guru Mahārāja) said "Yes, he is very expert. He can do. So it is better to live apart from you. And he will do everything when there is need." He said. I could not understand. Although I was apart from them, a gṛhastha. In this Bombay I was doing business. (people talking outside)

Srila Prabhupada speaks about his Godbrothers-2

Prabhupāda: [break] ...you meet Bon Mahārāja, and if he talks again time, say, "You were sent in London for establishing a temple, why you could not do it? You remained there for three, four years. And why you were called back by Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī? What did you do for the three, four years in spite of full support from Gauḍīya Maṭha?" We were sending seven hundred rupees. In those days seven hundred rupees means nowadays seven thousand. He was squandering the money. "Authority, authority, scholarly, how many books you have published from your institution for the last forty years?" He was in London. In the 1930's he came back. Came back means Guru Mahārāja called him back. Then he separated from Gauḍīya Maṭha, and he tried to start this institution. Sometimes in the 1945, '47..., not '40, '30. And it is '75, clear forty years. So what books you have published? Authority, scholarly, what books you have published? And how many scholars you have produced? Why it is closed now?

Show proof were Srila Prabhupada appointed Diksa Gurus.

 Gaurangasundar dasa

“Unless it is there from me in writing, there are so many things that “Prabhupada said.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter, 2/9/75)
“…just like in our ISKCON there are so many false things: “Prabhupada said this, Prabhupada said that.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter, 7/11/72)
“Sometimes they say, “Prabhupada said it.” More misleading. Yes.” (Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, 3/2/75)
“Just like in our society, sometimes they do something nonsense and they say, “Prabhupada said.” (Srila Prabhupada Conversation, 9/5/75)
 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. (SP Bg. Lecture, 28/10/75)
 ‎"Self-made guru cannot be guru. HE MUST BE AUTHORIZED BY THE BONA FIDE GURU.Then he's guru. This is the fact...Similarly, bona fide guru means he must be authorized by the superior guru."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Nectar of Devotion, October 31. 1972)
  ‎"One should take initiation from a bona fide spiritual master coming in the disciplic succession, who is AUTHORIZED BY HIS PREDECESSOR SPIRITUAL MASTER. This is called diksa-vidhana."
(Srimad Bhagavatam 4.8.54, purport)
 “Vallabha Bhaṭṭa wanted to be initiated by Gadādhara Paṇḍita, but Gadādhara Paṇḍita refused, saying, ‘The work of acting as a spiritual master is not possible for me. I am completely dependent. My Lord is Gauracandra, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. I cannot do anything independently, without His order.’” (Cc. Antya 7.150. 151)
------------------------
SRILA PRABHUPADA'S WRITTEN AND SIGNED ORDER TO THE ENTIRE SOCIETY WAS THE JULY 9TH RITVIK APPOINTMENT LETTER .
PLEASE PRODUCE A LETTER AFTER THIS DATE WRITTEN AND SIGNED BY SRILA PRABHUPADA STATING 2 THING
1)TO STOP FURTHER INITIATION VIA RITVIK.
2)AND THAT THE 11 DEVOTEES ARE NOW NO-LONGER RITVIKS BUT REGULAR DIKSHA GURUS  .


Follow the Latest Order

From a lecture by Śrīla Prabhupāda on the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Hyderabad, India, April 15, 1975:

I may say many things to you, but when I say something directly, "Do it", your first duty is to do that. You cannot argue, "Sir, you said me like this before." No, that is not your duty. What I say now, you do it. That is obedience.

Sri Guru-tattva

By Vikramasingha das

The most important fundamental knowledge a devotee needs to advance in Krishna consciousness is based on understanding Srila Prabhupada’s position as sad-guru, the eternal spiritual master. Without this understanding, ones practice of Krishna consciousness in this age cannot be effective.
“The spiritual master is always considered either one of the confidential associates of Radharani or a manifested representation of Sri  Nityananda.” (Cc. Adi. 1.46, Purport)
“On the whole, the spiritual master is an agent of Krishna. Either he is assistant to the Gopis or assistant to the Cowherd Boys. He is on the level of Krishna. That is verdict of all scriptures. Krishna is the worshipable God, and the spiritual master is worshiper God.” (Letter, Sept. 26, 1969)
“Presently people are so fallen that they cannot distinguish between a liberated soul and a conditioned soul.” (SB. 4.18.5, Purport)
Interestingly, in the statement immediately above, Srila Prabhupada laments not that people in the present times are addicted to sinful life but that they are unable to distinguish between conditioned souls and liberated souls.
In our Gaudiya Sampradaya of Vaisnava acaryas, coming directly from Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, many nitya-siddhas have appeared to assist the Lord in His mission. It is said that some of these personalities, like Srila Haridas Thakura and Sri Vasudeva Datta, are even more merciful than Lord Caitanya Himself. As stated in a song by Srila Narottama Das Thakura and confirmed by Srila Prabhupada, simply by understanding and accepting that such great personalities are nitya-siddha parishads, or eternally liberated associates of the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna Caitanya, one is immediately promoted to Goloka Vrindaban. Therefore to think their worship or praise is customary hyperbole that can imitated, or to think ordinary souls can approach their level of divinity, is the greatest misfortune that can befall a person in this age.
Imitators Will Become Degraded
Recently someone sent me a link to a YouTube Video wherein two of maya-iskcon’s most infamous upstarts were speaking for hours, trying to justify their belief that self-appointed or elected iskcon “gurus”, or iskurus, particularly themselves, should be allowed to have their followers worship them in Srila Prabhupada’s temples on a daily basis. They insist that iskuru followers should be allowed to install iskuru photos on their personal so-called vyasasanas and on the altars with the Deities and our nitya-siddha parampara. They also defend their self-proclaimed titles-- titles that have traditionally been used only by great self-realized acaryas, or maha-bhagavatas. These unauthorized practices of worship were creating so much disturbance in post-1978 Iskcon that most senior devotees, as well as the gbc body, finally rejected them. These two men, however, have always been the most stubborn defenders of their own worship.
Unfortunately, during this dialogue Srila Prabhupada was deliberately minimized and neglected. For instance, one of these pretenders referred to Srila Prabhupada as the “so-called” Founder-Acharya of ISKCON.  Srila Prabhupada insisted upon this exclusive title for very good reasons. This video and the histories of these two men illustrate how even those who are supposedly advanced Vaisnava leaders quickly lose their intelligence and become degraded due to “envy of the exalted status of the spiritual master.”
One of these so-called swamis had blooped from ISKCON in the 1967 or 1968, just after Srila Prabhupada made him a sannyasi. He had become puffed up after becoming a sannyasi and was apparently unable to tolerate Srila Prabhupada’s supreme position as Founder-Acarya of ISKCON. He then tried to create his own cult, but failed, and later came back to Srila Prabhupada’s mission.  He was quite perturbed later on, in 1976, when Srila Prabhupada corrected him after he had tried to post himself as “Founder-Acarya” of Srila Prabhupada’s original farm community. Srila Prabhupada said that He alone was the Founder-Acarya of this community, and He told this man to remove this title from his name in the community journal. 
In this video this same upstart suggests he would surpass Srila Prabhupada in his level of devotional service. He flatly stated that anyone who disagreed with his receiving public worship in Srila Prabhupada’s temples was an envious person who did not follow the four regulative principles or understand the siddhanta of guru-tattva.
Shortly after the production of this video, this same man blooped again from iskcon, after receiving a blow to the head and suffering severe brain hemorrhaging. Although he had left the mission in the early days with only two or three friends, this time he took with him hundreds of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples. He then immediately began changing the temple sadhana, eliminating Sanskrit chanting, and he introduced a new dress code, following the style of Christian monks. Shortly thereafter, this deranged man got caught in a sexual act with a boy, even while many of his followers were just outside singing his “glories”. This episode was widely advertised all over the world. I heard the story from one of his most trusted, longtime supporters.  After this humiliating incident, most of the leaders under him, as well as most of his rank and file followers, rejected him as their leader. He then went into self-imposed exile in disgrace.
Similarly, the obese gentleman in this video was attacked and had his throat slit. He barely recovered is life and his ability to speak-- yet he kept on spouting nonsense. He was later caught getting a “massage” from a young female admirer. Recently he lapsed into a coma after a severe heart attack, which doctors say was caused due to his constantly gorging himself on rich food. This gentleman was so restless that he spent a fortune every year to fly around the planet by first-class airfare while the cows in his farm project starved due to neglect. He generally used to fly alone and would sometimes go missing for days. Now he travels with an entourage of caretakers and body guards. It is said by those close to him that he rarely chants his rounds, although he used to often claim to chant them on a “clicker” while in flight. Both of these pretender iskurus have had devotees beaten, driven out or even killed for disagreeing with their public worship in Srila Prabhupada’s temples.
In spite of the gbc’s mandate against it, and in spite of the good advice of several of their colleagues and many other devotees, these two guru-bogis are waxing eloquently on camera about the utter necessity of their accepting elaborate daily worship from their misguided followers.  These two men, and many others just like them, are perfect illustrations why one should never “envy the exalted status of the spiritual master.” As Srila Prabhupada Himself prophetically warned: “And as soon as he (the upstart) learns that Guru Maharaja is dead, ‘Now I am so advanced that I can kill my guru and I become guru.’ Then he’s finished.” (Conv. Aug. 16, 1976, Bombay)
Although in this video these two men cite scriptural evidence to substantiate that the bona fide spiritual master should be worshiped on the same level as the Supreme Person, Lord Hari, they offer no explanation how they became bona fide spiritual masters without any authorization or self-realization. They fail to explain why Srila Prabhupada should be considered dead and gone (posthumous) and no longer the spiritual master and acarya for all Hare Krishna Vaisnava devotees. They fail to offer any explanation why a third-class sadhaka with a material body should be accepted as the spiritual master by new devotees whereas a nitya-siddha shaktavesa with a fully transcendental body should be barred from that post. Finally, they fail to explain why they defy Srila Prabhupada’s written order to offer formal initiations to new students on His behalf-- by acting as His ritviks, or deputies.
They claim to offer the services of their so-called disciples to Lord Krishna directly. They say this is their own specific service. Yet they fail to explain how they are able to offer things to Krishna directly without bhagavan realization and without first offering everything, including their followers, to Srila Prabhupada. They fail to explain why their followers are barred from approaching Srila Prabhupada directly, although self-appointed iskurus are able to offer everything to Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krishna directly. Using scriptural mandates calling for offering everything to the bona fide spiritual master, they try to justify their bulging personal bank accounts derived from dakshin, or personal donations, and their acceptance of elaborate man-worship in front of the Deities in the temple and Srila Prabhupada’s vyasasana.
Follow Gaudiya Vaisnava Traditions of Humility (Man Worship Rejected)
Such man-worship, or the so-called guru-puja of ordinary preachers, is explicitly forbidden by the sastras, especially when done before the Deity or in the temple. Indeed, it is recommended that even advanced devotees not accept any disciples or such worship. This is the version of sastras. For this reason public worship was not generally accepted by previous acaryas in our Gaudiya Sampradaya. Gaudiya Vaisnava gurus have almost always remained as humble babajis, the topmost emblems of renunciation and Vaisnava humility. Such acaryas, like Srila Rupa Goswami, are the real examples for all devotees to follow, as far as possible. This is why the devotees in our Gaudiya Sampradaya are still known as Rupanugas.
To counteract the propaganda of sahajiyas and mayavad preachers, who were constantly bewildering their followers and the public with a big show of “guru” worship, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura reinstituted the practice of tridandi sannyasa in our Gaudiya Sampradaya, with the accompanying prestige and paraphernalia. He allowed His sannyasis to ride in cars and planes and wear British trench coats, boots and showy turbans when going out to preach Krishna consciousness. He called such dressed up preachers “suited and booted.” (Similarly Srila Prabhupada allowed some his top book distributors to dress like gentlemen karmis when selling books in the airports.)
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Himself, however, like Srila Rupa Goswami, was the very emblem of Vaisnava humility, and although He is the greatest leader of all Vaisnavas, He accepted formal guru-puja in public only once a year on His divine appearance day, but even then not in front of the Deity in the temple. These two great acaryas are the topmost important spiritual masters in history. No other great teacher of Krishna consciousness has tried to imitate their positions as “Prabhupada” or the topmost master of all Vaisnavas. Thus it is hard to find any history of a predecessor acarya of Krishna consciousness accepting regular guru-puja in the temple of the Supreme Lord, even though there is some sastric evidence to support this practice in the case of maha-bhagavatas. 
Falsely citing sastra, but not guru or sadhu, one of the gentlemen in this video suggests the absence of daily guru-pujas in Gauidya Math temples was a bogus oversight.  What this foolish pretender doesn’t realize is that all devotional traditions established by Srila Rupa Goswami were followed precisely by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati in His Gaudiya Matha temples.  Yet the upstart in this video has the audacity to suggest that the Gaudiya Math tradition established by our nitya-siddha param gurus is a tradition of negligence that should be ignored in iskcon by iskurus and their followers.
He suggests it is better that modern-day elected iskurus should instead imitate Srila Prabhupada’s standard of personal worship. This ignorant man doesn’t realize that all bona fide devotees and pujaris from the time of Rupa Gosvami already worship the true guru-parampara daily while worshiping the Deity. Furthermore, all ISKCON devotees are supposed to worship Srila Prabhupada both during mangala aroti and again during the daily guru-puja ceremony in front of Prabhupada’s vyasasana. Iskuru worship is thus an unnecessary and offensive concoction.
Worship the Eternal Sampradaya Acarya (Sri Guru Vandana)
After fulfilling the predictions of Lord Caitanya and great acaryas like Bhaktivinoda Thakura, and after proving by His activities and symptoms that He was the personality predicted by Lord Nityananda, Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, Srila Prabhupada allowed devotees to begin formal worship of Him on His personal vyasasana in the temples beginning in late 1971. Some devotees had requested him to allow this. In truth, His acceptance of this request was due to His causeless mercy and the direct order of Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga.
I still remember the day we started this practice in Miami ISKCON. That was the first day I felt a real connection to Srila Prabhupada personally.  (I had not yet met Him but had been chanting and reading for months.) Interestingly, for me, although I was at first doubtful when I heard about the new program, I felt immediate reciprocation from Srila Prabhupada after singing His prayers and offering a flower and dandavats before His vyasasana. His physical presence was not required.
Just before I first saw Srila Prabhupada in the New York airport in 1972, I expected to attain immediate brahman realization because I assumed that seeing Prabhupada personally would be far more potent than worshiping his picture. But the crowds of devotees, reporters and onlookers created a distraction for me. After this, I preferred to worship Srila Prabhupada with only a few sincere devotees in our sankirtana bus or small preaching center. In other words, Srila Prabhupada does not rely on His physical presence to accept disciples or their worship. The topmost pure devotee is not limited in any way.
“Guru-hatta” Hati-mata
Unfortunately, the two iskurus speaking in this video, along with several other upstarts of the same stamp, conspired to remove Srila Prabhupada as guru of ISKCON immediately after His departure from this world—or possibly even before. These unfortunate deviants poisoned the iskcon mission with the idea that Srila Prabhupada is dead and gone and no longer directly available. They poisoned His iskcon mission with the idea that they, a band of neophyte sadhaka preachers, had been appointed by Srila Prabhupada to take His place. When this lie was widely exposed a few years later, they adjusted their stance and said anyone could become a spiritual master or diksa-guru in iskcon without an order from Srila Prabhupada—as long as they got a rubber-stamp approval from the gbc. In this way, with the clever word jugglery of bogus pundits, they avoided total mutiny in the poisoned maya-iskcon and made a bad situation worse. 
Nowadays in the maya-iskcon, it seems that almost everyone with any standing at all in the institution, even a dependent woman, wants to be a guru with his or her own disciples and bank accounts. This is the ultimate poisoning of the mission. Instead of learning the art of humble following in the undivided mission of Srila Prabhupada, everyone learns posturing and pretense. This is proof that iskuru proponentshave no faith in any of the other elected iskurus or the concocted system of guru elections they espouse. Otherwise, why do so many devotees feel compelled to become upstart iskurus themselves? There are already so many iskurus in every region and sometimes many in the same temple or town. The reason in many or most cases may likely be personal ambition and a lust for personal distinction, which one great Vaisnava has compared to hog stool. All this false ambition has created innumerable schisms in the once united mission of Srila Prabhupada.
We agree with one point in this video dialogue: that the true spiritual master must be worshiped on the same level as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is acknowledged in all the sastras and supported by all authorities. But the iskcon-gbc -- greatly embarrassed by their own proliferation of cheap iskurus and cheap followers and the repeated gross fall downs of these people-- finally banned public iskuru worship in iskcon temples, although back room or back alley worship is still allowed. The gbc now admits that they cannot vouch for the stability or level of realization of their elected iskurus. Rather, they suggest that the new student must do their job for them and ascertain for himself or herself the devotional level of his or her prospective iskuru. 
Thus a new student, who has no proper training or experience, is left with the tough task of wading through the muck of maya-iskcon politics to find out which iskuru, if any, is truly advanced in Krishna consciousness. Some of these poor students have had three or four or more iskurus who have been exposed for gross deviations or have left the mission all together. The gbc leaders, however, wash their hands of this tragedy, saying it is not their fault but is due to the student’s own bad karma. They say that these misguided bhaktas should just keep shopping around in iskcon for a truly advanced guru until they finally find one.
Srila Prabhupada Lives Forever--His Position is Unique
What the above-mentioned upstarts and gbc refuse to understand or admit is that Srila Prabhupada is still fully available for anyone willing to follow Him. He is not a temporary or physical guru—He is an eternal guru or a fully spiritual sad-guru. Nor is His mercy or ability to save sincere devotees limited in any way. Iskcon leaders have failed to understand that not everything the maha-bhagavata nitya-siddha shatavesha acarya does can be followed by His wannabe replacements. Rather such wannabe imitators degrade themselves and their followers by such imitation, as we have repeatedly seen in the maya-iskcon. (Not all pretenders are foolish enough to get caught red-handed in some sinful act but certainly all such imitators and their promoters are fallen souls.) Unfortunately, uneducated neophytes cannot understand the distinction between strict following and imitation, or between a liberated soul and pretenders.
The iskcon gbc has constantly refused to appreciate that Srila Prabhupada’s position is unique in the Krishna consciousness movement. The level of worship He receives as Founder-Acarya is unprecedented in the history of Gaudiya Vaisnavism and will likely remain so forever. As it is said about Srila Jiva Goswami: “Never before was there such a great scholar. Never again will there be such a great scholar.” Srila Jiva Gosvami’s position as a great Vaisnava scholar is unique. Similarly, the position of Srila Prabhupada, who singlehandedly spread the mission Krishna consciousness all over the world, is unique. Other than Lord Caitanya or Lord Nityananda, no one can take His place or assume His position. As Srila Prabhupada and the sastras have plainly stated, any so-called preacher who tries to imitate a maha-bhagavata will become degraded. This fact is an absolute. This fact has been verified repeatedly in the maya-iskcon and maya-gaudiya math branches.
Great Devotees Never Become Degraded
Below is a small sampling of quotes to counteract the poison these foolish upstarts expound in this video. It is the same poison expounded by the maya gbc. To explain the repeated gross fall downs of their elected iskurus, this deviant ecclesiastical body has even gone so far as to suggest that great devotees like Dhruva Maharaja, Bharata Maharaja, Arjuna, and even Lord Brahma sometimes fall down. Some of these rascals have said even Srila Prabhupada might one day fall down. What these fools fail to understand is that such rare stories of great devotees seeming to fall into illusion are examples meant not to justify the gross deviations of bogus pretenders but to illustrate the insurmountable nature of the Supreme Lord’s powerful material energy. These rare stories are meant to help all conditioned souls understand the potency of the material energy of the Supreme Lord, which no one can surpass without getting the full mercy of Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga. Daivi hy esha guna-mayi, mama maya duratyaya. (Bhagavad-gita 7.14)
Regarding Lord Brahma’s so-called deviation, Srila Prabhupada has explained that it was a different Lord Brahma from another maha-kalpa: “This extraordinary immortality on the part of Brahmā was heard to have occurred in some particular kalpa, but it could not have happened in the kalpa in which Brahmā heard directly from the Lord the four essential verses of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam because the Lord blessed Brahmā, after giving him lessons on the Bhāgavatam, that he would never be bewildered in any kalpa whatsoever.” (SB.3. 12. 28, Purport).
The Lord Brahma who is the original guru of the Brahma Sampradaya and who spoke Sri Brahma-Samhita never fell into illusion even for a moment. The other Lord Brahma who became momentarily bewildered was not acting as a bona fide Vaisnava Acarya in the eternal sampradaya.
Regarding the other devotees mentioned, they were also not acting as Vaisnava Acaryas, but as humble sadhaka bhaktas, although in fact they are great devotees whose mission is the guidance of all conditioned souls in the material world. Nor did they truly fall down. Dhruva Maharaja was acting, apparently overzealously for the moment, in his role as a ksatriya Emperor. He was chastising the demons who killed his pure devotee brother. Bharata Maharaja was acting, momentarily, as an overly compassionate, softhearted sadhu. Arjuna was acting as an overly compassionate man of religion, just to set the stage for Lord Krishna to speak Bhagavad-gita.
None of them fell down into sinful activities. It is patently impossible for a maha-bhagavata, particularly a bona fide Vaisnava Acarya, to fall into sinful life. There are no examples of this anywhere in the scriptures. Fools who propound such nonsense are severe offenders. Even if there is some reference in sastras regarding a great devotee becoming momentarily bewildered, such great devotees are not to be faulted. Srila Prabhupada explains that such apparent discrepancies in the behavior of great devotees are meant to show ordinary devotees the strength of the illusory energy of the Supreme Lord. (See the references and appendix sections below.)
Fools who suggest that great devotees might one day fall down have understood little, if anything, of the actual science of Guru-tattva. They have apparently understood nothing of the exalted status of all Gaudiya Vaisnava Acaryas. They have understood little, if anything, regarding the unique position of Srila Prabhupada.
Guru-tattva 101 References:
“There is no possibility that a first-class devotee will fall down…” (Cc. Madhya, 22.71, Purport.)
“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.)
“A first-class devotee never deviates from the principles of higher authority…” (Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 3.)
 “Try to understand. Don’t go very speedily. A guru can become guru when he is ordered by his guru. That’s all. Otherwise no one can become guru.” (Conv. Oct.28, 1975, Nairobi.)
Sometimes devotees argue that Lord Caitanya issued a blanket order for all devotees to initiate their own disciples. This idea was rejected by Srila Prabhupada in several statements, such as the one above. Similarly, this idea was flatly rejected by Sri Gadadhara Pandita. When He was asked by Vallabha Bhatta (Vallabha Acarya) for initiation, Sri Gadadhara refused, saying that He had no order to initiate His own disciples.
“Vallabha Bhaṭṭa wanted to be initiated by Gadādhara Paṇḍita, but Gadādhara Paṇḍita refused, saying, ‘The work of acting as a spiritual master is not possible for me. I am completely dependent. My Lord is Gauracandra, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. I cannot do anything independently, without His order.’” (Cc. Antya  7.150. 151)
“When one has attained the topmost position of maha-bhagavata, he is to be accepted as guru and worshiped exactly like Hari, the personality of Godhead. Only such a person is eligible to occupy the post of a guru.” (Cc. Madhya, 24.330, Purport, citing Padma Purana.)
“They did even consider with common sense—that if Guru Maharaja wanted to appoint somebody as acarya, why he did not say? He said so many things, and this point he missed? The real point? And they insisted upon it. The declared some unfit person to become acarya. And then another—‘Acarya!’ Another—‘Acarya!’ So better to remain a foolish (simple) person perpetually to be directed by Guru Maharaja. That is perfection. And as soon as he (the upstart) learns that Guru Maharaja is dead, ‘Now I am so advanced that I can kill my guru and I become guru.’ Then he’s finished.” (Conv. Aug. 16, 1976, Bombay)
“If everyone just initiates, then there will only be contradictory results. As long as it goes on there will only be failure.” (From Srila Prabhupada’s poem, Phalguna Krishna Pancami, 1961.)
When specifically asked how initiations would be continued after Srila Prabhupada was no longer with us, He immediately replied: “I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acaryas.  Ritvik. Yes.” (Conv. May 28, 1977, Vrindaban, India.)
“These initiations-- I have deputed my disciples. Is it clear or not?” (Conv. Oct. 18, 1977)
When asked if He could accept offerings through His picture or murti, as Lord Krishna does, Srila Prabhupada immediately replied: “Yes. Sakshad-dharitena samasta-sastrair. The guru in nondifferent than Krishna.” (Conv. Oct. 27,1975, Nairobi.)
“Like Krishna can be present simultaneously in millions of places, similarly the spiritual master also can be present wherever the disciple wants.” (Letter, May 28, 1968.)
 “As soon as a foolish disciple tries to overtake his spiritual master and becomes ambitious to occupy his post, he immediately falls down.” (SB. 5.12.14, Purport.)
“However, one should not imitate the behavior of an advanced devotee or mahā-bhāgavata without being self-realized, for by such imitation one will eventually become degraded.” (Nectar of Instruction, Verse Five, Purport)

“One should not try to be an artificially advanced devotee, thinking, ‘I am a first-class devotee.’ Such thinking should be avoided. It best not to accept any disciples.” (Cc.Madhya, 7.130, Purport.)
“Although a physical body is not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the spiritual master. Vibration—what we have heard from the spiritual master—that is living.” (Lecture, Jan. 13,1969, LA, CA)
“The spiritual master is not the question of [‘living’]… The spiritual master is eternal—the spiritual master is eternal.” (Lecture, Oct. 2, 1968, Seattle, WA)
“I will never die. I shall live from my books, and you will utilize.” (Interview, July 16, 1975, Berkeley, CA)
 “Only Lord Caitanya can take my place. He will take care of the movement.” (Conv. Nov. 7, 1977, Vrindaban, India)
When clearly asked whether He would name a successor, Srila Prabhupada replied:
“My success is always there. Yes. Just like the sun is always there. It may come before your vision or not—the sun is there. But if you are fortunate, you come before the sun. Otherwise, you remain in darkness. The sun is open to everyone.” (Conv. Feb.12,1975, Mexico City.)

Related articles on this topic
“The Unique Acarya” 
“Jagat Guru for the Golden Age”
“Sri Guru Nama-Hatta or ‘Guru-hatta’ Hati-mata?”
“On My Order”
“Idol Worship in Iskcon?”
“Our Living Guru”

Appendix
Srila Prabhupada succinctly explains the position of Lord Brahma:
“Regarding your question about Lord Siva and Thakura Haridasa, and their different response to sex agitation: This does not mean that Lord Siva has become degraded from the devotional platform. A devotee even if he is sometimes found that he is attracted by sex life, that does not mean he is degraded. That is by chance. Because Lord Siva is grhastha, so by his past habits if he appeared to have been attracted by sex life, that does not mean he has been degraded from his position. You should never think of any devotee like that. There are many other stories also, but such apparent falling is without any influence to very very advanced devotees. A neophyte should always be careful.
“ One should not discuss about such great devotees' apparent fall-down. Just like one should not discuss about the sun who evaporates urine from the earth; it is possible for the sun to do it, and still remain the sun, but for ordinary man if he lives in a filthy place he will be infected. So Lord Siva or Lord Brahma, they are highly elevated devotees, and we should not try to criticize about their behavior even though it appears against the rules. These things are very nicely explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam in course of discussion between Maharaja Pariksit and Sukadeva Goswami, in the 10th Canto.
“Your next question: In regard to Kardama Muni, how can a pure devotee become passionate for any amount of agitation? That is not passion. One should not be impotent also. One should have full potency, to beget children, but such sex life should be under his full control. Passion is a different thing. Passion makes one blind. And a devotee is full controller; that is the difference. The example is given of the tortoise; as soon as he likes he discloses his senses, and when he likes he pulls them within. That is the position of a pure devotee. He can wind up the senses, whenever he likes and he can exhibit the senses whenever he likes. On the whole, the senses are under his control. He is not under the control of the senses as are the ordinary persons. That is the meaning of Goswami. A Goswami does not mean he is to become impotent; and can have no children; but he can use it when he likes. They are never the victim of passion.

“Sense gratification means unlawful sex life. Sex life is not sense gratification . . . unlawful sex life is sense gratification. If there is no need of sex life and one uses sex life anyway, that is sense gratification. But when there is need of sex life, that is not sense gratification. Never think that the devotee is impotent and is obliged to become free from sex life. If required they can take to sex life 1000 times. Otherwise, if there is no need for it, they have no use for it. Kardama Muni married a wife. Why he shall not give her children? The wife begged that she must have some children. So he must satisfy the wife and give her some children. That is the duty of husband. But he left his wife as soon as the son was grown up. Not that he used to live with the wife for all the days.”
So far Lord Brahma and his attraction for his daughter; this illustration should be taken by conditioned souls, that even a person like Brahma is sometimes victimized, how much careful we should be. Not that even Brahma was enticed, so we shall become enticed more and more. This is an example set for us by great devotees. To become agitated is not very unusual thing, but to control it, that is the real thing.
1969 Correspondence : March : Letter to: Himavati -- Hawaii 23 March, 1969
Srila Prabhupada Rejects Those Who Suggest Vaisnava Acaryas Might Not Be Pure Devotees:
Disciple: I was recently told by one devotee that the ācāryadoes not have to be a pure devotee.
Srila Prabhupāda: What?
Disciple: That the ācāryadoes not have to be a pure devotee.
Srila Prabhupāda: Who is that rascal?
Disciple: Well, he said it.
Srila Prabhupāda: Who said? Who is that rascal? [Who said,]”The ācārya does not require to be a pure devotee?”
Disciple: He said it. Nitāi said it. He said it in this context. He said that Lord Brahma is the ācārya in the Brahma-sampradāya, but yet he is sometimes afflicted by passion. So therefore he is saying that it appears that the ācārya does not have to be a pure devotee. So it does not seem right.
Srila Prabhupāda: So who is that rascal? I want to know who has said.
Disciple: Nitāi. Nitāi dāsa.
Disciple 2: Nitāi said that?
Srila Prabhupāda: Who is Nitāi dāsa?
Disciple 2: Our Nitāi.
Disciple: Nitāi.
Srila Prabhupāda: Oh, our Nitāi? Oh.
Disciple: He said he couldn't understand it, but he thought, he said that he thought...
Srila Prabhupāda: He manufactured his idea. Therefore he's a rascal. Therefore he's a rascal. Nitāi has become an authority?
Disciple: No, actually he said that he thought...
Srila Prabhupāda: He thought something rascaldom, and he is expressing that. Therefore he is more rascal. These things are going on. As soon as he reads some books, he becomes an ācārya, whatever rascal he may be.
Disciple: So there's no doubt that Lord Brahma is a pure devotee?
Srila Prabhupāda: Whatever he may be, he is ācārya. So you... Then Krishna is also passionate. Krishna is also passionate. Krishna danced with so many gopīs; therefore He is passionate. They... These things are to be seen in this way, that "Such exalted person, he sometimes become passionate, so how much we shall be careful." This is the instruction. Then we petty things, petty persons, how much we shall be careful. It is not that "Ācāryahas become passionate, therefore I shall become passionate. I am strict followers of ācārya." These rascals say.
Disciple 3: So Lord Brahma's being attracted to his daughter, that is just as an example...
Srila Prabhupāda: So why you discuss this? Therefore you shall be attracted with your daughter, mother? Do you think so, like that?
Disciple: No.
Indian man: In this world, this is our disease. This is our disease.
Srila Prabhupāda: Yes. That disease... Brahma... Lord Śiva also, he was attracted to the Mohinī. So they are īśvara. They are controllers. So the instruction is that even such personalities may be sexually attracted, so how much we shall remain careful. This is the instruction. [break] ...like the other rascal. Who was saying that "Krishna was killed by a hunter; therefore hunter is greater than Krishna.”
--Conversations: Morning Walk , December 10, 1975, Vrndavana.
Srila Prabhupada explains the so-called bewilderement of Lord Brahma

vācaṁ duhitaraṁ tanvīṁ
svayambhūr haratīṁ manaḥ
akāmāṁ cakame kṣattaḥ
sa-kāma iti naḥ śrutam

O Vidura, we have heard that Brahmā had a daughter named Vāk who was born from his body and who attracted his mind toward sex, although she was not sexually inclined towards him.

Purport

Balavān indriya-grāmo vidvāṁsam api karṣati (Bhāg. 9.19.17). It is said that the senses are so mad and strong that they can bewilder even the most sensible and learned man. Therefore it is advised that one should not indulge in living alone even with one’s mother, sister or daughter. Vidvāṁsam api karṣati means that even the most learned also become victims of the sensuous urge. Maitreya hesitated to state this anomaly on the part of Brahmā, who was sexually inclined to his own daughter, but still he mentioned it because sometimes it so happens, and the living example is Brahmā himself, although he is the primeval living being and the most learned within the whole universe. If Brahmā could be a victim of the sexual urge, then what of others, who are prone to so many mundane frailties? This extraordinary immortality on the part of Brahmā was heard to have occurred in some particular kalpa, but it could not have happened in the kalpa in which Brahmā heard directly from the Lord the four essential verses of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam because the Lord blessed Brahmā, after giving him lessons on the Bhāgavatam, that he would never be bewildered in any kalpa whatsoever. This indicates that before the hearing of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam he might have fallen a victim to such sensuality, but after hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam directly from the Lord, there was no possibility of such failures.
Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 3  Creation of the Kumaras and Others : SB 3.12.28

Sad-Guru Nama-hatta or "Guru-hatta" Hati-mata?

By Vikramasingha das

In the market for a new guru? Recently in Russia devotees organized a Hare Krishna sankirtana festival, with many devotees from all over the country attending. To their surprise, 25 “iskcon-gurus” from around the world flew in uninvited and began canvassing for new initiates among the devotees, many of whom had already been initiated once or more by other “iskcon-gurus” (iskurus). Vishnu-murti, who was attending the event, reported, "Each elected iskuru is a vote of 'no confidence' for all other gbc-elected-gurus. Each is competing with all the others." He overhead a few iskurus talking: "This is great. We should do these festivals ourselves -- have our guys set them up. We'll call them 'guru-hattas'." From this report is appears that some iskcon leaders may be interested in promoting marketplaces for iskurus instead of true nama-hattas – marketplaces for the holy name.

"One should not try to be an artificially advanced devotee, thinking, 'I am a first-class devotee.' Such thinking should be avoided. It best not to accept any disciples." (Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 7.130, Purport.) "If everyone just initiates, there will only be a contradictory result. As long as it goes on, there will only be failure." (From the Palguna Krishna Pancami, a poem by Srila Prabhupada, 1961.) "In all the Vedas it is seen that to cross the ocean of material existence, there is no alternative to the chanting of the holy name." (Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 7.76, Purport.)

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), once powerfully united for cooperatively preaching the mission of the holy name, with Srila Prabhupada as Acarya, the Sad-Guru for all, has thus degenerated into dozens of camps of sentimentalists who have strayed from the strict path Krishna consciousness. New devotees in these camps are not trained to hear from Srila Prabhupada carefully, worship Him exclusively, or study His books with rapt attention. In fact, in most iskcon temples, if a second-generation disciple claims that Srila Prabhupada is his diksa-guru, he will be banned from the temple.

The genuine ISKCON is a place meant primarily for devotees serious about the path of full surrender to Lord Krishna and renunciation of ambitions based on the bodily concept of life. Specifically, it is meant for Srila Prabhupada's own disciples. In spite of misguided leadership throughout much of iskcon, a few sincere devotees may remain in iskcon trying to achieve pure devotional service. Everyone is an individual in unique circumstances. This is article is not meant to judge any iskcon or non-iskcon devotee or camp but to inspire those who are serious about going back to Godhead quickly and easily. Srila Prabhupada has assured us of that "Krishna consciousness is simple for the simple" and that it can be perfected in this lifetime. But we must know the path precisely.

In 1972 I read an Indian aerogram from His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada to His Holiness Vishnujana Swami. I never forgot it. Surprisingly, even then, Srila Prabhupada was advising leading preachers not to constantly canvass for converts. Instead, He was asking Vishnujana Swami (and other leading preachers) to carefully train the existing Hare Krishna devotees in the science of Krishna consciousness. He warned, "When the waves of maya attack, your little sentiment for Krishna may not save you. All my disciples must be thoroughly trained in the philosophy of Krishna consciousness." (Letter, Visnujana Swami, 1972.) In a letter to another leading preacher of the day, He wrote, "What is the use of so many devotees if none of them are knowledgeable?" (Letter, 1972.)

Throughout Srila Prabhupada's books we find repeated recommendations urging sincere students of Krishna consciousness to accept only the topmost pure devotee as spiritual master. Unfortunately, however, neophytes, laity, women, sentimentalists and others who are ignorant or misled often prefer instead to find a guru who has a material body. The false doctrine that disciples must have a physically embodied guru to receive initiation in Krishna consciousness has ruined the reputation of iskcon and has led to deviations from the philosophy and practices of Krishna consciousness. It has thrust upon beginning students of Krishna consciousness the terrible task of having to choose a “guru” from among dozens of eccentric preachers and pretenders. The gbc's bogus policy of posting multiple upstarts to replace Srila Prabhupada as diksa-guru has severely fragmented the institutions Srila Prabhupada created. This misguided gbc policy has driven away many sincere souls from Srila Prabhupada's worldwide mission of transcendental mercy. The gbc's unauthorized policy of creating diksa-gurus artificially has greatly diminished iskcon's reputation while greatly boosting the business non-iskcon cults and pretenders.

All the scriptures proclaim that the body of Sad-Guru is eternal or purely transcendental, as are all of His instructions. Srila Prabhupada, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, Srila Gaura Kirsora Das Babaji, and Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura are empowered personalities who must be worshiped by all but never imitated. Such great personalities are extremely rare and are nothing like elected or self-appointed "gurus". They are omnipotent nitya-siddhas who descend from Goloka Dhama for the deliverance of all conditioned souls in the universe.

"A nitya-siddha devotee comes from Vaikuntha upon the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and shows by his example how to become a pure devotee... A pure devotee, therefore, is a practical example for all living entities, including Lord Brahma." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.10.3, Purport.)

The iskcon gbc and its indoctrinated clerics claims that Srila Prabhupada is dead (“posthumous”) and thus no longer available to initiate or guide devotees, who therefore need a "living guru”. Srila Prabhupada was asked specifically about the necessity of accepting a so-called "living guru”. He replied in similar ways to various questions in this regard. For example:

The spiritual master is not a question of ['living']... The spiritual master is eternal; the spiritual master is eternal..." (Lecture, Seattle, Oct. 2,1968.)

"The spiritual master is in the disciplic succession since time eternal, and he does not deviate at all from the instructions of the Supreme Lord." (Bhagavad-gita As It IS 4.42, Purport.)

"Regarding the disciplic succession, there is nothing to wonder for big gaps. We have to pick up from the prominent acarya and follow from him." (Letter, April 12, 1968.)

"...one has to associate with the liberated persons not directly, physically, but by understanding, through philosophy and logic..." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.31, Purport.)

"Although the physical body in not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the spiritual master. Vibration -- what we have heard from the spiritual master -- that is 'living'." (Lecture, January 13, 1969, LA, CA.)

Those who are not very serious about solid, quick advancement in Krishna consciousness -- in other words, those who have more interest in the social aspect of the Hare Krishna movement -- often prefer a “guru” who lives on the same mundane plane as they do. They feel more comfortable with an easygoing, fun-loving guru. This phenomenon is what Srila Prabhupada called the fad of "accepting guru like pet." Sentimental or frivolous persons sometimes accept a guru as "pet", "buddy", "fellow dude in devotion", "rock star", or as an ordinary man who can be sometimes ignored or rejected. This is not the way to accept the genuine spiritual master.

"When one has attained the topmost position of maha-bhagavata, he is to be accepted as guru and worshiped exactly like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. Only such a person is eligible to occupy the post of guru." (Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya, 24.330, Purport, citing Padma Purana.)

Guru Buyers Beware!

There are many disadvantages for a student who accepts an elected iskuru or similar discount "diksa-guru" from another camp. For instance, one may not go back to Godhead for many lifetimes by this process, even while supposedly chanting "Hare Krishna". Srila Prabhupada and Srila Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakura have warned that it is quite possible to go on chanting for many lifetimes but remain in the material world due to material desires and offenses. A neophyte in Krishna consciousness who is jealous of a maha-bhagavata acarya and eager to occupy his post may not be qualified to deliver himself or his followers from the miseries of birth and death. Srila Prabhupada comments, "The whole world is in the blaze of material pangs, the threefold miseries, and a person who is authorized to deliver people from those material pangs -- he is called a spiritual master." (Lecture, August 17, 1968, Montreal.)

The iskcon gbc claims that anyone in iskcon except Srila Prabhupada can occupy the post of diksa-guru in the Krishna consciousness movement. Simply by volunteering, any devotee with a physical body, even a dependent woman, can become diksa-guru, as long as the gbc approves. This idea contradicts the specific sadhana Srila Prabhupada established for initiations. Furthermore, such an idea contradicts the siddhanta of all Vaisnava sastras.

Here are a few examples illustrating the actual Vaisnava siddhanta on guru-tattva: "Vallabha Bhatta wanted to be initiated by Gadadhara Pandita, but Gadadhara Pandita refused, saying, 'The work of acting as a spiritual master is not possible for me. I am completely dependent. My Lord is Gaurasundara, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. I cannot do anything independently, without His order.'" (Caitanya-caritamrta Antya 150, 151.) "A guru can become guru when he is ordered by his guru. Otherwise nobody can become guru." (Conversation, October 28, 1975, Nairobi.) "The bona fide spiritual master is in the disciplic succession since time eternal, and he does not deviate at all from the instructions of the Supreme Lord." (Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 4.42, Purport.) “Therefore a disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari as spiritual master." (Nectar of Instruction, Text 5, Purport.) "...help can be given only by a spiritual master like Krishna. Therefore the conclusion is that a spiritual master who is one hundred percent Krishna conscious is the bona fide spiritual master, for he can solve the problems of life." (Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 2.8, Purport.) “He reasons ill who says that Vaisnavas die, when Thou art living still in sound.” (From a poem by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura.) "One should not try to be an artificially advanced devotee, thinking, 'I am a first-class devotee.' Such thinking should be avoided. It best not to accept any disciples." (Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 7.130, Purport.) "I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acaryas." (Conversation, May 28, 1977, Vrindaban.) "These initiations. I have deputed my disciples. Is it clear or not?" (Conversation, Oct. 18, 1977, Vrindaban.)

There are many disadvantages for devotees who believe in the gbc's "anyone can be the acarya" mythology. As many devotees have learned firsthand, your "learn-on-the-job guru" who has "put on the dress", hoping "the dress will show him what to do", may experience sudden severe difficulties in his own life. He may get put on probation by the gbc after getting caught in some illicit activity, or he may leave the mission of Krishna consciousness entirely. You might need to find a replacement guru again and again. Iskcon's elected or self-appointed iskuru club members have been repeatedly punished by severe mishaps, weird misadventures, gross fall downs, violent attacks, violent accidents, madness, heart attacks, comas, sudden death, severe legal problems, constant ridicule by Vaisnavas, constant migraines, insanity, and public exposure for moral deviations that shock even gross materialists. If nothing more sensational happens to him, your iskuru may simply stop chanting Hare Krishna and leave the movement, or ignore you, unable to remember your name, face, service, or loving words of praise. Lord Krishna's maya-shakti has arranged quick punishment and exposure for many pretenders posing as Gaudiya Vaisnava acaryas, just to warn all upstarts.

Yet many uneducated neophytes remain eager to follow pretenders, or become pretenders, who gamble the spiritual lives of others and invite their own ruination. Some devotees have been initiated repeatedly by two, three, or four gbc-approved iskurus who have later grossly deviated and left the mission of Krishna consciousness. The scriptures clearly warn that one who imitates an uttama-adhikari will fall from the path of bhakti-yoga.

"However, one should not imitate the behavior of an advanced devotee or mahā-bhāgavata without being self-realized, for by such imitation one will eventually become degraded." (Nectar of Instruction, Text 5, Purport.)

"Srila Jiva Goswami advised that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or customary social and ecclesiastical conventions. One should simply try to find a genuinely qualified spiritual master for actual advancement in spiritual understanding." (Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 1.35, Purport)

Guru Sellers Beware!

Besides the disadvantages to the individual student that the "mass wannabe-guru philosophy" creates, there are numerous disadvantages to the worldwide preaching mission, It creates schisms and numerous sastric deviations. It ignores Srila Prabhupada's specific instructions for initiations in the Krishna consciousness movement. It changes the focus of the mission and specific sadhana Srila Prabhupada established. It burdens the new student with the useless task of wading through iskcon politics to choose a “guru” from a crowd of unknown and unproven persons. It creates needless obstacles, doubts and distractions on the path of surrender to Srila Prabhupada.

Another big disadvantage caused by the gbc's guru policy: disunity. Instead of practicing to become humble messengers and servants of Lord Chaitanya's mission, like Sriman Jayananda Prabhu, preachers learn to compete for followers and separate facilities for their own missions and disciples. The mood of pure service in the mission of the Sampradaya Acarya gets polluted with motives for personal prestige and profit, and Srila Prabhupada's loyal disciples are driven away. Nowadays in iskcon, even a dependent woman in the institution aspires to become a diksa-guru with her own disciples. Even neophytes whose iskuru is still alive are applying to the gbc to become initiating spiritual masters. Instead of learning to become humble servants of Srila Prabhupada and humble servants in the common mission of Lord Chaitanya, preachers are infected with the disease of ambition for followers, prestige and money. Srila Prabhupada has explained that such offenses are due to "envy of the exalted status of the spiritual master."

The gbc's mass iskuru successor system creates mundane politics in the spiritual mission and often divides followers of one iskuru against followers of another. There are innumerable disadvantages to the gbc's bogus ideas on guru succession. As mentioned above, the gbc policies regarding initiations are in direct opposition to Srila Prabhupada's specific instructions, established sadhana in ISKCON, and the Gaudiya Vaisnava siddhanta on guru-tattva.

Srila Prabhupada: “... So we follow that 'No Change Policy'. Not that because I think I have become now advanced, I change this to that. That mean I am not advanced. My knowledge is imperfect. Therefore I am changing.”

The gbc's mistaken ideas were, of course, derived from the vitiated gaudiya math. In defiance of Srila Prabhuapada's direct orders, leading gbc men began consulting with gaudiya math leaders immediately after Srila Prabhupada's disappearance. These men were obviously dissatisfied with Srila Prabhupada's instructions and directives officially establishing the continuance of ritvik initiations in the movement. They wanted to be acaryas without authorization, but they needed some inspiration from gaudiya matha leaders whom they tried, at first, to prop up as “higher authorities.” Later, when their main gaudya matha senior authority realized his mistake and sided with Srila Prabhupada, the gbc turned on him viciously. Since that that time, the gbc has several times modified or changed their official stance on various issues, particularly the issue of gurus and initiations in ISKCON.

"Why did this Gaudiya Matha fail? They wanted to create artificially someone as acarya, and everything failed... They declared some unfit person to become acarya. Then another man came. And then another--'acarya!' Then another --'acarya!' ...” (Conversation, August 16, 1976, Bombay.)

“Srila Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, He said that 'When our men will be sahajiyā, oh, they'll be more dangerous.' So our men are becoming, some of them, sahajiyās. This very word He said, that 'When our men will be sahajiyās he'll be more dangerous'.” (Conversation)

Once I visited a "gaudiya matha" temple in the San Francisco Bay area. Staying there at the time were three initiating "gurus" and two disciples. Srila Prabhupada Himself mused at the irony of such discount diksa-gurus: "One temple and two disciples, and he is acarya?" The concept of accepting as "guru" a rubber-stamped, self-appointed upstart is risky business. Even more risky is the position of those eager to occupy the post of Vaisnava acarya without authorization, or by hook and crook voting.

"As soon as a foolish disciple tries to overtake his spiritual master and becomes ambitious to occupy his post, he immediately falls down." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.12.14, Purport.)

"And as soon as he learns that Guru Maharaja is dead, 'Now I am so advanced that I can kill my guru and I become guru'... then he is finished." (Conversation, August 16, 1976, Bombay)

"Mundane votes have no jurisdiction to elect a Vaisnava acarya. A Vaisnava acarya is self-effulgent, and there is no need of any court judgment." (Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 2.218.)

A statistical analysis will show that the job of iskuru is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, right up there with rodeo bull rider, motorcycle stuntman, and front-line, war-time Marine.

Sri Guru for the Golden Age

Srila Prabhupada left immense instructions in His numerous books, taped lectures, formal classes, morning walks, room conversations, bhajanas with purports, and videos. He left trained representatives in positions of authority to help guide the mission and train new devotees. He also established the sadhana for accepting Him as diksa-guru and approaching Him directly through physical service to His divine murti. Thus, today, for the serious student of Krishna consciousness, Srila Prabhupada is as much available as before His divine disappearance day in 1977. Simply by walking into a genuine ISKCON temple, everyone gets the immediate opportunity to bow down, offer obeisances, serve, and accept as one's personal guide and savior the most exalted, infallible and lovable Srila Prabhupada, the Supreme Personality of Servitor Godhead, Who is empowered by the disciplic succession, Lord Nityananda and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Intelligent students of Krishna consciousness should never accept an upstart as a substitute for Srila Prabhupada.

Srila Prabhupada replied in similar ways to related questions such as "who will be the next acarya?" and "who will be your successor?" For instance: "Only Lord Chaitanya can take my place. He will take care of the movement." (November 2, 1977, Vrindaban) "After me, there will be no more acarya." (Conversation, New York, 1968) "I will never die. I will live forever from my books, and you will utilize." (Interview, July 16, 1975, Berkeley.) "I will always be the spiritual master for the entire Krishna consciousness movement; for anyone in this age willing to follow the principles I have given for the benefit of everyone." (Conversation 1975, Ookala, Hawaii.) "My success is always there. Yes. Just like the sun is there always. It may come before your vision or not -- the sun is there. But if you are fortunate, you come before the sun... The sun is open to everyone." (Conversation, February 12, 1975, Mexico City.)

Srila Prabhupada's activities and symptoms prove that He is the predicted shakya-avesha-avatara who spreads the Hare Krishna maha-mantra all over the world. He was predicted by Lord Nityananda, the Supreme Lord. He was predicted by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, the incarnation of Lord Chaitanya's energy. Srila Prabhupada was directly or indirectly indicated by other great acaryas like Srila Vyasadeva and Srila Visvanatha Cakravati Thakura and by Lord Chaitanya Himself. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Himself a shakya-avesha-avatara, concisely predicted Srila Prabhupada with these words:

"Without being empowered by the direct potency of Lord Krishna to fulfill His desire, and without being specifically favored by the Lord, no human being can become spiritual master for the whole word... Only an empowered personality can distribute the holy name of the Lord and enjoin all fallen souls to worship Krishna. By distributing the holy name of the Lord, He cleanses the hearts of the most fallen people; therefore He extinguishes the blazing fire of the material world. Not only that, He broadcasts the shining brightness of Krishna's effulgence throughout the world... Such a person is... guru or spiritual master for the entire world, a devotee of the topmost platform, the maha-bhagavata stage." (Cited in Cc., Madhya 25.9, Purport.)

Lord Chaitanya sent several great devotees in a short span of time to revive the mission and teachings of the Hare Krishna movement and to expand this knowledge worldwide. Such great personalities are extremely rare in any age. Srila Prabhupada said, "You can imitate but it will not be effective." These great teachers will always remain the true spiritual masters for the entire Krishna consciousness movement and the entire world. Tandera carana sevi bhakta-sane vasa, janame janame hoy ei abhilasa. Specifically, Srila Prabhupada Himself will always remain the spiritual master for those who accept His transcendental mission and instructions. The disciplic succession is continued not by pretenders or by ecclesiastical arrangements but by genuine disciples of the Sampradaya Acarya.

"I will never die. I will live from my books and you will utilize." (Interview, July 16, 1975, Berkeley.)

"Srila Jiva Goswami advised that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or customary social and ecclesiastical conventions. One should simply try to find a genuinely qualified spiritual master for actual advancement in spiritual understanding." (Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 1.35, Purport)

"I wish that each and every branch keep their independent identity and cooperate, keeping the Acarya in the center. On this principle we can open any number of branches all over the world." (Letter, February 11, 1967.)

"My success is always there. Yes. Just like the sun is there always. It may come before your vision or not -- the sun is there. But if you are fortunate, you come before the sun... The sun is open to everyone." -- (Srila Prabhuapada in Mexico City, 1975.)

The GBC's "Guru-hatta" Hati-mata Philosophy

The iskcon gbc is directly responsible for numerous offenses against Srila Prabhupada and His disciples, particularly His second-generation disciples, who have been repeatedly told they cannot accept Srila Prabhupada as their primary spiritual master or diksa-guru. Srila Prabhupada and His position as Founder-Acarya are minimized by leading gbc smartas who write political papers that shape gbc policy on major issues while deliberately ignoring Srila Prabhupada's direct orders. These smarta pundits claim that Srila Prabhupada is dead and gone, and they imply that Srila Prabhupada neglected to offer clear instructions regarding initiations in ISKCON. These toxic smartas claim that Srila Prabhupada made omissions and mistakes in guiding the mission and that His disciples who want to keep Him as the diksa-guru in the Krishna consciousness movement are deviants, or worse. Meanwhile, under the gbc's watch, Krishna's cows have been sent for slaughter, Krishna's children sent to molesters, Krishna's farms and temple sold, Prabhupada's books changed, and Prabhupada's disciples abused or driven out.

Although Srla Prabhupada several times ordered that nothing be changed in ISKCON's sadhana or system of management, some leading gbcybergs decided it would be better to change the books, change the philosophy, change the Deity worship, change the guru-puja, change the devotees, change the focus, and replace Srila Prabhupada as diksa-guru.

Under the circumstances, the gbc body has become polluted by Vaisnava aparadha and guru -aparadha. The gbc has apparently become what Queen Srimati Kuntidevi described as a "vicious assembly." Anyone remaining complicit with the gbc today will likely be affected or infected by these offenses. Such infected persons may become ambitious to artificially gain the status of Vaisnava acarya, even if that means offending hundreds of devotees, ignoring Srila Prabhupada's orders, dividing the mission, changing established sadhana, and twisting the Gaudiya Vaisnava siddhanta on guru-tattva.

Srila Prabhupada: “Real law means there is no change. Just like day and night, it is coming. The fortnight, the dark period and the light period, it is coming for millions and millions and time immemorial. The same law is going...going on. You cannot change. So as soon as you change, that means it is imperfect.”

"My dear King, if a person, after hearing blasphemous propaganda against the Lord and His devotees, does not go away from that place, he becomes bereft of the effect of all pious activities." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.74.40) [Cited by Srila Prabhupada in Nector of Devotion, Chapter Nine, first paragraph.]

In Nector of Devotion, Chapter Nine under the heading "Blasphemy," Srila Prabhupada describes three ways to deal with insults to Lord Krishna, the spiritual master, or pure devotees. First option is to defeat the offenders by expert argument. Second option is to give up one's life. The third option, for those unable to follow either of the first two options, is to leave the place and go away. Srila Prabhupada comments, "If a devotee does not follow any of the above-mentioned three processes, he falls down from his position of devotion." Unfortunately, many senior devotees in iskcon have risked or ruined their spiritual lives by supporting the offensive statements, offensive actions and ever-morphing defiant policies of the maya-gbc. In so doing, they have helped disrupt the spiritual progress of thousands of innocent devotees.

Neophytes on the path of self-realization should not become forlorn due to seeing profusions of proliferating pretenders posing as preachers. In one sense, the proliferation of counterfeit bills indicates real currency of great value. For example, if there was no real gold, there would be no market for selling fake gold. As an aspiring poet once wrote:

“...Battle lines, saw the signs, knew which way to go,

Have you heard? Prabhupada lives! Nothing more to know...”

To avoid the “mad elephant” offenses generated out of “guru-hatta” chaos, sincere devotees should try to help revive the original Krishna consciousness movement, the true Sri Guru Nama-hatta, where Srila Prabhupada, the Acarya, sits firmly and forever at the center of the mission, distributing the mercy of the holy names to all conditioned souls in the universe.

"I wish that each and every branch keep their independent identity and cooperate, keeping the Acarya in the center. On this principle we can open any number of branches all over the world." (Letter, February 11, 1967.)

References:

"Srila Jiva Goswami advised that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or customary social and ecclesiastical conventions. One should simply try to find a genuinely qualified spiritual master for actual advancement in spiritual understanding." (Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 1.35, Purport)

"If everyone just initiates, there will only be a contradictory result. As long as it goes on, there will only be failure." (From the Palguna Krishna Pancami, a poem by Srila Prabhupada, 1961)

"But if everyone simply imitates your exalted status, there will be only a contradictory result. As long as this pretense continues, there will only be utter failure." (From Vaisistya-Astaka, a peom by Srila Prabhupada, 1961)

"Oh, shame! shame! my dear Godbrothers--aren't we embarrassed by what we are doing? In the manner of mundane businessmen we deceptively increase the numbers of our own disciples." (Vaisistya-Astaka, 1961)

“If one tries to mingle the worship of yogamaya with mahamaya, considering them one and the same, he does really show high intelligence.” (Cc. Madhya 8.90, Purport)

“Intermingling the spiritual with the material causes one to look on transcendence as material and the mundane as spiritual. This is all due to a poor fund of knowledge.” (Cc. Madhya 16.72, Purport)

"Presently people are so fallen they cannot distinguish between a liberated soul and a conditioned soul." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.18.5, Purport)

"One who considers the spiritual master an ordinary human being... is considered a naraki, a candidate for hellish life." (Caitanya-caritamrta Antya 6.294, Purport)

"As soon as a foolish disciple tries to overtake his spiritual master and becomes ambitious to occupy his post, he immediately falls down." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.12.14, Purport)

"Why did this Gaudiya Matha fail? ... They wanted to create artificially someone as acarya, and everything failed... They declared some unfit person to become acarya. Then another man came. And then another--'acarya!' Then another--'acarya!' So better to remain a foolish [simple] person perpetually, to be directed by Guru Maharaja. That is perfection. And as soon as he learns that Guru Maharaja is dead, 'Now I am so advanced that I can kill my guru and I become guru.' Then he is finished." (Conversation, August 16, 1976, Bombay.)

"A guru can become guru when he is ordered by his guru. Otherwise nobody can become guru." (Conversation, October 28, 1975, Nairobi.)

"Vallabha Bhatta wanted to be initiated by Gadadhara Pandita, but Gadadhara Pandita refused, saying, 'The work of acting as a spiritual master is not possible for me. I am completely dependent. My Lord is Gaurasundara, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. I cannot do anything independently, without His order.' " (Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya 150, 151.)