Tuesday 10 April 2012

The acarya is not bound by tradition

“Every acarya has a specific means of propagating his spiritual movement with the aim of bringing men to Krishna consciousness. Therefore, the method of one acarya may be different from that of another, but the ultimate goal is never neglected.”
(Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 7:37, purport)
“An acarya who comes for the service of the Lord cannot be expected to conform to a stereotype, for he must find the ways and means by which Krishna consciousness may be spread.”
(Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 7.31-32, purport)
“Srimad Viraraghava Acarya, an acarya in the disciplic succession of the Ramanuja-sampradaya, has remarked in his commentary that candalas, or conditioned souls who are born in lower than sudra families, can also be initiated according to circumstances. The formalities may be slightly changed here and there to make them Vaishnavas.”
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 4:8:54, purport)
 “The acarya must devise a means to bring them to devotional service. Therefore, although I am a sannyasi I sometimes take part in getting boys and girls married, although in the history of sannyasa no sannyasi has personally taken part in marrying his disciples.”
(Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-Lila, 7:37, purport)
“Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “Both the Supreme Personality of Godhead and My spiritual master, Isvara Puri, are completely independent. Therefore neither the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead nor that of Isvara Puri is subject to any Vedic rules or regulations.”
(Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 10.137)

Srila Prabhupada’s practical example
In keeping with his teachings above, we may note that Srila Prabhupada himself actually introduced innovations which have not been practised traditionally. A few examples:
1) He conducted marriage ceremonies
2) He gave brahmana initiation to Western women.
3) He gave initiation in the mail and via tape recording, and via having his disciples whisper mantras 
    on his behalf.
4) He gave initiation without ever meeting many of his disciples.
5) He established a ritvik system of initiations to operate without his physical involvement.

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