SECTION THREE
Sadhana -- Authorized Principles of Spiritual Practice
sruti-smrti-puranadi-pancaratra-vidhim vina,
aikantiki harer bhaktir utpatayaiva kalpate
"Devotional
service of the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic literatures like
the Upanisads, Puranas, and Narada-pancaratra is simply an unnecessary
disturbance in society." (A verse from Skanda Purana, cited by Srila
Rupa Gosvami in Part 1, Chapter 2, Text 101 of his
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, which Srila Prabhupada presents as the summary
study Nectar of Devotion.)
The following principles of
spiritual practice have been established by Srila Prabhupada and are
recognized, accepted, and followed by the bona fide disciples of Srila
Prabhupada. Disciples fixed in following this sadhana are true
representatives of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Deviation from these
principles causes schisms, fall-down from the path of pure Krishna
consciousness, and disturbance in human society.
1) Offering Obeisances to Srila Prabhupada:
When
devotees offer pranamas (obeisances) to Srila Prabhupada, they should
do this clearly and audibly, with the following two prayers, or pranama
mantras:
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
"One
should not offer obeisances silently to the spiritual master; or in
other words, one should recite aloud the prayers to the spiritual master
while offering obeisances." (Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 8)
2) Offering Standard Mantras for Puja and Kirtanas:
All
kirtanas should begin with the above-mentioned pranama mantras to Srila
Prabhupada, which may be followed by chanting "Jaya Prabhupada." The
prema-dhvani (respectful obeisances at the end of kirtana) should be
recited starting with pranamas to Srila Prabhupada and the predecessor
acaryas, and continuing with the other standard, authorized pranamas
taught by Srila Prabhupada.
3) Performing Deity Worship:
Deity
worship in Hare Krishna temples must be performed exclusively by
devotees who are Srila Prabhupada's initiated disciples. By his order,
Srila Prabhupada's disciples and students must chant at least sixteen
rounds of the Hare Krishna malm-mantra on beads daily and must follow
the four regulative principles of Vaisnava life—that is, no illicit sex,
no meat-eating, no gambling, and no intoxication. The highest standard
recommended by Srila Prabhupada is for disciples to rise by 4 a.m. The
principle is to rise early for mangala-arati.
4) Worshiping the Authorized Disciplic Succession:
Guru-parampara-puja
(worship of the authorized disciplic succession) is essential in
Krishna conscious sadhana. Offerings should be directed first toward the
picture of Srila Prabhupada and should proceed (moving rightward from
the picture of Srila Prabhupada) to pictures of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Thakura, Srila Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji, Srila Bhaktivinoda
Thakura, Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji, the Six Gosvamis, and the
Panca-tattva—that is, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Nityananda Prabhu,
Sri Advaita, Sri Gadadhara, and Sri Srivasa Thakura. In other words, on
the altar with Srila Prabhupada's picture may be only pictures of
Deities and bona fide predecessor Vaisnava acaryas of the
Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya Sampradaya.
maha-bhagavata-srestho brahmano vai guru nrnam
sarvesam eva lokanam asau pujyo yatha harih:
"The
guru must be situated on the topmost platform of devotional service.
There are three classes of devotees, and the guru must be accepted from
the topmost class... 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." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 24.330,
Purport, citing Padma Purana)
5) Worship Only Authorized Paintings and Photographs.
Only
authorized paintings and photographs—that is, pictures of bona fide
acaryas and also of Deities and Their pastimes-shall be placed on the
temple altar or walls. Srila Prabhupada instructs that the disappearance
day of Sriman Jayananda Prabhu may be honored with ceremonies
(puspa-abhiseka) and feasting, as are the disappearance days of other
recognized Vaisnava saints. (Srila Prabhupada never authorized demigod
worship for his disciples or temples.)
6) Establish Only Srila Prabhupada's Vyasasana in Temples and Centers.
As
with Srila Prabhupada's daily guru-puja, Srila Prabhupada's vyasa-asana
is a permanent feature in all Hare Krishna temples and centers. A floor
seat (asana) shall be provided for speakers or those giving class on
the sastras, Srila Prabhupada's authorized and approved pre-1978 book
editions. This practice was personally approved by Srila Prabhupada. He
never suggested that other arrangements should be made in the future.
7) Conduct Temple Programs Approved by Srila Prabhupada.
Only
Srila Prabhupada's guru-puja and the worship of authorized Deities and
predecessor Vaisnava acaryas, as mentioned above, can take place in the
temple or any other place of Krishna conscious worship. Srila Prabhupada
never authorized the worship of imperfect preachers, prophets, leaders,
or demigods.
8) Celebrate Authorized Festivals.
All
Hare Krishna temples must conduct ceremonies for proper observance of
Srila Prabhupada's avirbhava-mahotsava (appearance festival) and
tirobhava-mahotsava (disappearance festival). These auspicious days
should be celebrated in a grand way, as far as possible. Similarly, the
appearance and disappearance observances of the authorized predecessor
Vaisnava acaryas, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Sri
Advaita Prabhu, other members of the Sri Panca-tattva and parsadas
(associates of Sriman Mahaprabhu), Lord Sri Krishna, Srimati Radharani,
Sri Ramacandra, Sri Varaha, Sri Narasimha, Sri Vamana, and other avatars
and bona fide, recognized Vaisnava saints should be celebrated with
devotion and enthusiasm.
9) Method for Offering Food:
Offering of food, or bhoga, to the Deity shall be done by using the following mantras:
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine:
"I
offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta
Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken
shelter at His lotus feet."
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desatarine:
"Our
respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of
Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord
Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with
voidism and impersonalism."
namo maha-vadanyaya krsna-prema-pradaya te
krsnaya krsna-caitanya-namne gaura-tvise namah:
"O
most munificent incarnation! You are Krishna Himself appearing as Sri
Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of
Srimati Radharani, and You are widely distributing pure love of Krishna.
We offer our respectful obeisances unto You." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta,
Madhya 19.53)
namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca
jagad-dhitaya krsnaya govindaya namo namah:
"I
offer my respectful obeisances to the Supreme Absolute Truth, Krishna,
who is the well-wisher of the cows and the brahmanas as well as the
living entities in general. I offer my repeated obeisances to Govinda,
who is the pleasure reservoir for all the senses." (Sri
Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 13.77)
"You may say the prayer
to the spiritual master three times, and also the namo brahmanya prayer
three times, when offering prasadam. That is very nice, to say the
mantra three times. Also, you may, after offering to the spiritual
master, offer to Lord Caitanya by saying the prayer namo maha-vadanyaya
three times, and then offer to Krishna thrice." (Letter, March 26,1968)
10) Carefully Study Books Authorized by Srila Prabhupada.
For
personal study, readings, classes, and public distribution, accept only
the authorized and approved pre-1978 editions of Srila Prabhupada's
books. Serious students of Krishna consciousness should never accept
unauthorized changes made to Srila Prabhupada's books by various
editors.
"I have given you the process of disciplic
succession... So in the parampara system, in that disciplic succession,
you will find no change. The original word is there. That is the
thing... If you want the real thing, then you have to take the old, the
oldest. You cannot change anything." (Lecture, December 1, 1966, New
York)
"In my books the philosophy of Krishna consciousness
is explained fully, so if there is anything which you do not
understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading
daily, the knowledge will be revealed to you, and by this process, your
spiritual life will develop." (Letter, November 22,1974)
11) Reject Unauthorized Successor "Acaryas" or "Diksa-Gurus".
Srila
Prabhupada did not practice a system of nominating or approving
successor acaryas or diksa-gurus. Nor did Srila Prabhupada authorize any
person, group, or organization to nominate or approve successor acaryas
or diksa-gurus. Nor did Srila Prabhupada indicate that one may appoint
himself as diksa-guru or acarya simply by adopting the role or status.
Such ideas are insidious concoctions, unsubstantiated anywhere in Srila
Prabhupada's teachings or directives for sadhana.
"Caitanya
Mahaprabhu—He is God. Guru more murkha dekhi' karila sasan: 'My Guru
Maharaja saw Me as fool number one, and he has chastised Me.' He's God.
This is the example. If one remains a servant everlastingly of the 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 Mahaprabhu. Guru more
murkha dekhi'. Caitanya Mahaprabhu is murkha? Why is it He's posing
Himself as that murkha?--'l am fool number one.' That means that is
liberation. You must be ready always to be chastised by the guru. Then
one is liberated. And as soon as he thinks that 'I am beyond this
chastisement-I am liberated,' he's a rascal. Why does Caitanya
Mahaprabhu say guru more murkha dekhi' karila sasan? This is
sahajiya-vada— thinking, 'Oh, I have become liberated. I don't require
any direction of my guru. I'm liberated.' Then he's a rascal.
"Why
did this Gaudiya Matha fail? Because they tried to become more than the
guru. He—before passing away—he gave all direction and never said that
'This man should be the next acarya.' But these people—just after his
passing away, they began to fight: 'Who shall be acarya?' That is the
failure. They never thought, 'Why—Guru Maharaja gave us instruction on
so many things—why did he not say that this man should be acarya?' They
wanted to create artificially somebody as acarya, and everything failed.
"They
did not consider even with common sense—that 'If Guru Maharaja wanted
to appoint somebody as acarya, why did he not say? He said so many
things, and this point he missed? The real point?' And they insisted
upon it. They declared some unfit person to become acarya. Then another
man came. And then another — 'Acarya'.' Another — 'Acarya'! So better
remain a foolish 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's finished." (Conversation, August 16,1976, Bombay)
Srila
Prabhupada: "Only Lord Caitanya can take my place. He will take care of
the movement." (Conversation, November 2, 1977, Vrndavana)
Guest: "When did you become the spiritual leader of Krishna consciousness?"
Srila
Prabhupada: "When my Guru Maharaja ordered me. This is the
guru-parampara. Try to understand. Don't go very speedily. A guru can
become a guru when he's ordered by his guru. That's all. Otherwise,
nobody can become guru." (Conversation, October 28,1975, Nairobi)
12) Avoid Disobedient, Unauthorized Ideas about Spiritual Initiation.
Srila
Prabhupada never suggested that immature preachers should pose as
diksa-gurus and initiate their own disciples in the Krishna
consciousness movement. Similarly, the practice of "reinitiating"
devotees who have already earnestly begun serving Srila Prabhupada,
having received the bhakti-lata-bija or seed of devotion by His Divine
Grace (guru-krsna prasada), is against Vaisnava principles. Sincere
students reject all these unauthorized practices and never accept
imitators as substitutes for the genuine Vaisnava acarya. [Persons
posing as sadhus or gurus often propagate the following deviations:
a) Vaisnava gurus or acaryas are authorized by ecclesiastical
arrangements (acarya boards, two-thirds-majority votes, and so forth) or
appointed from among immature devotees.
b) Vaisnava gurus are self-made or nominated by their friends or followers.
c) Vaisnava gurus are ordinary men who sometimes make common mistakes,
and even great devotees (mahajanas) sometimes become degraded under the
Lord's external maya-sakti.
d) The bona fide spiritual master may sometimes become a demon.
e) A disciple may need to neglect his Vaisnava guru sometimes, or
interpret and edit his instructions, or even reject him completely.
f) Sadhana-bhaktas, neophyte Vaisnavas, may accept special instructions
and special siddha-pranali "initiation" from an unauthorized,
self-styled preacher if he claims to be augmenting the teachings of the
bona fide Vaisnava acarya.
g) Vaisnavas, although sincerely
engaged in the service of the bona fide acarya, require initiation by an
ecclesiastical "guru" and "reinitiation" when their former
ecclesiastical "guru" deviates.
h) A student of Krishna consciousness may accept initiation, diksa, from more than one guru,
i) Vaisnava acaryas die or become "posthumous," like all mortal men,
and thus become inaccessible or ineffective in the matter of initiating
and guiding new disciples,
j) Some of the instructions of the Vaisnava acarya automatically become irrelevant after his disappearance.
"He reasons ill who tells that Vaisnavas die, when thou art living still in sound." (From a poem by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura.)
"There is no possibility that a first-class devotee will fall down...." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 22.71, Purport)
"A
devotee must have only one initiating spiritual master, because in the
scriptures acceptance of more than one is always forbidden." (Sri
Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 1.35, Purport)
"Sri Jiva Gosvami
advises 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." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 1.35, Purport)
"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. Lord Krishna states in
Bhagavad-gita, vyapasrita: one should accept a spiritual master. By this
process the entire world can be converted to Krishna consciousness."
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.8.54, Purport)
13) Follow Srila Prabhupada's Authorized System for Initiations.
Srila
Prabhupada has ordained and implemented a system for initiations in his
mission using deputed priests of the acarya, who offer formal
initiation on behalf of Srila Prabhupada. This system has been in place
and functioning in the Krishna consciousness movement since 1970, or
slightly prior. Srila Prabhupada never suggested it should be
discontinued for any reason. To the contrary, via numerous spoken and
written directives, Srila Prabhupada has clearly delineated his
intention to continue initiating disciples in the Krishna consciousness
movement by this system perpetually. Srila Prabhupada's sincere
followers accept his system without speculation, following the
infallible authority of sadhu-sastra-guru. (See Appendix: Conversations,
May 28th and July 7th, 1977, Vrndavana; Srila Prabhupada's last
directive on initiations, July 9,1977.)
"My dear R-,
Please accept my blessings. Just now I have received some more requests
for giving first initiation ..., and now I am receiving weekly not less
than ten to fifteen such requests from new students. So it is becoming
very expensive to send so many sets of beads such a long distance, and
it has become a little bothersome for me also, so I think now you may be
appointed by me to give first initiations to new disciples by chanting
on their beads on my behalf. In America K- is doing that. So now if
there are two of you, that will give me great relief. K- will chant on
the beads for new devotees in America, Canada, like that; you can chant
on the beads for the European continent, new disciples. They shall, of
course, still be considered as my disciples, not that they shall become
your disciples, but you will be empowered by me to chant their beads and
that is the same effect of binding master and disciple as if I were
personally chanting." (Letter, January 4,1973)
Disciple 1:
"Then our next question concerns initiations in the future,
particularly at that time when you are no longer with us. We want to
know how first and second initiation would be conducted."
Srila Prabhupada: "Yes. I shall recommend some of you... I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acaryas."
Disciple 2: "Is that called ritvik-acarya?"
Srila
Prabhupada: "Ritvik. Yes." (Conversation, May 28,1977, Vrndavana) [See
also: Conversation, July 7, 1977, Vrndavana; Srila Prabhupada's last
directive on initiations, July 9,1977.]
Srila Prabhupada:
"Hare Krishna. One Bengali gentleman has come from New York?... So I
have deputed some of you to initiate. I have already deputed... So,
deputies... J's name was there?"
Disciple: "It is already there,
Srila Prabhupada. His name was already on that list [of deputies in the
July 9th directive, stating Srila Prabhupada's authorized system for
initiations 'henceforward']."
Srila Prabhupada: "So I
depute him to do this... This initiation. I have deputed my disciples.
Is it clear or not?" Disciple: "It's clear... We will explain to the
Bengali gentleman, just as you have described to us, so that he'll be
satisfied with this arrangement." (Conversation, October 18, 1977,
Vrndavana)
14) "Knowledge Should Be Taken from the Perfect Person."
Only
an uttama-adhikari, a topmost, perfect devotee, is qualified to deliver
the student from the miseries of the material world and the cycle of
birth and death. Therefore, all sastras and acaryas recommend that
serious students of Krishna consciousness accept only an uttama-adhikari
as diksa-guru. Students should not accept as guru an imperfect person
who is subject to fall-down. Sincere devotees should not accept
initiation according to temporal ecclesiastical arrangements but should
rather accept only the topmost devotee as diksa-guru, according to the
sadhana prescribed by Srila Prabhupada.
"The whole world
is in the blaze of material pangs, 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)
"...
help can only be given 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 2.8, Purport)
"Since
one cannot visually experience the presence of the Supersoul, He
appears before us as a liberated devotee. Such a spiritual master is
none other than Krishna Himself." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 1.58)
"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 As It Is 4.42, Purport)
"The
spiritual master is always considered either one of the confidential
associates of Radharani or a manifested representation of Sri
Nityananda." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, 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 the verdict of all scriptures. Krishna is
worshipable God, and the spiritual master is worshiper God." (Letter,
September 26,1969)
"... a disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari as a spiritual master." (Nectar of Instruction, Text 5, Purport)
"Knowledge
should be taken from the perfect person—because if you take knowledge
from a person who is defective, your knowledge has no value. You must
take knowledge from the perfect." (Lecture, April 12,1974, Bombay)
15) Practice and Preach Srila Prabhupada's Empowered Instructions.
Srila
Prabhupada's bountiful vani (instructions) found in his authorized
publications and in his recordings are fully potent for the practice and
propagation of Krishna consciousness. Sincere students of Krishna
consciousness regularly study Srila Prabhupada's books and recordings
and live by his eternal, divine instructions.
"Whatever is
to be learned can be learned from our books. There is no need
whatsoever for outside instruction." (Letter, December 25,1973)
16) Associate With and Serve Srila Prabhupada's Sincere Disciples.
In
sum, genuine preachers of Krishna consciousness always encourage and
promote the association of Vaisnavas based upon recognition and relish
of Srila Prabhupada's unique position as a nitya-siddha Vaisnava,
sakty-avesa avatara, Sampradaya Acarya and beloved guru for all his
sincere followers. As a matter of course, Krishna conscious devotees
come together and preach on this basis, following Srila Prabhupada's
instruction, "Always keep the Acarya in the center."
"I
wish that each and every branch shall keep their independent identity
and cooperate, keeping the Acarya in the centre. On this principle we
can open any number of branches all over the world." (Letter, February
11,1967)
17) Follow Srila Prabhupada's Format for Various Functions.
Members
of the Hare Krishna Society naturally cooperate to arrange Vaisnava
festivals on a regular basis and try to preach, according to individual
capacity, following the format given by Srila Prabhupada, with the
chanting of the Lord's holy names, readings and classes from the
authorized and approved pre-1978 editions of Srila Prabhupada's books,
discussions based on his Bhaktivedanta Purports, and prasada offered and
distributed in the way Srila Prabhupada has shown us.
18) Encourage Open Discussions Among Sincere Devotees.
Srila
Prabhupada always encourages istha-gosthi (public discussion) among
devotees. Members of the Hare Krishna Society agree to encourage and
promote istha-gosthi among ourselves and others, to discuss the proper
conclusions of Vaisnavism and their practical application, based upon
Srila Prabhupada's teachings.
siddhanta baliya citte na kara alasa
iha ha-ite krsne lage sudrdha manasa:
"A
sincere student should not neglect the discussion of such conclusions,
considering them controversial, for such discussions strengthen the
mind. Thus one's mind becomes attached to Sri Krishna." (Sri
Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 2.117)
19) Serve Srila Prabhupada, Cooperatively.
In
conclusion, members of the Hare Krishna movement embrace the simple yet
sublime Vaisnava principles of serving Srila Prabhupada—the Acarya—and
working together to help him distribute the blessings of Lord Sri
Krishna Caitanya all over the universe.
"No one can check
the spread of the Krishna consciousness movement, because upon this
movement is the benediction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord
Caitanya Mahaprabhu." (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 17.204, Purport)
satam prasangan mama virya-samvido,
bhavanti hrt-karna-rasayanah kathah
taj-josanad asv apavarga-vartmani,
sraddha ratir bhaktir anukramisyati:
"The
spiritually powerful message of Godhead can be properly discussed only
in a society of devotees, and it is greatly pleasing to hear in that
association. If one hears from devotees, the way of transcendental
experience quickly opens, and gradually one attains firm faith that in
due course develops into attraction and devotion." (Srimad-Bhagavatam
3.25.25)
Param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam! All Glories to Sri Krishna Sankirtana!
Om Tat Sat.
APPENDIX
This
appendix is comprised of quotes and partial transcripts from Srila
Prabhupada's letters and recordings, including his important final order
regarding the system for initiations in his global mission [known at
that time as the International Society of Krishna Consciousness
(ISKCON)]. ISKCON was perfectly organized by Srila Prabhupada for
establishing the mission of Krishna consciousness worldwide by the same
formula perpetually. Original audio of Srila Prabhupada's conversations
and copies of His letters, final will, and directives can be obtained by
contacting the Hare Krishna Society "Prabhupada Center" in Los Angeles,
California. [Note: Srila Prabhupada's final will, July, 1977, states
that current and future trustees of ISKCON properties must be "my
initiated disciple." ]
A partial list of temples, centers and friends of the Hare Krishna Society is at the end of this section.
Letter, January 4th, 1973
My dear R-, Please accept my blessings.
Just
now I have received some more request for giving first initiation ...
and now I am receiving weekly not less than ten to fifteen such requests
from new students. So it is becoming very expensive to send so many
sets of beads such long distance, and it has become a little bothersome
for me also. So I think now you may be appointed by me to give first
initiations to new disciples by chanting on their beads on my behalf. In
America K- is doing that. So now if there are two of you, that will
give me great relief. K-will chant on the beads for new devotees in
America, Canada, like that. You can chant on the beads for the European
continent new disciples. They shall, of course, still be considered as
my disciples, not that they become your disciples, but you will be
empowered by me to chant their beads and that is the same effect of
binding master and disciple as if I were personally chanting. They may
continue to send to me their letters of request, along with the
President's recommendation, and I shall give them name and it will be
entered by my Secretary in our record, only I will send my letter of
reply to you and you will purchase beads there and chant them and send,
along with my letter to the new initiates. Is that all right?
I
shall continue to deal with the matter of second initiations. The
sacred threads do not require so much postage to send airmail.
Conversation, Vrindavana, May 28th, 1977:
Devotee
1: "Then our next questions concerns initiations in the future,
particularly at a time when you are no longer with us. We want to know
how first and second initiation would be conducted."
Srila
Prabhupada: "Yes. I shall recommend some of you. After this is settled
up, I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acaryas."
Devotee 2: "Is that called ritvik-acarya?"
Srila Prabhupada: "Ritvik, yes."
Conversation, Vrindavana, July 7th, 1977:
Prabhupada's
Secretary: "Srila Prabhupada, we are receiving a number of letters now,
and these are people who want to get initiated. So up to now, since
you're becoming ill, we asked them to wait."
Srila Prabhupada: "The local men, the senior sannyasis can do that."
Secretary:
"That's what we were doing. Formally, the local GBC (or) sannyasis were
chanting on their beads, and they were writing to Your Divine Grace;
and you were giving a spiritual name. So should that process be resumed,
or should we... I mean, one thing is that it is said that the spiritual
master takes on the... you know, he takes on the... he has to cleanse
the disciple by... (taking the weight of the initiates' sinful
reactions). So we don't want that you should have to uh...your health is
not so good, so that's why we have been asking everybody to wait some
more time."
Srila Prabhupada: "No. The senior sannyasis...
You can give a list of names. I will mark who will... You can do. K-
can do. And our S- can do. So these three, you can give, begin."
Secretary: "So supposing someone is in America, should they simply write directly to K- or S-?"
Srila Prabhupada: "Nearby. J- can give. B-. He can also do. H-. Five or six men, you decide, who is nearest."
Secretary: "Who is nearest. So persons wouldn't have to write to Your Divine Grace. They could write directly to that person?"
Srila Prabhupada: "Hm (Yes)."
Secretary:
"Actually they are initiating that person on Your Divine Grace's
behalf. They who are initiated are still your (disciples)...
Srila Prabhupada: "Hm (Yes). Second initiation. We shall think over second initiation."
Secretary: "Some devotees are writing you now for second initiation... they should..."
Srila Prabhupada: "They can be second initiated."
Secretary: "By writing you?
Srila
Prabhupada: "No. These men." [He refers to the men he has designated
for acting as His deputies (ritviks) in the matter of initiating new
disciples.]
Srila Prabhupada's Final Order on Initiations, July 9th, 1977:
(By
Srila Prabhupada's order. His secretary sent this directive to all
ISKCON temples. The original letter was dictated, reviewed and signed by
Srila Prabhupada.)
To All GBC and Temple Presidents
Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,
Please
accept my humble obeisances at your feet. Recently when all of the GBC
members were with His Divine Grace in Vrinda-vana, Srila Prabhupada
indicated that soon He would appoint some of His senior disciples to act
as "ritvik"- representative of the acarya, for the purpose of
performing initiations, both first initiation and second initiation. His
Divine Grace has so far given a list of eleven disciples who will act
in that capacity:
(List of eleven names.)
In
the past Temple Presidents have written to Srila Prabhupada,
recommending a particular devotee's initiation. Now that Srila
Prabhupada has named these representatives, Temple Presidents may
henceforward send recommendations for first and second initiation to
whichever of these representatives are nearest their Temple. After
considering the recommendations, these representatives may accept the
devotees as an initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada by giving a
spiritual name, or in the case of second initiation, by chanting on the
Gayatri thread, just as Srila Prabhupada has done. The newly initiated
devotees are disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada; the above eleven senior devotees acting as His
representative. After the Temple Presidents receive a letter from these
representatives, giving a spiritual name or the thread, he can perform
the fire yajna in the temple as was being done before. The name of the
newly initiated disciple should be sent by the representative who has
accepted him or her to Srila Prabhupada, to be included in His Divine
Grace's "Initiated Disciples" book.
Hoping this finds you all well.
Letter, July 11th, 1977
(From a letter sent on behalf of Srila Prabhupada, by His secretary.)
"A
letter has been sent to all the Temple Presidents and GBC [the July 9th
directive on initiations], which you should be receiving soon,
describing the process of initiation to be followed in the FUTURE. Srila
Prabhupada has appointed thus far eleven representatives who will
initiate new devotees on HIS BEHALF. You can wait for this letter to
arrive (the original has been sent to R- for duplicating) and then all
the persons whom you recommended in your previous letters can be
initiated."
Letter (Dictation), July 31st, 1977
(A quote from Srila Prabhupada, from a letter sent on His behalf.)
Srila
Prabhupada: "Now you have 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 ritvik and act on my behalf."
Conversation, Vrindavana, October 18th, 1977
Srila Prabhupada: "Hare Krishna. One Bengali gentlemen has come from New York?"
Secretary: "Yes. Mr. Sukamal Roy Chowdury."
Srila Prabhupada: "So I have deputed some of you to initiate. Hm?"
Secretary: "Yes. Actually... Yes, Srila Prabhupada."
Srila Prabhupada: "So, I think J- can do if he likes. I have already deputed. Tell him."
Secretary: "Yes."
Srila Prabhupada: "So some deputies, J-'s name was there?"
Secretary: "It is already on there, Srila Prabhupada. His name is on that list."
Srila
Prabhupada: "So I depute him to do this at Mayapur. And you may go with
him. I stop for the time being. Is that all right?"
Secretary: "It is clear."
Srila Prabhupada: "You have got the list of names?"
Secretary: "Yes."
Srila
Prabhupada: "And if by Krishna's grace I recover from this condition,
then I shall begin again, or I may not. Pressed in this condition, to
initiate is not good."
A Message from the Hare Krishna Society:
The
devotees of the Hare Krishna Society invite you to participate in
reviving widespread interest in and obedience to Srila Prabhupada's
transcendental mission. The sanga of Srila Prabhupada's disciples has
been weakened and fragmented due, largely, to institutional corruption
and misguided leadership. While some endeavor to reform institutions and
their leaders. Hare Krishna Society devotees, following Srila
Prabhupada's example, understand the wisdom of avoiding politics and
endeavor instead to establish new positive programs for preaching
Krishna consciousness worldwide. We hope this book will serve Srila
Prabhupada's dedicated followers as a guiding document for preaching
Krishna consciousness and establishing temples and communities of
devotees all over the world.
The Hare Krishna Society aims
to foster an alliance of like-minded devotees engaged in service to His
Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder and beloved
Acarya of the entire Krishna consciousness movement. The Hare Krishna
Society is spiritually identical to the original International Society
for Krishna Consciousness, which Srila Prabhupada painstakingly
organized for the benefit of everyone in the world. The Hare Krishna
Society aims to promote an atmosphere of love and trust, wherein
devotees may cooperate to serve Lord Caitanya's glorious mission under
the auspices of Srila Prabhupada's perfect guidance. We invite each of
Srila Prabhupada's followers to use this book as a guide for teaching
the principles of Krishna consciousness to devotees of Krishna all over
the world. (Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta will soon be available in French
and Spanish.)
Participation in the Hare Krishna Society may be performed in various ways:
1.) Association: Take part in local programs and associate with local members.
2.)
Affiliation: Become an affiliated center or household by understanding
and accepting the principles described in Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta and
by associating with other members of the Hare Krishna Society.
3.)
Chapter: Become a Hare Krishna Temple by agreeing to accept the
principles and practices outlined in Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta and to
associate and consult withdevotees of the Hare Krishna Society for the
sake of cooperation through sincere practical efforts for organized
public preaching.
Thank you for your association. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Hare Krishna Society centers and contacts:
Ashland,
Oregon: 84 Pine St. 97520, (541) 482-8387 / Butte Falls, Oregon: 4510
Fish Lake Rd. 97522, (541) 865-7977 / Los Angeles, California: 3722
Delmas Terrace # 5, 90034, (310) 858-0572 (and) 3162 Hutchinson Ave.,
90034 (310) 202-1814 (and) 3731 Watseka Ave. No. 1, 90034, (310)
559-4436 / Ludlow, Kentucky: 330 Elm St.. 41016 / Hilo, Hawaii: P.O. Box
11429, 96721, (808) 937-5486 / Montreal, Canada: Govinda Jaya Jaya
Restaurant 263 Ave Duluth E, (514) 994-9647 / Negeri Sembilan,
Malayasia: 02-03, Kompleks Kediaman Pendidikan 71010 Lukut, Port Dickson
/ New York, New York: Prabhupada Sankirtana Society (a.k.a. "the
original ISKCON"), Contact His Holiness Kapindra Swami, 599 6th Ave,
10011. (212) GOD-8323 / Portland, Oregon: 18283 N.W. Chemeketa Lane,
Unit B, 97229. (503) 702-8085 / Sedro Woolley, Washington (Seattle
area): 8805 Harrison Road 98284, (360) 856-5411.
Europe: http://prabhupadanugas.eu/
Additional references regarding great Vaisnavas:
"Sometimes
the ever-liberated personal associate of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead descends into this universe just as the Lord descends. Although
working for the liberation of conditioned souls, the messenger of the
Supreme Lord remains untouched by the external energy. Generally
ever-liberated personalities live in the spiritual world as associates
of Lord Krishna, and they are known as krsna-parisada, associates of the
Lord. Their only business is enjoying Lord Krishna's company, and even
though such eternally liberated persons come within this material world
to serve the Lord's purpose, they enjoy Lord Krishna's company without
stoppage." {Caitanya-caritamrta. Madhya 22.14-15. Purport)
"Srila
Vasudeva Datta wanted to completely relieve the conditioned souls from
material existence so they would no longer have an opportunity to commit
sinful acts. This is the significant difference between Vasudeva Datta
and Lord Jesus Christ. It is a great offense to receive pardon for sins
and then commit the same sinful activity again. Such an offense is more
dangerous than the sinful activity itself. Vasudeva Datta was so liberal
that he requested Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to transfer all offensive
activity upon him so the conditioned souls would be purified and go back
home, back to Godhead...
"Vasudeva Datta's example is
unique not only within this world but within the universe. It is beyond
the conception of fruitive actors or the speculation of mundane
philosophers... The mayavadis and karmis should therefore turn their
attention to the magnanimous Vasudeva Datta. who wanted to suffer for
others in a hellish condition... He was the most exalted personality to
ever show mercy to the conditioned souls. This in not an exaggeration of
his transcendental qualities. It is perfectly true. Actually, there
cannot be any comparison to Vasudeva Datta... The entire world is
purified simply by the appearance of such a great devotee. Indeed, by
his transcendental presence the whole world is glorified and all
conditioned souls are also glorified...
"Such a devotee,
engaging in the deliverance of the total population, is as magnanimous
as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself, (namo maha-vandanyaya
krsna-prema-pradayate, krsnaya krsna-caitanya-namne gaura-tvise namah).
Such a personality factually represents Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu because
his heart is always filled with compassion for all conditioned souls."
(Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 15.163, Purport).
"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 (anyabhilasita-sunyam)... A pure devotee, therefore, is a
practical example for all living entities, including Lord Brahma."
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.10.3, Purport)
"I offer my respectful
obeisances unto you, the personified energy of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu's mercy, who deliver devotional service enriched with
conjugal love of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, coming exactly in the line
of revelation of Srila Rupa Gosvami." (Srila Bhakisiddhanta Sarasvati
Pranati, Verse 3)
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto
Srila Gaurakisora das Babaji Maharaja, who is renunciation personified.
He is always merged in a feeling of separation and intense love of
Krishna." (Srila Gaurakisora Pranati, Verse 1)
"I offer my
respectful obeisances unto Srila Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda, who is the
transcendental energy ofi Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is a strict
follower of the Gosvamis, headed by Srila Rupa Gosvami." (Srila
Bhaktivinoda Pranati, Verse 1)
"I offer my obeisances unto
the Supreme Lord, Krishna, who is nondifferent from His features as a
devotee, devotional manifestation, devotional incarnation, pure devotee,
and devotional energy." (Sri Panca-tattva Pranama)
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.
