Only uttama-adhikari maha-bhagavata Vaisnava can be diksa-guru

Sri Guru Tattva and the Secret of Diksa
by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati

Rajen Babu: Isn't the kanistha-adhikari qualified to give initiation into the
mantra?

Srila Sarasvati Prabhupada:  Where is the kanishtha-adhikari coming from?
Who gave him the adhikara? A kanishtha-adhikari can never become a guru.

Rajen Babu: Can a madhyama-adhikari give diksa?

Prabhupada: He can only perform the initial duties of diksa. It is the
uttama-adhikari maha-bhagavata Vaisnava who is actually the diksa-guru. 

IRM: Danavir Invents A New Philosophy

by Krishnakant
We present the following as more evidence of the futility of the GBC Gurus in even attempting to try and defeat the IRM’s position.

Recently HH Danavir Goswami has attempted to deconstruct the so-called ‘Ritvik’ position in an article he has written titled ‘Diksa or Ritvik’, which was published on CHAKRA. Unfortunately rather than throw any light on this issue, he has simply repeated the standard technique used by the GBC when dealing with the ‘ritvik’ issue. This is to invent a philosophy which is not actually put forward by IRM, but is easy to defeat, and to then defeat it and claim that what they have defeated is ‘what the ritviks say’. In this way they are able to manufacture a false ‘victory’. This is known as defeating a ‘straw man’ argument, where being unable to defeat the actual arguments presented by one’s opponent, one instead addresses *other* arguments that can be defeated, and then falsely attributes these now defeated arguments as belonging to one’s opponent.

That this was Danavir Maharaja’s aim can be evidenced just by the nonsensical title he has given his article – ‘Diksa or Ritvik’? – where he posits that ‘Diksa’ and ‘Ritvik’ are alternatives to each other. In fact the use of ritvik priests is simply part and parcel of the Diksa process itself.
Thus Danavir’s title is therefore actually the same as “Diksa or Diksa”! ?

Thus from the very start we are given a glimpse of the nonsense which is about to follow. We will now detail these inherent fallacies present in Maharaja’s paper. Statements from Maharaja’s paper shall be boxed in speech marks thus “”, with our comments following underneath, with maharaja referred to as the ‘author’ throughout. We will demonstrate conclusively that far from ‘defeating’ the IRM position, Maharaja can not even figure out *what* it is!

We prove below, that from start to finish, in his paper, Danavir Maharaja simply concocted a new philosophy which he calls ‘ritvik’, so that he could defeat it. Indeed as will be seen, there is an error in every single paragraph of Maharaja’s paper.

1) “Nevertheless, our attempt to eliminate the process of Vaisnava diksa (initiation) via a so-called “ritvik” jump must be counted among our most preposterous new propositions to date.”

The process of Vaisnava diksa (initiation) was carried out via the ‘ritvik’ system for many initiations performed in ISKCON during Srila Prabhupada’s time. Thus not only is the IRM not trying to eliminate Vaisnava Diksa via the ‘Ritvik’ system, but it is not even possible to do this, since the use of Ritviks is merely one possible part of the Diksa process. Thus to suggest that Diksa is being eliminated by that which actually allows Diksa to be conducted, ‘must be counted among our most preposterous new propositions to date’!

2) “”Yes,” one may argue, “for philosophical issues that’s true, but the initiation process (diksa) is a managerial detail which is subject to alteration according to time, place and circumstance.” To the contrary, diksa is not a managerial detail, but a solid Vaisnava principle. “

The IRM does not argue that Diksa is a managerial detail.
It states that it is a ‘solid vaisnava principle’.

3) “Wily ritvik advocates try to prove diksa gurus obsolete because, according to them, the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Sampradaya is a “siksa line,” not a “diksa line.”

Again this is not an argument put forward by the IRM.

4) “There is no Vaisnava acarya who will say that it is not necessary to take initiation from a bonafide spiritual master.”

The IRM do not say this either.

5) “Siksa-line proponents point out that Srila Vyasadeva was not the diksa guru of Madhvacarya, and that other spiritual masters listed in our disciplic succession were not initiated by the person whose name appears directly above theirs.”

Maybe they do. But we thought Maharaja was supposed to be addressing the arguments of the ‘Ritvik’ proponents, not ‘siksa-line’ proponents, whoever they are.

6) “In other words, the attempt of an initiated disciple to find a siksa guru who surpasses or circumvents one’s diksa guru is offensive and such rascaldom will be disastrous to one’s spiritual life.”

What an ‘initiated’ disciple may or may not attempt to do cannot possibly have any relevance to the subject in hand, for the use of ‘ritviks’ relates to those who need initiation, not those who have already received it.

7) “By saying that Srila Prabhupada’s disciples should not become gurus, the ritvik proponents spoil everything because this is the method Lord Krishna has arranged for continuing his teachings down through the ages.”

Of course the IRM do not say this. Everyone in ISKCON must become a Guru. We only state that for *Diksa*, one must follow the Ritvik system set up by Srila Prabhupada.

8) “This brings us to the real crux of the issue. Some say that none of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples should become a spiritual master because none of them are uttama adhikaris.”

But this ‘some’ does not include the IRM.

9) “Fuelled by illusion and envy, the subliminal intention of the ritvik theory is to eliminate gurus and disciples altogether as most so-called Christian denominations have done.”

Since the IRM position is *based* on accepting Srila Prabhupada as the only Guru initiating disciples, it cannot possibly be about eliminating both Gurus and disciples.

10) “The following is an excerpt from a Vyasa-puja lecture delivered by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja. Read it and you’ll understand why Vaisnavas cannot abolish the process of gurus accepting disciples.”

And we have seen no one is attempting to abolish the process of Gurus accepting disciples. The GBC however have abolished the process of Srila Prabhuada accepting disciples, as he himself authorised for ISKCON via the July 9th directive.

11) “Ritvik theory encourages lower standards by propounding that it isn’t possible to attain the high position of becoming a bonafide spiritual master.”

It does not. Indeed we state the very opposite in ‘The Final Order‘.

12) “It is incorrect to think that only a nitya-siddha saktyavesa avatara is eligible to become a bonafide spiritual master.”

Again this concept has never been put forward by the IRM.

13) “Ritvik theory propounds changing the parampara system of initiation, and ushers in the thinking that there is no need for initiation.”

Again the IRM never says this. Indeed its whole position is based on the need for initiation – albeit from Srila Prabhupada.

14) “In effect, eliminating the diksa guru is tantamount to spiritual abortion.”

This is correct, and is exactly what the GBC did when they eliminated the Diksa Guru of ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada, by replacing him with themselves.

15) “By trying to eliminate the diksa guru, ritvik proponents ignore Srila Prabhupada’s emphasis on this point.”

As already demonstrated, the ones who have factually eliminated the Diksa Guru, is the GBC, who eliminated Srila Prabhupada as the Diksa for ISKCON.

16) “The present attempt to propound a new theory of ritvik initiations is already mischievous enough but by trying to attribute the concoction to His Divine Grace through twisting his words is nothing less than outrageous.”

Since the use of Ritviks to assist in Diksa ceremonies was set up and propounded by Srila Prabhupada, with devotees being authorised to chant on initiates beads, perform the fire yajna, and eventually accept the disciples and grant spiritual names on behalf of Srila Prabhupada, it is neither ‘new’, nor a ‘theory’.

17) “Embracing ritvik theory means, essentially, that one considers Srila Prabhupada so unfortunate that he could not train even one disciple to carry on the disciplic succession.”

No. ‘The Final Order’ states the opposite.
Srila Prabhupada also stated that:

“Actually amongst my godbrothers no one is qualified to become acarya.” 
(Letter to Rupunuga, 28/4/74)

By the author’s warped logic, we would also need to then speculate that Srila Prabhupada considered Srila Bhaktisidhanta so unfortunate that he could not even train two disciples to carry on the disciplic succession.

18) “In fact, their newest word-juggling leader pleads that when Srila Prabhupada says “granddisciple” he doesn’t really mean the disciple of his disciple.”

No, we never say this. We admit as stated on page 25 of “The Final Order“, that Srila Prabhupada *is* speaking of Grand-disciples, but that they will only emerge if and when Srila Prabhupada orders his disciples to become Gurus:

‘His Grand-disciple …*When I order* you become guru, he becomes regular guru. That’s all. He becomes disciple of my disciple.’
(May 28th, 1977, Room Conversation)

19) “Instead, intending to rid the world of gurus, the juggler wants to make Srila Prabhupada the initiating spiritual master and the grand spiritual master at the same time. Must we accept this nonsense?”

On the contrary it is the GBC who say that the new Diksa Gurus are simultaneously the spiritual master and Grand-spiritual master:

Tamal Krishna:	No. He is asking that these ritvik acaryas, they are officiating, giving diksa, there.. the people who they give diksa to, whose disciples are they?
Srila Prabhupada:	They are his disciples.
Tamal Krishna	They are his disciples.
Srila Prabhupada:	Who is initiating … his grand-disciple …

In the above the GBC insist that the word ‘his‘ refers to Srila Prabhupada’s disciples. This would mean that they would simultaneously have both ‘disciples’ and ‘grand-disciples’:

Srila Prabhupada:

They are *his* disciples … Who is initiating … *his* grand-disciple …

And by the way, the official GBC transcript of the appointment tape as given in 1985 and as given on the official ISKCON.COM website has the correct transcript of ‘his disciple‘, and not ‘he is grand-disciple‘, as given by the author.

20) “Even though the ritvik proponents wish they could just eliminate the word “granddisciple,” it’s not so easy because there are other annoying words like “grand spiritual master” and “great-grand spiritual master” and so on in the Vaisnava family tree. [...] Accepting rtvik theory means we’ll have to throw out Srila Prabhupada’s books, lectures, conversations and letters so there won’t be any traces of these troublesome words to contend with.”

As demonstrated, the IRM make no attempt to eliminate the word ‘grand-disciple’. On the contrary it is the GBC who attempt to eliminate the words ‘when I order’ on which the existence of grand-disciples is conditional.

21) “Ritvik theory makes it convenient for so-called disciples to maintain an immoral position without the intervention of a physically present guru. This is much like so-called Christians who say that Jesus is in their heart and he died for their sins and therefore they are saved.”

The author himself has maintained a position without the ‘intervention of a physically present guru’ for 23 years now.

22) “Ritvik theory is based on faultfinding (hati mata) rather than scriptural evidence. For example the recent “poison theory” also emanated from the ritvik proponents.”

Incorrect. Please note that some of key movers in bringing the poison issue to light, and pushing it:

Isa Das, Mahabhuddi Das, Balavanta Das, Naveen Krishna Das, Madhusevita Das (who as GBC chairman authorised Balavanta’s investigation in 1997), Puru Das, Rocana Das etc. etc., have absolutely nothing to do with the IRM.

Indeed some of them are Narayana Maharaja supporters, and though some ‘ritviks’ did get involved, the whole thing was kick-started mainly by the tapes presented by Isa Das, a prominent follower of Narayana Maharaja.

Indeed the GBC have relied on the IRM’s paper on the poison issue in order to try and rebut the ‘poison theory’, via their official book on the subject.

23) “While present, Srila Prabhupada personally considered, acknowledged and accepted or rejected each new candidate. It is odd then to expect him, after his departure, to accept new disciples impersonally by the mere imagination of so-called rtvik chanellers, who are not even recognized members within ISKCON.”

This is incorrect. After July 7th, 1977, this responsibility was delegated entirely to the Ritviks he had appointed:

Srila Prabhupada:	So without waiting for me, wherever you consider it is right… That will depend on discretion.
Tamala Krishna:	On discretion.
Srila Prabhupada:	Yes.
Tamala Krishna:	That’s for first and second initiations.
Srila Prabhupada:	Hm.

(Conversation, July 7th, 1977)

This is the system that was set up by Srila Prabhupada to be in place for ISKCON, so as to specifically not require his physical presence.

24) “If it were so easy to jump up the ladder and become the direct disciple of Srila Prabhupada, then why couldn’t one just as easily double jump up to become Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati’s direct disciple.”

But this pre-supposes that there is a ‘ladder’ to jump – i.e. the very question under debate. Therefore the author is merely assuming that which needs to be proven. He needs to first demonstrate that Srila Prabhupada ordered his elimination as the Diksa Guru for ISKCON via self-elected disciples. From what we have seen thus far the author has not even come close to addressing this question, less answering it.

25) “Did you know that there is a scriptural injunction for a one-year mutual examination period before taking initiation? Ritvik theory eliminates the mutual testing between guru and disciple. In ritvik theory, the guru has no say in the matter, only the self-appointed ritvik chaneller calls the shots.”

No. This mutual testing was eliminated by Srila Prabhupada himself, who allowed the Temple President to conduct it on his behalf, since Srila Prabhupada did not spend a whole year personally testing any of his disciples. Indeed most were initiated before they had even been in ISKCON for one year. Incidentally this one year mutual examination period is not practised by most of the Gurus in ISKCON today, especially their leading Guru Jayapataka Swami, who flies in and initiates whoever is around. In this way he has amassed thousands of disciples.

26) “What has been the standard system of initiation (diksa) conducted throughout the ages in all bona fide Vaisnava sampradayas, today we neophyte American devotees desire to change.”

Indeed many neophyte American devotees did just this in 1978 when they changed the system of initiation which Srila Prabhupada had left us, whereby he was the spiritual master of ISKCON. Now this has been changed to the current system whereby anyone can be the spiritual master in ISKCON *except* Srila Prabhupada, including those who in the future, and as little as 5 years previously, will/did engage in ‘sex with men, women and children’.

27) “There is an entire lecture given by Srila Prabhupada in which he told his disciples, or rather, insisted that his disciples become gurus. Here’s an excerpt: To become spiritual master is not very difficult thing. You’ll have to become spiritual master. You, all my disciples, everyone should become spiritual master. “I remember hearing this lecture on tape in the seventies and I understood that Srila Prabhupada was training us, his disciples, to carry on the disciplic succession. Not only myself but every devotee that I knew also had the same understanding. I never heard, even once, from any devotee in ISKCON during the period of 1970 to November 1977 that Srila Prabhupada did not expect his disciples to become gurus. Was the whole movement misunderstanding Srila Prabhupada during his physical presence? No, the devotees all understood correctly then, but after Srila Prabhupada’s departure some persons affected by the age of Kali, concocted a new idea, that new devotees should take initiation directly from Srila Prabhupada via ritviks.”

But the entire movement must have misunderstood, because instead of ‘all becoming gurus’, the whole movement, enthusiastically supported by the author, affected by the age of kali, concocted a new idea that new devotees should take initiation in their ‘zone’ only via 11 ‘pure zonal acharyas’. So we know for a fact that the devotees had not ‘all understood correctly’.

28) “Those who cannot accept Srila Prabhupada’s uncompromising teachings will undoubtedly form splinter groups, but the ISKCON caravan should remain firmly fixed and pure in pursuing the path of the mahajanas.”

Indeed it is ISKCON that is ‘polarised and disintegrating’ as admitted by the GBC’s own chairman:

“How will we deal with our polarized and disintegrating society.”
(Ravindra Svarupa, GBC Chairman, GBC Com, May 2000)

29) “The numerous references where Srila Prabhupada definitively states his desire and that of the disciplic succession for continuing the initiation process are so crystal clear that it is dumbfounding to see them being contended. It is another of Srila Prabhupada’s unlimited glories that he reiterated the same instruction so many times, each time etching the message deeper into the stone foundation pillars of ISKCON. Thus he is Founder-acarya because he established the immovable laws of the Society.”

The numerous references where Srila Prabhupada definitively states his desire for continuing the initiation process via the signed directive of the July 9th directive sent out to every Temple and GBC, the conversation of July 19th, and the conversation on October 18th, are so crystal clear that it is dumbfounding to see them being contended.

30) “Ritvik theory disregards Srila Prabhupada’s instructions by opposing ISKCON and the GBC.”

On the contrary, the GBC disregard Srila Prabhupada’s instructions to implement the July 9th directive.

31) “Ritvik theory seeks to deprive new devotees the opportunity of following the parampara properly and receiving real initiation.”

On the contrary the GBC seeks to deprive new devotees the opportunity of following the parampara and receiving real initiation from Srila Prabhupada, the current acarya of the disciplic succession.

32) “It is devious to try to misinterpret Srila Prabhupada’s instructions to mean that his disciples should not become gurus. Consider for yourself the following:This time I have requested all Nairobi important friends that “Now you take sannyasa and become guru. Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked everyone to become guru. amara ajnaya guru hana tara ei desa. You have come to Africa. Now become their guru and deliver them.” “Now, how shall I do it?” Yare dekha tare kaha krsna upadesa: “Simply speak. Don’t become very big upstart. Simply speak what Krishna has done. That’s all. You become guru.” (Lecture: December 20, 1975)”

However this quote, along with the others presented by the author, is given in the present tense. That is, Srila Prabhupada is asking his disciples to do it there and then:

“*Now* become their guru and deliver them.”

That is, they are not asked to wait until Srila Prabhupada departs before taking up this responsibility. Thus by the ‘law of disciplic succession’ which the author also quotes, Srila Prabhupada could not possibly be speaking about his disciples acting as Diksa Gurus.

33) “So Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, amara ajnaya guru hana tara ei desa yare dekha, tare kaha, ‘krsna’-upadesa [...] No, it is those who oppose Srila Prabhupada’s instruction to become a bonafide spiritual master who are in error.”

It is those who oppose Srila Prabhupada’s instructions in the purports to the above verse to:

“best not to accept *any*disciples”

who are in error.

34) “Ritvik theory seeks to deprive Srila Prabhupada’s disciples the chance of fulfilling Lord Caitanya’s order to become gurus (guru haya).”

On the contrary the GBC does not fulfil Lord Caitanya’s order to become Gurus (guru haya) by deliberately disobeying the ‘best not to accept any disciples’ part. The IRM meanwhile encourages everyone to become a Guru on Srila Prabhupada’s behalf, and to preach his glories

35) “Since whatever he had to speak, he spoke in his books, let us then try to understand what’s in Srila Prabhupada’s books in regards to his disciples becoming diksa gurus”

In Srila Prabhupada’s books, Srila Prabhupada also speaks of the specific authorisation needed from one’s spiritual master in order to take up the role of Diksa Guru:

“One should take initiation from a bona fide spiritual master coming in the disciplic succession, who is authorised by his predecessor spiritual master.
This is called diksa-vidhana.”
(S.B. 4.8.54, purport)

• Where is the author’s authorisation from Srila Prabhupada to take up the role of Diksa Guru?

The GBC have never produced any authorisation from Srila Prabhupada to empower them to vote in Diksa Gurus in ISKCON.

36) “Ritvik theory contorts Srila Prabhupada’s words about becoming gurus.”

On the contrary the GBC disobeys Srila Prabhupada words about becoming Gurus, eliminating words such as ‘when I order’, ‘authorised by his predecessor spiritual master’, ‘best not to accept any disciples’etc.
In the case of the phrase ‘authorised by his predecessor spiritual master’, this elimination is literal, as reported here, where Bhakti Caru Swami omitted this phrase from his Bengali translation of the Srimad Bhagavatam.

37) “We can also hear from Srila Narahari Sarakara Thakura about this topic of Vaisnava etiquette: “Just as a faithful son may go out for earning money and subsequently brings to his father the wealth gained, later the son may ask for some allowance from the father and whatever he receives from the father he is entitled to spend for his own enjoyment. Similarly, a disciple may hear some instructions from another advanced Vaisnava but after gaining that good instruction he must bring it and present it to his own spiritual master. After presenting them he should hear the same teachings again from his spiritual master with appropriate instructions.” (Sri Krishna Bhajanamrta 48)”

This is an example of what HH Hrdyananda Maharaja calls ‘self-referential incoherence’, for this very instruction of Narahari Sarakara Thakura, as well as all the other statements that the GBC are fond of quoting from sources other than Srila Prabhupada, have not themselves been brought to, and heard again from, our ‘own spiritual master’, Srila Prabhupada.

38) “Srila Narahari Sarkara Thakura, the fortieth branch of the Caitanya Tree described in the Caitanya Caritamrta, writes: “If the spiritual master commits a wrongful act breaking Vaisnava regulative principles, then in that case one should, in a solitary place, confront him for his rectification using logic and appropriate conclusions from sadhu, shastra, and guru references, but one is not to give him up.”

However as proven by the words of Srila Narahari Sarkara Thakura quoted by the author above, unless these teachings are first presented to Srila Prabhupada, and then confirmed by hearing them directly from Srila Prabhupada, the author has no business accepting them. ( See Sri Krishna Bhajanamrta 48, by Srila Narahari Sarkara Thakura, quoted above by the author).

39) “In this short paper we are only examining a very few of the faults of the rtvik theory. Actually it is full of unlimited faults because it opposes the Vedic system of disciplic succession.”

As we have seen, the authors’ paper is full of unlimited faults, having not even succeeded in figuring out what it is he is supposed to be answering, though we have been kind enough here to examine only a very few of them.

In summary the moral of the story is that the only way the GBC Gurus will ever defeat the IRM is to defeat what the IRM do NOT say, and then simply imagine that they have defeated the IRM!

Please chant: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare,
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare. And be Happy!

Vedic knowledge is received through the parampara system of pure devotees

To those of you ...who don't accept Srila Prabhupada’s ritvik/diksha initiation system… You just have to give up your big egos and believe in the words/instructions of your spiritual master. For once in your lives admit that there may be some one that is smarter than you (Srila Prabhupada). This system is the ONLY way that Iskcon could have survived as a united cohesive preaching unit. But since the philosophical deviations of the GBC/leaders and the subsequent introduction of the bogus 2/3 voted in kanistha zonal guru system, Iskcon has degraded into something that wasn't part of Srila Prabhupada’s vision for it. As a result we have the Iskcon we have today ...

Guru or the spiritual master means pure devotee.
- Lecture, Bhagavad-gita, Los Angeles, November 25, 1968
So if you can approach such PURE DEVOTEE... As it is stated in the Brahma-samhita, adurlabham atma-bhaktau. This is atma-bhaktau, a PURE DEVOTEE. He can deliver you Krishna. “Take Krishna. Here is Krishna.” Krishna-prema...
- Lecture, Bhagavad-gita 4.5, Bombay, March 25, 1974
The sravana-kirtana is the beginning of Krishna conscious life. One who is very fortunate, he’s in meeting, he meets somebody who is a PURE DEVOTEE and accepts him as his spiritual master. Therefore here it is stated, mayy asakta-manah partha yogam yunjan mad-asrayah. One has to take shelter of a bonafide spiritual master...... And if he cultivates this Krishna consciousness under the direction of a spiritual master, asraye lana bhaje, Krishna tare nahi tyaje.(?) Krishna does not reject him. Krishna accepts him. Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura says, yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ’pi.
- Lecture, Bhagavad-gita 7.1-2, Bombay, March 28, 1971
So guru is helping from inside and from outside. Antar-bahih. So Krishna is so kind. Therefore Krishna manifests Himself as spiritual master. Therefore Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura says, saksad-dhari, saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastraih. Manifestation of empowered. One who IS PURE DEVOTEE, he's EMPOWERED BY KRISHNA to act as spiritual master. Therefore spiritual master should be accepted: saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair uktah.
- Lecture, Bhagavad-gita 7.9 Vrindavan, August 15, 1974
Revati-nandana: ........ Sometimes this question comes up, with the devotees especially, that it says the devotee makes advancement when the spiritual master is pleased. Right? So sometimes the spiritual master is far, far away. He may be in Los Angeles. Somebody is coming to Hamburg temple. He thinks, “How will the spiritual master be pleased?”
Srila Prabhupada: Just follow his order. Spiritual master is along with you by his words. Just like my spiritual master is not physically present, but I am associating with him by his words.
Revati-nandana: And Krishna knows that; therefore we make advancement. He is sitting in our heart. He knows what we’re doing. So He sees, “He’s serving My pure devotee,” immediately there is advancement.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. Spiritual master..., Krishna is not limited. It is not material. You can associate with Krishna and the spiritual master in any circumstance, provided you want two things. Just like we can associate with Krishna immediately if we take Bhagavad-gita as it is. He is not different from Bhagavad-gita. Nama-rupe kali-kale Krishna-avatara. Krishna is incarnated in His name in this age. You associate with Krishna’s name, immediately associate with Krishna.
Dhananjaya: And His devotees.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. [break]
- Lecture, Srimad Bhagavatam, 1.1.2 , London, August 18, 1971
This word mad-asrayah is very important, because you cannot increase your attachment for Krishna without being mad-asrayah. Mad-asrayah means to be directly under the direction of Krishna or to be directly under the direction of somebody who has taken shelter of Krishna. Therefore He recommends mad-asrayah. You cannot execute the yoga system, devotional service, bhakti-yoga, without being under the control of somebody who is under the control of Krishna. Srila Sukadeva Gosvami has recommended therefore, yad upasrayasraya. One has to take shelter of a pure devotee; then he becomes purified. Yad upasraya. Upasraya means to take shelter of a pure devotee.
- Lecture, Sanand, December 27, 1975
Kirata-hunandhra-pulinda-pulkasa abhira-sumbha yavanah khasadayah ye ’nye ca papah. “Even there are still more low-grade, sinful society,” ye ’nye ca papa yad-apasrayasrayah, “if he takes the shelter of a pure devotee, sudhyanti, becomes purified.” Becomes purified. How? Sudhyanti? Because prabhavisnave namah. Lord Vishnu has got so exalted power that through His devotee He can purify anyone. Never mind, even one happens to be chandala, and what to speak of others. Kim punar brahmanah punya bhakta rajarsayas tatha [Bg. 9.33]. If they can be delivered, then what to speak those who are brahmanas.
- Lecture, Srimad Bhagavatam, 1.7.28-29 Vrindavan, September 25, 1976
These are mentioned, papa-yoni. And less than them, if there are still papa-yoni, sudhyanti yad-apasrayasrayah, if such persons take shelter of a pure devotee, he’s sudhyanti. This is the shastric injunction. He becomes purified because the pure devotee knows how to purify the papa-yoni. He knows.
- Lecture, Srimad Bhagavatam, 1.8.25, Vrindavan, October 5, 1974
Therefore nobody can understand Krishna without being trained up by a self-realized devotee. If a... If one takes the shelter of Krishna’s representative, devotee, then it doesn’t matter what he is. Kirata-hunandhra-pulinda-pulkasa abhira-sumbha yavanah khasadayah, ye ’nye ca papa yad-apasrayasrayah. If he has taken shelter of a pure devotee—never mind he’s a kirata, huna, andhra, pulinda, pulkasa—he is sudhyanti.
- Lecture, Srimad Bhagavatam, 1.8.44 Mayapur, October 24, 1974
Shastra says that you should approach to a bhagavata, a devotee who is living in Vrndavana, pure devotee, and surrender unto him.
- Lecture, Srimad Bhagavatam, 2.1.1, Vrindavan, March 16, 1974
Only by the grace of the divine personalities, THE PURE DEVOTEES OF THE LORD, can one attain pure devotion, which is the highest perfection of human life. ONLY A PURE DEVOTEE OF THE LORD can show one the right way of progressive life.
- Lecture, Srimad Bhagavatam, 2.3 11-12, Los Angeles May 29, 1972
Therefore Chaitanya Mahaprabhu recommended to study Srimad-Bhagavatam from bhagavatam. Bhagavata para giya bhagavata sthane. Bhagavata means the grantha-bhagavata, book bhagavata... Bhagavata means about Krishna. Bhagavan is Krishna. And anything in relationship with Krishna is called Bhagavata. So the devotee is also in relationship with Krishna. He is also called bhagavata. Maha-bhagavata. Those who are highly advanced, or first-class devotees, they are called maha-bhagavata. So this Bhagavatam, it is the essence of the Vedic knowledge and when it is received through the parampara system of pure devotee, then it becomes still more sweet than before. That is the purport.
- Lecture, Srimad Bhagavatam,  2.9.1, Tokyo, April 20, 1972
A Vaishnava never commits any sinful activities, and whatever he had done in the past, that is also finished. This is said by Krishna. Or in other words, if you devoutly engage yourself in the service of the Lord, then certainly you are freed from all reaction of sinful activities.
So how it is possible? Yatha Krishnarpita-pranah. Pranah, pranair arthair dhiya vaca. Prana, prana means life. One who has dedicated his life to the service of Krishna, such person. How this dedication of life to Krishna’s service can be made possible? That is also stated here: tat-purusa-nisevaya. You have to take shelter of a person who is a devotee of Krishna, and you have to serve. That means you HAVE TO ACCEPT A DEVOTEE,A TRUE DEVOTEE, A PURE DEVOTEE AS YOUR GUIDE. THAT IS OUR PROCESS. Rupa Gosvami says in the Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu, “The first process is, first step is adau gurvasrayam to accept guru.” Accept guru MEANS KRISHNA REPRESENTITIVE. One who is NOT KRISHNA’S representative, HE CANNOT BECOME GURU. Guru DOES NOT MEAN ANY NONSENSE CAN BECOME GURU. NO. ONLY TAT-PURUSA. Tat-purusa means a person who has accepted the Supreme Personality of Godhead as everything. TAT-PURUSA-NISEVAYA. THAT MEANS VAISHNAVA, PURE DEVOTEE.(!!!!!!!!!!!!)
- Lecture, Srimad Bhagavatam, 6.1.16 Denver, June 29, 1975
Any question?
Devotee (1): Does one have to be a pure devotee to be a...? The twelve authorities, are they all pure devotees?
Srila Prabhupada: Why do you ask this question? YOU HAVE NO SENSE. WITHOUT PURE DEVOTEE, WHO THEY BECAME AUTHORITY? You are ask the question, “Is Mr. Rockefeller a rich man?” Your question is like that. He is known a very rich man, and he has foundation. If you ask, “Is he a rich man?” is that very intelligent question? UNLESS PURE DEVOTEE, HOW  THEY ARE AUTHORIZED?
- Lecture, Srimad Bhagavatam, 63,18-19, Gorakhpur, December 2, 1971
Therefore one has to take shelter of a PURE DEVOTEE. That is the only solution. He says, naisam matis tavad urukramangrhim. The beginning was that “They are not interested in Krishna consciousness.” Then how to become Krishna conscious if that is the solution? Then Prahlada Maharaja says, naisam matis tavad: “So long one does not approach a pure devotee,” mahiyasam niskincananam, “great personalities, who has no more any material interest,” niskincana, “and takes the dust of his lotus feet on the head...” Naisam matis tavad urukramanghrim: “So long one does not approach such personality, there is no possibility of becoming Krishna conscious.” Naisam matis tavad urukramanghrim. As soon as one approaches the pure devotee and takes the dust of his lotus feet and puts it on his head, immediately, anartha apagamah, he’ll be freed from all this nonsense. That means he’ll forget this idea that “Materially we can advance.” This is the process. So we have to approach a niskincana, who has nothing to do with this material world. His only ambition is to serve more Krishna. And if somebody approaches him and takes the dust of his lotus feet, then he can understand. Mahiyasam pada-rajo-’bhisekam niskincananam na vrnita yavat.
- Lecture, Srimad Bhagavatam, 7.5.23-24, Vrindavan, March 31, 1976
But Pancharatrika-vidhi offers facility even persons who are lower than these striya, shudra, vaishya. Kirata-hunandhra-pulinda-pulkasa abhira-sumbha yavanah khasadayah, ye ’nye ca papa. And less than that, ye ’nye ca papa yad-apasrayasrayah... A devotee, a pure devotee of the Lord, and if these persons take shelter of a pure devotee of the Lord, then sudhyanti—they become purified by following the INJUNCTION OF THE SPIRITUAL MASTER. He knows how to deal with them, how to elevate them to the brahminical position. So that is not artificial. Shastra says, Bhagavata says, “Yes. By such expert management these kirata-hunandhra, lower than the shudras, sudhyanti...” Sudhyanti.
- Lecture, Srimad Bhagavatam, 7.6.7, Vrindavan, September 12, 1975

A compendium of Quotes on Diksha

By: 

 Yashodanandana Dasa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is the purpose of diksha?

What is the meaning of diksha?

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

How does one become free from material contamination?

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

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

How does one vanquish all reactions caused by sinful activity?

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

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

What is real initiation?

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

What is the meaning of disciplic succession?

Does one require to be initiated officially?

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

What is the real initiation?

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

What is the first thing?

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

What is the definition of a disciple?

Relationship between disciple and discipline.

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

But what if one does not observe the discipline?

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

What are the requirements to become a disciple?

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

What is the minimum time requirement for before initiations.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Can one be voted in as a guru?

Can one become acharya by court judgment?

Vaishnava acharya is self-effulgent.

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

Customary social convention

Ecclesiasti convention

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

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

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

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

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

Pradyumna: krsna-dikshadi-siksanam.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devotee: Srila Prabhupada when you're not present with us, how is it possible to receive instructions? For example in questions that may arise...
      
Srila Prabhupada: Well the questions are answ...answers are there in my books.
- Morning Walk, Los Angeles, May 13, 1973   

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prabhupada: No, they follow.

Devotee: They say our only...

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

Pusta-krishna: Yes.

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

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

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

Satsvarupa: And this they praised as good.

Prabhupada: Ha?. want to go.

Prabhupada: Eh?

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

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