Gauridasa Pandita Dasa: What Kind of Guru are You?

Dear Vaisyaseka Prabhu, [...] As you may know I was one of Srila Prabhupada’s personal servants back in 1977. I was in Hrishikesh with Srila Prabhupada when he first told us that he wanted to go to Vrindavan to leave his body.
This was mid-May. So we went to Vrindavan the next day where Prabhupada asked to see all of the devotees in his room. After all the devotees that could settled in, Srila Prabhupada started to speak. He said that he had come to Vrindavan to leave his body but we devotees didn’t need to lament because he would live on in his books. There is a tape of this
arrival address. Half of the devotees including Yasosanandan Swami, began to cry and begged Srila Prabhupada not to leave. It was a sad shock to us all to hear these words from His Divine Grace.
About a week later I was attending to Srila Prabhupada in his garden when his secretary asked him if he would appoint a guru to succeed him after his departure. Prabhupada said that he would appoint ritvik representatives who would initiate on his behalf.

Later on May 28th 1977, there was a GBC meeting in Srila Prabhupada’s
room in Vrindavan. It’s on tape. Knowing Srila Prabhupada already said
he was getting ready to leave the planet the questions concerned the
future of the movement after his departure. So Satsvarupa asked how
initiations would go on after his departure and Prabhupada said that
he would appoint ‘officiating acharyas’. Hearing that the secretary,
TKG, asked if that was also called a ‘ritvik’ having heard him mention
it earlier and Prabhupada said, “ritvik yes.”
He said he would appoint them later.
Later on July 5th I was attending to Prabhupada in his garden in the
morning as usual when Tamal read some letters to Prabhupada. They were
from temple presidents asking for initiation approval for their local
devotees. Srila Prabhupada said that he would appoint some ritvik
representatives soon. Then on July 7th he heard more requests for
initiations and started to name the first group of ritvik
representatives of the acharya. The secretary said that all the
devotees the reps. Initiated would still be Srila Prabhupada’s
disciples and Srila Prabhupada said, “Yes.”
So it was understood by the secretary, TKG and I thought this is what
would happen. Needless to say I was shocked to see what happened after
His Divine Grace left.
On July 9th 1977, TKG read the Newsletter to all GBC’s and Temple
Presidents back to Prabhupada, who dictated it on the 7th, and he
approved it and signed it. This is the final order on Iskcon
initiations that Srila Prabhupada gave.
I heard and saw all of this and more. I have tried to tell the GBC
these facts but so far they have refused to allow me time to address
them. So individually I try to inform them when I get the opportunity.
I told Navayogendra Swami years ago in LA and he accepted that he
should be a ritvik representative and promised he would; but when the
GBC found out they gave him an ultimatum to give up ritvik or leave
Iskcon. He choose to stay and it’s hard to blame him for that.
Trivikrama had a dream a few years ago where Prabhupada told him to
ask Yasodanandan and myself about the guru issue. When he came to
Mangala Aritika in Berkeley I was there, which is rare, the morning
after his dream. The Swami approached me and asked to hear what I
heard from Srila Prabhupada. I spent about an hour going through the
events and he seemed to accept it and asked what he should do next. I
said he should try to convince the GBC members. It seems he either hit
a brick wall or didn’t even try at all.
I talked to my old friend Bhakti Charu Swami, in Srila Prabhupada’s
garden in LA and told him what I heard and he said that he tells his
initiates that Srila Prabhupada is their ‘delivering guru’ and he is
just helping them take shelter of Srila Prabhupada. I said the others
don’t say that and it would be good if he could talk to them about it.
We had a GBC initiation debate in San Deigo Temple in Jan. 1990 and at
the end of that nice debate is was voted on by the NA GBC that another
debate would occur at the next Mayapur Goura Pouranima festival.
Instead of allowing the next voted on debate the GBC banned any
discussion of the ritvik initiation system in Iskcon and any devotees
discussing it would be banned from the temples.
So here we are today. I was surprised to hear that you had also taken
that path. That is why I felt oblidged to tell you all this. So the
order of the spiritual master is to initiate on his behalf. You can
continue to be a spiritual leader, a ritvik representitive is a very
honorable position and responsibility. It’s unfortunate that it has
been made a bad name and system since it came from the lotus mouth of
His Divine Grace. So you should tell the devotees that you authorized
for initiation that they should worship Srila Prabhupada and they are
his disciples. You can be and are their siksa guru and ritvik
representitive but the diksa guru is one, Srila Prabhupada. You won’t
find one quote where Srila Prabhupada says that we can be diksa gurus
in Iskcon. If you analize all the ‘be a guru’ quotes; you will see
they all refer to preaching, to being siksa gurus.
The guru issue is one of the hardest issues to understand so it is of
utmost importance that we study exactly what Srila Prabhupada ordered
in regards to initiations after his physical departure. That way we
will be able to follow the orders of the Spiritual Master and not
commit the third offense to the Holy Name and the Guru which would
also offend the Lord Krsna Himself!
Srila Prabhupada did not act like a guru in his guru’s temples. That
is against Vaisnava tradition. If you are an uttama adikari you can
become a diksa guru and deliver your disciples but you should follow
the example of our guru and do it in your own temples. Srila
Prabhupada asked us to show our love for him by cooperating and that’s
why he so intelligently set up the ritvik initiation system to keep us
all united working for the common cause, spreading love of God.
Some will claim that I and the other ritvik advocates are just envious
and offensive to the modern day gurus. I can assure you that is not
the case. But we want the mission to succeed and in order for that to
happen we have to follow the orders of the spiritual master. Then we
can cooperate much better and unify, purify and expand the greatest
mission on earth, the International Society for Krsna Consciousness.
As Krsna told Arjuna the teachings of Bhagavad Gita then asked him to
deliberate on it and then do as he saw fit; I have told you what I
heard from the lotus mouth of His Divine Grace and now it is up to you
to do what you think is right. I hope you keep your request to
maintain a humble attitude and follow your heart and your our
spiritual master. And if you do take the side if the Pandavas like
Bangalore Temple, who so nicely follow Srila Prabhupada’s orders and
distribute more mercy than any other temple in the world it would be
fantastic. We could use another great general in Sri Sri Guru and
Gouranga’s Sankirtan Army to win the war against maya for Srila
Prabhupada and Lord Krsna. Then you will be a victorious part of the
solution; not the problem.
I feel this is my mission in life; to keep this issue alive. I was
electrocuted in front of Srila Prabhupada who could no longer walk to
pull the plug that was shocking me. But he called out to Upendra
Prabhu who came out and pulled the plug. I thought I really died. I
was unconcious for about 2 hours. When I came back Srila Prabhupada
called me into his room and compassionately asked if I was alright. I
felt embarassed to have made such a scene and sheepishly answered that
I was alright. Then he said that I should take that as a good lesson
that death can come at any moment and we should always be ready. I
thanked him for being my real loving father and offered my
obeisance’s. Later I thought and still do sometimes that it would of
been better if I left this world then and there; I would of went back
home being in the direct service of the guru in Sri Vrindavan Dham.
Then I think Krsna and Prabhupada saved me to keep this most important
issue alive.
It was almost a lost case until Rupa Vilasa and others found the
evidence, especially the July 9th Newsletter, and other evidence and
presented it so nicely at the one and only so far debate. For years I
was going on just my memories and Yasoda’s diary and was called a liar
by TKG and Suhotra and others; but when I heard the tapes and saw the
Newsletter I was vindicated but am still awaiting the final verdict.
Whatever you decide you have been an inspiration to so many for so
long and will continue because it’s your nature and we love you for
all your great service. Please forgive me for being so bold to write
you this open letter and keep me as one of your many freinds and fans.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Hoping this meets you well,
Your servant,
Gauridasa Pandita Dasa
Chant HARE KRSNA
And your life will be sublime!

Gauridas Pandit dasa: Prabhupada is still the Guru in ISKCON

It is time again for the annual international GBC meetings in Sridam Mayapur. The purpose of the meetings is to improve devotional service in Srila Prabhupada’s mission, the International Society for Krsna Consciousness, ISKCON. The most important unresolved ever-changing issue is the guru issue. There continues to be a lot of speculation about the guru issue within ISKCON.
One of Srila Prabhupada’s last requests to us was to show our love for him by cooperating to push on the movement. To cooperate we need to communicate openly and honestly and give up the excommunicating mentality if someone disagrees with your opinion.
What we need to do is stop speculating and start trying to understand what Srila Prabhupada said to do regarding initiations in ISKCON after his physical departure. We need to do what he said not what we think would be best. I was with Srila Prabhupada when he first decided to leave the planet in 1977 and I heard him say that he wanted us to initiate on his behalf when he left the planet.
I have been trying to convince the senior devotees about the truth in this matter for over 30 years now to not much avail. I have tried to speak to the GBC members and requested time to address them at the Mayapur meetings. I have been refused with excuses that the GBC did not have time for me, a personal witness to testify to the truth which is also documented on tape and in writng. If it came before a court the evidence would support the fact that Srila Prabhupada ordered that a ritvik initiation system to continue in ISKCON after his departure. But since Srila Prabhupada did not want us to resort to the karmi courts as did/does the Gaudiya Math, I am trying to avoid that last resort. If the GBC continues to avoid communication on this matter for the good of the movement what else could we do? We need to fulfill the orders of the spiritual master in our lifetimes or suffer after for not doing the right thing.

We had a debate on this matter in 1990 in San Diego temple with the North American GBC’s. It was voted on that another meeting with the International GBC would happen in Mayapur. Instead of allowing another meeting on the matter the GBC made anti-ritvik resoulutions banning the discussion of ritvik within ISKCON and anyone who would discuss it would be kicked out of ISKCON. This is an offense to Srila Prabhupada and so many of his devotees including my own son, Damodar Prasada who dared to take shelter of Srila Prabhupada in L.A. but was asked to leave since he accepts Srila Prabhupada as his guru, siksa and diksa. Instead of giving Srila Prabhupada as guru they have put a patent on Prabhupada, saying he is no longer available for initiation. This is like saying Christ is no longer available; you must accept a ‘living’ Christ. This idea was smashed by Srila Prabhupada in Seattle way back in 1968. (See BTG article ‘Function of the Soul”)
It is never too late to do the right thing. Good things take time. After Sri Advaita left the planet there was chaos for quite some time. So it is time for change in ISKCON. Change is needed. Change is good.
In a nutshell here is what I witnessed: On July 5th 1977 I was attending to Srila Prabhupada in his garden in Sri Vrindavan Dham. The secretary, Tamal Krsna Maharaja was reading letters from some of the temples asking for initiations for some of the devotees. Srila Prabhupada said, “Tomorrow I will appoint some ritvik acharyas who will initiate disciples on my behalf when I leave the planet.” He also mentioned this back in May a few days after arriving in Vrindavan from Rishekesh in mid may. It was actually 2 days later on July 7th 1977 that Srila Prabhupada dictated a letter about future initiations in ISKCON. There is a recording available of this conversation. The secretary then typed up the newsletter addressed to all temples and GBC’s dated July 9th 1977. This letter was read to Srila Prabhupada who approved the final version and signed it. That letter is ‘the final order’ on initiations in ISKCON for the future.
The ritvik representative is not a bad thing as he has been made out to be to date. He or she is doing a great service by linking devotees up to our great sampradaya. They and others can act as siksa gurus and help the devotees, but Srila Prabhupada is the one diksa guru. The representatives are respectable, even lovable. We need a reality check. So many devotees have left after their gurus fell down. They felt  frustrated and cheated. (which they have) With Srila Prabhupada’s all intelligent practical ritvik system that would not happen. More and more devotees would cooperate and strengthen Srila Prabhupada’s mission and get back to what we are really here for: To develop Love of God and spread that love to society at large.
I hope that I see this most needed change in ISKCON before I leave the planet. I feel that is the reason I was sparred by Krsna to live after being electrocuted on Srila Prabhupada’s roof in Sri Vrindavan Dham in 1977. I was shocked with 220 volts and Srila Prabhupada yelled out to Upendra to save me. He came running and pulled the plug that was shocking me. The lights went out and I was unconscious for 2 hours. Premana Swami continued to pound on my heart and I started to see faces above me. Srila Prabhupada called me into his room and asked if I was alright. I said I was and then Srila Prabhupada looking compassionately like a father, said, “So you should take this as a good lesson that death can come at any time; and you should always be ready.” I said Thank you to Srila Prabhupada and left the room. It would of been nice to leave my body in the service of Srila Prabhupada in Sri Vrindavan Dham. The ritvik issue had been swept under the rug in 1977/78 to date, but I and others have kept it alive as Srila Prabhupada is still alive. I feel I was saved by Srila Prabhupada to help save his mission just as the spider kicked the sand to help build the bridge to Sri Lanka for Lord Rama.
Dear GBC members please don’t let my life purpose go in vain. Actually I am already linked up and am only pursuing this for the benefit you and all the devotees past, present and future. I am always available and at your service. I will never give up this mission because it will save and expand Srila Prabhupada’s mission and do real good to us and the world.
Thank you so much for you attention in this most important matter,
Hoping this meets you in best of health and Krsna Consciousness,
Your servant,
Gauridasa Pandita Dasa

Letter to: All G.B.C., All Temple Presidents
–
Vrindaban
9 July, 1977

To All G.B.C., 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 Vrndavana, 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:

• His Holiness Kirtanananda Swami
• His Holiness Satsvarupa dasa Gosvami
• His Holiness Jayapataka Swami
• His Holiness Tamala Krsna Gosvami
• His Holiness Hrdayananda Gosvami
• His Holiness Bhavananda Gosvami
• His Holiness Hamsaduta Swami
• His Holiness Ramesvara Swami
• His Holiness Harikesa Swami
• His Grace Bhagavan dasa Adhikari
• His Grace Jayatirtha dasa Adhikari

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 recommendation for first and second initiation to whichever of these eleven representatives are nearest their temple. After considering the recommendation, these representatives may accept the devotee 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 Prabhupad, the above eleven senior devotees acting as His representative. After the Temple President receives a letter from these representatives giving the spiritual name or the thread, he can perform the fire yajna in the temple as was being done before. The name of a 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.
Your servant,
Tamala Krsna Gosvami
Approved: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
[Srila Prabhupada's signature appears on the original]
The Function of the Soul — Published in Back to Godhead 1968

This exchange between His Divine Grace A C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and some of his disciples took place in Seattle, Washington, on October 10, 1968.

Srila Prabhupada: How is the body growing? On account of the presence of that small particle, the soul. Take, for example, this boy. This boy has got a small stature of body. Now, this boy will grow a very stout and strong body in his young manhood, say by the age of twenty-four years. Then that young-man body will go; another body will come.

How is it all becoming possible? On account of the presence of the small particle, the soul. But if that particle of soul is taken away or if it goes away, this body will no longer grow or change.

These are the subject matters of meditation. But when you come to the point of understanding that “I am not this body — I am spirit soul,” then the next stage will be “What is the function of the soul?”

That function of the soul is Krsna consciousness, working in Krsna consciousness. So in the present age, one has to take directly to the function of the soul. Then other understandings will automatically come.

It is not possible at present that you can go to a secluded place and peacefully sit there and meditate. It is not possible in this age. It is impossible. If you try artificially, it will be a failure.

Therefore, you have to take to this process: harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam/ kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha — “In this age of Kali, there is no alternative for self-realization but this chanting of Hare Krsna, chanting of the Lord’s holy name.” That is the practical, real fact.

Disciple: Srila Prabhupada, is there any way for a Christian in this age — without the help of a spiritual master — to reach the spiritual sky through reading the words of Jesus Christ in the Bible and trying to follow his teachings?

Srila Prabhupada: When you read the Bible, you are following the spiritual master. How can you say “without a spiritual master”? As soon as you read the Bible, that means you are following the instruction of Lord Jesus Christ. That means you are following the spiritual master. So where is the opportunity of being without the spiritual master?

Disciple: I was referring to a living spiritual master.

Srila Prabhupada: There is no question of whether the spiritual master is “living.” The spiritual master is eternal.

Now, your question was what to do “without the spiritual master.” Without the spiritual master you cannot be, at any stage of your life. You may accept this spiritual master or that spiritual master. That is a different thing. But you have to accept.

When you say “reading the Bible,” that means you are following the spiritual master, represented by some priest or some clergyman in the line of Lord Jesus Christ.

So in any case, you have to follow the spiritual master. There cannot be the question of “without the spiritual master.” Is that clear?

Disciple: I mean, for instance, we couldn’t understand the teachings of Bhagavad-gita without your help, Srila Prabhupada, without your presentation.

Srila Prabhupada: Similarly, you have to understand the Bible with the help of Christ and the priest in the church.

Disciple: Yes, but is the priest receiving a good interpretation from his disciplic succession or his bishop? Because there seems to be some kind of discrepancy in the interpretation of the Bible. There are many different sects of Christianity that interpret the Bible in different ways.

Srila Prabhupada: Of course, there cannot be any interpretation of the Bible. Then the Bible itself has no authority. It is just like the old saying. “Call a spade a spade.” Now, if someone calls it something else, that is another thing. He’s not a spiritual master.

For instance, this is a watch. Everybody has called it a watch. But if I called it a spectacle, then what is the value of my being a so-called spiritual master? I’m misleading. [Laughter.] “It is a watch.” That I must say.

So when someone makes some misrepresentation, he’s not a bona fide spiritual master. Reject such a spiritual master immediately.

That intelligence you must have: Who is a pseudo spiritual master, and who is a real spiritual master? Otherwise, you’ll be cheated. And that is being done. Everyone is interpreting in his own way.

The Bhagavad-gita — there are thousands of editions, and all of them have tried to interpret in their own way. All nonsense. They should all be thrown away. Simply you have to read Bhagavad-gita as it is. Then you’ll understand.

There is no question of interpretation. Then the authority is gone. As soon as you interpret there is no authority.

Take a law book. Do you mean to say that in court, if you say before the judge, “My dear lord, I interpret this passage in this way,” it will be accepted?

The judge will at once say, “Who are you to interpret? You have no right.”

After all, then what would be the authority of the law book if everyone came and said, “I interpret in this way”?

When is interpretation required? When a thing is not understood. If I say “This is a watch” and everyone understands that “This is a watch, yes,” then where is the opportunity of interpreting that “This is a spectacle”?

So unnecessary interpretation is not required, and that is not bona fide. And those who are interpreting unnecessarily — they should be rejected immediately. Immediately, without any consideration.

Message from Gauridasa Pandita Dasa

Dear Gaura Kesava and all Prabhus, Please accept my respectful obeisances.
All glories to our jagat guru Srila Prabhupada!
The debate goes on. I’ve been watching on the sidelines this internet istagosthi and now I had to jump in. I will be short and to the point because I am typing on my iphone.
I was personally serving Srila Prabhupada back in 1977 when he first decided he was going to leave the planet. I heard him say that he wanted the ritvik initiation system for his movement after his departure. This is documented in the July 9th 1977 Newsletter to all Temple Presidents and G.B.C.’s. That letter was dictated from a July 7th 1977 Garden conversation which I heard. That is our sastra! That is specific. You say we must follow sastra; there it is. Is there anymore sastra after that date that would change anything?
We need the guru to explain the sastra to us; otherwise we will pick and choose whatever suits us and end up not following the real orders of the spiritual master. Srila Prabhupada warned us about ‘over-intelligence’ and I think that is what we have here. Instead of us trying to figure out how initiations should go on from (which) sastra we should instead try to figure out what our guru said and did. He had the ritvik system up and running for years before he left, physically and he wanted that to continue as he said on July 7th 1977. It’s on tape!
I have been trying to speak to the GBC for 32 years now but so far my requests have fallen on deaf ears. They say they have no time every time every year I ask to attend their meetings to discuss this most important issue. Most of them are initiating on their own so you can imagine why they won’t discuss it. It might mess up their retirement plans. Profit, distinction and of course adoration.
If we leave it up to the new devotees to check out their gurus they will be misled. Then later if their ‘guru’ falls down they will probably be disheartened and leave KRSNA Consciousness altogether as so many have. That is why Srila Prabhupada most intelligently set up the ritvik initiation system for his movement.

If someone wants to be a diksa guru he or she must be able to deliver them back to Godhead. They must have full KRSNA prema. They must do this in their own temples; not Srila Prabhupada’s! That is Vaisnava ettiquette. Srila Prabhupada did not try to become a diksa guru in the Gaudiya Math. The self-effulgent acharya can attract the souls and build his/her movement from the ground up. That’s what Srila Prabhupada the acharya did; that’s what we need to do.
We’ve got guru fever. Sikas gurus we can and should be but diksa guru is one for ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada! It’s simple for some but complicated for the over-intelligent speculators. I hope this helped.
Haven’t seen you for many years since you were with Dristadyumna I’m Hawaii. Glad to see you are hanging in there but have faith in His Divine Grace; he’s there also if you let him.
Hoping this meets you and all the Vaisnavas well and advancing in KC
Your servant,
Gauridasa Pandita Dasa

“It doesn’t take an entire Book to prove Ritvik”

Dear Prabhus, Hare Krishna! Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Srila Prabhupada’s prescription for future initiations within ISKCON was via “Ritvik representatives of the Acarya.” It doesn’t take an entire book to prove this. One relatively short web page is sufficient:
1. What was Srila Prabhupada’s definition of the word, “henceforward?”
2. How did Srila Prabhupada answer when asked about future initiations in ISKCON after his departure?
3. What was Srila Prabhupada’s formal, written, signed document in response to this same question?
4. Does Srila Prabhupada’s Declaration of Will give further evidence about his desire for future initiations within ISKCON?

---

1. The following is Srila Prabhupada’s final, written, signed order on Sanskrit diacritics. As usual, it’s crystal clear and doesn’t leave any room for speculation and/or interpretation by the “intellectual class” (rascals).

Prabhupada: In reply to Jayadvaita’s questions, henceforward the policy for using diacritic markings is that I want them used everywhere, on large books, small books and also BTG. If there is any difficulty with the pronunciation, then after the correct diacritic spelling, in brackets the words “pronounced as _”, may be written. So even on covers the diacritic markings should be used. We should not have to reduce our standard on account of the ignorant masses. Diacritic spelling is accepted internationally, and no learned person will even care to read our books unless this system is maintained. (Letter to Jadurani, 31 December, 1971)

Here, it’s obvious that Srila Prabhupada’s definition of the word “henceforward” is the same as the dictionary definition:
henceforward – from this time forth; from now on
Obviously, the GBC and the BBT Trustees understood this directive to mean the dictionary definition, because they didn’t suddenly stop using Sanskrit diacritics in Srila Prabhupada’s books and in BTG magazine after Srila Prabhupada’s physical departure!
2. Satsvarupa Maharaja: “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 initiations will 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 acarya.”
Tamala Krishna Maharaja: “Is that called ritvik-acarya?”
Srila Prabhupada: “Ritvik. Yes.”
(GBC Meets with Srila Prabhupada — May 28, 1977, Vrndavana)
The rest of the conversation is confusing, but irrelevant. Srila Prabhupada said, “You can say anything; just don’t put it in writing!” If anything, the rest of the conversation authorizes his disciples to initiate disciples of their own outside of ISKCON, but certainly not within ISKCON!
3. “I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acarya” was done by Srila Prabhupada in the form of a formal, signed document, the letter to all GBCs and temple presidents on July 9, 1977. It is perfectly clear to anyone who is not self-motivated: Ritvik initiations, henceforward! (Paraphrased)

4. Srila Prabhupada’s will states that “The system of management will continue as it is now and there is no need of any change.” My question is, “Since a will, by definition, goes into effect immediately after a person leaves his material body, why were changes made to the system of initiations immediately after Srila Prabhupada’s physical departure? Also, his will states, “…a successor director or directors may be appointed by the remaining directors, provided the new director is my initiated disciple…” My question is, “How can the property directors always be, in the future, ‘my initiated disciples’, unless Srila Prabhupada’s system of ritvik initiations is continued now and in the future?”

---

As disciples and followers of Srila Prabhupada, some things we follow “blindly.” Some things we do not. Written, signed, legally viable documents on Srila Prabhupada’s management decisions for ISKCON, such as the 7/9/77 letter to all GBCs and temple presidents, we follow blindly. This is our duty as disciples and followers of Srila Prabhupada. To follow blindly everything that Srila Prabhupada says in casual conversations is not what Srila Prabhupada intends for us to do. Srila Prabhupada didn’t want blind followers. He wanted followers who use their God-given intelligence in the service of God (Krishna). We have to learn some common sense discrimination.
Speaking of common sense, more than one initiating spiritual master within an organization causes disunity. This has been more than amply demonstrated within ISKCON since 1978!
Srila Prabhupada’s ingenious ritvik system of initiations will inevitably be restored within ISKCON because this is clearly what he prescribed. The only question is, “When?” The longer that the GBC puts off the inevitable, the more that they are going to have to suffer.
Your servant, Pratyatosa Dasa

Questions, comments and suggestions are welcome.
Pratyatosa Dasa (pratyatosa@gmail.compratyatosa@gmail.com)

Letter Of July 9, 1977

Original Letter Of July 9, 1977

---

Letter to: All G.B.C., All Temple Presidents

Vrindaban
9 July, 1977
77-07-09
To All G.B.C., 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 Vrndavana, 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:

His Holiness Kirtanananda Swami
His Holiness Satsvarupa dasa Gosvami
His Holiness Jayapataka Swami
His Holiness Tamala Krsna Gosvami
His Holiness Hrdayananda Gosvami
His Holiness Bhavananda Gosvami
His Holiness Hamsaduta Swami
His Holiness Ramesvara Swami
His Holiness Harikesa Swami
His Grace Bhagavan dasa Adhikari
His Grace Jayatirtha dasa Adhikari

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 recommendation for first and second initiation to whichever of these eleven representatives are nearest their temple. After considering the recommendation, these representatives may accept the devotee 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 Prabhupad, the above eleven senior devotees acting as His representative. After the Temple President receives a letter from these representatives giving the spiritual name or the thread, he can perform the fire yajna in the temple as was being done before. The name of a newly initiated disciple should be sent by the representative who has acceted him or her to Srila Prabhupada, to be included in His Divine Grace's "Initiated Disciples" book.

download original jpg.-image here

Hoping this finds you all well.

Your servant, Tamala Krsna Gosvami
Secretary to Srila Prabhupada

Approved:(signed) A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
(Prabhupada signature appears on the original)


The above is the Original Letter Of July 9, 1977 of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, his originally signed and approved paper for appointing some of His senior disciples to act as ritvik - representative of the acarya