CON Trick from the Bogus GBC

 Mahesh Raja

The bogus GBC want to play at being ACARYA who gives Diksa:

http://harekrsna.com/sun/news/03-13/news4734.htm

 

So here is what they give as evidence to somehow or other try JUSTIFY their claim to be Diksa Guru:

“This Krishna consciousness movement directly receives instructions from the Supreme Personality of Godhead via persons who are strictly following His instructions. Although a follower may not be a liberated person, if he follows the supreme, liberated Personality of Godhead, his actions are naturally liberated from the contamination of the material nature. Lord Caitanya therefore says: ‘By My order you may become a spiritual master.’ One can immediately become a spiritual master by having full faith in the transcendental words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and by following His instructions.” Purport to SB 4.18.5
And…
“A person who is liberated acharya and guru cannot commit any mistake, but there are persons who are less qualified or not liberated, but still can act as guru and acharya by strictly following the disciplic succession.” Letter to Janardana, 26 April, 1968
And…
“We may not be cent percent perfect, but as far as possible, if we follow the instruction as it is, that much perfect. In this way one will get perfection. So one has to follow. The same example, try to understand, that a perfect, expert technologist or technician or mechanic is working, and somebody is working under his instruction. So this somebody, because he is strictly working under the instruction of the expert, he’s also expert. He may not be cent percent expert, but his work is expert. Is that clear? Because he is working under the expert. Do you follow? So if you follow pure devotee, then you are also pure devotee. It may not be one is cent percent pure. Because we are trying to raise ourself from the conditional life. But if we strictly follow the pure devotee, then we are also pure devotee. So far we do, that is pure. So pure devotee does not mean one has to become immediately cent percent pure. But if he sticks to the principle that “We’ll follow a pure devotee,” then his actions are… He is as good as a pure devotee. It is not I am explaining in my own way. It is the explanation of Bhagavata. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah [Cc. Madhya 17.186].” Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 2.1-10 and Talk — Los Angeles, November 25, 1968

 

Note: there is BIG DIFFERENCE between ACT AS ACARYA and BEING AN ACARYA.
ACT AS ACARYA simply means OFFICIATING ACARYA. Officiating Acarya IS Ritvik. So as per July 9th 1977 Order confirms that 1st and 2nd Initiations are to be conducted by OFFICIATING ACARYA(RITVIK -REPRESENTATIVE OF ACARYA Srila Prabhupada)

770528me.vrn Conversations
Prabhupada: Yes. I shall recommend some of you. After this is settled up, I shall recommend some of you to ACT AS OFFICIATING ACARYAS.
Tamala Krsna: Is that called rtvik-acarya?
Prabhupada: RTVIK, YES.

 

Note: OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE. The DUTIES are as per July 9th 1977 Ritvik Representative (Officiating Acarya) are DEFINED:
Madhya 24.330 The Sixty-One Explanations of the Atmarama Verse
Similarly, a disciple’s qualifications must be observed by the spiritual master before he is accepted as a disciple. In our Krsna consciousness movement, the requirement is that one must be prepared to give up the four pillars of sinful life-illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling. In Western countries especially, we first observe whether a potential disciple is prepared to follow the regulative principles. Then he is given the name of a Vaisnava servant and initiated to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, at least sixteen rounds daily. In this way the disciple renders devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE FOR at least six months to a year. He is then recommended for a second initiation, during which a sacred thread is offered and the disciple is accepted as a bona fide brahmana.

 

Note: Srila Prabhupada states indicates ACARYA is NOT a Kanistha. And ACARYA can NOT be appointed BY THE GBC:

74-04-28. Letter: Rupanuga
You are right about Sridhara Maharaja’s genuineness. But in my opinion he is the best of the lot. He is my old friend, at least he executes the regulative principles of devotional service. I do not wish to discuss about activities of my Godbrothers but it is a fact they have no life for preaching work. All are satisfied with a place for residence in the name of a temple, they engage disciples to get foodstuff by transcendental devices and eat and sleep. They have no idea or brain how to broacast the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. My Guru Maharaja used to lament many times for this reason and he thought if one man at least had understood the principle of preaching then his mission would achieve success. In the latter days of my Guru Maharaja he was very disgusted. Actually, he left this world earlier, otherwise he would have continued to live for more years. Still he requested his disciples to form a strong Governing body for preaching the cult of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. HE NEVER RECOMMENDED ANYONE TO BE ACARYA OF THE GAUDIYA MATH. BUT SRIDHARA MAHARAJA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DISOBEYING THIS ORDER OF GURU MAHARAJA, AND HE AND OTHERS WHO ARE ALREADY DEAD UNNECESSARILY THOUGHT THAT THERE MUST BE ONE ACARYA. IF GURU MAHARAJA COULD HAVE SEEN SOMEONE WHO WAS QUALIFIED AT THAT TIME TO BE ACARYA HE WOULD HAVE MENTIONED. BECAUSE ON THE NIGHT BEFORE HE PASSED AWAY HE TALKED OF SO MANY THINGS, BUT NEVER MENTIONED AN ACARYA. HIS IDEA WAS ACARYA WAS NOT TO BE NOMINATED AMONGST THE GOVERNING BODY. HE SAID OPENLY YOU MAKE A GBC AND CONDUCT THE MISSION. SO HIS IDEA WAS AMONGST THE MEMBERS OF GBC WHO WOULD COME OUT SUCCESSFUL AND SELF EFFULGENT ACARYA WOULD BE AUTOMATICALLY SELECTED. SO SRIDHARA MAHARAJA AND HIS TWO ASSOCIATE GENTLEMEN UNAUTHORIZEDLY SELECTED ONE ACARYA AND LATER IT PROVED A FAILURE. THE RESULT IS NOW EVERYONE IS CLAIMING TO BE ACARYA EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY BE KANISTHA ADHIKARI WITH NO ABILITY TO PREACH. IN SOME OF THE CAMPS THE ACARYA IS BEING CHANGED THREE TIMES A YEAR. THEREFORE WE MAY NOT COMMIT THE SAME MISTAKE IN OUR ISKCON CAMP. ACTUALLY AMONGST MY GODBROTHERS NO ONE IS QUALIFIED TO BECOME ACARYA. So it is better not to mix with my Godbrothers very intimately because instead of inspiring our students and disciples they may sometimes pollute them.

 

Note: Although one can ACT AS OFFICIATING ACARYA in a NON-liberated platform they CAN NOT give DIKSA. This is WHY 1st and 2nd initiations are done ON BEHALF of Srila Prabhupada the LIBERATED ACARYA. THROUGHOUT the process of DIKSA the INITIATOR is ONE : Srila Prabhupada

 

Note:There may be many spiritual masters who instruct, but the INITIATOR spiritual master is ONE.
KB 80 The Meeting of Lord Krsna with Sudama Brahmana
Our next spiritual master is he who initiates us into transcendental knowledge, and he is to be worshiped as much as I am. The spiritual master may be more than one. The spiritual master who instructs the disciples about spiritual matters is called siksa-guru, and the spiritual master who initiates the disciple is called diksa-guru. Both of them are My representatives. There may be many spiritual masters who instruct, but the initiator spiritual master is one.

 

Note: NON-liberated OFFICIATING ACARYA can NOT transfer into YOUR heart Krsna. However DIKSA requires for Krsna to be TRANSFERED TO YOUR HEART in order that YOUR RELATIONSHIP (SVARUPA) is REVEALED: this has been explained in detail:

Reply to Nimai Pandit Prabhu and Rocana das
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/?p=33002#comment-16956

 

Note: When Krsna is TRANSFERRED FROM Pure devotees(Srila Prabhupada) HEART to another Pure devotee then there is DIKSA. Divya jnana revelation of ones CONSTITUTIONAL positon Svarupa is UNDERSTOOD. This may take many many many births — NOT so cheap.
SB 10.2.18 P Prayers by the Demigods for Lord Krsna in the Womb
As indicated here by the word manastah, the Supreme Personality of Godhead was transferred from the core of Vasudeva’s mind or heart to the core of the heart of Devaki. WE SHOULD NOTE CAREFULLY THAT THE LORD WAS TRANSFERRED TO DEVAKI NOT BY THE ORDINARY WAY FOR A HUMAN BEING, BUT BY DIKSA, INITIATION. THUS THE IMPORTANCE OF INITIATION IS MENTIONED HERE. UNLESS ONE IS INITIATED BY THE RIGHT PERSON, WHO ALWAYS CARRIES WITHIN HIS HEART THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, ONE CANNOT ACQUIRE THE POWER TO CARRY THE SUPREME GODHEAD WITHIN THE CORE OF ONE’S OWN HEART.

Divya-jnana means : Divya TRANSCENDENTAL and Jnana means KNOWLEDGE
So UNLESS one is on TRANSCENDENTAL PLATFORM means Uttama Adhikari (Maha Bhagavata) there can NOT be any question of Transcendental Knowledge of ones CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION coming FROM him. THIS EFFECTIVLY DISQUALIFIES KANISTHA AND MADHYAM (MIDDLE STAGE) FROM GIVING DIKSA — AUTOMATICALLY.
Hrde means heart and Prokasito means revealed just as in prakasa – manifested Krsna becomes manifest in the heart of the Pure Devotee.

 

760711CC.NY Lectures
Prabhupada: Divya-jnana hrde prokasito. What is that divya-jnana? Divya-jnana is that we are all servant of Krsna, and our only business is to serve Krsna. Divya-jnana. This is divya-jnana. It is not difficult at all. Simply we have… We have become servant of so many things--servant of society, servant of community, servant of country, servant of wife, servant of children, servant of dog and so many. “Now let me become servant of Krsna.” This is divya-jnana. Diksa. Diksa means from this divya-jnana. That is di. And ksa means ksapayati, expands.
When at the stage of Madhyama Adhikari one is RECEPIENT of THAT Diksa in the HEART from SRILA PRABHUPADA he becomes a SERVANT OF KRSNA. He relishes a particular mellow (Rasa) of his relationship with Krsna. This point HE SEES KRSNA and HIS RELATIONSHIP (svarupa) is established. So it is not so CHEAP to be Diksa guru.

 

Madhya 8.83 Talks Between Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Raya
The purport in presenting this verse necessitates explaining the comparative positions of the transcendental mellows known as santa, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya and madhurya. All these rasas, or mellows, are situated on the transcendental platform. Pure devotees take shelter of one of them and thus progress in spiritual life. Actually one can take shelter of such spiritual mellows only when one is completely uncontaminated by material attachment. When one is completely free from material attachment, the feelings of the transcendental mellows are awakened in the heart of the devotee. That is svarupa-siddhi, the perfection of one’s eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord. Svarupa-siddhi, the eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord, may be situated in one of the transcendental mellows.

GBC vs. Srila Prabhupada

Heresies of the Governing Body Commission Rejected
By Vikramasingha das
The Iskcon GBC philosophy on guru-tattva and initiations has evolved over the years. In the late 1970s and early 80s, they conceded, due to the insistence of a few leading members, that eleven individuals had been appointed and empowered by Srila Prabhupada to act as zonal acharyas in Iskcon.
The GBC conceded that these eleven could create their own authority structure called “The Acharya Board”. The GBC agreed that only these eleven could be initiating spiritual masters in Iskcon and, in the future, only they could appoint other spiritual masters, or diksa-gurus, from among their disciples or Godbrother followers.
In the latter part of the 1980s, after few of the “chosen eleven” fell down and went insane, these contentions were overturned under mounting pressure from a so-called guru reform movement. GBC reformists decided that these eleven “Iskcon acharyas” could no longer be zonal autocrats above the authority of the GBC. The GBC resolved that only a majority vote of the GBC body would have authority to sanction and regulate initiating spiritual masters in Iskcon.

They resolved that any devotee sanctioned by the GBC could initiate his own disciples in Srila Prabhupada’s mission, and they recommended that “diksa-gurus” no longer accept elaborate public worship in Iskcon temples and titles and prayers meant for maha-bhagavatas. They thus tried to reduce the power and ritual status of “Iskcon acharyas” while opening the door for all senior preachers “in good standing” to covet the post of “Iskcon guru”. In this way the GBC quelled the “guru reform movement” within Iskcon.
GBC resolutions regarding initiations and guru-tattva have been inconsistent and contradictory. It is hard to find two “Iskcon gurus”, GBC members, or Iskcon devotees with the exact same views on these topics. New devotees often doubt whether the praises they sing to the spiritual master at mangala-arotika and guru-puja should be directed toward their so-called Iskcon guru or to Srila Prabhupada.
Should they hear primarily from Srila Prabhupada, or more from their “living guru”? Should they offer prayers and worship to a picture of their “guru” on the altar before doing Deity worship or offering food? If so, would he even know? Are all prayers to the spiritual master just ritualistic hyperbole that can be applied to any so-called Iskcon (or gaudiya math) “guru”?
Below is summary of the stance of the GBC today and in the recent past, with samples of their clearly implied philosophical ideas that are against the teachings of Srila Prabhupada. Immediately after each GBC idea, we have provided the correct understanding of guru-tattva and diksa according the Srila Prabhupada’s books, conversations, letters, and classes. Authorized references are cited at the end.  Throughout Srila Prabhupada’s books there are many dozens of references similar to the few cited below.
GBC: The spiritual master may be a self-made guru who is nominated by his peers or followers and sanctioned by the GBC, an ecclesiastical board. There is no need for a direct, specific order from Srila Prabhupada to become a diksa-guru in Iskcon.
Srila Prabhupada’s siddhanta:“A guru can become guru when he is ordered by his guru. That’s all. Otherwise nobody can become guru.” (See below references 1, 2 and 10.)
GBC: Srila Prabhupada authorized the GBC to sanction and dismiss diksa-gurus in ISKCON.
SPS: “Mundane votes have no jurisdiction the elect a Vaisnava acharya. A Vaisnava acharya is self-effulgent, and there is no need of any court judgment.” Prabhupada authorized the GBC to select (or dismiss) representatives (ritviks), who initiate on His behalf. No one can be guru without the direct order of Krishna or His perfect devotee. (See below references 1, 2, 10 and 15.)
GBC: Lord Caitanya gave a blanket order for every devotee to initiate his own disciples.
SPS: Lord Caitanya ordered His followers to become “gurus” by asking everyone they meet to chant Hare Krishna. He never ordered all devotees to initiate their own disciples. Even Lord Caitanya’s eternal associates, like Sri Gadadhara Pandita, refused to initiate disciples without a direct order from Lord Caitanya. Many great devotees never initiated their own disciples. (References 2 and 3.)
GBC: Persons who are not self-realized souls or topmost Vaisnavas can be diksa-gurus if the GBC approves.
SPS: “Only a topmost devotee, a maha-bhagavata, is eligible to occupy the post of guru.” (See below reference 4.)
GBC: Spiritual masters must be sanctioned, overseen, regulated and, if necessary, disciplined by the GBC.
SPS: The genuine spiritual master is never to be regulated or disciplined by ecclesiastical boards. (See below reference 5.)
GBC: A spiritual master may sometimes fall down and become demoniac.
SPS: “There is no possibility that a first-class devotee will fall down…” – “The bona fide spiritual master is in the disciplic succession since time immemorial.” (See below references 6 and 18.)
GBC: One may ignore, neglect, or reject his spiritual master who falls from grace with the GBC.
SPS: A genuine disciple never rejects his spiritual master. (See reference 7.)
GBC: A student of Krishna consciousness may select any spiritual master, according his or her personal tastes and the ecclesiastical conventions current in Iskcon.
SPS: “Srila Jiva Goswami advised that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or customary social and ecclesiastical conventions. One should simply try to find a genuinely qualified spiritual master for actual advancement in spiritual understanding.” (See below reference 8.)
GBC: There are dozens of gurus in Iskcon and each is entitled to his or her own ideas and opinions.
SPS: “Guru is one. He has no independent ideas or opinions.” (See reference 9.)
GBC: Iskcon gurus who have fallen down, if rectified, may be reinstated by the GBC.
SPS: “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.”(See below reference 10.)
GBC: There are various levels of spiritual masters, or diksa-gurus, and not all are uttama-adhikaris.
SPS: “The spiritual master is always considered either one of the confidential associates of Radharani or a manifested representation of Sri Nityananda.” Only such a Vaisnava can impart transcendental knowledge into the heart of a disciple. (See below references 4, 7 and 11.)
GBC: The bona fide spiritual master dies, like all mortal men, and thus becomes useless in the matter of initiating and guiding students of Krishna consciousness.
SPS: “The spiritual master is eternal…” — “He lives forever through his divine instructions, and his follower lives with him.” — “He reasons ill who tells that Vaisnavas die!” (See reference 12.)
GBC: One must accept as one’s diksa-guru a man or woman who is living. A posthumous spiritual master, one dead and gone, cannot offer diksa and impart transcendental knowledge.
SPS: “The spiritual master is eternal.” — “Although a physical body is not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the spiritual master. Vibration—what we have heard from the spiritual master—that is living.” (See references 10 and 12.
GBC: Students of Krishna consciousness whose spiritual masters have fallen from grace with the GBC may shop around for another Iskcon guru and accept “re-initiation” as many times as required for them to find an “Iskcon guru” who is steady.
SPS: “A devotee must have only one initiating spiritual master because in the scriptures acceptance of more than one is always forbidden.” (Cc. Madhya, 22.71, Purport)
GBC: Every senior Iskcon devotee, even a dependent woman or neophyte with no ability to preach, is eligible to initiate his or her own disciples. Srila Prabhupada, however, is ineligible because he cannot posthumously offer diksa. One needs a guru who is alive. A fully transcendental guru with a spiritual body is useless in the matter of initiating devotees after he is dead (posthumous).
SPS: “The spiritual master is eternal.” He is not limited by material considerations of time and space. “A perfect Vaisnava is all-powerful, just like the Supreme Lord.” (See references 7, 12 and 13.)
GBC: Not all of Srila Prabhupada’s instructions and orders are to be accepted literally or permanently. Some may be interpreted, altered, edited–or rejected as being outdated. For instance, his final order on initiations (July 9^th, 1977), which he ordered sent to all ISKCON leaders and temples, is now obsolete and must therefore be rejected in favor of the current system for initiations created by the GBC.
SPS: A genuine disciple of the spiritual master always accepts his instructions wholeheartedly. He never tries to dodge, ignore or subvert his instructions. (References 7, 12, 13, 14.)
GBC: At the time of his demise, Srila Prabhupada’s instructions and ideas regarding the future of initiations in ISKCON were vague or contradictory. He left it to the GBC to sort out the details.
SPS: Prabhupada specifically responded to the question of how initiations would be continued in ISKCON after his departure by dictating, reviewing and signing an official directive establishing ritvik initiations. He ordered that this directive be sent to all leaders and GBC members in ISKCON. Ritvik initiations were nothing new for ISKCON. The ritvik system of initiations and all standards had been current in ISKCON for several years prior. Nonetheless, through this official directive and numerous conversations thereafter, Srila Prabhupada clarified it in detail and institutionalized the procedure to operate without his personal supervision. For sincere disciples, there is nothing vague or contradictory in His numerous instructions. (See below reference 15.)
GBC: Iskcon is meant for recruiting disciples for living Iskcon gurus. Those who claim to be direct disciples or aspiring direct disciples of Srila Prabhupada are deviant upstarts if they accepted initiation or joined Iskcon after 1977. In the history of Vedic culture posthumous ritvik initiations have never been seen.
SPS: In Srimad-Bhagavatam and other Puranas there are many stories of ritvik priests conducting Vedic sacrifices under the auspices of a great rishis who were not present on the same planet. There are no injunctions barring so-called “posthumous” ritvik initiations. Prabhupada clearly stated that all ISKCON leaders and trustees now and in the future must be “my initiated disciples”. (See Prabhupada’s “Final Order on Initiations”, July 9^th, 1977, Srila Prabhupada’s “Final Will” and “Directions for Management” and Conversation, May 28, 1977
GBC: Post-1977 Iskcon devotees may accept Prabhupada as their instructing guru and param-guru, but they need to take initiation from a living guru to get Prabhupada’s blessings and mercy.
SPS: Srila Prabhupada is both the diksa-guru and siksa-guru for all serious students of Krishna consciousness. Advanced disciples may also act as “instructing guru” by teaching devotees to accept Srila Prabhupada and follow his instructions. (See below references 8, 15 and 16.)
GBC: Vaisnava gurus are ordinary men who sometimes make common mistakes, and even great devotees sometimes become degraded under the Lord’s external maya-shakti.
SPS: < “One should consider the Acharya to be as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In spite of these instructions, if one considers the spiritual master an ordinary human being, one is doomed. His study of the Vedas and his austerities and penances for enlightenment are useless, like the bathing of an elephant.” (See below reference 17 and 18.)
GBC: Although Prabhupada accepted what he had at the time, his books had many errors.  Although hundreds of senior devotees have chanted these verses and translations in Prabhupada’s presence and afterwards for many years, these sayings needed several revisions done by expert pundits.
SPS: “Mistakes, illusions, cheating, and defective perception do not occur in the sayings of authoritative sages.” (See below references 14 and 17.)
GBC: Unless the GBC sanctions diksa-gurus, the disciplic succession cannot continue. Srila Prabhupada is dead; he cannot order anyone to become guru.
SPS: The disciplic succession is continued not by the manipulations of blind clerics but by genuine disciples. “The Supreme Lord said, My dear Arjuna, because you are never envious of Me, I shall impart to you the most secret wisdom, knowing which you shall be relieved of the miseries of material existence.” (Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 9.1) When repeatedly asked who would be His successor, Srila Prabhupada replied, “My success is always there. Yes. Just like the sun is there always. It may come before your vision or not—the sun is there. But if you are fortunate you come before the sun… The sun is open to everyone.” (Conversation, February 12, 1975, Mexico City) – “Only Lord Caitanya can take my place. He will take care of the movement.” (Conv., Nov. 2, 1977, Vrindaban.) (See reference 7.)
Summary Conclusions:
It is truly said, “One bad apple spoils the bunch!” In this case, at least three or four bad apples polluted the entire GBC body, most Iskcon leaders and most senior preachers. Due to the poisonous ideas introduced by a few foolish individuals, leaders in Iskcon and the vitiated Gaudiya Math temples diverted these institutions from the correct understanding of Gaudiya Vaisnava siddhanta and sadhana-bhakti, particularly with regards to guru-tattva and diksa.
In the later part of the 1980s, the GBC officially banned all scriptural and philosophical discussions on the topic of initiations in ISKCON and labeled all devotees who wanted to follow Srila Prabhupada’s system for ritvik initiations as heretics, fools or fallen rascals. Today the Iskcon GBC is comprised mostly of disciples and followers of “Iskcon gurus”. Most GBC members and “Iskcon acharyas” from the 1980s have resigned, retired, died, become incapacitated, gone insane, or fallen from the path of Krishna consciousness. Others are preaching a sahajiya hodge-podge of Krishna consciousness and Hinduism. (Only one former “zonal acharya” has admitted his mistake and rectified it.) On the other hand, by Krishna’s grace, almost all of the original proponents for Srila Prabhupada’s ritvik system are still actively preaching Krishna consciousness as it is.
Some devotees ask, “What is the harm if I accept an Iskcon guru as my so-called diksa-guru as long as I follow Srila Prabhupada’s instructions?” The problem with this approach is that it involves conceding dangerous philosophical misconceptions and contradictions. It involves impure diet and association. The GBC’s disobedience is not an innocent mistake but rather a conspiracy to utilize Srila Prabhupada’s mission for personal prestige and gain. Such motives have polluted Srila Prabhupada’s movement with false ambitions, guru-aparadha, Vaisnava-aparadha and sadhu-ninda. Srila Prabhupada’s name, fame, temples and institutions are being exploited by deviant upstarts, and some of his important teachings are being twisted, minimized or ignored by Iskcon leaders as official policy.
References:
1. “Mundane votes have no jurisdiction the elect a Vaisnava acharya. A Vaisnava acharya is self-effulgent, and there is no need of any court judgment.” (Cc. Madhya 1.220, Purport)
2. “A guru can become guru when he is ordered by his guru. That’s all. Otherwise nobody can become guru.” (Conversation, Oct. 28, 1975, Nairobi)
3. “Vallabha Bhaṭṭa wanted to be initiated by Gadādhara Paṇḍita, but Gadādhara Paṇḍita refused, saying, ‘The work of acting as a spiritual master is not possible for me. I am completely dependent. My Lord is Gauracandra, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. I cannot do anything independently, without His order.’” (Cc. Antya  7.150,151)
4. “When one has attained the topmost position of maha-bhagavata, he is to be accepted as guru and worshiped exactly like Hari, the personality of Godhead. Only such a person is eligible to occupy the post of guru.” (Cc. Madhya, 24.330, Purport, citing Padma Purana.)”
5. “The spiritual master is never to be an object of disciplinary action…”
6. “A bona fide spiritual master is in the disciplic succession from time eternal, and he does not deviate at all from the instructions of the Supreme Lord…” (Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 4.42, Purport.)
7. “He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my lord birth after birth. From him ecstatic prema emanates; by him ignorance is destroyed. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character.” (Sri Guru Vandana, Verse 3)
8. “Srila Jiva Goswami advised that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or customary social and ecclesiastical conventions. One should simply try to find a genuinely qualified spiritual master for actual advancement in spiritual understanding.” (Cc. Adi, 1.35, Purport) — “One should take initiation from a bona fide spiritual master coming in disciplic succession who is authorized by his predecessor spiritual master. This is called diksa-vidhana. (Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 4.8.54, Purport)
9. “Guru is one. He has no independent ideas or opinions.”
10. “A bona fide spiritual master is in the disciplic succession from time eternal, and does not deviate at all from the instructions of the Supreme Lord…” (Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 4.42, Purport)
11. “The spiritual master is always considered either one of the confidential associates of Radharani or a manifested representation of Sri Nityananda.” (Cc. Adi. 1.46, Purport)
12. “The spiritual master is not the question of [‘living’ or ‘dead’]… The spiritual master is eternal–the spiritual master is eternal.” (Lecture, Oct. 2, 1968, Seattle, WA) — “I will never die. I shall live from my books, and you will utilize.” (Interview, July 16, 1975, Berkeley, CA) — “Although a physical body is not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the spiritual master. Vibration—what we have heard from the spiritual master—that is living.” (Lecture, Jan. 13, 1969, LA, CA) – “One should consider the Acharya to be as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In spite of these instructions, if one considers the spiritual master an ordinary human being, one is doomed. His study of the Vedas and his austerities and penances for enlightenment are useless, like the bathing of an elephant.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.15.26, Purport)
13. “Regarding the disciplic succession, there is nothing to wonder for big gaps. We have to pick up from the prominent acarya and follow from him.” (Letter, April 12, 1968.) — “…one has to associate with the liberated persons not directly, physically, but by understanding, through philosophy and logic…” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.31, Purport.) — “Although the physical body in not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the spiritual master. Vibration–what we have heard from the spiritual master –that is ‘living’.” (Lecture, January 13, 1969, Los Angeles.)
14. “So we follow that ‘No Change Policy’. Not that because I think I have become now advanced, I change this to that. That means I am not advanced. My knowledge is imperfect. Therefore I am changing.”
15. “They did even consider with common sense—that if Guru Maharaja wanted to appoint somebody as acarya, why he did not say? He said so many things, and this point he missed? The real point? And they insisted upon it. The declared some unfit person to become acarya. And then another—‘Acarya!’ Another—‘Acarya!’ So better to remain a foolish [simple] person perpetually to be directed by Guru Maharaja. That is perfection. And as soon as he [the upstart] learns that Guru Maharaja is dead, ‘Now I am so advanced that I can kill my guru and I become guru.’ Then he’s finished.” (Conv. Aug. 16, 1976, Bombay) — “If everyone just initiates, then there will only be contradictory results. As long as it goes on there will only be failure.” (From Phalguna Krishna Pancami, 1961.) — “I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acaryas.  Ritvik. Yes.” (Conv. May 28, 1977, Vrindaban.) — “So, deputies… These initiations –I have deputed my disciples. Is it clear or not?” (Conv. Oct. 18, 1977, Vrindaban.) See Prabhupada’s “Final Order on Initiations”, July 9^th, 1977 at www.harekrishnasociety.com .
16. “I am the initiator guru, and you should be the instructor guru by teaching what I am teaching and doing what I am doing. This is not a title, but you should actually come to this platform. This I want. “ (Letter, August 4, 1975.)
17. bhrama pramada viralipsa karanapatava, arsa-vijna-vakye nahi dosa ei saba:
“Mistakes, illusions, cheating, and defective perception do not occur in the sayings of authoritative sages.” (Cc. Adi 2.86)
18. “There is no possibility that a first-class devotee will fall down…” (Cc. Madhya 22.71, Purport)

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

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

GBC/GURUS have deviated from Srila Prabhupada direct Ritvik order

“When disciples do not stick to the principle of accepting the order of their spiritual master, immediately there are two opinions. Any opinion different from the opinion of the spiritual master is useless. One cannot infiltrate materially concocted ideas into spiritual advancement. That is deviation. There is no scope for adjusting spiritual advancement to material ideas…. Persons who strictly follow the orders of the spiritual master are useful in executing the will of the Supreme, whereas persons who deviate from the strict order of the spiritual master are useless.”

- Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi-lila 12.8-10

“Actually, any activities performed favorably for the satisfaction of the Lord, under the direction of the spiritual master, are spiritual. But for a person to disregard the order of the spiritual master and act by concoction, accepting his nonsensical activities to be spiritual is maya.”

- Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi-lila 14.29, purport

---------------------------------

ISKCON GBC/GURUS HAVE BECOME USELESS FOR NOT FOLLOWING THE DIRECT RITVIK ORDER OF SRILA PRABHUPADA

GBC Russia: Srila Prabhupada is the diksha guru of ISKCON

GBC EC Russian Announcement on Prabhavishnu Das declares Srila Prabhupada – Preeminent Diksa Guru of ISKCON
By Krishnachandra Dasa
Jan 20 2012 | Sri Vrindavan Dham — The website that the GBC Executive officially announced Prabhavishnu Swami’s resignation is Krishna.ru [http://www.krishna.ru/] is the official ISKCON website for Russia. If you refer to Paragraph 4 you will note a very interesting claim by the GBC Executive Body…

Paragraph 4 – Russian Version:

That said, we wish to extend all compassion, help, and support to Prabhavishnu Prabhu’s siksa and diksa disciples. Please know that you are not without shelter. As ISKCON’s founder-acarya and preeminent diksa-guru, Srila Prabhupada is freely giving each of you the opportunity to develop pure love of God. That has not changed.
His mercy and shelter are there for you in every situation, his teachings still apply to you, and serving him in his mission is still the gateway to pure bhakti.
You also have the shelter of the holy name. Please always keep your hearts open to the spiritual protection and blessings you have been given.

Even though the Russian version differs quite drastically from the original version that was sent out on PAMHO and on the Official ISKCON website of Dandavats I wonder if the GBC EC approved this version. If they did then one would have to wonder what they meant by this statement?

“As ISKCON’s founder-acarya and preeminent diksa-guru, Srila Prabhupada is freely giving each of you the opportunity to develop pure love of God. That has not changed.”

If this is true then what has changed in the GBC that the Russian Community is given this instruction when the rest of ISKCON is given the understanding that Srila Prabhupada is only the preeminent siksa guru of ISKCON?
Again if this is true what does ‘preeminent diksa guru mean? Does it mean that Srila Prabhupada is also assessable to devotees as their diksa guru or initiating spiritual master?
What kind of system would this be? Oh you can take your pic either have a suddha bhakta as your guru or a kannistha or less a mleccha guru whatever your desire after all it is your choice is it not? It would more accurately read Founder Acharya and Diksa Guru! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
There is a problem when the GBC EC makes announcements and they are translated /edited or changed according to the target readers. It must be very confusing for the Russian devotional community if there is no continuity with regards to their official announcements and the rest of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
However should we take this GBC EC announcement as an official statement by the GBC EC then what does this mean? Have they finally accepted that their Rubber Stamped Guru’s system is unbona fide and afforded Srila Prabhupada his rightful place in the Society that he established.
These are important statements that I am sure will soon be addressed by the GBC EC.
I have sent an email to the GBC EC regarding this matter and will post their reply…If and when they do.

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