Srila Prabhupada is the Diksa Guru for ISKCON
By Ananda devi dasi
“In the absence of physical presentation of the Spiritual Master, the vaniseva is more important. My Spiritual Master Saraswati Goswami, may appear to be physically not present but still I try to serve His Instruction, I never feel separated from Him” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, August 22, 1970)
After the disappearance of Srila Prabhupada His instructions remained the same, they didn’t change. Therefore Srila Prabhupada is the Diksa Guru and His ISKCON-specific instructions and the process of Diksa remains the same. A disciple who has had no chance of serving the Spiritual Master, Srila Prabhupada, when He was in His Vapuh, can still follow His Vani, instructions, and fully benefit from this association and advance in devotional service.
The Officiating Acarya process is not a replacement system for the Disciplic Succession, nor is it an initiating system, either. Srila Prabhupada is the Initiator Guru whether there is an Officiating Acarya system in place or not, whether or not the July 9th Letter is implemented or not. Devotees that join ISKCON can only be initiated by Srila Prabhupada because He is the Diksa Guru for ISKCON, period.
In Srimad Bhagavatam 4.28.47 we read:
“The disciple and spiritual master are never separated because the spiritual master always keeps company with the disciple as long as the disciple follows strictly the instructions of the spiritual master. This is called the association of Vani. Physical presence is called Vapuh. As long as the spiritual master is physically present, the disciple should serve the physical body of the spiritual master, and when the spiritual master is no longer physically existing, the disciple should serve the instructions of the spiritual master.”
Srila Prabhupada makes it crystal clear that after the disappearance of the Spiritual Master, the disciple follows the instructions of the Spiritual Master. The Spiritual Master left His instructions in the form of Books, verbal instructions, letters, tapes, videos, all these are instructions from the Spiritual Master,Vani.
After the disappearance of Srila Prabhupada His instructions remained the same, they didn’t change. Therefore Srila Prabhupada is the Diksa Guru and His ISKCON-specific instructions and the process of Diksa remains the same. A disciple who has had no chance of serving the Spiritual Master, Srila Prabhupada, when He was in His Vapuh, can still follow His Vani, instructions, and fully benefit from this association and advance in devotional service.
In Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 1.35 we read:
“It is imperative that one accepts a spiritual master if he at all desires to gain the favor of the Lord. The service of the Spiritual Master is essential. If there is no chance to serve the spiritual master directly, a devotee should serve Him by remembering His instructions. There is no difference between the spiritual masters instructions and the spiritual master Himself. In His absence,therefore,His words of direction should be the pride of the disciple.”
Another crystal clear instruction is especially applicable to disciples who never physically associated and served the physical body of Srila Prabhupada, His Vapuh. Srila Prabhupada clearly explains that for the disciple who had no chance to serve Him directly, then the disciple is able to serve through the agency of sound vibration, Vani Seva. There is no difference.
Caitanya-caritamrta, concluding words, Antya Lila5:
“There are two ways of association – by vani and by vapuh. Vani means words and vapuh means physical presence. Physical presence is sometimes appreciable and sometimes not, but vani continues to exist eternally. Therefore we must take advantage of the Vani, not the physical presence. Bhagavad Gita for example is the vani of Lord Krsna. Although Lord Krsna was personally present 5000 years ago and is no longer physically present from the materialistic point of view, Bhagavad Gita continues.”
Srila Prabhupada in His Vani is emphasizing associating through vani. Physical presence is sometimes not appreciated, but vani continues eternally. The GBC/Guru/Sannyasis and followers in ISKCON have all favored the opposite view to Srila Prabhupada. They have always and continue to favor the physically present diksa guru theory ,but clearly Srila Prabhupada is emphasizing the advantages of vani over and above vapuh.
Srila Prabhupada alludes to the familiarity of vapuh, which was explicitly experienced by many disciples who got close to Srila Prabhupada’s vapuh. Even when Lord Krsna was present, many still did not realize He was the Supreme Person and so became too familiar.
Not only does Srila Prabhupada clearly recommend the association through vani of the Spiritual Master, but endorses the process as authorised. The salient point about the quote from Cc Antya Lila is that it appears in the concluding words of this masterpiece, the final words concerning the association with the Spiritual Master, the Previous Acaryas, the Mahajanas, the Sadhus, and of course Lord Krsna, all through Vani.
Srimad Bhagavatam 2.9.8:
“There is no difference between the Lord and the Lord’s instructions and sound vibration coming from Him, even though He is not physically present. The best way of understanding is to accept such divine instruction, and Brahma, the prime spiritual master of everyone, is the living example of this process of receiving Transcendental Knowledge. The potency of transcendental sound is never minimized because the vibrator is apparently absent. One has to receive the transcendental sound from the right source, accept it as a reality and prosecute the direction without hesitation. The secret of success is to receive the sound from the right source of a bona fide spiritual master…….”
Srila Prabhupada consistently explains the same theme in a cohesive, coherent and cognitive way that is easily assimilated for the reader. Here He also adds that Lord Brahma, although not in our purview, is a “living example” of this process. Lord Brahma is the Spiritual Master of everyone according to Srila Prabhupada’s definition in this purport, which clearly proves beyond any doubt that Srila Prabhupada is not only our Spiritual Master, but moreover clearly ISKCON’s Diksa Guru, still living.
The GBC/Guru/Sannyasis and followers teaching is the opposite to this conclusion. They said, and continue to say, that Srila Prabhupada is gone and not approachable unless you get initiated by a physically present diksa guru of whatever status, otherwise “you” are jumping over them to access Srila Prabhupada directly. This is clearly against the principles of guru, sadhu and sastra, otherwise the principle of Vani would not stand. The principle of “living example” would not stand and the principle of ISKCON’s Founder-Acarya would not stand. The principle of Srila Prabhupada’s authority would not stand, and so on and so forth ad infinitum.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.18, an often quoted verse:
“Human reason fails to understand how by serving the devotee Bhagavata or the Book Bhagavata one gets gradual promotion on the path of devotion…”
Please read the whole purport because there is way more than that. Srila Prabhupada is again emphasizing the vani of the Spiritual Master, the Sadhus, the Mahajanas and the authorities in devotional service.
The last word of the Sanskrit verse 1.2.18 is naisthiki, which translates as ‘irrevocable’, as in Nishta in Madhyama Adhikari, irrevocable devotional service is established in the heart of the disciple. The message of the Book Bhagavata is received from the devotee Bhagavata, Srila Prabhupada, and under His guidance the devotee is able to progress in devotional service. By such sincere association the disciple is able to receive transcendental knowledge very easily.
Srimad Bhagavatam 7.9.18
“…The best process is to accept the instructions of the previous acharyas and follow them. Then God-realization and self-realization become extremely easy…………”
Please read all of this purport too, because there is so much more than this. Srila Prabhupada often uses words such as “easy” and “very easy” ,”extremely easy” to describe different processes in devotional service. Devotional service is begun by hearing and chanting, a simple process. By hearing sincerely one can chant sincerely and this is the recommended process.
The relationship between the Guru and Disciple is spiritual. In the spiritual world if the servant cannot serve under certain conditions, the master is still pleased. And if the master does not pay, the servant is also pleased. That is called oneness absolute. A Guru may have hundreds of disciples, hundreds of servants, but He doesn’t have to pay them. They are serving out of spiritual love, and the Guru is teaching without receiving a salary. This is a spiritual relationship. There are no cheaters and cheated in such a relationship. (Teachings of Lord Kapila, p. 231).
Our relationship with Srila Prabhupada is a spiritual relationship, it is not based on whether or not we were physically present simultaneously. Spiritual inspiration comes from within the heart, wherein the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in His Paramatma feature, is always sitting with all His devotees and associates. The Spiritual Master is the external manifestation of the Supersoul and is simultaneously manifest within the heart of the sincere disciple seated with the Supersoul and accompanying the disciple everywhere. Srila Prabhupada considered His Spiritual Master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati to be always present with Him by His vani and seeing Srila Prabhupada’s activities and guiding Him.
The activity of accepting a Spiritual Master is not according to external circumstances. ISKCON cannot impose the physically present diksa guru theory on devotees. Srila Prabhupada has made it abundantly clear that a disciple should be careful to accept an Uttama-Adhikari as a Spiritual Master. Srila Prabhupada’s instruction to all devotees is NOT to become a Spiritual Master unless he has attained the platform of Uttama-Adhikari. From the earlier Zonal Acarya nightmare, where the “spiritual masters” did not follow this simple instruction of actually attaining Uttama-Adhikari status and then the continuance of the same process under a different name, we have to question the integrity, motivation and qualification of said disciples at pretending to be Uttama-Adhikaris.
The clear definition of a Diksa Guru is that He is:
1. Bona fide
2. Uttama-Adhikari
3. Exemplary in character
4. Truthful
5. Saintly
6. Spiritual
7. Compassionate
8. Krsna Conscious
9. Liberated from the Material Energy
10. An expansion of Srila Nityananda Rama or Srimati Radharani
Just to name a few off the top of my head.
It’s not a peculiar thing that Srila Prabhupada wrote lucidly about all the pseudo-religionists that exist in the Krsna Conscious Society.
Srila Prabhupada writes in Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 19.157:
“If one thinks that there are many pseudo devotees or non-devotees in the Krsna Consciousness Society, one can keep direct company with the spiritual master, and if there is any doubt, one should consult with the spiritual master.”
Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 12:
“By a false display of religious sentiments they present a show of devotional service while indulging in all sorts of immoral activities………”
Please read the whole purport, there is way more than that, but Srila Prabhupada has included this type of purport in His Books to help warn us all that even in the Krsna Consciousness Society we can easily be misled, exploited and of course abused on many different levels.
The influence of such false religionists even within ISKCON has far reaching consequences and we find that devotees of all caliber have been swayed by the prolonged misconceptions, false knowledge and mechanistic propaganda. The idea that evolved from the Zonal Acarya days was the mechanistic definition of the Diksa Guru, the process of Diksa and the continuance of the Disciplic Succession. The perception of all these separate processes has been seen through the eyes of extremely neophyte devotees who were able to influence the devotees in general.
But when we review the actual statements and philosophy that we find in Srila Prabhupada’s teachings there is much to contradict the mechanical, physically present doctrines.
“So spiritually, appearance and disappearance there is no difference… spiritually there is no difference, appearance and disappearance.” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, December 13, 1973)
“That is called prakata, physically present. And there is another phase, which is called aprakata, not physically present. But that does not mean Krsna is dead, God is dead, that does not mean.. Prakata or apakata, physically present or not present, it does not matter.” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, December 11, 1973 Los Angeles)
The example of appearance and disappearance is the rise and setting of the sun. Actually the sun does not rise or set, but from our perception it appears to rise and set. But one who is in knowledge of these things knows the reality behind the perception. The Spiritual Master’s appearance and disappearance is only apparent, not real. There is no difference. It’s those words again, “no difference”, which crop up so much in Srila Prabhupada’s Books and teachings. But in the case of Diksa, the spiritual component of Diksa belongs to Srila Prabhupada because He is our Diksa Guru coming in the Disciplic Succession.
“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)
Again, the physical absence of Srila Prabhupada has no difference on His ability to be the current link in the Disciplic Succession. By definition, the Spiritual Master is eternal and absolute oneness, so for Him there can’t be any difference. Why do the GBC/Gurus constantly, consistently, and continuously relegate and undermine Srila Prabhupada’s position in ISKCON? We should be doing the opposite.
Srila Prabhupada is our Spiritual Master, the Bona Fide Uttama-Adhikari, the current link to the Disciplic succession, the all merciful, all compassionate Diksa Guru, impartially distributing Sri Caitanya’s mercy. And Initiating the general population into the cult of Devotional Service to Lord Krsna.
The negative influence from the GBC/Gurus that has manipulated the understanding, definitions, and perceptions of the Diksa Guru and Diksa process along with the continuation of the Disciplic Succession are also responsible for the misunderstandings and misconceptions that surround the Officiating Acarya doctrine. From the meager amount of research into the operations of other bona fide Vaisnava Sampradayas there is ample evidence of similar usage in the past. The Officiating Acarya system is not unprecedented and there is history in other Sampradayas. The black and white, fixed mindedness, mechanically-concrete thinking leadership of ISKCON has not only bewildered the devotees into their mindset on many issues concerning the Guru Tattva, but has also bulldozed their very ideology into the devotee’s minds and rationale.
The Officiating Acarya process is not a replacement system for the Disciplic Succession, nor is it an initiating system, either. Srila Prabhupada is the Initiator Guru whether there is an Officiating Acarya system in place or not, whether or not the July 9th Letter is implemented or not. Devotees that join ISKCON can only be initiated by Srila Prabhupada because He is the Diksa Guru for ISKCON, period.
The Disciplic Succession is continued by the Successor of Srila Prabhupada in Disciplic Succession but that can’t be in ISKCON, because Srila Prabhupada is the Founder-Acarya and Diksa Guru of ISKCON. The Disciplic Succession continues to the next link via a Bona fide Uttama-Adhikari Spiritual Master, as in the example of Srila Prabhupada from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, and so forth, according to the law of Disciplic Succession.
We can’t make up our own “law” of Disciplic Succession just because it suits a physically present Diksa Guru idea. That’s certainly not according to guru, sadhu and sastra. The Officiating Acarya system is certainly authenticated and authorized by Srila Prabhupada, there is no question or doubt about that. Srila Prabhupada signed the July Letter. All through the scripture we find cohesive, coherent definitions of what constitutes the Bona Fide Spiritual Master and the continuation of the Disciplic Succession through Him. But what has happened in ISKCON is that that has been misapplied, misappropriated and manipulated. So the Disciplic Succession has been artificially continued by a sharing of the process of Diksa. In effect, the gurus in ISKCON are sharing Srila Prabhupada’s process of Diksa and Srila Prabhupada’s Transcendental knowledge, His ISKCON, and so forth. Just put them on their own and see how they fair then, that would be the reasonable test for them.
Even I could give everyone names and threads and give a reasonable Bhagavatam class, and then tell all my “disciples” to go read Srila Prabhupada’s Books and worship Him all through the morning program. That’s easy, but that’s not Diksa Initiation, and neither is it continuing the Disciplic Succession. That’s inventing a new kind of guru – the one called the “kind of like a diksa-ish guru-ish guru.” And that’s how and why there is an Officiating Acarya process, and there is a history of its usage in other Vaisnava Sampradayas.
“Sometimes a Diksa Guru is not present always. Therefore one can take learning, instructions from an advanced devotee, that is called the siksa guru.” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 4.7.74, Honolulu)
“In the absence of physical presentation of the Spiritual Master, the vaniseva is more important. My Spiritual Master Saraswati Goswami, may appear to be physically not present but still I try to serve His Instruction, I never feel separated from Him” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, August 22, 1970)
In the above article we find it ; ” ………. Srila Prabhupada has made it abundantly clear that a disciple should be careful to accept an Uttama-Adhikari as a Spiritual Master. Srila Prabhupada’s instruction to all devotees is NOT to become a Spiritual Master unless he has attained the platform of Uttama-Adhikari. …. ”
Let us give the benefit of doubts to the believers of the Physically – Living Uttama-Adhikari qualified Guru in the future unknown may appear in the Iskcon Organization, will that Personality replace Srila Prabhupada in His Iskcon as the Diksha – Siksha Guru of Iskcon as Rocana dasa and co. believes and promotes in his thesis ” DOR ” as a Living Guru ?
If the answer is ” YES “, then, where is such written ORDER from Srila Prabhupada ?
If the answer is ” NO ” then, what is its meaning and why Srila Prasbhupada says this ; ” Srila Prabhupada’s instruction to all devotees is NOT to become a Spiritual Master unless he has attained the platform of Uttama-Adhikari. ….” ?
A simple answer shall suffice.
Hari BOL.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
In the video recorded interview with HH BV Puri Maharaja, he clearly states the Srila Prabhupada only ever appointed ritviks and not gurus. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-cKP1gU46A
“Maharaja you have established 11 gurus, there is no harmony. There can be no harmony..guru must be one, you have selected 11 gurus. He said I have not appointed 11 gurus, I have appointed 11 ritviks. I said as long as you survive they are ritviks. After your demise they are gurus and unless guru blesses a disciple to sit on the throne and continue this service he cannot survive, he cannot sit then. He must go down and that sure it is happening now. Then he said ‘what shall I do now’
Of course HH Puri Maharaja did not agree with them remaining ritvik after Prabhupada’s disappearance, but that was his tradition in the flawed Gaudya Math, even though HH Sridhar Maharaja initially appointed HH Govinda Maharaja to act as ritvik after his departure. In his last Will he then officially appointed Govinda Maharaja as his ‘successor’ acarya of the Caitanya Math.
No such ‘appointment’ was ever made by Srila Prabhupada in his Will…he actually stated for the Indian properties any future trustees “must be my initiated disciples”.
Srila Prabhupada as the uttama-adhikari, maha Bhagavata “Founder-Acarya” of ISKCON, devised the plan to keep the society unified by remaining as the initiating diksa-guru. All our divine knowledge only comes from him, even after his disappearance via his Bhaktivedanta Purports in their original state, his tapes and personal inspiration, assisted by senior disciples to carry out the formalities of ceremonial initiation on his behalf. As none of his disciples were even qualified as sannyasa, he was fully entitled to make this adjustment to initiate as he confirms in SB 4.8.54 purport….
Śrīmad Vīrarāghava Ācārya, an ācārya in the disciplic succession of the Rāmānuja-sampradāya, has remarked in his commentary that caṇḍālas, or conditioned souls who are born in lower than śūdra families, can also be initiated according to circumstances. The formalities may be slightly changed here and there to make them Vaiṣṇavas.
Simple for the simple minded, but a minefield for the speculators and those addicted to PAD.
Yhs, Bal.
In Balaram Das’s previous comment there is a video (link) of HH BV Puri Maharaja where he is saying quite clearly that Srila Prabhupada appointed the ’11’ as ritvik and NOT as guru. Is this not further proof?
Srila Prabhupada had also clearly stated that HH BV Puri Maharaja was the ONLY one of His godbrothers that was NOT envious of him. As I fully accept that Srila Prabhupada could NOT be mistaken in His understanding of His godbrothers goodwill towards Him, what reason should I have to doubt HH BV Puri Maharaja’s words? It was HH BV Puri Maharaja that Srila Prabhupada sent to invite Narayana Maharaja to attend the installation ceremony of Sri Ananta Sesha (ground breaking) for the Mayapur temple, but when he approached Narayana Maharaja he refused to attend and only had to say very nasty things about Srila Prabhupada. In sharp contrast Narayana Maharaja showed that he was very envious of Srila Prabhupada and if he was ‘master’ of anything it was of manipulation, deceit, cunning and duplicity. Narayana Maharaja also knew that Srila Prabhupada had been poisoned as he clearly told others! This beying the case then why was he explaining intimate pastimes of the Lord to those who poisoned Srila Prabhupada? Can someone who has murdered an Acharya have any concept of understanding such things? This is pure rascaldom! This is the realm of pure fantasy! The present followers of Narayana Maharaja should use their intelligence and not accept this bullshit! and also the idea that Narayana Maharaja had said about Srila Prabhupada ‘whispering’ to him when he was dying that he was ‘passing the batten’ onto him! This is also nonsense! if this was true then why didn’t Srila Prabhupada say these things to anyone else? Just as the ‘aspirants’ in FISKCON are beying duped by the GBC, similarly the same unfortunate souls have been duped by Narayana Maharaja with this “a rope is a snake, is a rope is a snake” contradictory hogwash!
From the Purport by HDG. Srila Prabhupada in Sri Caitanya-caritamrita Adi Lila Seventh chapter – 171 verse describing Lord Shri Caitanya in five features, it strongly indicates that there isn’t any room left for another Maha Bhagavata – Acarya to start his own separate Sampardaya i.e. new line of disciplic succession BUT to continue Srila Prabhupada’s disciplic succession via the Rtvik System of Initiation as per Srila Prabhupada’s ORDER because as indicated in the Adi 7.171 the rest of the world has been given to Srila Prabhupada which reads as:
This is not Rocana dasa and co. promotes in the ” DOR ” rather misguides the readers and confuses further drastically when an intelligent sincere person reads and understands the Rtvik System of Initiation Srila Prabhupada ORDER to His disciples to be carried forward.
Hope the above explanation answers the questions I put forth which meets the Learned Readers satisfactory. Any further comments are welcome.
Hari BOL.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
As stated in the Purport Adi 7.171 by HDG. Srila Prabhupada that the rest of the world has been left to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness for preaching work under the regulative principles of Instructions set forth by the Acarya Srila Prabhupada, therefore, as it is that none of Srila Prabhupada’s God brothers did join with the Acarya, their respective very own mission remains UNSUCCESSFUL throughout the world.
Is this not TRUE ?
The reason of UNSUCCESSFUL being that either they do not or did not stick to the regulative principles and preach sincerely according to the Instructions given by the Bona fide Acaryas.
Is this NOT a FACT ? Any body please answer.
Some of the examples have been cited in the comments of Shriman Balaram das and Shriman Sudarsana Das Vanacari Prabhus’ posting which are self explanatory.
As HDG. Srila Prabhupada very clearly states in Adi 7.171 purport ;
” ………. The members of this Society must always remember that if they stick to the regulative principles and preach sincerely according to the instructions of the ācāryas, surely they will have the profound blessings of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and their preaching work will be successful everywhere throughout the world.”
I sincerely do hope that Rocana dasa and co, SG and the FOLLOWERS of other Gaudiya Maths’ Gurus including present Iskcon bogus gurus should use their intelligence and accept the bona fide INSTRUCTIONS – VANI of HDG. Srila Prabhupada in order to propagate the preaching work SUCCESSFULLY everywhere through out the world.
OM TAT SAT.
Hari BOL.
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
The GBC, bogus ‘guru’ influence within ISKCON and also Gaudiya Math will never successfully bear fruit in the broadcasting of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s transcendental message despite of their ‘thinly veiled pretence’ at ‘glorification’ of Srila Prabhupada as they are both envious of His Divine Grace. Actions speak louder than words and both Gaudiya Math and ISKCON GBC have made it abundantly clear that they have no intention of RECOGNISING His Supreme Authority as Acharya for the next 10,000+ years…..only piecemeal gestures and phony symbolism are the only things we can expect from them.
Once ‘envy’ is brought into the equation then all of their endeavours become ZERO and as we are now witnessing before our very eyes the treachery and intimidation by Jayadvaita, Naresvara and co towards sincere vaisnavas is about to catch up with them as devotees are ‘voting with their pockets’ to purchase ONLY Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental ORIGINAL books and not ones which have been contaminated by ENVY of His Divine Grace. This is ‘the beginning of the end’ for these duplicitous, incompetent demons as with Hiranyakasipu, the hand of The Supreme Lord will bring them to their knees “again become a mouse”.
How dare they touch even one ‘comma’ or ‘full stop’. Once a work has been ‘signed off’ THAT’S IT!
No altering of ANY sort should be employed, even if one comma is “missing”, still NO CHANGE this is a principal that should be strictly adhered to. These slight things are not “imperfections”, how can Acharya be ”imperfect”? This is material consciousness, this is envy, this rascal mentality, what fools these people are pointing to ‘spot on the moon’ and making thousands upon thousands of ”changes” to Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental books.
The Holy Bible has also been altered many times, Constantine, Justinian, on and on ‘ommissions’, ‘additions’ and incorrect translation. The original Christians were vegetarian and believed in reincarnation, where this is this in the present day Bible? It has been butchered for 2,000 years by politicians and rogues, this is the material disease! Perhaps these rascal GBC also want to “airbrush” the moon also……what a nonsense they are!