Srila Prabhupada’s System for Initiations in ISKCON
by Narasimha das
Srila Prabhupada never hesitated to offer spiritual initiation to anyone who agreed to follow his instructions. He initiated persons not born in brahmin families or families that follow Vedic culture. Srila Prabhupada accepted both men and women from all backgrounds as his initiated disciples and promised he would take them back to Godhead if they followed his instructions. What’s especially unusual about the system of initiations Srila Prabhupada arranged was that it requires no physical contact between Srila Prabhupada and his new student. In fact, many devotees where initiated by Srila Prabhupada without ever meeting His Divine Grace. Such initiations would have been impractical had Srila Prabhupada not authorized senior disciples to accept and train new students on his behalf.
To expand Lord Çaitanya’s transcendental mission, Srila Prabhupada made many arrangements to help sincere souls approach him, inquire from him, and accept him as sad-guru. By making himself available in the form of his books, murtis, movement, and representatives, he greatly expanded opportunities for devotees to get the fully potent association of a paramahamsa Vaisnava. As the movement expanded, the facilities for innocent persons to take shelter of Srila Prabhupada also expanded.
Near the time of Srila Prabhupada’s departure, the Movement was growing more quickly than ever. Therefore on July 9th, 1977 he formally established an initiation system that had already been in practice in ISKCON. By his final order, Srila Prabhupada authorized deputies to accept disciples on his behalf, yet without writing to him for confirmation, as they had done before. By this order, Srila Prabhupada authorized representatives to decide who would be accepted for initiation in ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada had already clearly established the standards for being accepted as his initiated disciple, therefore he trusted the discretion of senior disciples to manage this system on his behalf. (For exact descriptions of Srila Prabhupada’s standards for initiations see C.c. Adi 17.265 and C.c Madhya 24.330 purports.)
Srila Prabhupada never authorized anyone to initiate their own disciples in his movement, and he never gave the GBC authority to select or approve diksa-gurus. What Srila Prabhupada did do was set up a system to continue initiations in ISKCON according to the standards he had already established. His final order on initiations simply confirms the system Srila Prabhupada had already set up in ISKCON. The only adjustment Srila Prabhupada made by his final directive was to eliminate the need for representatives (such as temple presidents) to write to him for approval. Rather, they were instructed to write to the local ritvik, the representative of the acarya. In this way, Srila Prabhupada authorized ritviks to accept disciples on his behalf.
The GBC has no authority to discontinue devotional practices or management systems His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada personally arranged. The GBC has no authority to sanction diksa-gurus. In fact, the entire arrangement of gurus and initiations in ISKCON today is a concoction. Srila Prabhupada never ordained diksa-gurus , nor did he set up any system to empower the GBC to do so. Yet the GBC insists on defending their concocted guru system, which has caused division and chaos in ISKCON for more than 20 years. (40 years now)
Question: Are you saying that the GBC has no authority to regulate who initiates in ISKCON?
Answer: Srila Prabhupada initiates in ISKCON. His words and example inspire us all to join Lord Caitanya’s movement. The GBC has authority to preserve what Srila Prabhupada established, not to create something new. Srila Prabhupada never approved the idea of self-appointed gurus or gurus by the appointment or approval of an ecclesiastical board. He several times criticized his Godbrothers for trying artificially to create posts of diksa-guru , or acarya, in the Gaudiya Matha.
Question: Must Srila Prabhupada always remain the initiating guru in ISKCON?
Answer: We must follow the order we have. The entire Hare Krsna movement follows Srila Prabhupada. He’s the spiritual master of the universe. What’s wrong with that idea?
Question: How do we know that Srila Prabhupada won’t order someome to become diksa-guru., the initiating spiritual master. Maybe he already has.
Answer: Srila Prabhupada’s arrangement for initiations in ISKCON is clear. We can’t change this arrangement, which is based on Srila Prabhupada and his authority, just because someone claims that Srila Prabhupada told him he could initiate his own disciples. Who is making such claims?
Question: What if a new devotee wants to accept one of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples as the spiritual master rather than trying to develop a direct relationship with Srila Prabhupada? Could he do that?
Answer: Not in ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada made himself fully available in the form of his extensive vani and also as his divine murti. Daily attendance of his guru-puja, his mangala-arati prayers, and careful study of his books is essential for all ISKCON devotees. Yet devotees may naturally follow senior advanced disciples who inspire them in their devotion to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga. Srila Prabhupada encouraged such practical training and teacher-student relationships. Yet he never authorized any disciple to post himself as the initiating spiritual master in ISKCON. He never authorized any of his disciples to act as the sad-guru, who must be worshipped like the Supreme Lord.
Question: But sannyasis receive worship from others.
Answer: Genuine Vaisnavas are certainly worthy of worship. To be a faithful disciple of Srila Prabhupada is an exalted status. Nonetheless, no regular worship or formal status as diksa-guru was ever authorized by Srila Prabhupada for any of his disciples in ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada wanted faithful disciples, not self-appointed pretenders. If a new devotee hasn’t developed faith in Srila Prabhupada as his guru, he should not accept initiation in ISKCON. Similarly, if a disciple wants to appoint himself as guru, he has no right to use ISKCON for his enterprise.
Question: But doesn’t the law of disciplic succession prohibit jumping over the current guru in favor of the previous acarya?
Answer: Srila Prabhupada is still the current acarya. Who can deny this? Do we need a candle to see the full moon? Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur said, “He reasons ill who tells that Vaisnavas die, when thou art living still in sound.” Who is that guru we jump over by accepting Srila Prabhupada? If someone says new devotees need to surrender heart and soul to unauthorized or mixed devotees, such ignorant persons should be jumped over or ignored.
Question: Doesn’t the sincere disciple automatically become the guru and then serve his own disciples by helping them become Krsna conscious?
Answer: The disciple follows the order of the Acarya, and serves in that way. Srila Prabhupada created many posts for his disciples (such as sannyasa, GBC, and temple president), but he never created posts of diksa-guru. Nor did he tell the GBC to do so. Srila Prabhupada is both the siksa-guru and diksa-guru in ISKCON. Advanced devotees should train new disciples to associate with Srila Prabhupada constantly by hearing from him repeatedly with rapt attention. In this way, everyone gets the same benefit and guarantee in their cultivation of pure devotional service.
Question: But don’t Srila Prabhupada’s books talk often of his disciples becoming diksa-gurus and accepting their own disciples?
Answer: No. Srila Prabhupada asks everyone to become guru by preaching and training others in the philosophy and practices of Krsna consciousness. He never asked anyone to begin initiating their own disciples in ISKCON. We find no such instruction. Not all pure devotees initiate disciples and accept worship from other Vaisnavas. It’s not automatic that pure devotees will initiate. A pure devotee accepts the post of spiritual master when the Supreme Lord or His empowered representative orders him. (See S.B. 4.8.54, purport)
Question: Don’t Srila Prabhupada’s books say that everyone should become guru and help others? Isn’t this Lord Caitanya’s mission?
Answer: Lord Caitanya’s mission is to give pure chanting of Hare Krsna and pure devotional service. Srila Prabhupada warns that no one should be accepted as a pure devotee if he is not properly authorized. Please consider this passage from Caitanya-caritamrta: “Vallabha Bhatta wanted to be initiated by Gadadhara Pandita, but Gadadhara Pandita refused, saying, ‘The work of acting as a spiritual master is not possible for me. I am completely dependent. My Lord is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. I cannot do anything independently, without His order.’ ” (C.c. Antya-lila 7.150, 7.151) Pure devotees never think they are independent. All work in ISKCON is created by Srila Prabhupada. The post of “ISKCON guru” is a GBC concoction. Unfortunately, due to this concoction, many preachers have been polluted by false ambition.
Question: But Lord Caitanya gave a blanket order for everyone to become guru. Why do you say such gurus can’t initiate their own disciples?
Answer: They may initiate when they get an order to initiate. Sri Gadadhara Pandit himself said he needed a direct order to initiate! Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted everyone to become Krsna conscious and preach. He never said all devotees must initiate their own disciples. In fact, Srila Prabhupada specifically warns, “It is better not to accept any disciples.” Srila Prabhupada said, “A guru can become guru when he’s ordered by his guru. That’s all. Otherwise nobody can become guru.” (S.P. Bg. Lecture, 1975)
Question: By preaching and practicing Krishna consciousness, isn’t one automatically qualified to become an initiating guru?
Answer: Not necessarily. But qualification is seperate issue. We may have qualifications, but an order is still required. For instance, I may be qualified for the order ofsannyasa, but in ISKCON I will need authorization to be accepted as a sannyasi. The position of Gaudiya Vaisnava guru, or acarya, is equal to that of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (C.c. Adi 1.46) Sri Gadadhara Pandita said he was unable to initiate without the direct order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Why speak of others!?
Question: How is it possible that Srila Prabhupada can accept disciples after his departure? And how do we know he wants to?
Answer: You think there’s something that’s impossible for Srila Prabhupada? He set up a ritvik system for this. He established ISKCON to train devotees to be his steady disciples and preach. It used to be common knowledge among devotees that His Divine Grace was willing to accept the whole world as his disciples. He accepted disciples in Australia while in Europe. He accepted disciples in America while in India. He accepted disciples he had never met. Srila Prabhupada can do this. He is still doing this. It is in our hands to get the credit for helping him do this by agreeing to remain his faithful representatives.
Question: Then we should ask new devotees to surrender heart and soul to someone they can never meet personally or write a letter to.
Answer: Do you think Srila Prabhupada is dead? The issue here is the authority of the Jagat Guru. He never said his physical presence was essential. Many of his so-called “direct” disciples, devotees initiated prior to 1977, never saw him or wrote to him. Srila Prabhupada said following his order is essential. He never stressed his physical presence. His order is directly the will of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Why should we tax our brains to justify defying Srila Prabhupada’s order? The problem is that devotees have not carefully heard from Srila Prabhupada or his genuine representatives. They’ve been misled by the gbc to think Srila Prabhupada is gone and can no longer personally guide or initiate devotees.
Question: According to Vedic tradition, when the guru departs, his disciple becomes the initiating guru and accepts his own disciples. This is the parampara system. We can’t stop this eternal system.
Answer: There is no such tradition of defacto guru, or guru by automatic inheritance. Yet all Vedic traditions are satisfied if we follow Srila Prabhupada’s formula for expanding the worldwide mission of Krsna consciousness. One day there may be millions of devotees qualified to offer diksa. Yet in Srila Prabhupada’s mission, they will follow Srila Prabhupada’s system and train disciples to offer their full devotion and surrender to Srila Prabhupada and His mission rather than to themselves. Such self-realized souls may have many devoted followers. Pure devotees teach by their example how to serve Srila Prabhupada’s mission as humble representatives of the Saktyavesa Avatar, the Jagat Guru. If representatives of Srila Prabhupada train everyone to accept Srila Prabhupada as acarya, the parampara system will florish gloriously. Advanced devotees will happily agree to remain humble representatives of His Divine Grace, the Jagat Guru, Srila Prabhupada.
Questions: But don’t all genuine spiritual masters accept disciples on behalf of the previous acaryas? Don’t ISKCON gurus engage their followers in unalloyed service to Srila Prabhupada?
Answer: Yes, to the first question. No, to the second. They are misleading their so-called disciples. These ambitious men could have been loved and honored as the representatives of Srila Prabhupada, but instead, due to false ambition, they created intrigue and suffering for everyone, including themselves. What’s at stake here? Why all the fuss to reject Srila Prabhupada’s final order on initiations? Think about it!
Question: Isn’t diksa just a formality? Isn’t it the Hare Krsna mahamantra that actually initiates everyone?
Answer: Diksa is the process by which one can awaken his divya-jnana and vanguish sinful reactions (C.c Madhya, 15.108). The initiation ceremony is a formality, but that also has been recommended and established by our Gaudiya Vaisnava acaryas, beginning with Srila Rupa Gowsami. By definition, then, the diksa-guru must be a fully self-realized soul. No one else is qualified to offer true diksa.
Question: If everyone takes siksa from Srila Prabhupada, isn’t that enough? Why should we worry who initiates?
Answer: The siksa-guru and diksa-guru must be seen equally. Generally, they are the same person. They are both absolute. Why deny new devotees the assurance of being directly connected with Srila Prabhupada through both diksa and siksa? Who will they accept as Srila Prabhupada’s equal? The real point is following the formula Srila Prabhupada personally arranged. Why does the GBC refuse to accept Srila Prabhupada’s arrangement?
Question: The GBC believes that ordaining gurus is the most effective way to recruit and train devotees and thus continue the parampara.
Answer: The parampara is continued by disciples who follow the order of the Acarya. ISKCON devotees must follow Srila Prabhupada’s instruction to preach on His behalf. Srila Prabhupada is the Jagat Acarya. His position is the same as Lord Nityananda’s or Lord Balarama’s. No order of His Divine Grace can be changed or ignored. By training everyone to be disciples of Srila Prabhupada, the parampara will continue gloriously.
Question: I think most ISKCON gurus are representing Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
Answer: Preachers who represent Srila Prabhupada’s mission teach that Srila Prabhupada is the absolute shelter for all ISKCON devotees. They teach devotees to hear from Srila Prabhupada and worship him with full surrender. They don’t encourage devotees to worship mixed devotees or offenders as the initiating spiritual master. Nor do they teach that mixed devotees are in the Gaudiya Vaisnava sampradaya. Rather they train devotees to accept Srila Prabhupada and surrender to his mission directly. Unless the GBC accepts Srila Prabhupada’s order, they’ll continue to mislead innocent devotees and create chaos.
Question: Are all ISKCON gurus offenders?
Answer: According to Srila Prabhupada, those who attempt to exploit or misdirect the mission of the Acarya due to personal ambition are “severe offenders”. No one can capture the post of Vaisnava Acarya by artificial arrangements. “A Vaisnava acarya is self-effulgent, and there is no need for any court judgment.” (C.c Madhya 1.220 purport) Srila Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati both warn that one who covets the post of Vaisnava Acarya or tries to assume the post without authority causes havoc by his imitation. Even Sri Gadadhara Pandit, the incarnation of devotional energy, says he needs a direct order to initiate. He was not willing to assume the post of Supreme Personality of Servitor Godhead without a direct order from Lord Caitanya. Yet if we ask an ISKCON guru, “When did Srila Prabhupada order you to become the initiating spiritual master?” What will he say?
Question: He might say, “I am a guru because the GBC confirmed my nomination. I don’t claim to be absolute. Only my disciples see me that way because the sastras say the guru must be worshipped like God. I accept the authority of the GBC as absolute. In that way, I am absolute.”
Answer: This is no reply. They’ll agree to be ritviks of a deviated GBC but not of Srila Prabhupada! They misrepresent the most exalted post of Vaisnava guru. By their deviation, they’ve opened the flood gate for sahjiya cheating and anarchy. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura warned, “One who thinks he is guru is ‘garu’.” ‘Garu’ means cow. A cow is an animial. We may worship a cow sometimes, but it remains an animal nonetheless.
Jan 03 1969 Srila Prabhupada to Hansadutta
….Those possessing the title of Bhaktivedanta will be allowed to initiate disciples. Maybe by 1975, all of my disciples will be allowed to initiate and increase the numbers of the generations….
Ashvahaarii Daasa:Jan 03 1969 Srila Prabhupada to Hansadutta
….Those possessing the title of Bhaktivedanta will be allowed to initiate disciples. *Maybe* by 1975, all of my disciples will be allowed to initiate and increase the numbers of the generations….
Mahesh: Facts: 1975 – 1977 there was no title Bhaktivedanta. The word used is MAYBE.
INITIATE ON BEHALF OF SRILA PRABHUPADA. This was the RITVIK SYSTEM July 9th 1977. Holy Name is given on BEHALF of MAHABHAGAVATA. Holy Name is Lord KRSNA. ONLY Mahabhagavata can give DIKSA. Read up further to get the whole picture:
Srila Prabhupada IS Diksa Guru
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=43094#more-43094
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Only Maha-Bhagavata is Diksa Guru
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=41422#more-41422
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=46518#comment-45721
Note: actually from 1969-1977 there is NOT A SINGLE case of Bhaktivedanta title given to ANYONE by Srila Prabhupada – FACT!
On the contrary, Ritvik was the prescription Order in 1977:
770719rc.vrn Conversations
Prabhupada: And nobody is going to disturb you there. MAKE YOUR OWN FIELD AND CONTINUE TO BECOME RTTVIK AND ACT ON MY CHARGE. People are becoming sympathetic there. The place is very nice.
77-07-09.All Letter: All G.B.C., All Temple Presidents
Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. Recently when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrndavana, Srila Prabhupada indicated that soon He would appoint some of His senior disciples to act as “RITVIK–REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ACARYA, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PERFORMING INITIATIONS, BOTH FIRST INITIATION AND SECOND INITIATION. HIS DIVINE GRACE HAS SO FAR GIVEN A LIST OF ELEVEN DISCIPLES WHO WILL ACT IN THAT CAPACITY:
770528me.vrn Conversations
Satsvarupa: By the votes of the present GBC. Then our next question concerns initiations in the future, particularly at that time when you’re no longer with us. We want to know how first and second initiation would be conducted.
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.
77-07-09.All Letter: All G.B.C., All Temple Presidents
Letter: All G.B.C., All Temple Presidents
Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. Recently when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrndavana, SRILA PRABHUPADA INDICATED THAT SOON HE WOULD APPOINT SOME OF HIS SENIOR DISCIPLES TO ACT AS “RITVIK–REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ACARYA, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PERFORMING INITIATIONS, BOTH FIRST INITIATION AND SECOND INITIATION. His Divine Grace has so far given a list of eleven disciples who will act in that capacity:
His Holiness Kirtanananda Swami
His Holiness Satsvarupa dasa Gosvami
His Holiness Jayapataka Swami
His Holiness Tamala Krsna Gosvami
His Holiness Hrdayananda Gosvami
His Holiness Bhavananda Gosvami
His Holiness Hamsaduta Swami
His Holiness Ramesvara Swami
His Holiness Harikesa Swami
His Grace Bhagavan dasa Adhikari
His Grace Jayatirtha dasa Adhikari
In the past Temple Presidents have written to Srila Prabhupada recommending a particular devotee’s initiation. Now that Srila Prabhupada has named these representatives, Temple Presidents may henceforward send recommendation for first and second initiation to whichever of these eleven representatives ARE NEAREST THEIR TEMPLE. AFTER CONSIDERING THE RECOMMENDATION, THESE REPRESENTATIVES MAY ACCEPT THE DEVOTEE AS AN INITIATED DISCIPLE OF SRILA PRABHUPADA BY GIVING A SPIRITUAL NAME, OR IN THE CASE OF SECOND INITIATION, BY CHANTING ON THE GAYATRI THREAD, JUST AS SRILA PRABHUPADA HAS DONE. THE NEWLY INITIATED DEVOTEES ARE DISCIPLES OF HIS DIVINE GRACE A.C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPAD, the above eleven senior devotees ACTING AS HIS REPRESENTATIVE. After the Temple President receives a letter from these representatives giving the spiritual name or the thread, he can perform the fire yajna in the temple as was being done before. The name of a newly initiated disciple should be sent by the representative who has accepted him or her to Srila Prabhupada, to be included in His Divine Grace’s “Initiated Disciples” book
Mahesh Raja prabhu: “ONLY Mahabhagavata can give DIKSA”. This is also confirmed by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada>>>
“”On the morning of Wednesday, August 8th 1934, Sriyukta Rajendranath Pal Chaudhuri Mahasaya, the famous zamindar of Louhajang, came to Sri Gaudiya Matha accompanied by one of his employees. Offering his humble dandavats at the lotus feet of Sri Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada, he expressed his desire to hear some words on Sri Guru-tattva and the secret of diksa etc. Srila Prabhupada obligingly gave a valuable discourse for two hours. Some brief excerpts from that talk are presented below.
Rajen Babu: Can’t a kanistha Vaisnava become a guru?
SRILA SARASVATI PRABHUPADA: Kanistha, madhyama and uttama are the gradations amongst Vaisnavas. In the kanistha stage of Vaisnavism, only non-Vaisnavism is absent – this I shall explain in detail a little later. How can we deliberate upon adhikara and define who is a Vaisnava without taking shelter of a sad-guru? Only Gurudeva can explain adhikara. How can one who has never entered the domain of a devotee, who cannot himself understand anything, explain such things to others? If a non-Vaisnava sits on the seat of the guru, it amounts to sheer contempt of guru-tattva.
guror apy avaliptasya karyakaryam ajanatah utpatha-pratipannasya parityago vidhiyate If the guru becomes attached to sense gratification, loses his sense of duty, and follows a degraded path, a path other than devotional service to the Lord, he should be rejected. (Mahabharata, Udyoga Parva 179.25)
Rajen Babu: Isn’t the kanistha-adhikari qualified to give initiation into the mantra?
SRILA SARASVATI PRABHUPADA: Where is the kanishtha-adhikari coming from? Who gave him the adhikara? A kanishtha-adhikari can never become a guru.
Rajen Babu: Can a madhyama-adhikari give diksa?
SRILA SARASVATI PRABHUPADA: HE CAN ONLY PERFORM THE INITIAL DUTIES OF DIKSA. It is the uttama-adhikari maha-bhagavata Vaisnava who is actually the diksa-guru. There are two types of Vaisnavas – the ragatmika and the raganuga. Those who are from the eternal realm offer service to Sri Krsna directly. These ragatmikas serve Sri Varshabhanavi and Her direct expansions. Those who perform direct service to the ragatmikas and take shelter in them through the performance of smarana are raganugas. These are spiritual gurus.”
========================
Important note: “The initial duties of Diksa” refers to the selection of bhaktas, training & instruction, Agni Hotra etc which were performed during our Srila Prabhupada’s manifest lila by his authorized representatives.. Ritviks, when His Divine Grace was not personally present.
Srila Prabhupada’s answer to Satsvarupa’s question… ‘specifically at a time when you are no longer with us’ instructed a continuance of the ritvik process, which was formalized in writing in his Final Order of 9th July letter to “All GBC and Temple Presidents”, which was hidden from the general devotees by those unscrupulous souls who coveted Prabhupada’s position of Diksa Guru Acarya.
Srila Prabhupada IS the CURRENT link in the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Sampradaya, the Maha Bhagavata Uttama adhikari also referred to by Mahaprabhu Lord Caitanya. ISKCON collectively is no more the current link in the sampradaya, than the Gaudiya Math was after the conclusion of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s vapu pastimes.
Srila Prabhupada Quotes:
“I AM THE SPIRITUAL MASTER OF THIS INSTITUTION, AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY, THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO BE MY DISCIPLES. They follow the rules and regulations which I ask them to follow, AND THEY ARE INITIATED BY ME SPIRITUALLY.”
(Srila Prabhupada Radio Interview, 12/3/1968)
Statement by Srila Prabhupada in New York in 1968:-
“After me there will be no more Acarya” (recounted by Rohini Kumar Swami in July 1989, November 1991 and February 1993). see http://www.harekrsna.org/pada/documents/sampradayacarya.htm
“It is declared that His Divine grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is the founder acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness of the bay area. He shall be the supreme power with respect to all matters of the society, and that status shall not be occupied or shared with any other individual, EITHER DURING HIS LIFETIME OR AFTER HIS DEATH. His name and title must appear on all documents letterheads, publications and the buildings of the society or corporation.”
(Iskcon incorporation Bay Area Jan 12 / 1976)
Srila Prabhupada instructed us that the ‘final or last instruction’ was the ONE TO BE FOLLOWED.
Yfs,
Balaram das.
Truth always prevails and in a few short years these pro-posters will have changed bodies. It’s such a simple thing and the future generations will see how these neophyte devotees did not know their worth pretending to be something they’re not.
Absolutely true, Balaram and Mahesh Raja Prabhu’s. Of course these things have to be repeated over and over again as most persons do not like to hear the truth. One can only remain in FISKCON by being in a total state of COMPROMISE AND DENIAL OF THE FACTS as these rascal “leaders” have invested so much in their bogus modus operandi, they are forced to see it through to it’s final conclusion which as always comes to a CRITICAL MASS BEFORE SELF DESTRUCTING. You cannot fool The Supreme Lord, but the demons will always try (for eternity) and always fail. The cause a lot of damage along the way and fool many people………they are always disguised, often charming, charismatic and skillful as depicted in the Srimad Bhagavatam 10th Canto, they fool even the residents of Vrindavan, but they are ALWAYS VANQUISHED!
Daso Smi
Sudarsana
Sudarsana Das Vanacari :Absolutely true, Balaram and Mahesh Raja Prabhu’s. Of course these things have to be repeated over and over again as most persons do not like to hear the truth. One can only remain in FISKCON by being in a total state of COMPROMISE AND DENIAL OF THE FACTS as these rascal “leaders” have invested so much in their bogus modus operandi, they are forced to see it through to it’s final conclusion which as always comes to a CRITICAL MASS BEFORE SELF DESTRUCTING.
Mahesh: Lord Krsna is sorting the Anti Ritvik DEMONS out:
SB 8.9.28 P The Lord Incarnates as Mohini-Murti
THERE ARE MANY KARMIS IN THE DRESS OF DEVOTEES, BUT THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD CAN DETECT THEIR PURPOSE. THE KARMIS WANT TO USE THE PROPERTY OF THE LORD FOR THEIR SELFISH SENSE GRATIFICATION, but a devotee endeavors to use the Lord’s property for God’s service.
Madhya 15.270 The Lord Accepts Prasada at the House of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya
Being envious of the Lord and His devotees is not at all auspicious for a demon. BY SUCH ENVY, A DEMON LOSES EVERYTHING CONSIDERED BENEFICIAL.
72-12-14.Letter: Tusta Krsna
As for your next question, can only a few pure devotees deliver others, anyone, if he is a pure devotee he can deliver others, he can become spiritual master. But unless he on that platform he should not attempt it. THEN BOTH OF THEM WILL TO GO TO HELL, LIKE BLIND MEN LEADING THE BLIND.
Madhya 15.108 The Lord Accepts Prasada at the House of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya
“Unless one is initiated by a BONA FIDE spiritual master, ALL his devotional activities are USELESS. A PERSON WHO IS NOT PROPERLY INITIATED CAN DESCEND AGAIN INTO THE ANIMAL SPECIES.”
SB 6.7.14 Indra Offends His Spiritual Master, Brhaspati.
Leaders who have fallen into ignorance and who mislead people by directing them to the path of destruction [as described in the previous verse] are, in effect, boarding a stone boat, and so too are those who blindly follow them. A stone boat would be unable to float and would sink in the water with its passengers. SIMILARLY, THOSE WHO MISLEAD PEOPLE GO TO HELL, AND THEIR FOLLOWERS GO WITH THEM.
Isopanisad 12
THE PSEUDO RELIGIONISTS HAVE NEITHER KNOWLEDGE NOR DETACHMENT FROM MATERIAL AFFAIRS, FOR MOST OF THEM WANT TO LIVE IN THE GOLDEN SHACKLES OF MATERIAL BONDAGE UNDER THE SHADOW OF PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITIES DISGUISED AS RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLES. BY A FALSE DISPLAY OF RELIGIOUS SENTIMENTS, THEY PRESENT A SHOW OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICE WHILE INDULGING IN ALL SORTS OF IMMORAL ACTIVITIES. IN THIS WAY THEY PASS AS SPIRITUAL MASTERS AND DEVOTEES OF GOD. Such violators of religious principles have no respect for the authoritative acaryas, the holy teachers in the strict disciplic succession. They ignore the Vedic injunction acaryopasana–“One must worship the acarya”–and Krsna’s statement in the Bhagavad-gita (4.2) evam parampara-praptam, “This supreme science of God is received through the disciplic succession.” INSTEAD, TO MISLEAD THE PEOPLE IN GENERAL THEY THEMSELVES BECOME SO-CALLED ACARYAS, BUT THEY DO NOT EVEN FOLLOW THE PRINCIPLES OF THE ACARYAS.
THESE ROGUES ARE THE MOST DANGEROUS ELEMENTS IN HUMAN SOCIETY. Because there is no religious government, they escape punishment by the law of the state. THEY CANNOT, HOWEVER, ESCAPE THE LAW OF THE SUPREME, WHO HAS CLEARLY DECLARED IN THE BHAGAVAD-GITA THAT ENVIOUS DEMONS IN THE GARB OF RELIGIOUS PROPAGANDISTS SHALL BE THROWN INTO THE DARKEST REGIONS OF HELL (BG. 16.19-20). SRI ISOPANISAD CONFIRMS THAT THESE PSEUDO RELIGIONISTS ARE HEADING TOWARD THE MOST OBNOXIOUS PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THEIR SPIRITUAL MASTER BUSINESS, WHICH THEY CONDUCT SIMPLY FOR SENSE GRATIFICATION.
Hare Krishna dear Prabhupadanugas.
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Some days ago, I posted the Indonesian translation of a book entitled IA77 (Initiations After 1977, published by ISKM) on Facebook that shows evidences that Śrīla Prabhupada is the only bona fide Diksa guru in ISKCON and he is still living in his original books and we can associate with him by reading his original books. As I am Indonesian and live in Bali, I want to spread the truth to Indonesians especially those ISKCON devotees who have been cheated by ISKCON bogus gurus.
In the beginning, when I posted the documents such as the room conversation between Srila Prabhupada and GBC men on May 28th, 1977 about future initiation in ISKCON, July 9th letter, and the analysis of both documents which based on the Śrīla Prabhupada books, the response was some devotees are inquisitive and some are very much against the ritvik instruction.
One of the ISKCON bogus gurus defenders told me that we should accept a guru who is physically living and surrender to him and he tried to convince others who are inquisitive about the ritvik instruction that Bhagavad-Gita (4.34) instructs us that as spiritual seekers we should serve a physical living guru and inquire from him submissively. Furthermore, he argued that if we can take initiation from Srila Prabhupada then why we cannot take initiation from superior acaryas such as Rupa Gosvami or even Lord Krishna? And then he also said in reference to myself as I am still a university student “As you are still a student, you need a living teacher who is physically present! Simple!” He was angry with me and used harsh words in refuting the quotes from Srila Prabhupada books.
I often feel that the more I try to follow Śrīla Prabhupada, the more I face difficulties in my devotional service. Even when I asked some help to my friend an ISKCON devotee to distribute Śrīla Prabhupada original books that I bought from krishnastore.com in whatever way he could. Instead of helping me, he criticized my humble effort just because many Indonesians do not understand English well and don’t really like to read books. He emphasized that those original books are the “old” ones and if I really want to distribute books I should follow GBC’s instructions. It seems to me that almost every ISKCON devotees I have encountered, no one wants to help me.
My situation is becoming worse now because I already have die hard bad habits although I always try my best to follow Śrīla Prabhupada’s instructions. I hope that in the future I will get bona fide trainings and association like what sincere disciples of Srila Prabhupada experienced while Śrīla Prabhupada was physically present.
Forgive me for my long story, because I think this is the only way for me to express my frustration and at the same time I want to get some guidance in this difficult situation from sincere Prabhupadanugas.
Pramanta
Hare Krsna Pramanta
Some weeks ago you posted above “Forgive me for my long story, because I think this is the only way for me to express my frustration and at the same time I want to get some guidance in this difficult situation from sincere Prabhupadanugas.”
Several disciples of His Divine Grace immediately took the time to post extensive replies/comments to your stated ‘frustration’, yet to this date not even an acknowledgement, what to speak of a polite ‘thank you’ on your part. Even if you were not ‘happy’ with the replies, simple etiquette dictates some sort of response might be in order if you are sincere in your inquiry.
Balaram das
Hare Krishna Prabhus. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Forgive me prabhus for the late reply. I admit that I have many defects as I am still learning the Vaishnava etiquette. I really appreciate the replies from respected prabhupadanugas here and thank you very much for all your encouragement and once again forgive me if I have committed an offense to the sincere devotees of Srila Prabhupada. Hare Krishna
Hare Krsna Pramanta,
Of course no offense at all, just nice to keep the communication lines open.
It will be good for you to read Srila Prabhupada’s translation & purport to Srila Rupa Gosvami’s Upadesamrta (Nectar of Instruction) text #4. This explains the 6 main types of association with other devotees according to one’s advancement and realization in Krsna consciousness.
Until Srila Prabhupada so mercifully came to the West, we had no idea of how to live even materially, what to speak of true spiritual life. Srila Prabhupada spoke and we listened… sravana kirtanam Visnu smaranam. So this is the process as Srila Rupa Gosvami explains for advancing in Krsna consciousness… guhyam akhyati prcchati, opening one’s mind to the devotees and inquiring from them about the confidential service of the Lord. Experienced devotees explain and an inexperienced devotee learns from them.
As Prabhupadanugas, we are simply trying to follow His Divine Grace’s instructions ‘as they are’, without motivation for profit, adoration and distinction. We might see that Srila Prabhupada titled his Bhagavad-gita “As It Is” to call against the multitude of bogus impersonal translations and purports, misrepresenting Krsna’s spoken words.
Unfortunately Srila Prabhupada’s books and instructions are also no longer followed “As They Are” by the unscrupulous leaders who have usurped his ISKCON society for their own agendas.
Have faith that Lord Caitanya will make the necessary changes, however we still must speak out to defend the integrity of Srila Prabhupada’s divine mission, ordained by Mahaprabhu Lord Caitanya Himself.
Yfs,
Balaram das.
Hare Krsna Pramanta,
Thank you for the service you are doing for Srila Prabhupada in Indonesia.
You state their useless argument “Furthermore, he argued that if we can take initiation from Srila Prabhupada, then why we cannot take initiation from superior acaryas such as Rupa Gosvami or even Lord Krishna?”
Srila Prabhupada IS the CURRENT Acarya, so you are not ‘jumping’ over anyone.
Please read this carefully>>“I AM THE SPIRITUAL MASTER OF THIS INSTITUTION, AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY, THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO BE MY DISCIPLES. They follow the rules and regulations which I ask them to follow, AND THEY ARE INITIATED BY ME SPIRITUALLY.”
(Srila Prabhupada Radio Interview, 12/3/1968).
While ‘this institution’, ISKCON exists, Srila Prabhupada IS the Spiritual Master, Founder & Acarya and Diksa Guru of the society. His transcendental literatures are the basis of true spirituality for the next 10,000 years of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Golden Era.
This statement by the fools smacks of their envious stupidity… just who are they claiming is the current link acarya in the disciplic succession, surely not these 100 or so kanguroos who the sheep worship as mahabhagavatas, with a disposal rate of 50%, not even being able to follow the BASIC principles, what to speak of delivering the disciple to Krsna. They ‘claim’ they are only delivering the disciple to Srila Prabhupada, but that is the Ritvik system… meanwhile they greedily steal the daksina, adoration & distinction for themselves and so the cheating goes on, even replacing his books with their own impotent offerings.
In Hyderabad 1975, Srila Prabhupada stated>> “…
“Own way” means foolish way.
This is going on. You cannot… Suppose you have got your philosophy, but you cannot take my book and preach your philosophy.
If you have got philosophy, you write your philosophy.
Why do you take advantage of my book and misinterpret?
This is cheating.
Because my book is very popular, you take advantage of my book and preach your own nonsense philosophy.
This is going on.
If you want to smoke ganja, you smoke in your own hand.
Why you capture my hand and smoke? What is this?
So the ganja-smelling will be in my hand, not in your hand.
This is going on.”
Of course this statement by Srila Prabhupada referred to those bogus interpretations of the Bhagavada-gita, but we can see how the book changes since 1977 are to facilitate the devious agenda of the rubber stamped guroo crew, while ‘using’ his books as their sly introduction.
A question might arise, especially for those researching the original writings of the Gosvamis and previous Acaryas… what is most valuable, discovering an ‘original’ manuscript or unchanged book of Srila Rupa Gosvami or finding something ‘highly edited and changed’ by a follower, some 5-40 years after his departure! Only a crazy or envious person would accept the latter!
You have to remain fixed in your devotion to Srila Prabhupada’s original books and instructions despite so much opposition that we face. Pray to Lord Nrsingadeva to protect your devotional creeper and you will remain strong!
Hope this helps in some small way and keep connected to the many Prabhupadanus all over the world for your encouragement and inspiration to serve Srila Prabhupada’s mission.
Yfs,
Balaram das.
Pramanta : One of the ISKCON bogus gurus defenders told me that we should accept a guru who is physically living and surrender to him and he tried to convince others who are inquisitive about the ritvik instruction that Bhagavad-Gita (4.34) instructs us that as spiritual seekers we should serve a physical living guru and inquire from him submissively. Furthermore, he argued that if we can take initiation from Srila Prabhupada then why we cannot take initiation from superior acaryas such as Rupa Gosvami or even Lord Krishna?
Mahesh: BG 4.34 does NOT say physical living guru. In the purport, It is about approaching BONA FIDE Spiritual Master.
690113LE.LA Lectures
SO 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.
Note: Krsna is IN CONTROL. Those who are SINCERE they will get Srila Prabhupada THE BONAFIDE Diksa guru. And the cheaters will get Anti Ritvik thugs as gurus:
LCFL Life Comes From Life
Student: If somebody is actually SINCERE, will he always meet a bona fide guru?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. Guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija. Krsna is within you, and as soon as He sees that you are sincere, He will send you to the right person.
Student. And if you are not completely sincere, you will get a cheater for a teacher?
Srila Prabhupada: YES. IF YOU WANT TO BE CHEATED, KRSNA WILL SEND YOU TO A CHEATER. KRSNA IS SUPERINTELLIGENT. IF YOU ARE A CHEATER, HE WILL CHEAT YOU PERFECTLY. BUT IF YOU ARE ACTUALLY SINCERE, THEN HE WILL GIVE YOU THE RIGHT GUIDANCE. In Bhagavad-gita (15.15) Krsna says, sarvasya caham hrdi sannivisto mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca: “I am seated in everyone’s heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness.” Krsna speaks of both remembrance and forgetfulness. If you are a cheater, Krsna will give you the intelligence to forget Him forever.
750302BA.ATL Lectures
So he wanted this, and he is not… It is not that he is dead and gone. That is not spiritual understanding. Even ordinary living being, he does not die. Na hanyate hanyamane sarire. And what to speak of such exalted, authorized personality like Bhaktisiddhanta. He is seeing. I never feel that I am alone. Of course, when I came to your country without any friend, without any means… Practically, just like a vagabond I came. But I had full faith that “My Guru Maharaja is with me.” I never lost this faith, and that is fact. There are two words, vani and vapuh. Vani means words, and vapuh means this physical body. SO VANI IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE VAPUH. VAPUH WILL BE FINISHED. THIS IS MATERIAL BODY. IT WILL BE FINISHED. THAT IS THE NATURE. BUT IF WE KEEP TO THE VANI, TO THE WORDS OF SPIRITUAL MASTER, THEN WE REMAIN VERY FIXED UP. It doesn’t matter. Just like Bhagavad-gita. It was spoken five thousand years ago. But if you keep to the words of Krsna, then it is always fresh and guiding. Not that because Arjuna personally listened to Krsna about the instruction of Bhagavad-gita, therefore he knew it. That is not the fact. If you accept Bhagavad-gita as it is, then you should know that Krsna is present before you in His words in the Bhagavad-gita. This is called spiritual realization. It is not mundane historical incidences. If we keep…
evam parampara-praptam
imam rajarsayo viduh
sa kaleneha (mahata)
yogo nastah parantapa
If you don’t keep in touch with the original link, then it will be lost. And if you keep touch with the original link, then you are directly hearing Krsna. SIMILARLY, KRSNA AND KRSNA’S REPRESENTATIVE, SPIRITUAL MASTER, IF YOU KEEP ALWAYS INTACT, IN LINK WITH THE WORDS AND INSTRUCTION OF THE SUPERIOR AUTHORITIES, THEN YOU ARE ALWAYS FRESH. THIS IS SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING.
SB 3.31.48 P Lord Kapila’ s Instructions on the Movements of the Living Entities
…. it is described here that ONE HAS TO ASSOCIATE WITH LIBERATED PERSONS NOT DIRECTLY, PHYSICALLY, BUT BY UNDERSTANDING, THROUGH PHILOSOPHY AND LOGIC, THE PROBLEMS OF LIFE.
710818SB.LON Lectures
Prabhupada: JUST FOLLOW HIS ORDER. SPIRITUAL MASTER IS ALONG WITH YOU BY HIS WORDS. Just like my spiritual master is not physically present, but I am associating with him by his words.
67-10-03.Nan Letter: Nandarani, Krsna Devi, Subala, Uddhava
Dayananda, Nandarani and Uddhava first went to L.A. to open this branch & in the absence of Dayananda, Subala and Krishna devi have come to help. Whenever there is new branch of our society for Krishna Consciousness I become very very happy, & my blessings in heart and soul are with you. I went to your country for spreading this information of Krishna Consciousness & you are helping me in my mission ALTHOUGH I AM NOT PHYSICALLY PRESENT THERE BUT SPIRITUALLY I AM ALWAYS WITH YOU.
69-08-17. Letter: Govinda
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated August 9th, 1969. In the meantime I have sent one tape to Gaurasundara. Perhaps you might have received it, and if it is all right, then I can send you many other tapes, similarly stereoed. From the description of your letter I understand that Hawaii is good field for our preaching work. The hippies are actually immediate candidates for our Krishna Consciousness. We pray to Caitanya Mahaprabhu, “My dear Lord, Your Incarnation is to claim the most fallen souls.” So in this age of Kali almost everyone is dangerously fallen, and the hippies appear to be still more greater fallen. Besides that, from their behavior it appears they like this movement. This is a very good sign. Your description of that Yogi Sai, that is also little hopeful. He is reading Bhagavad-gita and quoting some lines. So you are very intelligent; you can tackle these people very nicely, assisted by your good husband and the other boys and girls. YOU WRITE THAT YOU HAVE DESIRE TO AVAIL OF MY ASSOCIATION AGAIN, BUT WHY DO YOU FORGET THAT YOU ARE ALWAYS IN ASSOCIATION WITH ME? WHEN YOU ARE HELPING MY MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES I AM ALWAYS THINKING OF YOU AND YOU ARE ALWAYS THINKING OF ME. THAT IS REAL ASSOCIATION. Just like I always think of my Guru Maharaja every moment, although He is not physically present, and because I am trying to serve Him to my best capacity, I am sure He is helping me by His spiritual blessings. So there are two kinds of association: physical and preceptorial. Physical association is not so important as preceptorial association.
750721mw.sf Conversations
Narayana: So those disciples who don’t have opportunity to see you or speak with you…
Prabhupada: That he was speaking, vani and vapuh. Even if you don’t see his body, you take his word, vani.
Narayana: But how do they know they’re pleasing you, Srila Prabhupada?
Prabhupada: If you actually follow the words of guru, that means he is pleased. And if you do not follow, how he can be pleased?
Sudama: Not only that, but your mercy is spread everywhere, and if we take advantage, you told us once, then we will feel the result.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Jayadvaita: And if we have faith in what the guru says, then automatically we’ll do that.
Prabhupada: Yes. My Guru Maharaja passed in 1936, and I started this movement in 1965, thirty years after. Then? I am getting the mercy of guru. THIS IS VANI. EVEN THE GURU IS NOT PHYSICALLY PRESENT, IF YOU FOLLOW THE VANI, THEN YOU ARE GETTING HELP.
Sudama: So there’s no question of ever separation as long as the disciple follows the instruction of guru.
Prabhupada: No. Cakhu-dan dilo jei… What is that, next one?
Sudama: Cakhu-dan dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei.
Prabhupada: JANME JANME PRABHU SEI. SO WHERE THERE IS SEPARATION? WHO HAS OPENED YOUR EYES, HE IS BIRTH AFTER BIRTH YOUR PRABHU.
770714r2.vrn Conversations
Prabhupada: I SHALL REMAIN YOUR PERSONAL GUIDANCE, PHYSICALLY PRESENT OR NOT PHYSICALLY, AS I AM GETTING PERSONAL GUIDANCE FROM MY GURU MAHARAJA.
690113LE.LA Lectures
” Similarly, arcye sila-dhir gurusu na… Gurusu means those who are acaryas, to accept their body as ordinary man’s body, this is denied in the sastras. SO 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.
72-12-14. Letter: Tusta Krsna
Next you ask if I am present in my picture and form? YES. IN FORM AS WELL AS IN TEACHINGS. TO CARRY OUT THE TEACHINGS OF GURU IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN TO WORSHIP THE FORM, BUT NONE OF THEM SHOULD BE NEGLECTED. FORM IS CALLED VAPU AND TEACHINGS IS CALLED VANI. BOTH SHOULD BE WORSHIPED. VANI IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN VAPU
Adi 1.35 The Spiritual Masters
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 MASTER’S INSTRUCTIONS AND THE SPIRITUAL MASTER HIMSELF. IN HIS ABSENCE, THEREFORE, HIS WORDS OF DIRECTION SHOULD BE THE PRIDE OF THE DISCIPLE.
73-12-25.Letter: Gurukrpa , Yasodanandana
Whatever is to be learned of the teachings of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura can be learned from our books. THERE IS NO NEED WHATSOEVER FOR ANY OUTSIDE INSTRUCTION.
74-11-22. Letter: Bahurupa
I am pleased to hear that you are chanting 16 rounds daily and reading my books regularly and following the four rules. IN MY BOOKS THE PHILOSOPHY OF KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS IS EXPLAINED FULLY SO IF THERE IS ANYTHING WHICH YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND, THEN YOU SIMPLY HAVE TO READ AGAIN AND AGAIN. BY READING DAILY THE KNOWLEDGE WILL BE REVEALED TO YOU AND BY THIS PROCESS YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE WILL DEVELOP.
75-09-18. Letter: Babhru, Satyaki
PLEASE CONTINUE READING MY BOOKS SERIOUSLY AND EVERYTHING WILL BE REVEALED TO YOU.
74-11-22. Letter: Hugo Salemon
So far your worship of Lord Jagannatha in your home and your becoming initiated. It is alright provided you have the recommendation of the temple president. I am very glad to see that such a young boy as yourself you are taking serious interest in this Krishna Consciousness Movement. Please continue in this way Our process is something universal. It cannot be checked by any means. Anyone in any place, in any country can chant Hare Krishna. If it is possible to go to the temple, then take advantage of the temple. A temple is a place where by 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.
75-11-15. Letter: Janajanmadhih
So, if you are strong enough to preach Krsna consciousness there, that is very good; that as long as you chant your 16 rounds and follow the four regulative principles, then you will get the strength. THE PROCESS IS THAT YOU SHOULD MEMORIZE THE PURPORTS OF MY BOOKS AND THEN SPEAK THEM IN YOUR OWN WORDS. DO NOT ADULTERATE OR CHANGE ANYTHING. THEN YOU WILL BE THE PERFECT PREACHER. You should also distribute our books as far as possible. If you do this sincerely, then you will be successful.
Note:If one thinks that there are many pseudo devotees or nondevotees in the Krsna Consciousness Society, one can keep direct company with the spiritual master Srila Prabhupada our BONA FIDE DIKSA GURU:
Madhya 19.157 Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Instructs Srila Rupa Gosvami
IF ONE THINKS THAT THERE ARE MANY PSEUDO DEVOTEES OR NONDEVOTEES IN THE KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS SOCIETY, ONE CAN KEEP DIRECT COMPANY WITH THE SPIRITUAL MASTER, and if there is any doubt, one should consult the spiritual master. However, unless one follows the spiritual master’s instructions and the regulative principles governing chanting and hearing the holy name of the Lord, one cannot become a pure devotee. By one’s mental concoctions, one falls down. By associating with nondevotees, one breaks the regulative principles and is thereby lost. In the Upadesamrta of Srila Rupa Gosvami, it is said:
atyaharah prayasas ca
prajalpo niyamagrahah
jana-sangas ca laulyam ca
sadbhir bhaktir vinasyati
Madhya 19.157 Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Instructs Srila Rupa Gosvami
“One’s devotional service is spoiled when he becomes too entangled in the following six activities: (1) eating more than necessary or collecting more funds than required, (2) overendeavoring for mundane things that are very difficult to attain, (3) talking unnecessarily about mundane subject matters, (4) practicing the scriptural rules and regulations only for the sake of following them and not for the sake of spiritual advancement, or rejecting the rules and regulations of the scriptures and working independently or whimsically, (5) associating with worldly-minded persons who are not interested in Krsna consciousness, and (6) being greedy for mundane achievements.”
modes of nature. Karanam guna-sangah asya sad-asad-janma-yonisu.
Note: you can DIRECTLY associate with Srila Prabhupada by reading his books:
721020ND.VRN Lectures
But in this life, if we develop Krsna consciousness by association of devotees… As Narottama dasa Thakura has sung, tandera carana-sevi-bhakta-sane vasa. One’s aim of life should be to serve the acaryas. Acarya upasanam. So our acarya in the Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya, the sri-rupa sanatana bhatta-raghunatha, sri-jiva gopala-bhatta dasa-raghunatha, the Six Gosvamins, and if we associate with them… THIS BOOK, NECTAR OF DEVOTION, BHAKTI-RASAMRTA-SINDHU, IF YOU READ REGULARLY, TRY TO UNDERSTAND, THIS MEANS YOU ARE ASSOCIATING WITH SRILA RUPA GOSVAMI DIRECTLY. AND IF YOU ACT ACCORDINGLY, THEN YOU ARE SERVING THEIR LOTUS FEET. TANDERA CARANA-SEVI-BHAKTA-SANE VASA.
730513mw.la Conversations
Paramahamsa: Srila Prabhupada, when you are not present with us, how is it possible to receive instructions, for example, on questions that may arise?
Prabhupada: Well, the questions… ANSWERS ARE THERE IN MY BOOKS.
Paramahamsa: Other than that, for example, that we would ask you in…
Prabhupada: Yes.
Paramahamsa: DO YOU DIRECT US ALSO THROUGH THE HEART? BESIDES THE PARAMATMA?
Prabhupada: IF YOUR HEART IS PURE. EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON PURITY.
740611mw.par Conversations
Paramahamsa: My question is: A pure devotee, when he comments Bhagavad-gita, someone who never sees him physically, but he just comes in contact with his commentary, explanation, is this the same thing?
Prabhupada: YES. You can associate with Krsna by reading Bhagavad-gita. And these saintly persons, they have given their explanations, comments. So where is the difficulty? Everyone is helping you.
721020ND.VRN Lectures
But in this life, if we develop Krsna consciousness by association of devotees… As Narottama dasa Thakura has sung, tandera carana-sevi-bhakta-sane vasa. One’s aim of life should be to serve the acaryas. Acarya upasanam. So our acarya in the Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya, the sri-rupa sanatana bhatta-raghunatha, sri-jiva gopala-bhatta dasa-raghunatha, the Six Gosvamins, and if we associate with them… THIS BOOK, NECTAR OF DEVOTION, BHAKTI-RASAMRTA-SINDHU, IF YOU READ REGULARLY, TRY TO UNDERSTAND, THIS MEANS YOU ARE ASSOCIATING WITH SRILA RUPA GOSVAMI DIRECTLY. AND IF YOU ACT ACCORDINGLY, THEN YOU ARE SERVING THEIR LOTUS FEET. Tandera carana-sevi-bhakta-sane vasa. And unless you are associated with devotees, you will not be able to understand the import of the writings of Srila Rupa Gosvami.
750807mw.tor Conversations
Prabhupada: So in my absence you read the books. What I talk, I have written in the books. That’s all.
Indian Man (2): Personally, we think more greater.
Prabhupada: That’s all right. BUT STILL, YOU CAN ASSOCIATE WITH ME BY READING MY BOOKS.
Pramanta : Furthermore, he argued that if we can take initiation from Srila Prabhupada then why we cannot take initiation from superior acaryas such as Rupa Gosvami or even Lord Krishna?
Mahesh: What they are talking about is jumping over the Acarya:
Jumping over either way:
a) WHY should they JUMP OVER the PROMINENT ACARYA Srila Prabhupada bearing in mind GAPS in the Disciplic succession of ACARYAS are acceptable?
b) Nobody can Jump over PROMINENT ACARYA Srila Prabhupada to get diksa from Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura.
Srila Prabhupada’s Lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam, December 8, 1973, Los Angeles:
“You cannot imagine what my spiritual master said. Or even if you read some books, you cannot understand UNLESS YOU UNDERSTAND IT FROM ME. This is called parampara system. YOU CANNOT JUMP OVER TO THE SUPERIOR GURU, NEGLECTING THE NEXT ACARYA, IMMEDIATE NEXT ACARYA.”
Note: Srila Prabhupada IS the PROMINENT Acarya:
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Dayananda, April 12, 1968:
“Regarding parampara system: THERE IS NOTHING TO WONDER FOR BIG GAPS. Just like we belong to the Brahma Sampradaya, so we accept it from Krishna to Brahma, Brahma to Narada, Narada to Vyasadeva, Vyasadeva to Madhva, and between Vyasadeva and Madhva there is a big gap. But it is sometimes said that Vyasadeva is still living, and Madhva was fortunate enough to meet him directly. In a similar way, 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 Iksvaku; and so these gaps do not hamper from understanding the parampara system. WE HAVE TO PICK UP THE PROMINENT ACARYA, AND FOLLOW FROM HIM. There are many branches also from the parampara system, and it is not possible to record all the branches and sub-branches in the disciplic succession. We have to pick up from the authority of the acharya in whatever sampradaya we belong to.”
this is covered in detail :
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=46581
Please also read the following:
Srila Prabhupada IS Diksa Guru
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=43094#more-43094
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Only Maha-Bhagavata is Diksa Guru
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=41422#more-41422
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=46518#comment-45721
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Physically Present Diksa Guru
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=42978#comment-31641
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=42978#comment-31834
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WHEN I order
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=46581
http://harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/03-08/editorials2603.htm
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=42978#comment-31480
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Become Guru by Order, That’s All
http://harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/04-10/editorials5990.htm
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What We Have Heard from the Spiritual Master, That is Living
http://harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/08-10/editorials6409.htm
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Srila Prabhupada’s Disciple
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=46589#more-46589
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/12-07/editorials2265.htm
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Srila Prabhupada: I am in the initiator guru
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=12808#more-12808
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You can DIRECTLY associate with Srila Prabhupada by reading his books
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=43179#comment-38047
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Brief History of Guru Hoax in ISKCON
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/12-07/editorials2302.htm
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Prabhupada: RTVIK, YES.
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=39834#comment-28208
Ritvik System is Bonafide
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/02-09/editorials4085.htm
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Srila Prabhupada’s disciple
http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=43390#comment-32515
“These Books Initiate You Into The Transcendental science Of BHAKTI”
(Back to Godhead Magazine #44, 197?, p14)
Actually, the Anti Ritvik CROOKS can not win EITHER way with their “physical” argument.
The picture of Srila Prabhupada is ALSO physical. Srila Prabhupada Murti(form) is ALSO physical. And the Vyasa Puja offerings, Samsara Davanal Prayers(Sri Sri Gurv_astaka), Sri Guru Carana Padma (Sri Guru Vandana), nama om visnu padaya krsna-presthya bhutale srimate Bhaktivedanta svamin iti namine) Srila Prabhupada Pranati ALL these prayers are directed to Srila Prabhupada’s PHYSICAL form (murti) and photos.
72-09-04. Letter: Jadurani
THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ME AND MY PICTURE. Therefore we should honor and keep pictures in that spirit. If we throw pictures this way and that way, that is offence. The name and picture are as good as the person in spiritual world.
72-12-14. Letter: Tusta Krsna
Next you ask if I am present in my picture and form? YES. IN FORM AS WELL AS IN TEACHINGS.
Note: Srila Prabhupada’s books are physical you can read with your physical eyes. What’s the problem? Actually, the Anti Ritvik CROOKS hate Srila Prabhupada. They are VERY ENVIOUS of Srila Prabhupada. They are just making EXCUSES to REPLACE Srila Prabhupada with themselves:
Adi 1.35 The Spiritual Masters
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 MASTER’S INSTRUCTIONS AND THE SPIRITUAL MASTER HIMSELF. IN HIS ABSENCE, THEREFORE, HIS WORDS OF DIRECTION SHOULD BE THE PRIDE OF THE DISCIPLE.
750807mw.tor Conversations
Prabhupada: So in my absence you read the books. What I talk, I have written in the books. That’s all.
Indian Man (2): Personally, we think more greater.
Prabhupada: That’s all right. BUT STILL, YOU CAN ASSOCIATE WITH ME BY READING MY BOOKS.
721020ND.VRN Lectures
But in this life, if we develop Krsna consciousness by association of devotees… As Narottama dasa Thakura has sung, tandera carana-sevi-bhakta-sane vasa. One’s aim of life should be to serve the acaryas. Acarya upasanam. So our acarya in the Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya, the sri-rupa sanatana bhatta-raghunatha, sri-jiva gopala-bhatta dasa-raghunatha, the Six Gosvamins, and if we associate with them… THIS BOOK, NECTAR OF DEVOTION, BHAKTI-RASAMRTA-SINDHU, IF YOU READ REGULARLY, TRY TO UNDERSTAND, THIS MEANS YOU ARE ASSOCIATING WITH SRILA RUPA GOSVAMI DIRECTLY. AND IF YOU ACT ACCORDINGLY, THEN YOU ARE SERVING THEIR LOTUS FEET. Tandera carana-sevi-bhakta-sane vasa. And unless you are associated with devotees, you will not be able to understand the import of the writings of Srila Rupa Gosvami.
730513mw.la Conversations
Paramahamsa: Srila Prabhupada, when you are not present with us, how is it possible to receive instructions, for example, on questions that may arise?
Prabhupada: Well, the questions… ANSWERS ARE THERE IN MY BOOKS.
Paramahamsa: Other than that, for example, that we would ask you in…
Prabhupada: Yes.
Paramahamsa: DO YOU DIRECT US ALSO THROUGH THE HEART? BESIDES THE PARAMATMA?
Prabhupada: IF YOUR HEART IS PURE. EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON PURITY.