THE SCIENCE OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICE

Bg 4.10 P Transcendental Knowledge
According to Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, the science of devotional service:

adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sango ‘tha bhajana-kriya
tato ‘nartha-nivrttih syat tato nistha rucis tatah
athasaktis tato bhavas tatah premabhyudancati
sadhakanam ayam premnah pradurbhave bhavet kramah

“In the beginning one must have a preliminary desire for self-realization. This will bring one to the stage of trying to associate with persons who are spiritually elevated. In the next stage one becomes initiated by an elevated spiritual master, and under his instruction the neophyte devotee begins the process of devotional service. By execution of devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master, one becomes free from all material attachment, attains steadiness in self-realization, and acquires a taste for hearing about the Absolute Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna. This taste leads one further forward to attachment for Krsna consciousness, WHICH IS MATURED IN BHAVA, OR THE PRELIMINARY STAGE OF TRANSCENDENTAL LOVE OF GOD. REAL LOVE FOR GOD IS CALLED PREMA, THE HIGHEST PERFECTIONAL STAGE OF LIFE.” IN THE PREMA STAGE THERE IS CONSTANT ENGAGEMENT IN THE TRANSCENDENTAL LOVING SERVICE OF THE LORD. So, by the slow process of devotional service, under the guidance of the bona fide spiritual master, one can attain the highest stage, being freed from all material attachment, from the fearfulness of one’s individual spiritual personality, and from the frustrations resulting from void philosophy. Then one can ultimately attain to the abode of the Supreme Lord.

Adi 7.83 Lord Caitanya in Five Features
In this attitude of constantly serving Krsna, which is called bhava, he always thinks of Krsna in many different ways. ONE WHO HAS ATTAINED THIS BHAVA STAGE IS NO LONGER UNDER THE CLUTCHES OF THE ILLUSORY ENERGY. When other spiritual ingredients, such as trembling, perspiration and tears, are added to this bhava stage, the devotee gradually attains love of Krsna.

Narada Bhakti Sutra 2

After following the regulative principles and purifying the material senses, one attains the stage of niṣṭhā, firm faith in the Lord. When a person has attained this stage, no one can deviate him from the conception of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. No one can persuade him that God is impersonal, without a form, or that any form created by imagination can be accepted as God. Those who espouse these more or less nonsensical conceptions of the Supreme Lord cannot dissuade him from firm faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa.
In the Bhagavad-gītā Lord Kṛṣṇa stresses in many verses that He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. But despite Lord Kṛṣṇa’s stressing this point, many so-called scholars and commentators still deny the personal conception of the Lord. One famous scholar wrote in his commentary on the Bhagavad-gītā that one does not have to surrender to Lord Kṛṣṇa or even accept Him as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but that one should rather surrender to “the Supreme within Kṛṣṇa.” Such fools do not know what is within and what is without. They comment on the Bhagavad-gītā according to their own whims. Such persons cannot be elevated to the highest stage of love of Godhead. The may be scholarly, and they may be elevated in other departments of knowledge, but they are not even neophytes in the process of attaining the highest stage of perfection, love of Godhead. Niṣṭhā implies that one should accept the words of Bhagavad-gītā, the words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as they are, without any deviation or nonsensi-cal commentary.
If a person is fortunate enough to vanquish all misgiv-ings caused by material existence and rise up to the stage of niṣṭhā, he can then rise to the stages of ruci (taste) and ĀSAKTI (ATTACHMENT FOR THE LORD). ĀSAKTI IS THE BEGINNING OF LOVE OF GODHEAD. BY PROGRESSING, ONE THEN ADVANCES TO THE STAGE OF RELISHING A RECIPROCAL EXCHANGE WITH THE LORD IN ECSTASY (BHĀVA). Every living entity is eternally related to the Supreme Lord, and this relationship may be in any one of many transcendental humors. AT THE STAGE CALLED ĀSAKTI, ATTACHMENT, A PERSON CAN UNDERSTAND HIS RELATION-SHIP WITH THE SUPREME LORD. When he understands his position, he begins reciprocating with the Lord. By constant reciprocation with the Lord, the devotee is elevated to the highest stage of love of Godhead, prema.

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Note: A MADHYAMA-ADHIKARI HAS RECEIVED SPIRITUAL INITIATION FROM THE SPIRITUAL MASTER AND HAS BEEN FULLY ENGAGED BY HIM IN THE TRANSCENDENTAL LOVING SERVICE OF THE LORD.** THIS IS DIKSA**.

Antya 4.192 T Sanatana Gosvami Visits the Lord at Jagannatha Puri:
DIKSA-KALE bhakta kare atma-samarpana
sei-kale krsna tare kare atma-sama
“At the time of initiation, when a devotee FULLY SURRENDERS UNTO THE SERVICE OF THE LORD, Krsna accepts him to be as good as Himself.

Antya 4.193 Sanatana Gosvami Visits the Lord at Jagannatha Puri:
“When the devotee’s body is thus transformed into spiritual existence, the devotee, in that transcendental body, renders SERVICE to the lotus feet of the Lord.

Antya 4.194 Sanatana Gosvami Visits the Lord at Jagannatha Puri:
“‘The living entity who is subjected to birth and death, when he gives up all material activities dedicating his life to Me for executing My order, and thus acts according to My direction, AT THAT TIME HE REACHES THE PLATFORM OF IMMORTALITY, AND BECOMES FIT TO ENJOY THE SPIRITUAL BLISS OF EXCHANGE OF LOVING MELLOWS WITH ME.’

NoI 5:
In order to intelligently apply the sixfold loving reciprocations mentioned in the previous verse, one must select proper persons with careful discrimination. Srila Rupa Gosvami therefore advises that we should meet with the Vaisnavas in an appropriate way, according to their particular status. In this verse he tells us how to deal with three types of devotees–the kanistha-adhikari, madhyama-adhikari and uttama-adhikari. The kanistha-adhikari is a neophyte who has received the hari-nama initiation from the spiritual master and is trying to chant the holy name of Krsna. One should respect such a person within his mind as a kanistha-vaisnava. A MADHYAMA-ADHIKARI HAS RECEIVED SPIRITUAL INITIATION FROM THE SPIRITUAL MASTER AND HAS BEEN FULLY ENGAGED BY HIM IN THE TRANSCENDENTAL LOVING SERVICE OF THE LORD. The madhyama-adhikari should be considered to be situated midway in devotional service. The uttama-adhikari, or highest devotee, is one who is very advanced in devotional service. An uttama-adhikari is not interested in blaspheming others, his heart is completely clean, and he has attained the realized state of unalloyed Krsna consciousness. According to Srila Rupa Gosvami, the association and service of such a maha-bhagavata, or perfect Vaisnava, are most desirable.s to act for everyone’s welfare.

Note: in this Srila Prabhupada makes a point of Initiation as a formality this is different from Madhyama Adhikaris receiving Diksa

761016iv.cha Conversation Interviewer: What is the procedure of the movement? Do you initiate yourself all the disciples or do your other disciples also do that?
Prabhupada: 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.

Whereas Srila Prabhupada DELIVERS by giving DIKSA knowledge the formality initiation(1st and 2nd Initiation ON BEHALF of Srila Prabhupada as per July 9th 1977 Ritvik Order) is conducted by the Ritvik Representatives of Acarya.

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

SB 4.5.7 S Frustration of the Sacrifice of Daksa
atha–at that time; RTVIJAH–THE PRIESTS; yajamanah–the chief person performing the sacrifice (Daksa); sadasyah–all the persons assembled in the sacrificial arena; kakubhi udicyam–in the northern direction; prasamiksya–seeing; renum–the dust storm; tamah–darkness; kim–what; etat–this; kutah–from where; etat–this; rajah–dust; abhut–has come; iti–thus; dvijah–the brahmanas; dvija-patnyah–the wives of the brahmanas; ca–and; dadhyuh–began to speculate.
TRANSLATION
At that time, all the persons assembled in the sacrificial arena–the priests, the chief of the sacrificial performance, and the brahmanas and their wives–wondered where the darkness was coming from. Later they could understand that it was a dust storm, and all of them were full of anxiety.

SB 4.5.18 S Frustration of the Sacrifice of Daksa
sarve–all; eva–certainly; RTVIJAH–THE PRIESTS; drstva–after seeing; sadasyah–all the members assembled in the sacrifice; sa-divaukasah–along with the demigods; taih–by those (stones); ardyamanah–being disturbed; su-bhrsam–very greatly; gravabhih–by stones; na ekadha–in different directions; adravan–began to disperse.
TRANSLATION
There was a continuous shower of stones, and all the priests and other members assembled at the sacrifice were put into immense misery. For fear of their lives, they dispersed in different directions.

SB 4.6.52 S Brahma Satisfies Lord Siva
devanam–of the demigods; bhagna-gatranam–whose limbs are badly broken; RTVIJAM–OF THE PRIESTS; ca–and; ayudha-asmabhih–by weapons and by stones; bhavata–by you; anugrhitanam–being favored; asu–at once; manyo–O Lord Siva (in an angry mood); astu–let there be; anaturam–recovery from injuries.
TRANSLATION
O Lord Siva, may the demigods and the priests whose limbs have been broken by your soldiers recover from the injuries by your grace.

SB 4.7.16 S The Sacrifice Performed by Daksa
maitreyah–the sage Maitreya; uvaca–said; ksama–forgiveness; apya–receiving; evam–thus; sah–King Daksa; midhvamsam–unto Lord Siva; brahmana–along with Lord Brahma; ca–also; anumantritah–being permitted; karma–the sacrifice; santanayam asa–began again; sa–along with; upadhyaya–learned sages; RTVIK–THE PRIESTS; adibhih–and others.

TRANSLATION
The great sage Maitreya said: Thus being pardoned by Lord Siva, King Daksa, with the permission of Lord Brahma, again began the performance of the yajna, along with the great learned sages, the priests and others.

SB 4.7.27 S The Sacrifice Performed by Daksa
RTVIJAH–THE PRIESTS; ucuh–began to say; tattvam–truth; na–not; te–of Your Lordship; vayam–all of us; ananjana–without material contamination; rudra–Lord Siva; sapat–by his curse; karmani–in fruitive activities; avagraha–being too much attached; dhiyah–of such intelligence; bhagavan–O Lord; vidamah–know; dharma–religion; upalaksanam–symbolized; idam–this; tri-vrt–the three departments of knowledge of the Vedas; adhvara–sacrifice; akhyam–of the name; jnatam–known to us; yat–that; artham–for the matter of; adhidaivam–for worshiping the demigods; adah–this; vyavasthah–arrangement.

TRANSLATION
The priests addressed the Lord, saying: O Lord, transcendental to material contamination, by the curse offered by Lord Siva’s men we have become attached to fruitive activities, and thus we are now fallen and therefore do not know anything about You. On the contrary, we are now involved in the injunctions of the three departments of the Vedic knowledge under the plea of executing rituals in the name of yajna. We know that You have made arrangements for distributing the respective shares of the demigods.

SB 4.7.45 S The Sacrifice Performed by Daksa
brahmanah–the brahmanas; ucuh–said; tvam–You; kratuh–sacrifice; tvam–You; havih–offering of clarified butter; tvam–You; huta-asah–fire; svayam–personified; tvam–You; hi–for; mantrah–the Vedic hymns; samit-darbha-patrani–the fuel, the kusa grass and the sacrificial pots; ca–and; tvam–You; sadasya–the members of the assembly; RTVIJAH–THE PRIESTS; dampati–the chief person of the sacrifice and his wife; devata–demigods; agni-hotram–the sacred fire ceremony; svadha–the offering to the forefathers; somah–the soma plant; ajyam–the clarified butter; pasuh–the sacrificial animal.

TRANSLATION
The brahmanas said: Dear Lord, You are sacrifice personified. You are the offering of clarified butter, You are the fire, You are the chanting of Vedic hymns by which the sacrifice is conducted, You are the fuel, You are the flame, You are the kusa grass, and You are the sacrificial pots. You are the priests who perform the yajna, You are the demigods headed by Indra, and You are the sacrificial animal. Everything that is sacrificed is You or Your energy.

SB 4.13.26 S Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Maharaja
tam–unto King Anga; ucuh–said; vismitah–in wonder; tatra–there; yajamanam–to the institutor of the sacrifice; atha–then; RTVIJAH–THE PRIESTS; havimsi–offerings of clarified butter; huyamanani–being offered; na–not; te–they; grhnanti–accept; devatah–the demigods.

TRANSLATION
The priests engaged in the sacrifice then informed King Anga: O King, we are properly offering the clarified butter in the sacrifice, but despite all our efforts the demigods do not accept it.

SB 4.19.27 S King Prthu’ s One Hundred Horse Sacrifices
tam–King Prthu; RTVIJAH–THE PRIESTS; sakra-vadha–killing the King of heaven; abhisandhitam–thus preparing himself; vicaksya–having observed; duspreksyam–terrible to look at; asahya–unbearable; ramhasam–whose velocity; nivarayam asuh–they forbade; aho–oh; maha-mate–O great soul; na–not; yujyate–is worthy for you; atra–in this sacrificial arena; anya–others; vadhah–killing; pracoditat–from being so directed in the scriptures.

TRANSLATION
When the priests and all the others saw Maharaja Prthu very angry and prepared to kill Indra, they requested him: O great soul, do not kill him, for only sacrificial animals can be killed in a sacrifice. Such are the directions given by sastra.

SB 4.19.29 S King Prthu’ s One Hundred Horse Sacrifices
iti–thus; amantrya–after informing; kratu-patim–King Prthu, the master of the sacrifice; vidura–O Vidura; asya–of Prthu; RTVIJAH–THE PRIESTS; rusa–in great anger; sruk-hastan–with the sacrificial ladle in hand; juhvatah–performing the fire sacrifice; abhyetya–having begun; svayambhuh–Lord Brahma; pratyasedhata–asked them to stop.

TRANSLATION
My dear Vidura, after giving the King this advice, the priests who had been engaged in performing the sacrifice called for Indra, the King of heaven, in a mood of great anger. When they were just ready to put the oblation in the fire, Lord Brahma appeared on the scene and forbade them to start the sacrifice.

SB 5.3.2 S Rsabhadeva’ s Appearance in the Womb of Merudevi, the Wife of King Nabhi
tasya–when he (Nabhi); ha vava–certainly; sraddhaya–with great faith and devotion; visuddha-bhavena–with a pure, uncontaminated mind; yajatah–was worshiping; pravargyesu–while the fruitive activities called pravargya; pracaratsu–were being performed; dravya–the ingredients; desa–place; kala–time; mantra–hymns; RTVIK–PRIESTS CONDUCTING THE CEREMONY; daksina–gifts to the priests; vidhana–regulative principles; yoga–and of the means; upapattya–by the performance; duradhigamah–not obtainable; api–although; bhagavan–the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhagavata-vatsalyataya–because of His being very affectionate to His devotee; su-pratikah–possessing a very beautiful form; atmanam–Himself; aparajitam–not to be conquered by anyone; nija-jana–of His devotee; abhipreta-artha–the desire; vidhitsaya–to fulfill; grhita-hrdayah–His heart being attracted; hrdayangamam–captivating; manah-nayana-anandana–pleasing to the mind and eyes; avayava–by the limbs; abhiramam–beautiful; aviscakara–manifested.

TRANSLATION
In the performance of a sacrifice, there are seven transcendental means to obtain the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead: (1) by sacrificing valuable things or eatables, (2) by acting in terms of place, (3) by acting in terms of time, (4) by offering hymns, (5) by going through the priest, (6) by offering gifts to the priests and (7) by observing the regulative principles. However, one cannot always obtain the Supreme Lord through this paraphernalia. Nonetheless, the Lord is affectionate to His devotee; therefore when Maharaja Nabhi, who was a devotee, worshiped and offered prayers to the Lord with great faith and devotion and with a pure uncontaminated mind, superficially performing some yajna in the line of pravargya, the kind Supreme Personality of Godhead, due to His affection for His devotees, appeared before King Nabhi in His unconquerable and captivating form with four hands. In this way, to fulfill the desire of His devotee, the Supreme Personality of Godhead manifested Himself in His beautiful body before His devotee. This body pleases the mind and eyes of the devotees.

SB 5.3.3 S Rsabhadeva’ s Appearance in the Womb of Merudevi, the Wife of King Nabhi
atha–thereafter; ha–certainly; tam–Him; aviskrta-bhuja-yugala-dvayam–who manifested Himself with four arms; hiranmayam–very bright; purusa-visesam–the topmost of all living beings, Purusottama; kapisa-kauseya-ambara-dharam–wearing a yellow silk garment; urasi–on the chest; vilasat–beautiful; srivatsa–called Srivatsa; lalamam–possessing the mark; dara-vara–by a conchshell; vana-ruha–lotus flower; vana-mala–garland of forest flowers; acchuri–disc; amrta-mani–the Kaustubha gem; gada-adibhih–and by a club and other symbols; upalaksitam–symptomized; sphuta-kirana–radiant; pravara–excellent; mukuta–helmet; kundala–earrings; kataka–bracelets; kati-sutra–girdle; hara–necklace; keyura–armlets; nupura–ankle bells; adi–and so on; anga–of the body; bhusana–with ornaments; vibhusitam–decorated; RTVIK–THE PRIESTS; sadasya–associates; grha-patayah–and King Nabhi; adhanah–poor persons; iva–like; uttama-dhanam–a great treasure; upalabhya–having achieved; sa-bahu-manam–with great regard; arhanena–with ingredients for worship; avanata–bent; sirsanah–their heads; upatasthuh–worshiped.

TRANSLATION
Lord Visnu appeared before King Nabhi with four arms. He was very bright, and He appeared to be the best of all personalities. Around the lower portion of His body, He wore a yellow silken garment. On His chest was the mark of Srivatsa, which always displays beauty. He carried a conchshell, lotus flower, disc and club, and He wore a garland of forest flowers and the Kaustubha gem. He was beautifully decorated with a helmet, earrings, bangles, belt, pearl necklace, armlets, ankle bells and other bodily ornaments bedecked with radiant jewels. Seeing the Lord present before them, King Nabhi and his priests and associates felt just like poor people who have suddenly attained great riches. They received the Lord and respectfully bent their heads and offered Him things in worship.

SB 5.3.4-5 S Rsabhadeva’ s Appearance in the Womb of Merudevi, the Wife of King Nabhi
RTVIJAH UCUH–THE PRIESTS SAID; arhasi–please (accept); muhuh–again and again; arhat-tama–O most exalted, worshipable person; arhanam–offering of worship; asmakam–of us; anupathanam–who are Your servants; namah–respectful obeisances; namah–respectful obeisances; iti–thus; etavat–so far; sat–by exalted personalities; upasiksitam–instructed; kah–what; arhati–is able (to make); puman–man; prakrti–of material nature; guna–of the modes; vyatikara–in the transformations; matih–whose mind (is absorbed); anisah–who is most incapable; isvarasya–of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; parasya–beyond; prakrti-purusayoh–the jurisdiction of the three modes of material nature; arvaktanabhih–which do not reach up to, or which are of this material world; nama-rupa-akrtibhih–by names, forms and qualities; rupa–of Your nature or position; nirupanam–ascertainment, perception; sakala–all; jana-nikaya–of mankind; vrjina–sinful actions; nirasana–which wipe out; sivatama–most auspicious; pravara–excellent; guna-gana–of the transcendental qualities; eka-desa–one part; kathanat–by speaking; rte—except.

SB 5.4.17 S The Characteristics of Rsabhadeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
dravya–the ingredients for performing yajna; desa–the particular place, a holy place or a temple; kala–the suitable time, such as springtime; vayah–the age, especially youth; sraddha–faith in goodness, not in passion and ignorance; RTVIK–THE PRIESTS; vividha-uddesa–worshiping different demigods for different purposes; upacitaih–enriched by; sarvaih–all kinds of; api–certainly; kratubhih–by sacrificial ceremonies; yatha-upadesam–according to the instruction; sata-krtvah–one hundred times; iyaja–He worshiped.

TRANSLATION
Lord Rsabhadeva performed all kinds of sacrifices one hundred times according to the instructions of the Vedic literatures. Thus He satisfied Lord Visnu in every respect. All the rituals were enriched by first-class ingredients. They were executed in holy places according to the proper time by priests who were all young and faithful. In this way Lord Visnu was worshiped, and the prasada was offered to all the demigods. Thus the functions and festivals were all successful.

SB 8.16.53 S Executing the Payo-vrata Process of Worship
acaryam–the spiritual master; jnana-sampannam–very advanced in spiritual knowledge; vastra-abharana-dhenubhih–with clothing, ornaments and many cows; tosayet–should satisfy; RTVIJAH–THE PRIESTS RECOMMENDED BY THE SPIRITUAL MASTER; ca eva–as well as; tat viddhi–try to understand that; aradhanam–worship; hareh–of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

TRANSLATION
One should satisfy the spiritual master [acarya], who is very learned in Vedic literature, and should satisfy his assistant priests [known as hota, udgata, adhvaryu and brahma]. One should please them by offering them clothing, ornaments and cows. This is the ceremony called visnu-aradhana, or worship of Lord Visnu.

SB 8.16.55 S Executing the Payo-vrata Process of Worship
daksinam–some contribution of money or gold; gurave–unto the spiritual master; dadyat–one should give; RTVIGBHYAH CA–and to the priests engaged by the spiritual master; yatha-arhatah–as far as possible; anna-adyena–by distributing prasada; asva-pakan–even to the candalas, persons habituated to eating the flesh of dogs; ca–also; prinayet–one should please; samupagatan–because they have assembled there for the ceremony.

TRANSLATION
One should satisfy the spiritual master and assistant priests by giving them cloth, ornaments, cows and also some monetary contribution. And by distributing prasada one should satisfy everyone assembled, including even the lowest of men, the candalas [eaters of dog flesh].

SB 8.18.22 S Lord Vamanadeva, the Dwarf Incarnation
te–all of them; RTVIJAH–THE PRIESTS; yajamanah–as well as Bali Maharaja, who had engaged them in performing the yajna; sadasyah–all the members of the assembly; hata-tvisah–decreased in their bodily effulgence; vamana-tejasa–by the brilliant effulgence of Lord Vamana; nrpa–O King; suryah–the sun; kila–whether; ayati–is coming; uta va–either; vibhavasuh–the fire-god; sanat-kumarah–the Kumara known as Sanat-kumara; atha–either; didrksaya–with a desire to observe; kratoh–the sacrificial ceremony.

TRANSLATION
O King, because of Vamanadeva’s bright effulgence, the priests, along with Bali Maharaja and all the members of the assembly, were robbed of their splendor. Thus they began to ask one another whether the sun-god himself, Sanat-kumara or the fire-god had personally come to see the sacrificial ceremony.

SB 9.4.23 S Ambarisa Maharaja Offended by Durvasa Muni
yasya–of whom (Maharaja Ambarisa); kratusu–in sacrifices (performed by him); girvanaih–with the demigods; sadasyah–members for executing the sacrifice; RTVIJAH–THE PRIESTS; janah–and other expert men; tulya-rupah–appearing exactly like; ca–and; animisah–with unblinking eyes like those of the demigods; vyadrsyanta–being seen; su-vasasah–well dressed with valuable garments.

TRANSLATION
In the sacrifice arranged by Maharaja Ambarisa, the members of the assembly and the priests [especially hota, udgata, brahma and adhvaryu] were gorgeously dressed, and they all looked exactly like demigods. They eagerly saw to the proper performance of the yajna.

SB 9.6.35-36 S The Downfall of Saubhari Muni
ije–he worshiped; ca–also; yajnam–the Lord of sacrifices; kratubhih–by great ritualistic performances; atma-vit–fully conscious by self-realization; bhuri-daksinaih–by giving large contributions to the brahmanas; sarva-deva-mayam–consisting of all the demigods; devam–the Lord; sarva-atmakam–the Supersoul of everyone; ati-indriyam–transcendentally situated; dravyam–ingredients; mantrah–chanting of the Vedic hymns; vidhih–regulative principles; yajnah–worshiping; yajamanah–the performer; tatha–with; RTVIJAH–THE PRIESTS; dharmah–religious principles; desah–the country; ca–and; kalah–the time; ca–also; sarvam–everything; etat–all these; yat–that which is; atmakam–favorable for self-realization.

TRANSLATION
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is not different from the auspicious aspects of great sacrifices, such as the ingredients of the sacrifice, the chanting of Vedic hymns, the regulative principles, the performer, the priests, the result of the sacrifice, the arena of sacrifice, and the time of sacrifice. Knowing the principles of self-realization, Mandhata worshiped that transcendentally situated Supreme Soul, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu, who comprises all the demigods. He also gave immense charity to the brahmanas, and thus he performed yajna to worship the Lord.

SB 9.13.3 S The Dynasty of Maharaja Nimi
nimih–Maharaja Nimi; calam–flickering, subject to end at any moment; idam–this (life); vidvan–being completely aware of this fact; satram–the sacrifice; arabhata–inaugurated; atmavan–self-realized person; RTVIGBHIH–BY PRIESTS; aparaih–other than Vasistha; tavat–for the time being; na–not; agamat–returned; yavata–so long; guruh–his spiritual master (Vasistha).

TRANSLATION
Maharaja Nimi, being a self-realized soul, considered that this life is flickering. Therefore, instead of waiting long for Vasistha, he began performing the sacrifice with other priests.

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.

770528me.vrn Conversations
Satsvarupa: Srila Prabhupada, we were all asked by the rest of the GBC to come to ask some questions. Most… These are the members of the original GBC as you first made it up. So our first question is about the GBC members. We want to know how long should they remain in office?
Prabhupada: They should remain for good.
Tamala Krsna: They should remain for good.
Prabhupada: Selected men are chosen, so they cannot be changed. Rather, if some competent man comes, he should be added. I shall recommend that Vasudeva become one of the GBC.
Tamala Krsna: Vasudeva is Deoji Punja. He’s the founder of our… He’s building the temple in Fiji.
Prabhupada: How many GBC’s are there already?
Tamala Krsna: Twenty-three.
Prabhupada: So add him. GBC is not to be changed.
Satsvarupa: But then, in the event that some present GBC member leaves, either leaves…
Prabhupada: Another should be elected.
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.
Satsvarupa: Then what is the relationship of that person who gives the initiation and the…
Prabhupada: He’s guru. He’s guru.
Satsvarupa: But he does it on your behalf.
Prabhupada: Yes. That is formality. Because in my presence one should not become guru, so on my behalf, on my order… Amara ajnaya guru hana. Be actually guru, but by my order.
Satsvarupa: So they may also be considered your disciples.
Prabhupada: Yes, they are disciples. Why consider? Who?
Tamala Krsna: No, he’s asking that these rtvik-acaryas, they’re officiating, giving diksa. Their… The people who they give diksa to, whose disciple are they?
Prabhupada: They’re his disciple.
Tamala Krsna: They’re his disciple.
Prabhupada: Who is initiating. He is granddisciple.
Satsvarupa: Yes.
Tamala Krsna: That’s clear.
Satsvarupa: Then we have a question concer…
Prabhupada: When I order, “You become guru,” he becomes regular guru. That’s all. He becomes disciple of my disciple. That’s it

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The Ritvik System July 9th 1977 Order is set out by Srila Prabhupada of how he wanted this continued: Srila Prabhupada stated specifically in his WILL:..”PROVIDED THE NEW DIRECTOR is MY INITIATED DISCIPLE following strictly all the rules and regulations of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness as detailed in my books”

“The executive directors who have herein been designated are appointed for life. In the event of death or failure to act for any reason of any of the said directors, a successor director or directors may be appointed by the remaining directors, PROVIDED THE NEW DIRECTOR is MY INITIATED DISCIPLE following strictly all the rules and regulations of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness as detailed in my books, and provided that there are never less than three (3) or more than five (5) exeutive directors acting at one time.”

Note: if they do not follow the WILL then HOW will they continue in future????
They can NOT disregard the WILL which clearly states: PROVIDED THE NEW DIRECTOR is MY INITIATED DISCIPLE following strictly all the rules and regulations of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness as detailed in my books.

Note: Ritvik System is a System of management:… “THE SYSTEM OF MANAGEMENT WILL CONTINUE AS IT IS NOW AND THERE IS NO NEED OF ANY CHANGE. ”

2. Each temple will be an ISKCON property and will be managed by three executive directors. THE SYSTEM OF MANAGEMENT WILL CONTINUE AS IT IS NOW AND THERE IS NO NEED OF ANY CHANGE.

771008r2.vrn Conversations
Prabhupada: Don’t fight amongst yourselves. I HAVE GIVEN THE EXPLANATION, MY WILL. EXECUTE LIKE THAT.
Tamala Krsna: Yes, Srila Prabhupada.

 

(by Mahesh Raja)