Meaning of Initiation
gaurangasundar dasa
By:
Mahesvara Dasa
Srila Prabhupada: I am the initiator guru
This presentation is a direct challenge to those who oppose Srila
Prabhupada as Diksha Guru for ISKCON for as long as ISKCON exists.
The bogus GBC rubber-stamped “guru” proxies write in
http://harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/04-10/editorials6009.htm
“In the case of Srila Prabhupada's diksha disciples, a general order
to become spiritual master has been given many times by His Divine
Grace both orally and in writing. Therefore, all diksha disciples of
Srila Prabhupada who are properly following his instructions are in
fact already authorized and empowered to initiate disciples.”
In depth analysis of diksha follows for those devotees who have
genuine interest.
Letter: Bahurupa, November 22, 1974, Bombay
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.
Letter: Gurukripa, Yashodanandana, December 25, 1973, Los Angeles
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.
We are NOT talking of formality diksha.
Conversations, October 16, 1976, Chandigarh
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.
In my article: http://harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/04-10/editorials5990.htm
I provided proof they are NOT authorized by Srila Prabhupada.
If they were actually authorized by some previous “orders” they claim
to quote Srila Prabhupada “ordered” (general order) then WHY did they
have to go to Srila Prabhupada at the very end 1977 to seek THAT
authorization? This is when Srila Prabhupada said WHEN I order”. They
did NOT refer to past quotes of “general order” THEN from Srila
Prabhupada NO! They went to see Srila Prabhupada instead. WHY???
Bogus rubber-stamped guru supporters often say… "But Srila Prabhupada
did give general orders to be guru before 1977."
So if Srila Prabhupada gave general orders to be guru before 1977,
then WHY did Satsvarupa das and company go to Srila Prabhupada in
1977. They could have just said, WE GOT THE GENERAL ORDER. But they
did NOT do that. INSTEAD they went to Srila Prabhupada:
Conversations, May 28, 1977, Vrindavan
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 acharyas.
Tamala Krishna: Is that called ritvik-acharya?
Prabhupada: Ritvik, yes.
THE VERY FACT that they went to Srila Prabhupada in 1977 is SO OBVIOUS
that they were NOT AUTHORISED as guru BY SRILA PRABHUPADA—AT ALL! They
were so desperate they NEEDED -THAT- AUTHORIZATION. The resultant
concoction of Zonal "Acharyas" and their HYPOCRITICAL TYRANNY is
PROVEN track record that they were ALL LIARS.
And furthermore, Srila Prabhupada states clearly WHEN I order in 1977
NOT before. If it was accepted that in the past Srila Prabhupada
“generally ordered” then WHY did Srila Prabhupada say WHEN I order in
1977? Refer to my article:
http://harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/03-08/editorials2603.htm
Why did they present the devotees their so-called appointment tape if
they were so convinced that the “general order” quotes existed before
1977 are the accepted standard? In April 22 1977 Tamal Krishna
ADMITTED they were all conditioned souls – so HOW did they ALL become
Uttama Adhikari to give Diksha after November?
Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, Bombay, April 22, 1977
Prabhupada: What is the use of producing some rascal guru?
Tamala Krishna: Well, I have studied myself and all of your disciples,
and it's clear fact that we are all conditioned souls, so we cannot be
guru.
And—not a SINGLE ONE of their “Uttama Adhikaris” can be QUOTED like we
quote Srila Prabhupada for shastric reference. What’s happened? Lord
Krishna forgot to speak to them in the heart? No dictation from
Krishna? These imposter so-called gurus (opportunists) and their hired
proxies who speak for them are sahajiyas (who take things cheap).
Diksha for them is to bait someone for the money and free slavery.
They could NOT care less even for the gurukulis who were raped.
And what have these imposter uttama-adhikaris accomplished in
comparison to Srila Prabhupada the REAL Maha-bhagavata?
Letter: Madhudvisa, August 4, 1975, Detroit
The GBC should all be the instructor gurus. I am in the initiator
guru, and you should be the instructor guru by teaching what I am
teaching and doing what I am doing. This is not a title, but you must
actually come to this platform. This I want.
Analysis of Diksha in two stages:
Formality Initiation: Srila Prabhupada set up the Ritvik July 9th 1977
system of 1st and 2nd initiations. His specific order was that the
initiated disciples were his and all they were to do was act in the
status of Representative of the Acharya.
Srila Prabhupada IS Founder AND Acharya OF ISKCON (Refer to hyphen in
between Founder-Acharya in all his books and documents:
ISKCON Founder (HYPHEN) Acharya A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Other terms used in context: Deputies, Ritvik Acharya, Officiating
Acharya, Ritvik. Details: http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/10-07/editorials2084.htm
2) Diksha given at the stage of Madhyama Adhikari. Further reference:
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/11-07/editorials2223.htm
The question of WHOSE disciples are they in ISKCON should not even
arise for a very simple reason: the person who is GIVING discipline IS
Srila Prabhupada. It is Srila Prabhupada who is disciplining ALL by
HIS books, CDs, Tapes.
Even the MOST BASIC - four regulative principles and chanting the
SPECIFIC 16 rounds of Hare Krishna maha mantra:
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama,
Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, come FROM Srila Prabhupada. WHAT
other discipline is NOT covered by Srila Prabhupada? SRILA PRABHUPADA
HAS COVERED EVERYTHING.
Consequently, ANY disciple who follows these disciplines ARE Srila
Prabhupada’s disciples - de facto.
Conversations, March 8, 1976, Mayapur
Prabhupada: Discipline... Disciple means discipline. The word
discipline comes from disciple, or disciple comes from discipline. So
unless there is discipline, there is no question of disciple. This
discipline must... That should be uniform. Otherwise, sisya... Sisya,
the word sisya, it comes from the root, verb, sas-dhatu. Sas. Sas
means ruling. From this word, sasana. Sasana means government. Sastra.
Sastra means weapon, and sastra, scripture, and sisya... These things
have come from the one root sas-dhatu. So sas-dhatu means ruling under
discipline. There is another English word, that "Obedience is the
first law of discipline," or something. They say, "Obedience is the
first law of discipline"? So I am right? "Obedience is..."? That is
the...
Tamala Krishna: Yes, that's more or less what it is.
Prabhupada: No, what is the word, exact. There is an English word.
"Obedience is the first law of discipline." So unless there is
obedience, there cannot be any discipline. And unless there is
discipline, there is no question of disciple. Disciple means one who
follows the discipline.
Further details:
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/12-07/editorials2265.htm
Note: There are two factors which take place in the RECIPIENT of
Diksha (MADHYAMA ADHIKARI). Karma is burned off at Madhyama adhikari
stage – at this stage the constitutional position specific
relationship with Krishna (Svarupa) – DIVYA JANA - TRANSCENDENTAL
KNOWLEDGE of dasya, sakhya, vatsalya, madhuyra) is understood. divya
jnana hrde prakasito. Reaching this stage may even take many life
times. bahunam janmanam ante (Bg 7.19). Our only hope in this
dangerous ocean of repeated birth and death is Srila Prabhupada. Janme
Janme prabhu sei. Birth after birth our spiritual master Srila
Prabhupada is there to guide us back home. Diksha is not so cheap as
the sahajiyas of bogus GBC guru club and their proxies (who speak for
them) would have you believe. First, let us come to level of acquiring
FULLY QUALIFIED brahmana qualities even at this point he is Kanistha
adhikari at this stage one TRIES to chant Offenseless stage - from
that we have to transcend the mode mixed sattva guna to suddha sattva
PURE goodness Vaishnava platform in which at the stage of Madhyama
there is SPIRITUAL INITIATION (Diksha).
Madhya 15.108 The Lord Accepts Prasada at the House of Sarvabhauma
Bhattacharya
Srila Jiva Gosvami explains diksha in his Bhakti-sandarbha
(283):
divyam jnanam yato dadyat
kuryat papasya sanksayam
tasmad dikseti sa prokta
desikais tattva-kovidaih
"Diksha is the process by which one can awaken his transcendental
knowledge and vanquish all reactions caused by sinful activity. A
person expert in the study of the revealed scriptures knows this
process as diksha."
Madhya 4.111, Sri Madhavendra Puri' s Devotional Service
Diksha actually means initiating a disciple with transcendental
knowledge by which he becomes freed from all material contamination.
So here we see from above definition of Diksha quotes:
1) Transcendental Knowledge awakened, initiated
2) Becomes freed from all material contamination; vanquish all
reactions caused by sinful activity
One who has attained bhava is certainly not contaminated by material
nature
- Teachings of Lord Chaitanya, 19
Note: Madhyama adhikari diksha stage is safe in sense that one is
properly initiated; he sees Krishna and simultaneously his
constitutional position (svarupa). When the sun rises you see the sun
and yourself – this process is self-realization. The chain of
fruitive actions is terminated when one sees the self as master (SB
1.2.21). Development of this knowledge of the eternal servitorship of
the Lord is compared to fire. Such a fire, once kindled, can burn up
all kinds of reactions to work. ”… he has burned up the reactions of
his work by *perfect knowledge of his constitutional position as the
eternal servitor* of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” (Bg 4.19)
The bonafide spiritual master is UTTAMA ADHIKARI (maha bhagavata).
Nectar of Instruction, 7
Although maya may be present, it cannot disturb a devotee once he
attains the bhava stage. This is because the devotee can see the real
position of maya. Maya means forgetfulness of Krishna, and
forgetfulness of Krishna and Krishna consciousness stand side by side
like light and shadow. If one remains in shadow, he cannot enjoy the
facilities offered by light, and if one remains in light, he cannot be
disturbed by the darkness of shadow.
Although, the Kanistha may be FULLY QUALIFIED brahmana he still is a
conditioned soul under the dictates of maya governed by the mixed mode
of Goodness – this is still karma activities (fruitive act) this
means, “A person who is not properly initiated can descend again into
the animal species." However, in the Madhyama adhikari stage he is OUT
of that conditioning he is PROPERLY INITIATED by the bonafide
spiritual master Uttama Adhikari.
Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.22 Prayers by the Demigods for Lord Krishna in
the Womb
yavat kriyas tavad idam mano vai
karmatmakam yena sarira-bandhah
(Bhag. 5.5.5)
In the bodily concept of life, a person is karmanubandha, or
conditioned by karma, and as long as the mind is absorbed in karma,
one must accept a material body. Sarira-bandha, bondage to the
material body, is a source of misery (klesa-da).
Madhya 15.108 The Lord Accepts Prasada at the House of Sarvabhauma
Bhattacharya
"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."
Lectures, February 11, 1976, Mayapur
In the madhyama-adhikari he can see four things. What is that? Four
things means, first of all the Supreme Lord, isvara, the controller,
he can see. He can see means he understands, he appreciates, he can
conceive, "Yes, the Supreme Lord is there". There is no more
theoretical.
Letter: Vilasavigraha, January 22, 1969, Los Angeles
In regard to your next question, self realization means God
realization, and God realization means self realization. Just like to
see the sun means to see oneself, and to see oneself means to see the
sun. Self realization depends completely upon God realization, or else
it is not complete. One must know his relationship to the Absolute
Truth to fully know his position.
Teachings of Lord Chaitanya 19, Further Talks with Prakashananda
The transcendental ecstatic attachment for Krishna which results from
perfectly understanding that Krishna's person and name are identical
is called bhava. One who has attained bhava is certainly not
contaminated by material nature. He actually enjoys transcendental
pleasure from bhava, and when bhava is intensified, it is called love
of Godhead.
Adi 7.83 Lord Chaitanya in Five Features
In this verse it is explained that one who chants the Hare Krishna
mantra develops bhava, ecstasy, which is the point at which revelation
begins. It is the preliminary stage in developing one's original love
for God.
Note: maha-bhagavata is on the stage of prema bhakti (love for
Godhead). He is the person who can give DIKSHA.
Madhya 24.330 The Sixty-One Explanations of the Atmarama Verse
maha-bhagavata-srestho
brahmano vai gurur nrnam
sarvesam eva lokanam
asau pujyo yatha harih
The guru MUST be situated on the topmost platform of devotional
service. There are three classes of devotees, and the guru MUST be
accepted from the topmost class.
Note: Graphical illustration of Diksha. Srila Prabhupada shows HOW
diksha takes place. Point to note is that Vasudeva was on suddha-
sattva. Unalloyed goodness. This is WHY he was able to initiate
Devaki.
Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.18 Prayers by the Demigods for Lord Krishna in
the Womb
TRANSLATION
Thereafter, accompanied by plenary expansions, the fully opulent
Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is all-auspicious for the entire
universe, was transferred from the mind of Vasudeva to the mind of
Devaki. Devaki, having thus been initiated by Vasudeva, became
beautiful by carrying Lord Krishna, the original consciousness for
everyone, the cause of all causes, within the core of her heart, just
as the east becomes beautiful by carrying the rising moon.
PURPORT
As indicated here by the word manastah, the Supreme Personality of
Godhead was TRANSFERRED from the core of Vasudeva's mind or heart to
the core of the heart of Devaki. We should note carefully that the
Lord was TRANSFERRED to Devaki not by the ordinary way for a human
being, but by diksha, initiation. Thus the importance of initiation is
mentioned here. Unless one is initiated by the right person, who
always carries within his heart the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
one cannot acquire the power to carry the Supreme Godhead within the
core of one's own heart.
Srimad Bhagavatam 5.3.20 Rishabhadeva's Appearance in the Womb of
Merudevi, the Wife of King Nabhi:
Lord Vishnu descends in His suddha-sattva form. Suddha-sattva refers
to the sattva-guna which is never contaminated. In this material
world, even the mode of goodness (sattva-guna) is contaminated by
tinges of rajo-guna and tamo-guna. When sattva-guna is never
contaminated by rajo-guna and tamo-guna, it is called suddha-sattva.
Sattvam visuddham vasudeva-sabditam (Bhag. 4.3.23). That is the
platform of Vasudeva, whereby the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
Vasudeva, can be experienced
Note: APPARENTLY absent but factually Srila Prabhupada is ALWAYS
present in his books, his tapes, CDs, and his murti form. He is
POWERFUL to give Diksha as HE chooses:
Srimad Bhagavatam 2.9.8, Answers by Citing the Lord's Version
The potency of transcendental sound is never minimized because the
vibrator is apparently absent.
The Spiritual Masters, Adi 1.35
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.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.7.22
The spiritual master, BY HIS WORDS, CAN PENETRATE INTO THE HEART of
the suffering person and INJECT KNOWLEDGE TRANSCENDENTAL, which alone
can extinguish the fire of material existence.
Lectures, January 13, 1969, Los Angeles
...vani and vapu, and vapu means the physical body, and vani means the
vibration. So we are not concerned about the physical body. Not
concerned means... We are concerned, of course, because the spiritual
master, those who are acharyas, their body is not considered as
material. Arcye sila-dhir gurusu nara-matir. Just like the statue of
Krishna, to consider that "This is a stone..." Similarly, arcye sila-
dhir gurusu na... Gurusu means those who are acharyas, to accept their
body as ordinary man's body, this is denied in the shastras. 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: Factually, Karma is burned up when the devotee is on the
platform of understanding AND acting in his svarupa, constitutional
relationship with Krishna. The *initiation* referred in this context
is of the MADHYAMA adhikari. "(Nectar of Instruction 5) A madhyama-
adhikari has received *spiritual* initiation " This confirms with
Antya 4.192 please read below.
Further evidence to support this is (Nectar of Instruction 5) "and has
been *fully* engaged by him (spiritual master) in the *transcendental
loving service* of the Lord." This confirms with Antya 4.192 please
read below.
The mistake is made by devotees when they disregard this SPIRITUAL
INITIATION on the MADHYAMA ADHIKARI. THIS initiation is NOT formality.
This is transcendental knowledge (divya jnana or DIKSHA) Srila
Prabhupada is offering this to us all PROVIDED we come to surrender
unto His Divine Grace and chant PURE offenseless Hare Krishna. The
defect is many "devotees" do not want Srila Prabhupada as diksha guru
and therefore reject his diksha.
Kanistha is not fit for transcendental loving service yet -- because
even in the stage of fully qualified brahmana he is subject to
contamination in material mode of goodness. Brahmana has to transcend
the material mode of goodness (sattva) to come to the scientific
understanding, see, hear and experience Krishna. The Vaishnava
platform is superior in that he has attained this unalloyed position
of *loving* God (suddha sattva-- pure goodness). Krishna speaks to the
Vaishnava. There is LOVING reciprocation *exchange loving mellows*.
The spiritual master who FACTUALLY knows the science of Krishna
consciousness is MAHA BHAGAVATA (uttama adhikari).
'uttama-adhikari' sei taraye samsara (Cc. Madhya 22.65)
Uttama Adhikari delivers by definition.
Nectar of Instruction 5
In order to intelligently apply the six fold 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 Vaishnavas 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 Krishna. One should respect such a
person within his mind as a kanistha-vaishnava. 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 Krishna consciousness.
According to Srila Rupa Gosvami, the association and service of such a
maha-bhagavata, or perfect Vaishnava, are most desirable.
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
TRANSLATION
"At the time of initiation, when a devotee fully surrenders unto the
service of the Lord, Krishna accepts him to be as good as Himself.
TEXT 193
sei deha kare tara cid-ananda-maya
aprakrta-dehe tanra carana bhajaya
TRANSLATION
"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.
TEXT 194
martyo yada tyakta-samasta-karma
niveditatma vicikirsito me
tadamrtatvam pratipadyamano
mayatma-bhuyaya ca kalpate vai
TRANSLATION
" '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.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.29.34). At the time of
initiation, a devotee gives up all his material conceptions.
Therefore, being in touch with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he
is situated on the transcendental platform. Thus having attained
knowledge and the spiritual platform, he always engages in the service
of the spiritual body of Krishna. When one is freed from material
connections in this way, his body immediately becomes spiritual, and
Krishna accepts His service. However, Krishna does not accept anything
from a person with a material conception of life. When a devotee no
longer has any desire for material sense gratification, in his
spiritual identity he engages in the service of the Lord, for his
dormant spiritual consciousness awakens. This awakening of spiritual
consciousness makes his body spiritual, and thus he becomes fit to
render service to the Lord. Karmis may consider the body of a devotee
material, but factually it is not, for a devotee has no conception of
material enjoyment. If one thinks that the body of a pure devotee is
material, he is an offender, for that is a vaishnava-aparadha. In this
connection one should consult Srila Sanatana Gosvami's Brihad-
bhagavatamrita (1.3.45 and 2.3.139).
Note: the *transcendental* (above goodness) stage is Uttama thus when
one is acting in his eternal constitutional relationship (svarupa)
this is then UTTAMA adhikari. In contrast Madhyama is the middle stage
which enables one INITIATION (beginning): Leading to UTTAMA into
spiritual atmosphere to taste and exchange loving mellows with
Krishna. It is therefore actually the UTTAMA adhikari (transforming
from Madhyama) that relishes loving mellows with Krishna. This is my
understanding, because the words "thus transformed into spiritual
existence" is a good explanation how from Madhyama adhikari’s body
after initiation is transformed to render service on the
transcendental plane. The initiation of the Madhyama adhikari is NOT
static he moves forward into Uttama adhikari position after initiation
"in his spiritual identity he engages in the service of the Lord," .
"At the time of initiation, a devotee gives up all his material
conceptions. **Therefore, being in touch with the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, he is situated on the transcendental platform.** Thus
having attained knowledge and the spiritual platform, he always
engages in the service of the spiritual body of Krishna. When one is
freed from material connections in this way, his body **immediately**
becomes spiritual, and Krishna accepts His service."
ANTYA 4 TEXT 193
"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.
Bhagavad-gita 4.19 Transcendental Knowledge
yasya sarve samarambhah
kama-sankalpa-varjitah
jnanagni-dagdha-karmanam
tam ahuh panditam budhah
TRANSLATION
One is understood to be in full knowledge whose every act is devoid of
desire for sense gratification. He is said by sages to be a worker
whose fruitive action is burned up by the fire of perfect knowledge.
PURPORT
Only a person in full knowledge can understand the activities of a
person in Krishna consciousness. Because the person in Krishna
consciousness is devoid of all kinds of sense-gratificatory
propensities, it is to be understood that he has burned up the
reactions of his work by *perfect knowledge of his constitutional
position as the eternal servitor* of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. He is actually learned who has attained to such perfection of
knowledge. Development of this knowledge of the eternal servitorship
of the Lord is compared to fire. Such a fire, once kindled, can burn
up all kinds of reactions to work.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.20, Divinity and Divine Service
evam prasanna-manaso
bhagavad-bhakti-yogatah
bhagavat-tattva-vijnanam
mukta-sangasya jayate
TRANSLATION
Thus established in the mode of unalloyed goodness, the man whose mind
has been enlivened by contact with devotional service to the Lord
gains positive scientific knowledge of the Personality of Godhead in
the stage of liberation from all material association.
PURPORT
In the Bhagavad-gita (7.3) it is said that out of many thousands of
ordinary men, one fortunate man endeavors for perfection in life.
Mostly men are conducted by the modes of passion and ignorance, and
thus they are engaged always in lust, desire, hankerings, ignorance
and sleep. Out of many such manlike animals, there is actually a man
who knows the responsibility of human life and thus tries to make life
perfect by following the prescribed duties. And out of many thousands
of such persons who have thus attained success in human life, one may
know scientifically about the Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna. In
the same Bhagavad-gita (18.55) it is also said that scientific
knowledge of Sri Krishna is understood only by the process of
devotional service (bhakti-yoga).
The very same thing is confirmed herein in the above words. No
ordinary man, or even one who has attained success in human life, can
know scientifically or perfectly the Personality of Godhead.
Perfection of human life is attained when one can understand that he
is not the product of matter but is in fact spirit. And as soon as one
understands that he has nothing to do with matter, he at once ceases
his material hankerings and becomes enlivened as a spiritual being.
This attainment of success is possible when one is above the modes of
passion and ignorance, or, in other words, when one is actually a
brahmana by qualification. A brahmana is the symbol of sattva-guna, or
the mode of goodness. And others, who are not in the mode of goodness,
are either kshatriyas, vaishyas, shudras or less than the shudras. The
brahmanical stage is the highest stage of human life because of its
good qualities.
So one cannot be a devotee unless one at least qualifies as a
brahmana. The devotee is already a brahmana by action. But that is not
the end of it. As referred to above, such a brahmana has to become a
Vaishnava in fact to be actually in the transcendental stage. A pure
Vaishnava is a liberated soul and is transcendental even to the
position of a brahmana. In the material stage even a brahmana is also
a conditioned soul because although in the brahmanical stage the
conception of Brahman or transcendence is realized, scientific
knowledge of the Supreme Lord is lacking. One has to surpass the
brahmanical stage and reach the Vasudeva stage to understand the
Personality of Godhead Krishna. The science of the Personality of
Godhead is the subject matter for study by the postgraduate students
in the spiritual line. Foolish men, or men with a poor fund of
knowledge, do not understand the Supreme Lord, and they interpret
Krishna according to their respective whims. The fact is, however,
that one cannot understand the science of the Personality of Godhead
unless one is freed from the contamination of the material modes, even
up to the stage of a brahmana. When a qualified brahmana factually
becomes a Vaishnava, in the enlivened state of liberation he can know
what is actually the Personality of Godhead.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.21, Divinity and Divine Service
bhidyate hrdaya-granthis
chidyante sarva-samsayah
ksiyante casya karmani
drsta evatmanisvare
TRANSLATION
Thus the knot in the heart is pierced, and all misgivings are cut to
pieces. The chain of fruitive actions is terminated when one sees the
self as master.
PURPORT
Attaining scientific knowledge of the Personality of Godhead means
seeing one's own self simultaneously. As far as the identity of the
living being as spirit self is concerned, there are a number of
speculations and misgivings. The materialist does not believe in the
existence of the spirit self, and empiric philosophers believe in the
impersonal feature of the whole spirit without individuality of the
living beings. But the transcendentalists affirm that the soul and the
Supersoul are two different identities, qualitatively one but
quantitatively different. There are many other theories, but all these
different speculations are at once cleared off as soon as Sri Krishna
is realized in truth by the process of bhakti-yoga. Sri Krishna is
like the sun, and the materialistic speculations about the Absolute
Truth are like the darkest midnight. As soon as the Krishna sun is
arisen within one's heart, the darkness of materialistic speculations
about the Absolute Truth and the living beings is at once cleared off.
In the presence of the sun, the darkness cannot stand, and the
relative truths that were hidden within the dense darkness of
ignorance become clearly manifested by the mercy of Krishna, who is
residing in everyone's heart as the Supersoul.
In the Bhagavad-gita (10.11) the Lord says that in order to show
special favor to His pure devotees, He personally eradicates the dense
darkness of all misgivings by switching on the light of pure knowledge
within the heart of a devotee. Therefore, because of the Personality
of Godhead's taking charge of illuminating the heart of His devotee,
certainly a devotee, engaged in His service in transcendental love,
cannot remain in darkness. He comes to know everything of the absolute
and the relative truths. The devotee cannot remain in darkness, and
because a devotee is enlightened by the Personality of Godhead, his
knowledge is certainly perfect. This is not the case for those who
speculate on the Absolute Truth by dint of their own limited power of
approach. Perfect knowledge is called parampara, or deductive
knowledge coming down from the authority to the submissive aural
receiver who is bona fide by service and surrender. One cannot
challenge the authority of the Supreme and know Him also at the same
time. He reserves the right of not being exposed to such a challenging
spirit of an insignificant spark of the whole, a spark subjected to
the control of illusory energy. The devotees are submissive, and
therefore the transcendental knowledge descends from the Personality
of Godhead to Brahma and from Brahma to his sons and disciples in
succession. This process is helped by the Supersoul within such
devotees. That is the perfect way of learning transcendental
knowledge.
This enlightenment perfectly enables the devotee to distinguish spirit
from matter because the knot of spirit and matter is untied by the
Lord. This knot is called ahankara, and it falsely obliges a living
being to become identified with matter. As soon as this knot is
loosened, therefore, all the clouds of doubt are at once cleared off.
One sees his master and fully engages himself in the transcendental
loving service of the Lord, making a full termination of the chain of
fruitive action. In material existence, a living being creates his own
chain of fruitive work and enjoys the good and bad effects of those
actions life after life. But as soon as he engages himself in the
loving service of the Lord, he at once becomes free from the chain of
karma. His actions no longer create any reaction.
Note: the Ritvik system is an arrangement by Srila Prabhupada for the
person to become a kanistha adhikari a QUALIFIED brahmana - first. And
the neophyte is --a QUALIFIED brahmana. Then advance to become a
Vaishnava -- under the instructions of the initiator (Diksha guru)
Srila Prabhupada.
Conversations, February 14, 1977, Mayapur
Prabhupada: Vaishnava is not so easy. The varnashrama-dharma should be
established to become a Vaishnava. It is not so easy to become
Vaishnava.
Hari-sauri: No, it's not a cheap thing.
Prabhupada: Yes. Therefore this should be made. Vaishnava, to become
Vaishnava, is not so easy. If Vaishnava, to become Vaishnava is so
easy, why so many fall down, fall down? It is not easy. The sannyasa
is for the highest qualified brahmana. And simply by dressing like a
Vaishnava, that is... fall down.
Hari-sauri: So the varnashrama system is like for the kanisthas,
Kanistha-adhikari.
Prabhupada: Kanistha?
Hari-sauri: When one is only on the platform of neophyte.
Prabhupada: Yes. Yes. Kanistha-adhikari, yes.
Hari-sauri: Varnashrama system is beneficial.
Prabhupada: Kanistha-adhikari means he must be a brahmana. That is
kanistha-adhikari. The spiritual life, kanistha-adhikari, means he
must be a qualified brahmana. That is kanistha. What is esteemed as
very high position in the material world, brahmana, that is kanistha-
adhikari.
arcayam eva haraye
pujam yah sraddhayehate
na tad-bhaktesu canyesu
sa bhaktah prakrtah smrtah
The brahmana means from the material stage gradually he is elevated to
the spiritual stage. And below the brahmana there is no question of
Vaishnava.
Hari-sauri: No question of?
Prabhupada: Vaishnavism.
Conversations, February 6, 1976, Mayapur
Dayananda: But what about the persons who may be a little bit devoted
but who have not achieved that unalloyed devotion?
Prabhupada: Kanistha-adhikari. They are not devotees, but they are
called bhaktabhasa. There is some signs of bhakti. Actually they are
not bhakta. Bhaktabhasa. Abhasa. Abhasa means a simple, a little
light.
Hridayananda: So devotee really means one who has love for Krishna.
Prabhupada: Yes, unalloyed, without any condition. Anyabhilasita-
sunyam, zero, all other, that "I am this, I am that, I am jnani, I am
yogi, I am karmi, I am minister, I am king"--all these are thinking
like that, they're all nonsense. "I am servant of Krishna"--that is
greatness. Jivera svarupa haya nitya-krsna-dasa. That is self-
realization, atma-tattvam.
Madhya 20.59 Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Instructs Sanatana Gosvami
in the Science
PURPORT
This verse is spoken by Prahlada Maharaja in Srimad-Bhagavatam
(7.9.10). A brahmana is supposed to be qualified with twelve
qualities. As stated in the Mahabharata:
dharmas ca satyam ca damas tapas ca
amatsaryam hris titiksanasuya
yajnas ca danam ca dhrtih srutam ca
vratani vai dvadasa brahmanasya
"A brahmana must be perfectly religious. He must be truthful, and he
must be able to control his senses. He must execute severe
austerities, and he must be detached, humble and tolerant. He must not
envy anyone, and he must be expert in performing sacrifices and giving
whatever he has in charity. He must be fixed in devotional service and
expert in the knowledge of the Vedas. These are the twelve
qualifications for a brahmana."
Bhagavad-gita describes the brahmanical qualities in this way:
samo damas tapah saucam
ksantir arjavam eva ca
jnanam vijnanam astikyam
brahma-karma svabhava-jam
"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty,
wisdom, knowledge, and religiousness -- these are the qualities by
which the brahmanas work." (Bg. 18.42)
In the Muktaphala-tika, it is said:
samo damas tapah saucam
ksanty-arjava-virakta yah
jnana-vijnana-santosah
satyastikye dvisad gunah
"Mental equilibrium, sense control, austerity, cleanliness, tolerance,
simplicity, detachment, theoretical and practical knowledge,
satisfaction, truthfulness and firm faith in the Vedas are the twelve
qualities of a brahmana."
Lectures, August28, 1973, London
So first of all, we have to become brahmana. Then Vaishnava. Brahmana
simply knows that "I am spirit soul," aham brahmasmi. Brahma janati
iti brahmana. Brahma-bhutah prasannatma. By such knowledge one becomes
prasannatma. Means relieved. As you feel relief... When there is
burden on your head, and the burden is taken away you feel relieved,
similarly, this ignorance that "I am this body" is a great burden, a
burden upon us. So when you get out of this burden, then you feel
relieved. Brahma-bhutah prasannatma. Means when actually one
understands that "I am not this body; I am soul," then he has to work
so hard for maintaining this body, so he gets relief that "Why I am
working so hard for this lump of material things? Let me execute my
real necessity of life, spiritual life." That is great relief. That is
great relief. Brahma-bhutah prasannatma na socati na kanksati. The
relief means there is hankering, no more lamentation. These are the
brahma-bhutah.
Note: Srila Prabhupada is the ONE initiator spiritual master
Krishna Book 80, The Meeting of Lord Krishna with Sudama Brahmana
"If a man is sufficiently educated in student life under the guidance
of a proper teacher, then his life becomes successful in the future.
He can very easily cross over the ocean of nescience, and he is not
subjected to the influence of illusory energy. My dear friend,
everyone should consider his father to be his first teacher because by
the mercy of one's father one gets this body. The father is therefore
the natural spiritual master. Our next spiritual master is he who
initiates us into transcendental knowledge, and he is to be worshiped
as much as I am. The spiritual master may be more than one. The
spiritual master who instructs the disciples about spiritual matters
is called siksha-guru, and the spiritual master who initiates the
disciple is called diksha-guru. Both of them are My representatives.
There may be many spiritual masters who instruct, but the initiator
spiritual master is one.
ISKCON’S bogus sahajiya GBC conditioned soul rubber-stamped self-made
“gurus” are opportunists. They are after money and free slaves.
Conversations, June 28, 1976, New Vrindavan
Pusta Krishna: What about the so-called gurus that take a little bit
here and a little bit there?
Prabhupada: So-called gurus, they are so-called gurus. They are not
gurus. That is already explained. If one does not speak what Krishna
speaks, he is not guru. If you accept so-called guru, that is your
misfortune. What can be done?
Pusta Krishna: Some of them will say some things that Krishna says,
but they'll take from other places also. What is the position of such
persons?
Prabhupada: He's most dangerous. He's most dangerous. He is
opportunist. He's finding out customer, something here... According to
the customer he is giving something, as the customers will be pleased.
So he is not guru. He's a servant. He wants to serve the so-called
disciples so that he may be satisfied and pay him something. He's
servant. He's not guru. Guru is the master. You cannot disobey guru.
But if you become a servant, you want to please the disciple by
flattering him to get his money, then you are not guru, you are
servant. Just like a servant pleases the master. He's not guru. He's
servant. So our position should be servant, yes, but servant of the
Supreme. So guru means heavy. You cannot utilize him for satisfying
your whims. That is not guru.
Nectar of Devotion 7, Evidence Regarding Devotional Principles
The scripture known as Brahma-yamala states as follows: "If someone
wants to pose himself as a great devotee without following the
authorities of the revealed scriptures, then his activities will never
help him to make progress in devotional service. Instead, he will
simply create disturbances for the sincere students of devotional
service." Those who do not strictly follow the principles of revealed
scriptures are generally called sahajiyas -- those who have imagined
everything to be cheap, who have their own concocted ideas, and who do
not follow the scriptural injunctions. Such persons are simply
creating disturbances in the discharge of devotional service.
Often misquoted to justify cheap conditioned soul “gurus” manufactured
in ISKCON by the bogus GBC is:
Letter: Tusta Krishna, December 12, 1975
"Keep trained up very rigidly and then you are bona fide Guru, and you
can accept disciples on the same principle. But as a matter of
etiquette it is the custom that during the lifetime of your spiritual
master you bring the prospective disciples to him, and in his absence
or disappearance you can accept disciples without any limitation. This
is the law of disciplic succession. I want to see my disciples become
bona fide Spiritual Master and spread Krishna consciousness very
widely, that will make me and Krishna very happy."
“Rigidly” - this is not some cheap version of the bogus GBC
manufactured “gurus”. This is indicating UTTAMA ADHIKARI (maha
bhagavata Madhya 24.330) potency to make disciples “without any
limitation”. Srila Prabhupada’s BOOKS ARE MAKING disciples WITHOUT ANY
LIMITATION - which is going to go on for generations to come yet. THIS
is RIGIDLY. Many of us have NEVER lived in temple settings yet we
follow the DISCIPLINE of 4 regulative principles and chant 16 rounds
of Hare Krishna mantra from Srila Prabhupada’s DISCIPLINE IN HIS
BOOKS. All we ever got was the association of Srila Prabhupada’s
BOOKS. In regards to “This is the law of disciplic succession”. It
does NOT mean after Srila Prabhupada’s physical departure they are
automatically Maha-bhagavata with the capability to accept disciples
without limitation. BONAFIDE means GENUINE – refer to CC Madhya
24.330. “I want to see my disciples become bona fide Spiritual
Master”. The GBC rubber-stamped conditioned soul bogus gurus footbath
pukes have made a mockery of the system with the result of producing
boneheads not devotees. Neither are conditioned souls “guru” carcasses
graves “Samadhi” worshiped in holy dhama by sane persons. The
boneheads who worship conditioned souls bogus gurus are in mode of
ignorance.
Bhagavad-gita 17.4 Purport, The Divisions of Faith
Now, it is clearly described here that those who are in the mode of
passion worship and create such gods, and those who are in the mode of
ignorance, in darkness, worship dead spirits. Sometimes people worship
at the tomb of some dead man.
Further details:
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/12-07/editorials2265.htm
ISKCON’S conditioned soul bogus GBC rubber stamped gurus:
WHERE THE RITVIK PEOPLE ARE RIGHT
by H. H. Jayadvaita Swami, 1996
FACT: ISKCON gurus in good standing have fallen.
FACT: The ISKCON GBC has supported even fallen gurus and tried to
paper over their fall downs.
FACT: ISKCON gurus have opposed, oppressed and driven out many sincere
godbrothers and godsisters.
FACT: ISKCON gurus have usurped and misused money, and diverted other
ISKCON resources for their own personal prestige and sense
gratification.
FACT: ISKCON gurus have had illicit sexual intercourse with both women
and men, and possibly children as well.
FACT: Some ISKCON gurus still in good standing have had such serious
personal difficulties that the GBC has been obliged to suspend them
from initiating.
FACT: Other ISKCON gurus have snapped back into line only after
"narrow misses."
FACT: ISKCON gurus recently led a movement advocating a premature and
inappropriate emphasis on rasika-bhakti.
FACT: Some ISKCON devotees have felt obliged to accept a new guru
twice or even three times over.
Ron P Conroy
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