ONE'S
ULTIMATE SPIRITUAL MASTER
From: PSSHearing@prabhupada.freeserve.co.uk
(Mukunda dasa)
Date: 02.07.99
SRILA
PRABHUPADA IS ALWAYS THE INITIATOR
Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental books are his loud chanting
of the holy name. Such loud chanting is giving the people of the world Harinama
diksa. The ritvik acarya system should continue for the
rest of the golden age to formalise such mass initiation. This is the
verdict of Sadhu, Sastra and Guru
Regarding Sankirtana and book distribution, book distribution is also chanting.
Anyone who reads the books that is also chanting and hearing. Why distinguish
between chanting and book distribution? These books I have recorded and chanted,
and they are transcribed. It is spoken kirtanas. So book distribution is also
chanting. These are not ordinary books. It is recorded chanting. Anyone who
reads, he is hearing. Book distribution must not be neglected. (S.P.L. to Rupanuga
dasa, 19th October, 1974)
When a devotee is perfectly qualified in chanting the transcendental vibration
of the holy name, he is quite fit to become a spiritual master and to deliver
all the people of the world. The chanting of the holy name is so powerful that
it gradually establishes its supremacy above everything in the world. The devotee
who chants it becomes transcendentally situated in ecstasy and sometimes laughs,
cries and dances in his ecstasy. Sometimes the unintelligent put hindrances
in the path of chanting this maha-mantra, but one who is situated on the platform
of love of Godhead chants the holy name loudly for all concerned. As a result
everyone becomes initiated in the chanting of the holy names--Hare Krsna, Hare
Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. (T.L.C.
Chapter 18)
SRILA PRABHUPADA'S BOOK DISRIBUTION: INITIATING THE WORLD
WITH THE HOLY NAME.
In this article we will be examining book distribution through the eyes of sadhu,
sastra and guru. In doing so we shall understand a little more deeply the purpose
of distributing Srila Prabhupada'a original and authorized books, and there
importance to the unity of Srila Prabhupada's society. The quotes we have presented
analyse what is actually happening when a conditioned soul receives one of Srila
Prabhupada books, and clearly defines that souls relationship to Srila Prabhupada.
Before we present these quotes let us hear from Srila Prabhupada on the importance
of distributing his books.
Please try to popularize this book throughout England as much as possible. Because
if these books are read, there is no doubt that many sincere souls shall be
attracted and will join you in your work for Krishna. So please try for selling
these books, it shall be considered as the greatest service. (S.P.L. to Gurudasa
1/12/68)
One Krishna book sold means we go forward one step in our Krishna Consciousness.
We should always remember this. (S.P.L. to Visnujana Maharaja 4th April 1971)
But in my heart I want that KRSNA book in small or large form, should be distributed
in every home who are English-speaking people. (S.P.L. to Karandhara May 17th
1971)
I am glad to hear that you are distributing nicely books and magazines. The
more we sell books, the more we advance in KC, and the more we help others to
have solid information how they may take advantage of their human form of life
and achieve the supreme perfection. So I want that you should now increase very
greatly this selling of books and literatures. (S.P.L. to Kulasekhara 20/1/72)
I am very glad to hear all the good news, especially that you want to sell books
more and more. That is the best preaching work; each book sold means there is
some practical effect of preaching, there is some tangible progress. So try
to sell books as many as possible in your country, and in this way, so long
you remain active but not for your personal sense-gratification, so long you
remain active only satisfying Krishna's senses, then this movement will be successful
without any doubt. As soon as someone wants to satisfy his own senses, then
he fails at everything. (S.P.L. to Kuruksetra 23/11/12)
Actually producing and distributing books is our most important engagement,
all other engagements culminate in this one end--distribution of books. (S.P.L.
to Tamala Krsna 27th July 1973)
I understand from Karandhara that you are one of the most staunch supporters
and workers for distributing our books and I assure you that it is the highest
service to my Guru Maharaja. Thank you very much. (S.P.L. to Trai dasa 8/12/73)
So I am always emphasizing book distribution. It is the better kirtana. It is
better than chanting. Of course chanting should not stop, but book distribution
is the best kirtana. (S.P.L. to Srutadeva dasa 24/10/74)
I am especially pleased at how you are distributing our books, particularly
to the schools and universities. This program is so important and should be
increased more and more. We want to flood the world over with our books. So
go on in this way and Krishna will surely bless you. (S.P.L. to Sri Govinda
21/1/71)
Actually this book production is most important, and you have pleased me very
much. Just go on and flood the whole world with these Krsna books. (S.P.L. to
Bali-mardana 8/873)
So I am very pleased with your activities. Now continue and increase. Everyone
will want our books. We will always have customers. This is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's
mercy. (S.P.L. to Ghanasyama 20/11/75)
Your report of the book distribution there is very encouraging. Make program
to distribute our books all over the world. Our books are being appreciated
by learned circles, so we should take advantage. Whatever progress we have made,
it is simply to distributing these books. So go on, and do not divert your mind
for a moment from this. (S.P.L. to Ramesvara dasa 11/10/74)
So that is the real preaching, selling books. Who can speak better than the
books? At least whoever buys, he will look over. If you have to sell books,
do it by hook or by crook. The real preaching is selling books. You should know
the tactic how to sell without irritating. What your lecture will do for three
minutes, but if he reads one page his life may be turned. (S.P.L. to Bali Marden
30th September 1972)
The results show that there is no limit to our book distribution. Our books
are qualified to be distributed unlimitedly. (S.P.L. to Ramesvara dasa 18/1/76)
The word kriyasu, meaning "by manual labor" or "by work," is important in this
verse. One should engage in practical service to the Lord. In our Krsna consciousness
movement, all our activities are concentrated upon distributing Krsna literature.
This is very important. One may approach any person and induce him to read Krsna
literature so that in the future he also may become a devotee. Such activities
are recommended in this verse. Kriyasu yas tvac-caranaravindayoh. Such activities
will always remind the devotees of the Lord's lotus feet. By fully concentrating
on distributing books for Krsna, one is fully absorbed in Krsna. This is samadhi.
(S.B 10.2.37)
These books are the life of human society. Others may be disturbed, but they
cannot disturb this Srimad-Bhagavatam. Let any man come, but here they cannot
touch. We are putting these books for deliberation before the topmost thinkers
of human society. Therefore, I have to see that in all languages all of our
books are published. If we strain, and if he takes one book home, some day people
will come to understand what valuable knowledge they have received. It is transcendental
literature. Nobody can challenge it. It is done so nicely, without any spot,
the spotless Purana. Please continue like this to print books in all the languages
for the benefit of suffering, misdirected humanity. (S.P.L. to Puranjana, 4th
May, 1976)
Please print as many books as possible, this is my real pleasure. By printing
these books of our Krsna Conscious philosophy in so many different languages
we can actually inject our movement into the masses of persons all over the
world, especially there in the western countries and we can literally turn whole
nations into Krsna Conscious nations. (S.P.L. to Hrdayananda Maharaja, 21st
December, 1974)
Anyway, print books, distribute profusely, and that will be the best preaching
work. What will your three minutes' preaching do?--but if they buy one book,
it may turn their life. (S.P.L. to Bhagavan 5th November, 1972)
Yes, that is a good proposal, print many many books in African language and
distribute widely, that is real preaching work. If you sell a book to someone,
that is better than your speaking to them--what will your three minutes' preaching
do? But if they read a book it may turn their life. (S.P.L. to Brahmananda,
3rd November, 1972)
Any devotee who has been fortunate enough to be an instrument in the hands of
Srila Prabhupada, by distributing one of his books to a conditioned soul, will
testify to a special taste in such a loving exchange. Let us try to understand
such an exchange through the eyes of sastra.
TRANSLATION
According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire
universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and
some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of
wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to
associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Krsna. By the mercy
of both Krsna and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the
creeper of devotional service.
PURPORT
When we speak of brahmanda, we refer to the whole universe, or to the cluster
of many millions of universes. In all universes, there are innumerable planets
and innumerable living entities upon those planets in the air and in the water.
There are millions and trillions of living entities everywhere, and they are
engaged by maya in suffering and enjoying the results of their fruitive activity
life after life. This is the position of the materially conditioned living entities.
Out of many of these living entities, if one is actually fortunate (bhagyavan),
he comes in contact with a bona fide spiritual master by Krsna's mercy. Krsna
is situated in everyone's heart, and if one desires something, Krsna fulfils
one's desire. If the living entity by chance or fortune comes in contact with
the Krsna consciousness movement and wishes to associate with that movement,
Krsna, who is situated in everyone's heart, gives him the chance to meet a bona
fide spiritual master. This is called guru-krsna-prasada. Krsna is prepared
to bestow His mercy upon all living entities, and as soon as a living entity
desires the Lord's mercy, the Lord immediately gives him an opportunity to meet
a bona fide spiritual master. Such a person is fortified by both Krsna and the
spiritual master. He is helped from within by Krsna and from without by the
spiritual master. Both are prepared to help the sincere living being become
free from this material bondage. (C.C. Mad. 19.151.)
Srila Prabhupada says "as soon as a living entity desires the Lords mercy, the
Lord immediately gives him an opportunity to meet a bona-fide spiritual master."
There is no difference between the spiritual master's instructions and the spiritual
master himself. (C.C. Adi. 1.35)
The words of Srila Prabhupada are non-different than himself. Everyone who receives
one of his books has received the mercy of the Lord, by meeting His bona-fide
representative, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
TRANSLATION
Since one cannot visually experience the presence of the Supersoul, He appears
before us as a liberated devotee. Such a spiritual master is no one other than
Krsna Himself.
PURPORT
It is not possible for a conditioned soul to directly meet Krsna, the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, but if one becomes a sincere devotee and seriously engages
in devotional service, Lord Krsna sends an instructing spiritual master to show
him favour and invoke his dormant propensity for serving the Supreme. The preceptor
appears before the external senses of the fortunate conditioned soul, and at
the same time the devotee is guided from within by the caittya-guru, Krsna,
who is seated as the spiritual master within the heart of the living entity.
(C.C. Adi 1.58)
In the text to the above verse such a representative is described as siksa guru.
Srila Prabhupada elaborates on this in the purport "Lord Krsna sends an instructing
spiritual master to show him favour and invoke his dormant propensity for serving
the Supreme. The perceptor appears before the external senses of the fortunate
conditioned soul"
A conditioned soul has six senses including the mind, the perceptor can appear
to any of these senses. He appears to give instructions and so appears predominantly
to the sense of hearing. The picture of such a liberated devotee is also absolute
and thus non-different than himself. Thus Srila Prabhupada can also appear to
the external senses of a conditioned soul in the form of his picture, which
he had placed on all his books.
There is no difference between me and my picture. (S.P.L. Jadurani, 4th September,
1972)
The minute a conditioned soul contacts Srila Prabhupada in the form of his vani,
he begins his eternal bond with him from that day.
The eternal bond between disciple and spiritual master begins from the first
day he hears. Just like my spiritual master. In 1922 he said in our first meeting,
you are educated boys, why don't you preach this cult. That was the beginning,
now it is coming to fact. Therefore the relationship began from that day. (S.P.L.
to Jadurani, 4th September, 1972)
How that relationship develops is described as follows.
The influence of a pure devotee is such that if someone comes to associate with
him with a little faith, one gets the chance of hearing about the Lord from
authoritative scriptures like Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. Thus, by
the mercy of the Lord, who is situated in everyone's heart, one gradually develops
his faith in the descriptions of such authoritative scriptures. This is the
first stage of association with pure devotees. In the second stage, after one
becomes a little advanced and mature, he automatically offers to follow the
principles of devotional service under the guidance of the pure devotee and
accepts him as the spiritual master. (N.O.D. Chapter 19)
One develops faith in Srila Prabhupada, automatically offers to follow the principles
of devotional service and accepts Srila Prabhupada as diksa guru. This development
is confirmed as follows.
It is the duty of the siksa-guru or diksa-guru to instruct the disciple in the
right way, and it depends on the disciple to execute the process. According
to sastric injunctions, there is no difference between siksa-guru and diksa-guru,
and generally the siksa-guru later on becomes the diksa-guru. (S.B. 4.12.32)
Generally a spiritual master who constantly instructs a disciple in spiritual
science becomes his initiating spiritual master later on. (C.C. Adi, 1.35)
This acceptance of Srila Prabhupada as the initiating spiritual master after
hearing from him about the Lord, is the bona-fide process for accepting a guru.
Devotional service entails being initiated by a bona fide spiritual master and
following his instruction in regard to hearing about the Lord. Such a bona fide
spiritual master is accepted by regularly hearing from him about the Lord. (S.B.
3.5.42)
My guru maharaja, my spiritual master, used to say that you have to select a
spiritual master not by seeing but by your ear, but by hearing. And you don't
select a spiritual master who has got a very good hair or beard or some very
beautiful feature, "Oh, he is a very good, nice looking." No. You must hear.
Tad viddhi pranipatena. Sruti. The whole process is sruti. The Vedas are called
sruti. The ear has to aural reception. (B.G. 4.24.34 Lecture, N.Y. 2nd August,
1966)
With this in mind we can understand Srila Prabhupada’s intense mood while begging
us "please distribute book, distribute book, distribute book."
There is no comparison. There is no competition. Every word is for the good
of the human society. Every word, each and every word. Therefore we stress so
much in the book distribution. Somehow or other, if the book goes in one hand,
he will be benefited. At least he will see, "Oh, they have taken so much price.
Let me see what is there. If he reads one sloka, his life will be successful.
If one sloka, one word. This is such nice things. Therefore we are stressing
so much, "Please distribute book, distribute book, distribute book." A greater
mrdanga. We are chanting, playing our mrdanga. It is heard within this room
or little more. But this mrdanga will go home to home, country to country, community
to community, this mrdanga. (S.B. Lec. 1.16.8., Los Angeles 5th January, 1974)
Out of the nine items of devotional service, book distribution falls in the
category of sravanam kirtanam. Sravanam kirtanam is the beginning--to chant
and hear. Book distribution is under this category of sravanam kirtanam. (S.P.L.
to Satsvarupa, 19th January, 1975)
Regarding Sankirtana and book distribution, book distribution is also chanting.
Anyone who reads the books that is also chanting and hearing. Why distinguish
between chanting and book distribution? These books I have recorded and chanted,
and they are transcribed. It is spoken kirtanas. So book distribution is also
chanting. These are not ordinary books. It is recorded chanting. Anyone who
reads, he is hearing. Book distribution must not be neglected. If things deteriorate
that is another thing, but it is not the fault of book distribution. (S.P.L.
to Rupanuga dasa, 19th October, 1974)
So more specifically book distribution falls into the category of the loud chanting
of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, and the hearing of the people of the world.
The effects of such loud chanting on the conditioned souls of the world is described
as follows.
When a devotee is perfectly qualified in chanting the transcendental vibration
of the holy name, he is quite fit to become a spiritual master and to deliver
all the people of the world. The chanting of the holy name is so powerful that
it gradually establishes its supremacy above everything in the world. The devotee
who chants it becomes transcendentally situated in ecstasy and sometimes laughs,
cries and dances in his ecstasy. Sometimes the unintelligent put hindrances
in the path of chanting this maha-mantra, but one who is situated on the platform
of love of Godhead chants the holy name loudly for all concerned. As a result,
everyone becomes initiated in the chanting of the holy names--Hare Krsna, Hare
Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. (T.L.C.
Chapter 18)
Such vedanta-vadis, or the bhakti-vedantas, are impartial in distributing the
transcendental knowledge of devotional service. To them no one is enemy or friend;
no one is educated or uneducated. No one is especially favourable, and no one
is unfavourable. The bhakti-vedantas see that the people in general are wasting
time in false sensuous things. Their business is to get the ignorant mass of
people to re-establish their lost relationship with the Personality of Godhead.
By such endeavour, even the most forgotten soul is roused up to the sense of
spiritual life, and thus being initiated by the bhakti-vedantas, the people
in general gradually progress on the path of transcendental realization. (S.B.
1.5.24)
Srila Prabhupada’s endeavour to get the mass of people to re-establish their
lost relationship with the Lord, is through the mass distribution of his books.
I wish that all of our Krishna Consciousness literature’s may be available to
men of all languages throughout the world, so whatever assistance you can give
in this connection is always appreciated. (S.P.L. to Sivananda, 22nd July, 1969)
He wants that every conditioned soul throughout the world may have the opportunity
of his association. This is described very nicely in this (S.B. 1.5.24) purport.
"Bhaktivedantas are impartial in distributing the transcendental knowledge of
devotional service. To them no one is enemy or friend, no one is educated or
uneducated. No one is especially favourable and no one is unfavourable.... thus
being initiated by the Bhaktivedantas, the people in general gradually progress
on the path of transcendental realization."
Following in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Krsna consciousness
movement is distributing the Hare Krsna maha-mantra and inducing people all
over the world to chant. We are giving people an immense treasury of transcendental
literature, translated into all the important languages of the world, and by
the grace of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu this literature is selling profusely,
and people are chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra with great delight. This
is the preaching process of the Caitanya cult. Since the Lord wanted this cult
preached all over the world, the International Society of Krishna Consciousness
is acting in a humble way so that the vision of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu may
be fulfilled all over the world, especially in the western countries. (C.C.
Adi 16.19)
Srila Prabhupada’s book‘s are selling profusely and inducing people all over
the world to chant with great delight, thus fulfilling the vision of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu that his name would be heard all over the world.
Srila Rupa Gosvami has described Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as maha-vadanya- avatara,
the most munificent incarnation. Although Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is not physically
present now, simply by chanting His holy name (sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu nityananda
sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda) people throughout the world
are becoming devotees. This is due to the ecstatic chanting of the holy name
of the Lord. It is said that a pure devotee can see the Lord every moment, and
because of this he is empowered by the Lord. This is confirmed in Brahma-samhita:
premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santah sadaiva hrda yesu vilokayanti.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared five hundred years ago, but it cannot be said
that now the potency of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra is less powerful than it
was in His presence. By hearing Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu through the parampara
system, one can be purified. Therefore in this verse it is said: tathapi tanra
darsana-sravana-prabhave. It is not that everyone is able to see Krsna or Sri
Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu physically, but if one hears about Him through books
like Sri Caitanya-caritamrta and through the parampara system of pure Vaisnavas,
there is no difficulty in becoming a pure Vaisnava, free from mundane desires
and personal motivations. (C.C. Mad. 17.51)
Srila Prabhupada says "Although Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is not physically present
now, simply by chanting his holy name people throughout the world are becoming
devotees. This is due to the ecstatic chanting of the holy name of the Lord.
It is said that a pure devotee can see the Lord at every moment and because
of this he is empowered by the Lord......if one hears about him through books
like Sri Caitanya Caritamrta and through the parampara system of pure Vaisnavas,
there is no difficulty becoming a pure Vaisnava.free from mundane desires and
personal motivations." By receiving the books of Srila Prabhupada the people
of the world are hearing His ecstatic chanting of the holy name, and thus being
initiated the people are becoming devotees of the Lord. Srila Prabhupada, the
empowered devotee of the Lord is described more clearly as follows.
In this age of Kali, real religious propaganda should induce people to chant
the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. This is possible for someone who is especially empowered
by Krsna. No one can do this without being especially favoured by Krsna. Srila
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura comments in this regard in his Anubhasya,
wherein he quotes a verse from Narayana-samhita:
"In Dvapara-yuga, devotees of Lord Visnu and Krsna rendered devotional service
according to the principles of pancaratrika in this age of Kali, the Supreme
Personality of Godhead is worshipped simply by the chanting of His holy names.',
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura then comments: "Without being empowered
by the direct potency of Lord Krsna to fulfil His desire and without being specifically
favoured by he Lord, no human being can become the spiritual master of the whole
world. He certainly cannot succeed by mental concoction, which is not meant
for devotees or religious people. Only an empowered personality can distribute
the holy name of the Lord and enjoin all fallen souls to worship Krsna. By distributing
the holy name of the Lord, he cleanses the hearts of the most fallen people;
therefore he extinguishes the blazing fire of the material world. Not only that,
he broadcasts the shining brightness of Krsna's effulgence throughout the world.
Such an acarya, or spiritual master, should be considered non-different from
Krsna--that is, he should be considered the incarnation of Lord Krsna's potency.
Such a personality is krsnalingita-vigraha--that is, he is always embraced by
the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. Such a person is above the considerations
of the varnasrama institution. He is the guru or spiritual master for the entire
world, a devotee on the topmost platform, the maha-bhagavata stage, and a paramahamsa-thakura,
a spiritual form only fit to be addressed as paramahamsa or thakura." (C.C.
Mad 25.9)
Only Srila Prabhupada, an empowered personality, can distribute the holy name
of the Lord and enjoined all fallen souls to worship Krsna. This process is
described in the sastra as follows.
It is the spiritual master who delivers the disciple from the clutches of maya
by initiating him into the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. in this way
a sleeping human being can revive his consciousness by chanting Hare Krsna,
Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
In other words, the spiritual master awakens the sleeping living entity to his
original consciousness so that he can worship Lord Visnu. This is the purpose
of diksa, or initiation. Initiation means receiving the pure knowledge of spiritual
consciousness. (C.C. Mad 9.61)
This initiation or awakening to pure consciousness performed by Srila Prabhupada’s
loud chanting (book distribution), should be given to all fallen souls.
Devotional service begins with sravana kirtana, hearing and chanting. When a
man is sleeping, he can be awakened by sound vibration; therefore every conditioned
soul should be given the chance to hear the Hare Krsna mantra chanted by a pure
Vaisnava. One who hears the Hare Krsna mantra thus vibrated is awakened to spiritual
consciousness, or Krsna consciousness. (C.C. Mad. 22-105)
Srila Prabhupada is distributing the holy name and cleansing the hearts of the
most fallen, therefore he is extinguishing the blazing fire of the material
world.
So what is the guru? Guru has received the karunya. Karunya means just like
the cloud has received water from the sea, similarly, a guru, spiritual master,
receives the cloud of mercy from the ocean of kindness of Krsna. Ghanaghanatvam.
And it is only the cloud that can extinguish the forest fire, samsara. No other
watering system will be helpful. If there is fire in the forest, your fire brigade
or buckets of water will not help. It is impossible. Neither you can go there;
neither you can render any service by your fire brigade and bucket. Then how
the fire can be extinguished? Now, ghanaghanatvam. If there is cloud in the
sky and if there is rainfall, then the expansive forest fire can immediately
be extinguished. So that cloud is supposed to be the spiritual master. He pours
water. He pours water. Sravana-kirtana-jale karaye secana. What is that water?
The water is this sravana-kirtana. Bhava-maha-davagni, the fire, the forest
fire of material existence, is blazing continually. So you have to extinguish
it by the rainfall from cloud, and that rainfall means sravana-kirtana. Sravana
means hearing, and kirtana means chanting. This is the only way. Sravana-kirtana-jale
karaye secana. (S.B. Lecture 3.26.39, Bombay, 14th January, 1975)
So Srila Prabhupada is the cloud of mercy and his loud chanting (book distribution)
is the rainfall, which is the only way to extinguish the blazing fire of material
existence. This is confirmed as follows.
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. (S.B. 1.7.22)
Srila Prabhupada is delivering all fallen souls through his transcendental sound
vibration. This is the purpose of initiation, the deliverance of the disciple
from the material existence.
The spiritual master initiates the disciple to deliver him, and if the disciple
executes the order of the spiritual master and does not offend other Vaisnavas,
his path is clear. (C.C. Mad, 1.218)
It is the spiritual master who delivers the disciple from the clutches of maya
by initiating him into the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. (C.C. Mad,
9.61)
By the association of Srila Prabhupada (sadhu sanga) the fortunate soul receives
a process of spiritual activities, that is called bhajana kriya.
And if there is actually association of spiritually self-realized persons, then
he will give you some process of spiritual activities. That is called bhajana-kriya.
Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sangah atha bhajana-kriya tato anartha-nivrttih syat.
And as you are more and more engaged in spiritual activities, so, proportionately,
your material activities and affection for material activities will diminish.
Counteraction. When you engage in the spiritual activities, your material activities
diminishes. (B.G. Lec, 2.58-59, New York, 7th April, 1966)
If we follow this process that is our initiation. By engaging in these spiritual
activities our material activities diminish (anartha nirrtti). Thus devotees
who haven’t received formal initiation, but have been chanting and following
the four regulative principles, are freeing themselves from gross and subtle
anartha’s. They have clearly received initiation from Srila Prabhupada, who
is actually giving everyone this process (Bhajana Kriya) in his transcendental
books.
Let us return to the Nectar of Devotion (page 150) "he automatically offers
to follow the principles of devotional service under the guidance of the pure
devotee and accepts him as the spiritual master." Srila Prabhupada describes
how we can receive his guidance in the following lecture.
And the process is very simple. The process is very simple. We are recommending
the followers of Krsna consciousness... Just now I received one letter from
Jaipur. They wanted my guidance. The guidance is not very difficult. It is very
simple thing. First of all try to become sinless: no illicit sex life, no intoxication,
no meat-eating, no gambling. Observe these four regulative principles and chant
Hare Krsna mantra as far as possible, at least sixteen rounds. Then see how
your life changes. (S.B. Lecture 1.2.8, 22nd April, 1974)
His guidance would amount to that process of spiritual activities described
as Bhajana kriya (initiation), in the previous lecture (2.58.59 B.G. N.Y.) Srila
Prabhupada’s guidance to everyone is that process by which we awaken our transcendental
knowledge, and vanquish all material contamination caused by our previous sinful
activities. This is described in the sastra as follows.
Diksa 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 diksa. (C.C. Mad., 15-108)
Diksa actualy means initiating a disciple with transcendental knowledge by which
he becomes freed from all material contamination. (C.C. Mad., 4-111)
In the earlier lecture (S.B. 1.2.8) Srila Prabhupada says "observe these four
regulative principles and chant Hare Krsna mantra as far as possible, at least
sixteen rounds. Then see how your life changes." Again confirmation, that if
we follow his guidance that is our initiation (Bhajana kriya) and as a result
our life will change, or we will become free from material contamination (anartha
nivritih).
If by chance one is fortunate enough to receive Srila Prabhupada’s association
through his transcendental books, the sastra advises.
As far as the time of diksa (initiation) is concerned, everything depends on
the position of the guru. As soon as a bona fide guru is received by chance
or by a program, one should immediately take the opportunity to receive initiation.
in the book called Tattva-sagara, it is stated:
"If, by chance, one gets a sad-guru, it doesn't matter whether one is in the
temple or the forest. If the sad-guru, the bona fide spiritual master, agrees,
one can be initiated immediately, without waiting for a suitable time or place."
(C.C. Mad., 24.331)
We should take the opportunity to receive initiation regardless of where we
are situated. If Srila Prabhupada agrees to accept us we should take his shelter.
Reporter: If I wanted to be initiated into your society, what would I have to
do?
Srila Prabhupada: First of all, you'd have to give up illicit sex life.
Reporter: Does that include all sex life? What is illicit sex life?
Srila Prabhupada: Illicit sex is sex outside of marriage. Animals have sex with
no restrictions, but in human society there are restrictions. In every country
and in every religion, there is some system of restricting sex life. You would
also have to give up all intoxicants, including tea, cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana--anything
that intoxicates.
Reporter: Anything else?
Srila Prabhupada: You'd also have to give up eating meat, eggs, and fish. And
you'd have to give up gambling as well. Unless you gave up these four sinful
activities, you could not be initiated.
Reporter: Does "surrender" mean that someone would have to leave his family?
Srila Prabhupada: No.
Reporter: But suppose I were to become an initiate. Wouldn't I have to come
and live in the temple?
Srila Prabhupada: Not necessarily.
Reporter: I can stay at home?
Srila Prabhupada: Oh, yes.
Reporter: What about work? Would I have to give up my job?
Srila Prabhupada: No, you'd simply have to give up your bad habits and chant
the Hare Krsna mantra on these beads--that's all. (S.S.R. "Choosing a spiritual
master")
"You’d simply have to give up your bad habits and chant Hare Krsna mantra on
these beads - That’s All." That’s what Srila Prabhupada asks of us if we want
to become his initiated disciples.
Materialistic persons who are not inclined to give up their sinful activities
like illicit sex, intoxication, gambling and meat-eating sometimes want to become
our disciples, but, unlike professional spiritual masters who accept disciples
regardless of their condition, Vaisnavas do not accept such cheap disciples.
One must at least agree to abide by the rules and regulations for a disciple
before a Vaisnava acarya can accept him. (C.C. Adi., 12.50)
My advise is always chant 16 rounds minimum and follow the four regulative principles.
All of my disciples must agree on this point otherwise they are not my disciples.
Let one live anywhere, but stick to the principles. Disagreements will continue
in this material world. So one may live in a suitable place, but one must follow
these five principles. My disciples must follow these principles living either
in heaven or hell. (Raja-Lakami-desi, 17th February, 1976)
TRANSLATION
"The hunter then said, `My dear sir, whatever you say I shall do.' Narada immediately
ordered him, `First of all, break your bow. Then I shall tell you what is to
be done.'
PURPORT
This is the process of initiation. The disciple must admit that he will no longer
commit sinful activity--namely illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling and intoxication.
He promises to execute the order of the spiritual master. Then the spiritual
master takes care of him and elevates him to spiritual emancipation. (C.C. Mad.,
24.256)
The same is confirmed in all these quotes, and in the last Srila Prabhupada
promises to take care of us and take us back to Godhead if we follow his guidance,
such guidance is his causless mercy. "unless he’s a sadhu he cannot be guru.....Initiation
means to accept the mercy of sadhu and spiritual master if you don’t accept
there is no other way." (C.C. Lecture) Who can deny the availability of Srila
Prabhupada’s mercy, if we take such mercy that is our initiation. There is no
other way.
If you have understood this Krsna philosophy and if you have decided that you
will take Krsna consciousness seriously and preach the philosophy to others.
That is your initiation, my touch is simply a formality. It is your determination
that is initiation. (B.T.G. Article "Search for the Divine")
Srila Prabhupada says his touch is a formality, our determination to follow
the process is our real initiation.
The chanting Hare Krishna is our main business, that is real initiation. And
as you are all following my instruction, in that matter, the initiator is already
there. Now the next initiation will be performed as a ceremony officially, of
course that ceremony has value because the name, Holy Name, will be delivered
to the student from the disciplic succession, it has got value, but in spite
of that, as you are going on chanting, please go on with this business sincerely
and Krishna willing, I may be coming to you very soon. (S.P.L. Tamel Krsna,
19th September, 1968)
Srila Prabhupada says that chanting Hare Krsna is the real initiation, and that
because devotees were following his instructions in that matter (16 rounds,
4 regulations), he was already there as the initiator. In other words the initiation
was already there and he had accepted them as his disciples. He then goes on
to say the next initiation will be performed as a ceremony officially.
For 10,000 years, millions and millions of conditioned souls will be receiving
Srila Prabhupada’s association through his transcendental books, If they accept
and agree to follow his instructions in regards to chanting the holy names,
he will be with them all as the initiator and will accept them as disciples.
The next initiation as an official ceremony must be performed on his behalf
due to his physical absence, as acceptance of two diksa guru’s is always forbidden
in the sastra.
A devotee must have only one initiating spiritual master because in the scriptures
acceptance of more than one is always forbidden (C.C. Adi., 1.35)
Due to illness and increasing demand for formal initiation, Srila Prabhupada
established a system where ritvik priests accepted devotees as his initiated
disciples by giving spiritual names. This system was in full operation, without
Srila Prabhupada being physically involved for months before his departure in
November, and should continue for the rest of the present golden age (10,000
years)
A disciple means one who is always following the orders of the spiritual master.
So I instruct my disciples to refrain from four prohibitions, namely no eating
of meat, fish or eggs, no illicit sex life, no taking of intoxication, including
tea, coffee, cigarettes, etc., and no gambling. Besides that my students must
chant sixteen rounds of japa-mala of Hare Krsna mantra daily. So if you are
able to follow these principles without fail, then you are as good as my disciple.
And after you have practised these things for a few months' time, then we can
see to your formal initiation. (S.P.L. to Suresh Chandra, 11th August, 1972)
In this letter there is more confirmation that anyone following his instructions
in regards to chanting the holy name, is as good as his disciple, even without
formal initiation.
The eternal bond between disciple and spiritual master begins from the first
day he hears. Just like my spiritual master. In 1922 he said in our first meeting,
you are educated boys, why don't you preach this cult. That was the beginning,
now it is coming to fact. Therefore the relationship began from that day. (S.P.L.
to Jadurani, 4th September, 1972)
Srila Prabhupada says the relationship between the spiritual master and disciple
begins from the first day the disciple hears from the guru, and he cites his
own meeting with Srila Bhaktisiddanta Maharaja in 1922 as an example.
So anyway, from 1922 to 1933 practically I was not initiated but got the impression
of preaching Caitanya Mahaprabhu's cult. That I was thinking. And that was the
initiation by my guru maharaja. Then officially I was initiated in 1933 because
in 1923 I left Calcutta. (Lecture, Diss. day Srila Bhaktisiddanta Hyderabad,
10th December, 1976)
He describes such a meeting as the initiation by his Guru Maharaja. This is
confirmed as follows.
So I was at that time a fool, but I opined like this. And I accepted him as
my spiritual master immediately. Not officially, but in my heart. That was in
1922. (General Lecture, 1973)
Any conditioned soul who is hearing from Srila Prabhupada after receiving his
books and is accepting him in their heart as their spiritual master, that acceptance
is their initiation. Srila Prabhupada was well aware that due to his books,
such acceptance would take place in the hearts of sincere souls for 10,000 years.
This is why he wanted the ritvik system to continue in his physical absence.
The acarya Srila Prabhupada never deviates from the principles of sadhu, sastra
and guru. Through this system all his disciples could formalize this acceptance
and receive a spiritual name.
TRANSLATION
"My dear Sakara Mallika, from this day your names will be changed to Srila Rupa
and Srila Sanatana. Now please abandon your humility, for My heart is breaking
to see you so humble.
PURPORT
Actually this is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's initiation of Dabira Khasa and Sakara
Mallika. They approached the Lord with all humility, and the Lord accepted them
as old servants, as eternal servants, and He changed their names. It is to be
understood from this that it is essential for a disciple to change his name
after initiation. (C.C. Mad., 1.208)
In summary book distribution or more specifically Srila Prabhupada’s loud chanting
is giving all fallen souls his association. If they take this association seriously
and follow his guidance, that is their initiation into the chanting of the holy
name. To formalise such an initiation and thus give his disciples a spiritual
name, he appointed eleven disciples (officiating acarya’s) to conduct these
initiation rites.
These initial eleven were placed in different locations of the world, and were
to be added to accordingly, to meet increasing demands in those locations for
formal initiations, due to the effects of the loud chanting of the Jagad Guru
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
That is Vaisnava behaviour. Vaisnavas, they are the best friend of the society,
best friend, Vaisnava. Patitanam pavanebhyoh vaisnavebhyo namo namah. The Vaisnava
is always thinking how to deliver these fallen souls who are so much captivated
with this false philosophy of hedonism--"Eat, drink, be merry and enjoy." This
is called hedonism. So they are always thinking how to deliver them. Advaita
Prabhu did it. Therefore He is Isvara. Prahlada Maharaja did it. Any Vaisnava
who is actually feeling for the poor, conditioned souls, he must make arrangement
for delivering these rascals from the death knell of ignorance. (C.C. Adi. lila,
Lecture 1.12.75)
Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental books are, very clearly, his arrangement for
delivering the fallen souls of the world from the death knell of ignorance.
Such is the potency of the Maha Bhagavata devotee Srila Prabhupada!
But now in your temple alone you are distributing so many, so this is very,
very encouraging to me. It is the perfect form of preaching. Follow the line
laid down by Prahlada Maharaja and try to take every one back to home, back
to Godhead. And this is done by distributing our literature. I am so much pleased
upon each and every one of you for helping me this way to push on this great
movement." (S.P.L. to Vamanadeva 3/12/72)
Srila Prabhupada in the form of his books (instructions) is taking everyone
back to home, back to Godhead. This is the purpose of initiating a disciple,
to deliver him.
The spiritual master initiates the disciple to deliver him, and if the disciple
executes the order of the spiritual master and does not offend other Vaisnavas,
his path is clear. (C.C. Mad, 1.218)
It is the spiritual master who delivers the disciple from the clutches of maya
by initiating him into the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. (C.C. Mad,
9.61)
If one is expert in Vedic literature and has full faith in the Supreme Lord,
then he is an uttama-adhikari, a first-class Vaisnava, a topmost Vaisnava who
can deliver the whole world and turn everyone to Krsna consciousness. (C.C.
Mad., 22.65)
This example of Dhruva Maharaja's closing the holes of his personal body and
thereby closing the breathing holes of the total universe clearly indicates
that a devotee, by his personal devotional service, can influence all the people
of the whole world to become devotees of the Lord. If there is only one pure
devotee in pure Krsna consciousness, he can change the total consciousness of
the world into Krsna consciousness. This is not very difficult to understand
if we study the behaviour of Dhruva Maharaja. (S.B. 4.8.80)
Srila Prabhupada is the initiating acarya for the golden age, the Jagad Guru.
He is living still in sound and is most definitely spreading the holy name all
around. All glories to you Srila Prabhupada!
After 80 years, no one can expect to live long. My life is almost ended. So
you have to carry on, and these books will do everything. (Room conversation,
18th February 1976)
SADHU, SASTRA & GURU
Book distribution, Ritvik Acaryas, The Perfect Plan
While every devotee acknowledges the fact that Srila Prabhupada as the founder-acarya
of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness, performed many unprecedented
activities:
1.. . Harinama diksa given by mail
2.. . Brahminical initiation been given by tape recording
3.. . Ritvik’s or deputies chanting on initiates beads
4.. . The performance of marriages by a sannyasi
5.. . Young unmarried women being allowed to live in the asrama as brahmacarinis
6.. . Initiates names being given at the time of Harinama diksa
some souls challenge the ritvik system been used in Srila Prabhupada's physical
absence, saying it is not supported by sadhu, sastra and guru. Therefore, it
would not have been implemented by Srila Prabhupada and that it contradicts
the law of disciplic succession.
TRANSLATION
Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya. This is the twelve-syllable mantra for worshipping
Lord Krsna. One should install the physical forms of the Lord, and with the
chanting of the mantra one should offer flowers and fruits and other varieties
of foodstuffs exactly according to the rules and regulations prescribed by authorities.
But this should be done in consideration of place, time, and attendant conveniences
and inconveniences.
PURPORT
The prescribed rules, as stated here by Narada Muni, are that one should accept
the mantra through a bona fide spiritual master and hear the mantra in the right
ear. Not only should one chant or murmur the mantra, but in front of him he
must have the Deity, or physical form of the Lord. Of course, when the Lord
appears it is no longer a physical form.....The method of worship--chanting
the mantra and preparing the forms of the Lord--is not stereotyped, nor is it
exactly the same everywhere. lt. is specifically mentioned in this verse that
one should take consideration of the time, place and available conveniences.
Our Krsna consciousness movement is going on throughout the entire world, and
we also install Deities in different centers. Sometimes our Indian friends,
puffed up with concocted notions, criticise, "This has not been done. That has
not been done." But they forget this instruction of Narada Muni to one of the
greatest Vaisnavas, Dhruva Maharaja. One has to consider the particular time,
country and conveniences. What is convenient in India may not be convenient
in the Western countries. Those who are not actually in the line of acaryas,
or who personally have no knowledge of how to act in the role of acarya, necessarily
criticise the activities of the ISKCON movement in countries outside of India.
The fact is that such critics cannot do anything personally to spread Krsna
consciousness. If someone does go and preach, taking all risks and allowing
all considerations for time and place, it might be that there are changes in
the manner of worship, but that is not at all faulty according to sastra. Srimad
Viraraghava Acarya, an acarya in the disciplic succession of the Ramanuja-sampradaya,
has remarked in his commentary that candalas, or conditioned souls who are born
in lower than sudra families, can also be initiated according to circumstances.
The formalities may be slightly changed here and there to make them Vaisnavas.
(S.B. 4.8.54.)
The system of ritviks (priests) chanting on beads, awarding spiritual names
to new initiates on behalf of the acarya Srila Prabhupada, would fall into the
category of an initiation formality. This is confirmed by the following quotes.
"initiation is a formality. I you are serious, that is real initiation.
My touch is simply a formality. It is your determination. That is Initiation."
(B.T.G. Search for the Divine)
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. (Chandigarh 16th
October, 1976)
The essential principle of parampara is not the official formalities, but the
revelation of transcendental knowledge by the process of submissive aural reception.
My guru maharaja used to say, "Don't try to see a saintly person by your eyes.
You see a saintly person by the ear." Because if you hear from the saintly person
and if he is speaking from the experience which he has heard from the, another
saintly person--this is called guru-parampara--then the knowledge is perfect.
(S.B. lec 6.1.42, Los Angeles 8th June 1976)
So we are gathering experience by hearing from the Supreme. Just like here Sukadeva
Gosvami is narrating Srimad-Bhagavatam. He has heard it from his father, Vyasadeva.
His father has heard it from Narada Muni, his spiritual master. Narada Muni
has heard it from Brahma, the first living creature within this universe. And
Brahma has heard it from Krsna. This is called parampara system. (S.B. lec 6.1.32,
San Francisco 17th July 1975)
According to Sadhu (Narada Muni and Srimad Virarghava acarya), Sastra (Srimad
Bhagavatam) and Guru (Srila Prabhupada) the performance of the formal ceremony
may be changed to facilitate conditioned souls receiving initiation from the
current link or spiritual master in the chain of disciplic succession.
Two important words in the text, kala and vibhaga-vit, are very interesting
in understanding the process of adjusting the formalities of initiation. The
word kala means time, which has three phases : past, present and future. The
word vibhaga-vit means one who knows the divisions or attendant conveniences
and inconveniences.
Knowing the past, present and future, Srila Prabhupada was well aware of the
conveniences and inconveniences of linking conditioned souls to the disciplic
succession. Taking these into consideration, he could adjust the formalities
to facilitate this function taking according to kala or time.
Srila Prabhupadas loud chanting, initiating the fallen souls of Kali yuga into
the chanting of the holy names, would be the unprecedented convenience. The
small inconvenience, his physical absence from the initiation formalities. Considering
these two factors, adjustments in the initiation rites would be required to
formalise the linking of conditioned souls to the acarya Srila Prabhupada. Adjustments
were already made by Srila Prabhupada during his physical presence, to facilitate
initiation formalities being carried out (ritvik), thus linking conditioned
souls to the parampara as his disciples. There is clear evidence that Srila
Prabhupada desired this to continue in his absence.
Temple presidents may henceforward send recommendation for first and second
initiation to whichever of these eleven representatives are nearest their temple.
After considering the recommendations, these representatives may accept the
devotee as an initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada by giving a spiritual name.
(letter to G.B.C. and Temple presidents signed and approved by His Divine Grace.
July 9th 1977.)
To say Srila Prabhupada couldn’t have established this system to continue in
his absence, because it wouldn’t have been supported by sadhu, sastra and guru
is fallacious. Book distribution and ritvik acaryas is the perfect transcendental
plan of His Divine Grace to continue the pure disciplic succession for the the
golden age.
SRILA
PRABHUPADA IS ALWAYS THE INITIATOR
Srila Prabhupadas transcendental books are non-different than himself. They
appear before the external senses of a fortunate conditioned soul, who was wandering
aimlessly throughout the universe and plant the seed of devotional service in
his heart (Bhakti lata bija) THUS HE IS THE INITIATOR.
1.. . Srila Prabhupadas transcendental books are his loud chanting of the holy
name. Such loud chanting is giving the people of the world Harinama diksa (T.L.C.
Chapter 18). THUS HE IS THE INITIATOR
2.. . Srila Prabhupadas transcendental books contain the nectarine words from
his lotus mouth. Such words penetrate the hearts of the fallen souls, injecting
transcendental knowledge, which alone can deliver them from material existence.
This is the purpose of initiation. "The spiritual master initiates the disciple
to deliver him." (C.C. Mad., 1.218) THUS HE IS THE INITIATOR.
3.. . Srila Prabhupadas transcendental books are non-different than himself,
thus they give the conditioned souls his direct association (sadhu sanga). By
such association they receive a process of spiritual activities (Bhajana kriya)
(B.G. lec., 2-58-59, N.Y. 27th April, 1966). THUS HE IS THE INITIATOR.
4.. . Srila Prabhupadas transcendental books transmit transcendental knowledge
which vanquish all material contamination caused by our previous sinful activities
and thus bring us to pure love of God, where we can directly worship Krsna.
This perfectly corresponds with sastric definitions of diksa. (C.C. Mad. lila,
15-108, 9-61, 4-111). THUS HE IS THE INITIATOR
5.. . Srila Prabhupadas transcendental books contain his instructions about
chanting the holy name. If we accept such instruction and follow them, he is
with us as the initiator. (S.P.L. Letter to Tamal Krsna, 19th September 1968)
THUS HE IS THE INITIATOR
7.Srila Prabhupada in the form of his books (instructions) is taking everyone
back to home, back to Godhead. This is the purpose of initiating a disciple,
to deliver him."The spiritual master initiates the disciple to deliver him"
(C.C. Mad, 1.218) THUS HE IS THE INITIATOR
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. (SPL to Bahuru-pa dasa, 22nd
November, 1974)
The first point to note in this letter, is that there is no need for a "living
link" to understand Srila Prabhupada’s books. If there is anything we do not
understand that thing will be understood by reading again and again. Srila Prabhupada
describes our daily reading of His books, as a process of revealing or awakening
transcendental knowledge. This process is described in the sastra as diksa.
Diksa 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 diksa. (C.C. Mad., 15-108)
It is very clear from the evidence of sadhu, sastra and guru that the real initiation
is being given by Srila Prabhupada through the mercy of his transcendental books.
Thus, the question of successor doesn’t arise.
Reporter: Who will succeed you when you die?
Srila Prabhupada: I will never die!
Devotee’s: Jaya! Haribol!
Srila Prabhupada: I will live forever from my books and you will utilise.
(interview, Berkley, 1975)
Here Srila Prabhupada is asked a question about his successor. Let us examine
Srila Prabhupada’s minimum words, maximum solution answer. The question has
two key words [1] succeed and [2] die. Srila Prabhupada answers point [2] with
"I will never die" and how is that "I will live forever from my books" and point
[1] is answered with "and you will utilise". The word utilise is also described
in the dictionary as, "use for a purpose". Thus Srila Prabhupada instructs us
to use his books for the purpose of continuing the disciplic succession, by
distributing them and thus giving the fallen souls of the world the opportunity
of receiving his shelter as diksa guru.
The ritvik system should continue to formalise such mass Harinama diksa. Such
a system is perfectly harmonious with Srila Prabhupadas loud chanting and part
of his transcendental plan to deliver the world.
Let us not be small minded and say that the ritvik system continuing in the
acaryas physical absence is unprecedented and therefore not bona-fide. It must
be unprecedented (to our limited perceptions)or else how can it complement the
unprecedented achievements of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Never before has an acarya translated so many transcendental literature’s into
all the languages of the world and distributed such knowledge so mercifully
and indiscriminately, making himself available as the eternal perceptor to the
fallen souls. Srila Prabhupada was specifically chosen to deliver the whole
world and thus fulfil the prediction of the Lord and the previous acaryas.
When Krsna appeared, He gave His orders, and when Krsna Himself appeared as
a devotee, as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He showed us the path by which to cross
the ocean of Kali-yuga. That is the path of the Hare Krsna movement. When Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared, He ushered in the era for the sankirtana movement.
It is also said that for ten thousand years this era will continue. This means
that simply by accepting the sankirtana movement and chanting the Hare Krsna
maha-mantra, the fallen souls of this Kali-yuga will be delivered. After the
Battle of Kuruksetra, at which Bhagavad-gita was spoken, Kali-yuga continues
for 432,000 years, of which only 5,000 years have passed. Thus there is still
a balance of 427,000 years to come. Of these 427,000 years, the 10,000 years
of the sankirtana movement inaugurated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu 500 years
ago provide the opportunity for the fallen souls of Kali-yuga to take to the
Krsna consciousness movement, chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra and thus be delivered
from the clutches of material existence and return home, back to Godhead. (S.B.
8.5.23)
Prabhupada: Yes. Kalki, yes.
Allen Ginsberg: So He would come at the end of Kali-yuga to end the yuga.
Prabhupada: Yes. Then Satya-yuga will begin.
Allen Ginsberg: Then what begins?
Prabhupada: Satya-yuga.
Allen Ginsberg: Which is?
Prabhupada: Satya-yuga, the pious. Satya-yuga. People will be pious, truthful,
long-living.
Allen Ginsberg: Are those people that remain or whatever new creation comes
out of the destruction?
Prabhupada: Some of them will remain, some of them. It will not completely extinguish.
Some of them will remain, pious. Paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam.
All miscreants will be killed, and out of them, there must be some pious...
They remain.
Allen Ginsberg: Do you think of this in terms of a historical event that will
occur in the lifetime of your disciples?
Prabhupada: No. This will happen at least 400,000's of years after, at least.
So by that time...
Allen Ginsberg: They will go down, down, down for 400,000 years?
Prabhupada: Yes. So at that time my disciples will be with Krsna. (laughter)
Devotees: Haribol!
Prabhupada: And those who will not follow them, they will see the fun, how they
are being killed. (laughter)
Allen Ginsberg: 400,000 years. Will people still be chanting Hare Krsna in 400,000...
Prabhupada: No. Hare Krsna will be finished within ten thousand years. There
will be no more Hare Krsna.
(Room Conversation with Allen Ginsberg May 13, 1969, Columbus, Ohio.)
PRABHUPADA SANKIRTANA SOCIETY
The devotees at the Prabhupada Sankirtana Society in a humble and helpless way,
are trying to keep pushing on the sankirtana movement keeping Srila Prabhupada
in the center as the acarya. We presently have three centers in which lectures
are given daily by Srila Prabhupada, during the morning and evening programmes.
Kirtana's are regularly led by His Divine Grace and his bhajana's can be heard
twenty four hours a day in most centers. Regular sankirtana, book distribution
and prasadam distribution is going on in the society. We would like to assist
and cooperate with all devotees who accept Srila Prabhupada as the initiating
spiritual master, to push on the sankirtana movement.
PURPOSES OF THE PRABHUPADA SANKIRTANA SOCIETY
To execute the seven purposes of the International Society of Krishna consciousness
as declared by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder
Acarya - Spiritual Master. The seven purposes are as follows:
1.. To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and
to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check
the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.
2.. To propagate a consciousness of Krishna as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita
and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
3.. To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer
to Krishna, the prime entity, and thus develop the idea, within the members
and humanity at large that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead
(Krishna).
4.. To teach and encourage the Sankirtana movement, congregational chanting
of the holy name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
5.. To erect for the members and society at large a holy place of transcendental
pastimes, dedicated to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
6.. To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler
and more natural way of life.
7.. With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and
distribute periodicals, magazines and books and other writings
a.. To learn and teach the art of associating with the Mahabhagavat, pure devotee
Srila Prabhupada through his vani (instructions)
b.. To realize the miraculous effects of associating with the Mahabhagavat,
pure devotee Srila Prabhupada
c.. To spread the unlimited glories of Srila Prabhupada in all directions as
wanted by the Lord.
d.. To develop one's own loving relationship with Srila Prabhupada and assist
others in developing a loving relationship with Srila Prabhupada as the primary
and initiating Guru, and by Srila Prabhupada's instruction, with ritvik initiation
take shelter at His Lotus Feet.
e.. To educate the general populace on the unique position of Srila Prabhupada
as Saktyavesa - Avatara, empowered representative of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna.
f.. To continue strictly following the routine daily devotional practices as
originally taught by Srila Prabhupada with an attempt to maintain his standards.
Prabhupada Sankirtana Society Temple and Preaching Locations.
P.S.S, 294 Lee Street, Oldham, OL81BG, England, (0161)-628-5213.
Contact: Mukunda dasa. E-Mail Addresses: PSSHearing@prabhupada.freeserve.co.uk
and hear1prabhupada@connect4free.net
P.S.S, 48 Avenue B (at 4th St), New York, NY 10009, U.S.A. (212)-674-0698.
Contact: Kapindra Swami. E-Mail Address: pss52@hotmail.com
P.S.S, Cintamani Dhama, Mandira, 73568, Didsbury, 29 Palms, California, 92277.
U.S.A.
Contact: Birnrshinga dasa. E-Mail Address: Madhavananda@juno.com
P.S.S. Westenrieder St 39, 80331 Munich, Germany, 892-916-0898. Contact: Sasha
P.S.S 56, Selkirk Rd #2, Brighton, MA, Boston, U.S.A, 617-731-5912
Contact: Tattva darsana dasa. E-mail Address: starpromo@aol.com
P.S.S Farm Community, Oregan, U.S.A. (Opening Soon) Contact: Narasimha dasa
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