Subject: Accepting the line of disciplic succession
For immediate release
ACCEPTING THE LINE OF DISCIPLIC SUCCESSION
from www.krishnapath.org
“Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is none other than the combined form of Sri Radha and Krsna. He is the life of those devotees who strictly follow in the footsteps of Srila Rupa Gosvami. Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Sanatana Gosvami are the two principal followers of Srila Svarupa Damodara Gosvami, who acted as the most confidential servitor of Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, known as Visvambhara in His early life. A direct disciple of Srila Rupa Gosvami was Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami. The author of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, stands as the direct disciple of Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami.
The direct disciple of Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami was Srila Narottama dasa Thakura, who accepted Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti as his servitor. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura accepted Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji, who initiated Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, who in turn initiated Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji, the spiritual master of Om Visnupada Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, the divine master of our humble self…. The subject matter of this book is not a mental concoction but a factual spiritual experience that one can realize only by accepting the line of disciplic succession described above. Any deviation from that line will bewilder the reader’s understandingof the mystery of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, which is a transcendental literature meant for the postgraduate study of one who has realized all the Vedic scriptures such as the Upanisads and Vedanta-sutra and their natural commentaries such as Srimad-Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad-gita.” (From the Caitanya Caritamrita Adi-Lila Chapter 1 [authorized 1975 edition]: The Spiritual Masters)
It is very interesting to note that the above disciplic succession referred to here has nothing to do with the formalities of Initiation as it is known in modern ISKCON today. It is referring to the authorized disciplic Succession based on the transfer of realization from one devotee to another. Not the formalities of who chants on ones beads, gives a name or performs a formal fire Yajna, where the initiate makes his vows before the sacred fire and deity. In fact, often case, such as with Narottama dasa Thakura and Visvanatha Cakravarti they never even met! So there is no possibility for there to have been a formal ceremony between them. Furthermore, Narottama underwent the formalities with Lokanatha not Krsnadasa.
Narottama appeared sometime in 1531 (exact date is unknown). His disciple was Ganga Narayana Cakravarti. Ganga Narayana’s disciple was Krishna Carana Cakravarti. Krishna Carana’s disciple was Radha Ramana Cakravarti, the formal guru of Visvanatha Cakravarti.
The exact year of Visvanatha’s birth is unknown. It is estimated to be somewhere between 1620-1640. He departed in 1708. So obviously due to the century difference between them they never even met. But Srila Prabhupada says that we get a “factual spiritual experience that one can realize onlyby accepting the line of disciplic succession described above.
This means that the way to have a factual spiritual experience is by hearing from the realized masters like Srila Prabhupada even if they are not physically present. It has nothing to do with the person that formally performs our initiation ceremony. It is a matter of what great personality (physically present or not) we are associating with through either meditation, service or hearing. Hearing can mean reading or hearing about him from a transparent source. But the connection or as Srila Prabhupada calls it “disciplic succession” is not based on formalities or physical presence. We also notice this in Srila Prabhupada’s introduction to the Bhagavad Gita this same conclusion is there. That disciplic succession is also not based on the person that performs ones initiation ritual. Thus the person performing the formalities of initiation chanting on beads and choosing a name is not the real spiritual connection. The disciplic succession is the person that we get our real transcendental wisdom from by reading there books or hearing their lectures etc (weather we have physically met them or not).
So if we are reading Srila Prabhupada’s books then Srila Prabhupada is our spiritual master. (Please see the quotes at the end of this article for more information in this regard.)
It is even more interesting to notice that Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura rejected his initiating guru Bipin Bihari Goswami due to a philosophical dispute. Later in a public meeting/debate of all the sadhus, to Bhaktivinoda’s great pleasure, his son, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami defeated Bipin Bihari Goswami. As a result we do not see his name in the disciplic succession.
So we must just catch the feet of the most recent topmost devotee Uttama-Adhikari and Acharya weather we are formally initiated by him or not. This is the process that Srila Prabhupada has instructed us to follow and even warns us that any deviation from this will bewilder us.
So we are so fortunate to have all Srila Prabhupada’s books, recorded audio and even hundreds of hours of free video’s for our spiritual growth. We must simply take advantage of this process of taking direct shelter of Srila Prabhupada for this is the disciplic succession that Srila Prabhupada has recommended above.
Here at Krishna Path we are very happy to offer you so much of Srila Prabhupada’s original authorized unadulterated books audio art etc for free. Please take full advantage of it and read and chant every day!
We are also in the process of redesigning Krishnapath.org so you can have a more enjoyable user-friendly experience. The new website should be launched in a month or so. So stay tuned.
Hare Krishna!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
So there is nothing to be said new. Whatever I have to speak, I have spoken in my books. Now you try to understand it and continue your endeavor. Whether I am present or not present, it doesn’t matter. (Arrival Speech – May 17, 1977, Vrndavana)
If I depart, there is no cause for lamentation. I will always be with you through my books and my orders. I will always remain with you in that way.” (Back To Godhead vol.13 01/02, 1978)
Indian lady: Can the death of a spiritual master take to us, or I can get… Is that spiritual master still guiding after the death? (?) Prabhupada: Yes, yes. Just like Krsna is guiding us, similarly, spiritual master will guide. We are being guided by Krsna, by the Bhagavad-gita. Although Krsna is not physically present, so-called… Krsna is present always. But even if we say that Krsna is not physically present as He was present before Arjuna, still, His book, Bhagavad-gita, is there. (His Divine Grace Srila Sac-cid-ananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Appearance Day, Lecture — London, September 3, 1971)
Indian Man(2): …like your company very much in Toronto and we feel like talk you so much, but we don’t have so much time to talk with you. You have so much mercy, so we have not… know so much about Krsna from you. Prabhupada: So in my absence you read the books. What I talk, I have written in the books. That’s all. Indian Man (2): Personally, we think more greater. Prabhupada: That’s all right. But still, you can associate with me by reading my books. (Morning Walk — August 7, 1975, Toronto)
Prajapati: In the Bhagavad-gita it is indicated by Sri Krsna that when we approach a bona fide spiritual master our relationship is twofold. We render service and then we also make inquiry. Prabhupada: Yeah. Prajapati: Now, you have answered all our inquiries so thoroughly in our books that to make inquiry at this point seems like…, you’ve already answered all the questions. So how may we… What is the proper relationship at that point to make inquiry? Devotee (4): Read the books. Prabhupada: Yes. Read the books, yes. Why I’m working so hard? Read the books. [break] (Morning Walk – January 5, 1974, Los Angeles)
Lord Brahma heard the occult sound tapa, but he did not see the person who vibrated the sound. And still he accepted the instruction as beneficial for him, and therefore he engaged himself in meditation for one thousand celestial years. One celestial year is equal to 6 x 30 x 12 x 1000 of our years. His acceptance of the sound was due to his pure vision of the absolute nature of the Lord. And due to his correct vision, he made no distinction between the Lord and the Lord’s instruction. There is no difference between the Lord and sound vibration coming from Him, even though He is not personally present.The best way of understanding is to accept such divine instruction, and Brahma, the prime spiritual master of everyone, is the living example of this process of receiving transcendental knowledge. The potency of transcendental sound is never minimized because the vibrator is apparently absent. Therefore Srimad-Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita or any revealed scripture in the world is never to be accepted as an ordinary mundane sound without transcendental potency. (SB 2.9.8)
one has to associate with liberated persons not directly, physically, but by understanding, through philosophy and logic, the problems of life. (SB 3.31.48)
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.…You may please me the most by reading my books and following the instructions therein and by becoming fully Krishna Conscious in this life time. (Letter to: Bahurupa Bombay 74-11-22)
I have instructed everything in my books. (Letter to: Dina Dayala Mayapur 76-02-25)
Interviewer: You are the translator of many books, from what I understand. Prabhupada: Yes. So that translation, the book, will speak how I have translated. Interviewer: Um hm. I was wondering… Prabhupada: You read the books, Then you’ll understand. Instead of asking me, you better read the books. That is real understanding. (Interview with Newsweek – July 14, 1976, New York)
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. Krishna Consciousness is not a hackneyed thing but it is something which is our natural and original consciousness. Presently our consciousness is clouded just like a mirror becomes covered with dust So the cleansing process is this chanting and hearing and doing some service and trying to please the Spiritual Master. By this process our consciousness becomes clear and we are able to understand everything. (Letter to: Bahurupa – Bombay 22 November, 1974)
Every one of you must regularly read our books at least twice — in the morning and evening, and automatically all questions will be answered. (Letter to: Ranadhira – Los Angeles 24 January, 1970)
So utilize whatever time you find to make a thorough study of my books. Then all your questions will be answered. (Letter to: Upendra – Nellore 7 January, 1976)
Reporter (2): What will happen to the movement in the United States when you die? Prabhupada: I will never die. Devotees: Jaya! Hari bol! (laughter) Prabhupada: I shall live for my books, and you will utilize. (Press Conference – July 16, 1975, San Francisco)
The merciful Lord left behind Him the great teachings of the Bhagavad-gita so that one can take the instructions of the Lord even when He is not visible to material eyesight. Material senses cannot have any estimation of the Supreme Lord, but by His inconceivable power the Lord can incarnate Himself to the sense perception of the conditioned souls in a suitable manner through the agency of matter, which is also another form of the Lord’s manifested energy. Thus the Bhagavad-gita, or any authentic scriptural sound representation of the Lord, is also the incarnation of the Lord. There is no difference between the sound representation of the Lord and the Lord Himself. One can derive the same benefit from the Bhagavad-gita as Arjuna did in the personal presence of the Lord. (SB 1.15.27)
One who can see Srimad-Bhagavatam can see also Lord Sri Krsna in person. They are identical. (SB 1.3.43)
arcye sila-dhir gurusu na… Gurusu means those who are acaryas, to accept their body as ordinary man’s body, this is denied in the sastras. So although a physical body is not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the spiritual master, vibration. What we have heard from the spiritual master, that is living. (Lecture Excerpt – Los Angeles, January 13, 1969)
Bhakta Mark
"This is Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mission. He says, "You become a spiritual master." "How? I have no qualification." "No. You just accept my order?" "So what is your order, sir?" Yāre dekha, tāre kaha 'kṛṣṇa'-upadeśa: [Cc. Madhya 7.128] "You simply speak the instruction of Kṛṣṇa whoever you meet. Then you become a spiritual master." (Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 4.15 -- Bombay, April 4, 1974)
Therefore Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, āmāra ājñāya guru haya tāra sarva- deśa, tāra ei deśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. He's asking everyone to become a spiritual master. So how everyone can become a spiritual master? A spiritual master must have sufficient knowledge, so many other qualifications. No. Even without any qualifications, one can become a spiritual master. How? Now the process is, Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, āmāra ājñāya: "On My order." That is the crucial point. One does not become spiritual master by his own whims. That is not spiritual master. He must be ordered by superior authority. Then he's spiritual master. Āmāra ājñāya. Just like in our case. Our superior authority, our spiritual master, he ordered me that "You just try to preach this gospel, whatever you have learned from me, in English." So we have tried it. That's all. It is not that I am very much qualified. The only qualification is that I have tried to execute the order of superior authority. That's all. This is the secret of success. (Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 2.2 -- London, August 3, 1973)
Antya 6.312 – TRANSLATION: He never touched anything to wear except a small torn cloth and a patchwork wrapper. Thus he very rigidly executed the order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. PURPORT: The principle of very rigidly carrying out the order of the spiritual master must be observed. The spiritual master gives different orders to different people. For example, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ordered Jīva Gosvāmī, Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī to preach, and He ordered Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī to strictly follow the rules and regulations of the renounced order. All six Gosvāmīs strictly followed the instructions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. This is the principle for progress in devotional service. After receiving an order from the spiritual master, one must strictly try to execute the order. That is the way of success.
Is there anyone out there in Iskcon who was EVER specifically ordered by Srila Prabhupada to become an INITIATING spiritual master and accept disciples on their own behalf?
I have seen no such evidence. The only orders I have ever seen were to become instructor spiritual masters by preaching and instructing “exactly” as Srila Prabhupada instructed. There is an incredibly broad latitude for becoming Instructing Spiritual master. NOT SO FOR DIKSA GURU.
Regarding your question about the husband becoming the Spiritual Master of the wife, anyone who can give instructing in spiritual life is treated as Spiritual Master. There are two kinds of Spiritual Master, initiator and instructor. So the husband can help the wife as instructor. (Letter to: Himavati -- Los Angeles 24 January, 1969)
"To answer your last point, one who teaches can be treated as Spiritual Master. It is not that after we become initiated we become perfect. No. It requires teaching. So if we take instruction from them, all senior godbrothers may be treated as guru, there is no harm. Actually, you have only one Spiritual Master, who initiates you, just as you have only one father. But every Vaisnava should be treated as prabhu, master, higher than me, and in this sense, if I learn from him, he may be regarded as guru. It is not that I disobey my real Spiritual Master and call someone else as Spiritual Master. That is wrong. It is only that I can call Spiritual Master someone who is teaching me purely what my initiating Spiritual Master has taught. Do you get the sense?" (Letter to: Sri Galim -- Delhi 20 November, 1971)
"Śikṣā-guru does not mean he is speaking something against the teachings of the dīkṣā-guru. He is not a śikṣā-guru. He is a rascal." (Bhagavad-gita 17.1-3 -- Honolulu, July 4, 1974)
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. (Letter to: Madhudvisa: -- Detroit 4 August, 1975)
AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE DIKSA GURU OR INITIATING SPIRITUAL MASTER IS MEANT TO BE A MAHA BHAGAVATA, WORSHIPPED AS GOOD AS GOD. In ISKCON we were instructed that was to include the following
1. Obeisances offered to the Initiating Spiritual Master via PERSONAL Pranama Mantra 2. Worship of that Diksa Guru on Vyasa Puja celebration 3. Daily special Guru Puja to that Diksa Guru 4. Worship of that Diksa Guru’s Murti or Picture on the same level as Deity worship.
"When one has attained the topmost position of mahä-bhägavata, he is to be accepted as a guru and worshiped exactly like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. Only such a person is eligible to occupy the post of a guru." (Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 24.330)
Srila Prabhupada: "One who has got this divya-jñāna, vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti sa mahātmā, that is mahātmā. But that is very, very rare. Otherwise, mahātmā LIKE ME, they are loitering in the street. That is. So you should always remember this word, divya-jñāna hṛde prakāśito. And because the spiritual master enlightens the divya-jñāna, one feels obliged to him. Yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo yasya prasādān na gatiḥ kuto ‘pi **. *So this guru-pūjā essential.* *As the Deity worship essential*… It is not cheap adoration. It is the process of enlightening the divya-jñāna.** (Lecture — Bombay, April 1, 1977)
My dear Karandhara, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated January 21st, 1976. The photos of my murti are very nice. The murti of the Spiritual Master should be treated as good as the Deity. Saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair, uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih/kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya **, The guru should be treated as good as God. This is stated in all the sastras. The difference is that God is master-God and guru is servant-God. So the installation ceremony for such a murti should be similar to that done for other Deities. All Temples can have this Deity if they like. But Temples which have only Panca-tattva painting worship should not be given this Deity. You should make a murti of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and then they may be worshiped together as is now being done in our Krishna Balarama Temple. They should be placed with Gaura Nitai—Guru Gauranga. (Letter to: Karandhara -- Mayapur 29 January, 1976)
Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter dated Jan. 3rd and have noted the contents. It is nice that you are enthusiastically engaged in New York. I have no objection to your worshiping my murti for Guru Puja. But for placing in the temple there must be a pair of murtis, (my Guru Maharaja must be there) as in Krsna-Balarama Mandir, and they must be permanently installed. This may be done in accord with the temple authorities. Or else you may worship one murti of myself privately in your room. (Letter to: Sudama -- Allahabad 13 January, 1977)
And if that isn't obvious enough for you brainiacs, how about the fact that IF INDEED ALL THE DEVOTEES "GIVING DIKSA" IN ISKCON WERE MAHABHAGAVATAS CAPABLE OF BEING INITIATING SPIRITUAL MASTERS, THE GBC WOULD BE IN THE DEFAULT POSITION OF APARADHIS ACCORDING TO SRILA RUPA GOSWAMI.
Prabhupada “It is also an offense to consider an empowered Vaiṣṇava an object of disciplinary action. It is offensive to try to give him advice or to correct him. One can distinguish between a neophyte Vaiṣṇava and an advanced Vaiṣṇava by their activities. The advanced Vaiṣṇava is always situated as the spiritual master, and the neophyte is always considered his disciple. The spiritual master must not be subjected to the advice of a disciple, nor should a spiritual master be obliged to take instructions from those who are not his disciples. This is the sum and substance of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī’s advice in the sixth verse.” NOI 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry kids. NO MORE DIKSA GURUS NEEDED IN ISKCON TEMPLES.
Why don't all you neophytes who can't live a moment without being worshiped and cannot accept the humble position of a priest, simply take all your disciples out of Srila Prabhupada's temples and start your own, write your own god-damned books, show us how wonderful and glorious you really are?
Leave Iskcon's properties of all forms to those devotees who actually want to live according to the rules and regulations set down by the Founder. Then in the future you are always welcome to apply for affiliation to Iskcon. But why would you want to? After all since you are such glorious MahaBhagavatas, by that time your asramas will have surpassed Iskcon by leaps and bounds!
Therefore Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, āmāra ājñāya guru haya tāra sarva- deśa, tāra ei deśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. He's asking everyone to become a spiritual master. So how everyone can become a spiritual master? A spiritual master must have sufficient knowledge, so many other qualifications. No. Even without any qualifications, one can become a spiritual master. How? Now the process is, Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, āmāra ājñāya: "On My order." That is the crucial point. One does not become spiritual master by his own whims. That is not spiritual master. He must be ordered by superior authority. Then he's spiritual master. Āmāra ājñāya. Just like in our case. Our superior authority, our spiritual master, he ordered me that "You just try to preach this gospel, whatever you have learned from me, in English." So we have tried it. That's all. It is not that I am very much qualified. The only qualification is that I have tried to execute the order of superior authority. That's all. This is the secret of success. (Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 2.2 -- London, August 3, 1973)
Antya 6.312 – TRANSLATION: He never touched anything to wear except a small torn cloth and a patchwork wrapper. Thus he very rigidly executed the order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. PURPORT: The principle of very rigidly carrying out the order of the spiritual master must be observed. The spiritual master gives different orders to different people. For example, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ordered Jīva Gosvāmī, Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī to preach, and He ordered Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī to strictly follow the rules and regulations of the renounced order. All six Gosvāmīs strictly followed the instructions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. This is the principle for progress in devotional service. After receiving an order from the spiritual master, one must strictly try to execute the order. That is the way of success.
Is there anyone out there in Iskcon who was EVER specifically ordered by Srila Prabhupada to become an INITIATING spiritual master and accept disciples on their own behalf?
I have seen no such evidence. The only orders I have ever seen were to become instructor spiritual masters by preaching and instructing “exactly” as Srila Prabhupada instructed. There is an incredibly broad latitude for becoming Instructing Spiritual master. NOT SO FOR DIKSA GURU.
Regarding your question about the husband becoming the Spiritual Master of the wife, anyone who can give instructing in spiritual life is treated as Spiritual Master. There are two kinds of Spiritual Master, initiator and instructor. So the husband can help the wife as instructor. (Letter to: Himavati -- Los Angeles 24 January, 1969)
"To answer your last point, one who teaches can be treated as Spiritual Master. It is not that after we become initiated we become perfect. No. It requires teaching. So if we take instruction from them, all senior godbrothers may be treated as guru, there is no harm. Actually, you have only one Spiritual Master, who initiates you, just as you have only one father. But every Vaisnava should be treated as prabhu, master, higher than me, and in this sense, if I learn from him, he may be regarded as guru. It is not that I disobey my real Spiritual Master and call someone else as Spiritual Master. That is wrong. It is only that I can call Spiritual Master someone who is teaching me purely what my initiating Spiritual Master has taught. Do you get the sense?" (Letter to: Sri Galim -- Delhi 20 November, 1971)
"Śikṣā-guru does not mean he is speaking something against the teachings of the dīkṣā-guru. He is not a śikṣā-guru. He is a rascal." (Bhagavad-gita 17.1-3 -- Honolulu, July 4, 1974)
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. (Letter to: Madhudvisa: -- Detroit 4 August, 1975)
AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE DIKSA GURU OR INITIATING SPIRITUAL MASTER IS MEANT TO BE A MAHA BHAGAVATA, WORSHIPPED AS GOOD AS GOD. In ISKCON we were instructed that was to include the following
1. Obeisances offered to the Initiating Spiritual Master via PERSONAL Pranama Mantra 2. Worship of that Diksa Guru on Vyasa Puja celebration 3. Daily special Guru Puja to that Diksa Guru 4. Worship of that Diksa Guru’s Murti or Picture on the same level as Deity worship.
"When one has attained the topmost position of mahä-bhägavata, he is to be accepted as a guru and worshiped exactly like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. Only such a person is eligible to occupy the post of a guru." (Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 24.330)
Srila Prabhupada: "One who has got this divya-jñāna, vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti sa mahātmā, that is mahātmā. But that is very, very rare. Otherwise, mahātmā LIKE ME, they are loitering in the street. That is. So you should always remember this word, divya-jñāna hṛde prakāśito. And because the spiritual master enlightens the divya-jñāna, one feels obliged to him. Yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo yasya prasādān na gatiḥ kuto ‘pi **. *So this guru-pūjā essential.* *As the Deity worship essential*… It is not cheap adoration. It is the process of enlightening the divya-jñāna.** (Lecture — Bombay, April 1, 1977)
My dear Karandhara, Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated January 21st, 1976. The photos of my murti are very nice. The murti of the Spiritual Master should be treated as good as the Deity. Saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair, uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih/kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya **, The guru should be treated as good as God. This is stated in all the sastras. The difference is that God is master-God and guru is servant-God. So the installation ceremony for such a murti should be similar to that done for other Deities. All Temples can have this Deity if they like. But Temples which have only Panca-tattva painting worship should not be given this Deity. You should make a murti of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and then they may be worshiped together as is now being done in our Krishna Balarama Temple. They should be placed with Gaura Nitai—Guru Gauranga. (Letter to: Karandhara -- Mayapur 29 January, 1976)
Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter dated Jan. 3rd and have noted the contents. It is nice that you are enthusiastically engaged in New York. I have no objection to your worshiping my murti for Guru Puja. But for placing in the temple there must be a pair of murtis, (my Guru Maharaja must be there) as in Krsna-Balarama Mandir, and they must be permanently installed. This may be done in accord with the temple authorities. Or else you may worship one murti of myself privately in your room. (Letter to: Sudama -- Allahabad 13 January, 1977)
And if that isn't obvious enough for you brainiacs, how about the fact that IF INDEED ALL THE DEVOTEES "GIVING DIKSA" IN ISKCON WERE MAHABHAGAVATAS CAPABLE OF BEING INITIATING SPIRITUAL MASTERS, THE GBC WOULD BE IN THE DEFAULT POSITION OF APARADHIS ACCORDING TO SRILA RUPA GOSWAMI.
Prabhupada “It is also an offense to consider an empowered Vaiṣṇava an object of disciplinary action. It is offensive to try to give him advice or to correct him. One can distinguish between a neophyte Vaiṣṇava and an advanced Vaiṣṇava by their activities. The advanced Vaiṣṇava is always situated as the spiritual master, and the neophyte is always considered his disciple. The spiritual master must not be subjected to the advice of a disciple, nor should a spiritual master be obliged to take instructions from those who are not his disciples. This is the sum and substance of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī’s advice in the sixth verse.” NOI 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry kids. NO MORE DIKSA GURUS NEEDED IN ISKCON TEMPLES.
Why don't all you neophytes who can't live a moment without being worshiped and cannot accept the humble position of a priest, simply take all your disciples out of Srila Prabhupada's temples and start your own, write your own god-damned books, show us how wonderful and glorious you really are?
Leave Iskcon's properties of all forms to those devotees who actually want to live according to the rules and regulations set down by the Founder. Then in the future you are always welcome to apply for affiliation to Iskcon. But why would you want to? After all since you are such glorious MahaBhagavatas, by that time your asramas will have surpassed Iskcon by leaps and bounds!
Tdasa reply
With respect, I disagree. The practical conclusion you reach does not jive with history nor tradition nor the actual orders of Srila Prabhupada.
Already we have seen other pure devotees worthy to carry on the sampradaya as diksha guru and acarya, and they were ordered to do so by Srila Prabhupada. One was Gour Govinda Swami, also eliminated by demonic activity. So, you are writing and committing aparadha by denying all further pure devotees? SP was impotent to create further diksha quality level pure devotees? This is not good. But, like ourselves at SPIRITNET, we continue as TPs of elected Vaisnava bodies to do ritvik initiations on Srila Prabhupadas behalf as instructed, as currently there is no one we are aware of taking on the responsibility, within the immediate Prabhupadanuga sampradaya, of offering diksha, and we do not wish to divert new comers to ideas outside of those of Srila Prabhupada's orders.
Replies