The ritvik topic seems to be such a highly debated one due to far too much withheld information and also misunderstanding of the information available. The ritvik system obviously has it's place and is a valid means of initiating new devotees when the acarya chooses to delegate the role to others, as Srila Prabhupada did. And let us keep in context that diksa initiation is essentially a pancaratrika-viddhi activity and that our guru-parampara is based on bhagavata-viddhi, or instruction(siksa).
The contention over the 11 appointed ritvik representatives being qualified to act as acaryas after Prabhupada's departure is another discussion,a proverbial tin of worms! Sastra clearly states that even a kanistha adhikari can initiate disciples, however it is to be understood that the disciple may not be able to progress very well due to the insufficient guidance that their guru can provide. Therefore it is recommended that one accept a maha-bhagavata, or uttama adhikari devotee as one's diksa-guru.
Now the question arises that why then do some devotees end up with a guru who later falls down due to their being at an immature stage of bhakti? Well, those who have made an in-depth study of bhakti will know that pure bhakti is not so easily attained. Similarly, it is not such a cheap thing to get an uttama-adhikari as one's guru. And equally rare is to find a qualified disciple of such a qualified diksa-guru! Prabhupada himself is recognised as an uttama-adhikari bhakta, yet how many of his disciples have fallen by the wayside back into gross materialistic life?
From this point we can understand that although having an uttama-adhikari bhakta as one's guru is ideal, success in spiritual life still relies on the sincerity, application and eagerness of the disciple. Krsna is in the heart and will continue to direct the sincere bhakta regardless of temporary external circumstances. Gauranga !!
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