Srila Prabhupada’s Automatic Acceptance

Srila Prabhupada’s Diksa – An Automatic Process

Vidura Mahatma dasa

          In order to attain the highest perfection of life one must approach a bona fide spiritual master coming in the disciplic succession from Lord Krishna Himself. The self-realized spiritual master is able to present the real conclusions of Krishna’s instructions in a way that can be understood and executed as applicable to this day and age. This is the special purpose and great need of accepting a bona fide spiritual master. The rare opportunity to approach a bona fide, self-realized spiritual master coming in the authorized chain of disciplic succession is available to everyone today and is indeed intended for everyone [in every town and village] to take advantage of, owing to the mercy of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Readers will find this composition instrumental in ascertaining the philosophical basis of taking shelter of Srila Prabhupada – the current approachable link in the disciplic succession – by adhering to the principles and instructions given in his books. The execution of Srila Prabhupada’s discipline will surely elevate one to the perfectional stage of life leading back home, back to Godhead.

Approaching a bona fide spiritual master for spiritual understanding

“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.”

Purport by Srila Prabhupada
The path of spiritual realization is undoubtedly difficult. The Lord therefore advises us to approach a bona fide spiritual master in the line of disciplic succession from the Lord Himself. No one can be a bona fide spiritual master without following this principle of disciplic succession. The Lord is the original spiritual master, and a person in the disciplic succession can convey the message of the Lord as it is to his disciple. No one can be spiritually realized by manufacturing his own process, as is the fashion of the foolish pretenders. The Bhāgavatam says: dharmaṁ hi sākṣād-bhagavat-praṇītam—the path of religion is directly enunciated by the Lord. Therefore, mental speculation or dry arguments cannot help one progress in spiritual life. One has to approach a bona fide spiritual master to receive the knowledge. Such a spiritual master should be accepted in full surrender, and one should serve the spiritual master like a menial servant, without false prestige. Satisfaction of the self-realized spiritual master is the secret of advancement in spiritual life. Inquiries and submission constitute the proper combination for spiritual understanding. Unless there is submission and service, inquiries from the learned spiritual master will not be effective. One must be able to pass the test of the spiritual master, and when he sees the genuine desire of the disciple, he automatically blesses the disciple with genuine spiritual understanding. In this verse, both blind following and absurd inquiries are condemned. One should not only hear submissively from the spiritual master; but one must also get a clear understanding from him, in submission and service and inquiries. A bona fide spiritual master is by nature very kind toward the disciple. Therefore when the student is submissive and is always ready to render service, the reciprocation of knowledge and inquiries becomes perfect.

Bhagavad-gita As It Is (1972) 4.34

Note: All book citations in this article have been taken from Srila Prabhupada’s original, unedited and unrevised editions (pre-1978). Author’s emphasis added.

          This verse and purport serves as a clear outline of the process of receiving transcendental knowledge from a bona fide spiritual master. One must first approach a self-realized spiritual master in order to receive genuine spiritual understanding from him and thereby make real progress in spiritual life. The idea is that both the spiritual master and the disciple must be genuine. One must pass the test of the spiritual master, entailing submission, service and inquiry. The spiritual master then automatically blesses the disciple with genuine spiritual understanding. This spiritual understanding is not a one time result from passing a test but a continual, reciprocal process dependent on the faithful execution of the spiritual master’s instructions:

“Diksa is the process by which one can awaken his transcendental knowledge and vanquish all reactions caused by sinful activity.” (C.c. Madhya, 15.108, purport)


“Diksa actually means initiating a disciple with transcendental knowledge by which he becomes freed from all material contamination.” (C.c. Madhya, 4.111, purport)


“Initiation means receiving the pure knowledge of spiritual consciousness.” (C.c. Madhya, 9.61, purport)


“The disciple and Spiritual Master are never separated because the Spiritual Master always keeps company with the disciple as long as the disciple follows strictly the instructions of the Spiritual Master.” (S.B. 4:28:47, purport)

Srila Prabhupada’s Testing

          The disciple must pass the test of the spiritual master. Srila Prabhupada outlines his test for every member of the Krishna consciousness movement very clearly in his books. This test determines whether a prospective disciple is fit for initiation into genuine spiritual understanding.

“In our Krsna consciousness movement, the requirement is that one must be prepared to give up the four pillars of sinful life: illicit sex, meat eating, intoxication and gambling. In Western countries especially, we first observe whether a potential disciple is prepared to follow the regulative principles. Then he is given the name of a Vaisnava servant and initiated to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, at least sixteen rounds daily. In this way the disciple renders devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master or his representative for at least six months to a year. He is then recommended for a second initiation, during which a sacred thread is offered and the disciple is accepted as a bona fide brahmana.” (Cc Madhya-lila 24:330, purport)


 “Thus in the beginning the students of our Krsna consciousness movement agree to live with devotees, and gradually, having given up four prohibited activities illicit sex, gambling, meat-eating and intoxication they become advanced in the activities of spiritual life. When one is found to be regularly following these principles, he is given the first initiation (hari-nama), and he regularly chants at least sixteen rounds a day. Then, after six months or a year, he is initiated for the second time and given the sacred thread with the regular sacrifice and ritual.” (Cc Adi-lila 17:265, purport)


 “Due to the necessity of these activities, we do not immediately initiate disciples in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. For six months, a candidate for initiation must first attend arati and classes in the sastras, practice the regulative principles and associate with other devotees. When one is actually advanced in the purascarya-vidhi, he is recommended by the local temple president for initiation. It is not that anyone can be suddenly initiated without meeting the requirements. When one is further advanced by chanting the Hare Krsna mantra sixteen rounds daily, following the regulative principles and attending classes, he receives the sacred thread (brahminical recognition) after the second six months.” (Cc Madhya-lila 15:108, purport)


“We accept many people into our Society as duly initiated disciples, but only if they vow to observe these regulations: no more illicit sex, no more gambling, no more intoxication, and no more animal-killing or meat-eating.” (A Second Chance – 16)

  • Time, place and circumstance

          Within a world-wide institution of temples and thousands of members/disciples, Srila Prabhupada satisfied the principle of testing between spiritual master and disciple through representatives of his (e.g., temple presidents). Formal initiation depended on one’s following the rules and regulations, which was observed by temple authorities and then the devotee recommended for initiation to Srila Prabhupada. By 1977 Srila Prabhupada gave representatives full discretionary rights to decide whether a new devotee should be given initiation (Room Conversation—7/19/77, Vṛndāvana). Such practical adjustments are common in the preaching activities of great acharya’s, keeping in line with the essence of the principles of devotional service in accordance with time, place and circumstance:

“So ācārya means, just like Gosvāmīs, they would read all the scriptures and take the essence of it and give it to his disciples that, “You act like this.” Because he knows what to give, how to manipulate, so that his ekāntataḥ śreyas will be achieved. Ultimate goal. Therefore the ācārya knows how to adjust things, at the same time keep pace with the spiritual interest(?). That is ācārya. It is not that the same thing to be applied everywhere. He is eager to engage actually the people in the real benefit of life, but the means may be different. Just like my Guru Mahārāja. He is the first time that he allowed the sannyāsīs to drive in a motorcar. […] This is adjustment. The ācārya knows how to adjust things. The real purpose is how one will take to spiritual consciousness, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Keeping one’s aim to that point some concession may be given. As far as possible, keeping pace with the time, circumstances.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Lecture 1.1.9 — Auckland, February 20, 1973)


“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.” (SB 4.8.5 purport)


“Vaisnava who is preaching, it may be in a different way, according to time and place and the party–they have to change something, desa-kala-patra–but we have to see the essence.” (SB Lec. 10/18/74)


“All the students of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement have undergone the regular process of initiation.” (Adi 17.265 purport)

Automatic Acceptance

“One must be able to pass the test of the spiritual master, and when he sees the genuine desire of the disciple, he automatically blesses the disciple with genuine spiritual understanding.” (Bg 4.34 purport excerpt)

The automatic blessing of genuine spiritual understanding from the genuine desire of the disciple is a significant factor in the guru-disciple relationship. It depicts the approach of the spiritual master as being a spiritual approach rather than a physical approach. This is fluent with how Srila Prabhupada defines both a disciple and initiation:

“A disciple means who voluntarily agrees to be disciplined by the spiritual master.” (Lecture 2/11/75)

Note: This could only mean that the spiritual master’s blessing is there automatically upon the discipline being followed. A spiritual approach.


“Initiation is a formality. If you are serious, that is real initiation. My touch is simply a formality. It is your determination, that is initiation.”  (“BTG #49)

Note: If determination is the initiation, this could only mean that the transcendental knowledge (real initiation) from Srila Prabhupada is automatically there. A spiritual approach.


“This is the process of initiation. […] He promises to execute the order of the spiritual master. Then, the spiritual master takes care of him and elevates him to spiritual emancipation.” (Cc Madhya 24.256 Purport)

Note: Again we see the same automatic element here. Upon promising to execute the order of the spiritual master, the spiritual master takes care of him spiritually.


“…as you are all following my instruction, in that matter, the initiator is already there.” (Letter 8/19/68)

Note: Another strong proof that Srila Prabhupada’s blessing of genuine spiritual understanding is already or automatically there as we are all following his instruction. The approach is following the instructions.


“So diksa means the initiation to begin transcendental activities. That is called initiation. Therefore we take promise from the disciple that “You chant so many times,” “Yes, sir.” “You observe these rules and regulations,” “Yes, sir.” That is initiation. He has to observe; he has to chant. Then everything comes automatically.” (Lecture SB 6.1.15 — February 22, 1973)

          The genuine desire and promise from the disciple is the approach itself, then everything comes automatically. Indeed, the spiritual master is so merciful and always, by nature, willing to accept a genuine disciple, that Srila Prabhupada is describing the process as almost a sort of spiritual mechanism. Acceptance on the part of the spiritual master must be there but it is to be understood that it occurs automatically and spiritually from the determined execution of his instructions or, in other words, the passing of his test. Referring back to the introductory purport we can see that this automatic acceptance is simply the kind nature of the spiritual master:

“A bona fide spiritual master is by nature very kind toward the disciple. Therefore when the student is submissive and is always ready to render service, the reciprocation of knowledge and inquiries becomes perfect.” (Bg 4.34 purport excerpt)

  •  The bigger picture

          It’s important to remember the basic principle or purpose of the spiritual master. The spiritual master is sent on behalf of Lord Krsna in order to help the fallen conditioned souls in the material world surrender unto Krsna, as per His order in the Bhagavad-gita 18.66:

Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.

Srila Prabhupada says in this regard:

Kṛṣṇa’s representative means the representative says the same thing as Kṛṣṇa says. Kṛṣṇa says “Surrender unto Me,” and the representative says “Surrender to Kṛṣṇa.” And because he delivers the real knowledge, he’s as good as Kṛṣṇa.” (Garden Conversation — June 8, 1976, Los Angeles)

One may argue that “Where is Krsna?” No, you have got Krsna’s representative, guru. Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado. The representative is there. If you act according to his instruction, if you want to please him, then Krsna is pleased.” (Lecture SB 6.1.15 — June 28, 1975)

Where is the question of Srila Prabhupada not being ready to accept a disciple providing the disciple genuinely desires to surrender unto Krsna by seriously executing Srila Prabhupada’s instructions? This is the meaning of automatic.

  • Spiritual master from within and from without

          The purpose of approaching a spiritual master is to receive spiritual guidance and become eligible to return back home, back to Godhead. Since we aren’t pure enough to consult directly with the Supersoul, Sri Krishna, we must approach an external, physical and self-realized spiritual master in order to receive this same spiritual guidance in a way perceivable to our present senses. This happens to be the reason Srila Prabhupada wrote so many books. Srila Prabhupada’s books are nondifferent from himself in transmitting transcendental knowledge and providing spiritual guidance to any sincere candidates who agree to abide by the methods of devotional service prescribed n his books.

“Kṛṣṇa is the first spiritual master, and when we become more interested, then we have to go to a physical spiritual master. That is enjoined in the next verse.
tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ
[Bg. 4.34]
Now, Kṛṣṇa advises that “If you want to know that transcendental science, then you just try to approach somebody.” Praṇipātena. Praṇipātena, paripraśnena and sevayā. What is praṇipāta? Praṇipāta means surrender. Surrender. You must select a person where you can surrender yourself because nobody likes to surrender to anyone.” (Lecture: Bhagavad-gita 4.34 — New York, August 14, 1966)


“Regarding your question, this surrender to Supersoul is in the advanced stage of Krishna Consciousness. So long one is not advanced, he has to take information and direction from the representative of Supersoul or the Spiritual Master. The spiritual master is external manifestation of the Supersoul. Thus the Lord helps the living entity, helps both from inside & outside.” (Letter — Calcutta 22 February, 1972)


“The spiritual master is considered to be the outward expression of the Supersoul. God is so kind that He is within, giving you education, provided you are prepared to hear. And from without, He sends His representative. So both ways we are benefited. We have to take advantage of this opportunity. From without, we have got these books, the spiritual master, the saintly persons, so many. Friends, books. And from within, Kṛṣṇa, the Supersoul.” (Lecture: Srimad-Bhagavatam 12.2.1 — San Francisco, March 18, 1968)

Vani over Vapu

  • A tradition of hearing

“All Vedic knowledge is based on the principle that one must approach a bona fide spiritual master and hear from the authoritative statements of the Vedas. It is not necessary for one to be a highly polished literary man to receive knowledge; to receive perfect knowledge from a perfect person, one must be expert in hearing. This is called the descending process of deductive knowledge, or avaroha-panthā.”(Cc Adi 16.52 purport)


“So knowledge means not to see but to hear. Therefore it is called śruti, śuśruma. Knowledge has to be received through the ear, not by the eyes. Not by the eyes. This is not recommended. Nobody says, “I want to see knowledge,” no: “I want to hear knowledge.” Therefore it is called śruti, and knowledge is received through the ear, aural reception.” (Lecture: Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.40 — San Francisco, July 21, 1975)


“My Guru Mahārāja, 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 praṇipātena [Bg. 4.34]. Śruti. The whole process is śruti. The Vedas are called śruti. The ear has to aural reception.” (Bhagavad-gita 4.24-34 — New York, August 12)


“So knowledge means not to see but to hear. Therefore it is called śruti, śuśruma. Knowledge has to be received through the ear, not by the eyes. Not by the eyes. This is not recommended. Nobody says, “I want to see knowledge,” no: “I want to hear knowledge.” Therefore it is called śruti, and knowledge is received through the ear, aural reception.” (Lecture: Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.40 — San Francisco, July 21, 1975)

  • Take advantage of vani, not vapu

“Although according to material vision His Divine Grace Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda passed away from this material world on the last day of December, 1936, I still consider His Divine Grace to be always present with me by his vāṇī, his words. There are two ways of association-by vāṇī and by vapu. Vāṇī means words, and vapu means physical presence. Physical presence is sometimes appreciable and sometimes not, but vāṇī continues to exist eternally. Therefore we must take advantage of the vāṇī, not the physical presence.” (Cc. 1975 Concluding Words)


“…progress in spiritual life cannot be obstructed by any material condition. This is called ahaituky apratihatā. Reception of spiritual knowledge is never checked by any material condition.” (SB 7.7.1 purport)

         The physical presence of the spiritual master could not be required at any time in the course of one’s spiritual life. Spiritual progress – receiving spiritual knowledge – depends on executing the spiritual master’s instructions. The approach is not an approach to the physical body within material vision but more importantly an approach to the vani of the spiritual master – his words and instructions. In the same way, the spiritual master’s acceptance is not on a material, physical basis but it is a spiritual acceptance based on the genuine desire of the disciple – to be confirmed spiritually on the assurance that by following his instructions he is automatically blessing you with genuine spiritual understanding. 

  • Not that he is dead and gone. That is not spiritual understanding.

“So now, by the grace of Kṛṣṇa and Caitanya Mahāprabhu and in the presence of my Guru Mahārāja, you are so nice boys and girls. So in front of Caitanya Mahāprabhu you are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, and you are taking part in it very seriously. So my Guru Mahārāja will be very, very much pleased upon you and bless you with all benefits. So he wanted this, and he is not… It is not that he is dead and gone. That is not spiritual understanding. Even ordinary living being, he does not die. Na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre [Bg. 2.20]. And what to speak of such exalted, authorized personality like Bhaktisiddhānta. He is seeing. […] Similarly, Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa’s representative, spiritual master, if you keep always intact, in link with the words and instruction of the superior authorities, then you are always fresh. This is spiritual understanding.” (Lecture: His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada’s Appearance Day, Lecture — Atlanta, March 2, 1975)

  • Present in Picture, Form (mūrti) and Teachings – The real presence

“Next you ask if I am present in my picture and form? Yes. In form as well as in teachings. To carry out the teachings of guru is more important than to worship the form, but none of them should be neglected. Form is called vapu and teachings is called vani. Both should be worshiped. Vani is more important than vapu.” (Letter –December 14, 1972)


 “As long as the Spiritual Master is physically present, the disciple should serve the physical body of the Spiritual Master, and when the Spiritual Master is no longer physically existing, the disciple should serve the instructions of the Spiritual Master.” (S.B. 4:28:47, purport)


“Yes, the spiritual master is also present in his picture, though more importantly he is present in his teachings.” (Letter — 29 January, 1973)


Brahmānanda: …You stated that a statue of yourself is not the same as you, and yet in some of our temples, such as Vṛndāvana, the mūrti of Your Divine Grace has been installed and they are offering prasādam. So is it the same, that the prasādam is accepted by the guru?
Prabhupāda: Yes. Sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstraiḥ. Guru is nondifferent from Kṛṣṇa. That is accepted by all the śāstra. Sākṣād-dharitvena samasta śāstraiḥ. Sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair uktaḥ…” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam lecture — 3.28.18 Nairobi, October 27, 1975)


“Just like Krishna can be present simultaneously in millions of places, similarly the spiritual master also can be present wherever the disciple wants. A spiritual master is the principle, not the body. Just like a television can be seen in thousands of places by the principle of relay monitoring.” (Letter, May 28, 1968)


“So we should give more stress on the sound vibration, either of Krishna or Spiritual Master. Never think that I am absent from you, presence by message (or hearing) is the real touch.” (Letter to students, 2/8/67)


“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.” (SB Lecture, 13/01/69, Los Angeles)


 

 

Hearing from Srila Prabhupada through his books

“These are not ordinary books. It is recorded chanting. Anyone who reads, he is hearing.” (Letter 19/10/74) 


“One should not only hear submissively from the spiritual master; but one must also get a clear understanding from him, in submission and service and inquiries.” (Bg 4.34 purport)


“Thus it is the duty of the ācārya to publish books that will help future candidates take up the method of service and become eligible to return home, back to Godhead, by the mercy of the Lord. In our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, this same path is being prescribed and followed. Thus the devotees have been advised to refrain from four sinful activities—illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating and gambling—and to chant sixteen rounds a day. These are bona fide instructions.” (SB 10.2.31 purport)


“In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop.” (Letter — 22/11/74)

Note: Srila Prabhupada directly states that reading his books acts as the process of transcendental knowledge being revealed and developing one’s spiritual life (making him ‘eligible’). This is what diksa is.


“There is no difference between the spiritual master’s instructions and the spiritual master himself.” (C.c. Adi-lila 1.35, purport)


“Hearing must be from sādhu, from devotee, from the lips of the devotee. Just like Śukadeva Gosvāmī was speaking to Mahārāja Parīkṣit. So … Or even if you hear yourself, you read books, you will save your life. If you simply read Kṛṣṇa book or Bhagavad-gītā or Teachings of Lord Caitanya, then you know the… As long as you are reading, the sun is unable to take your life. It is not possible for the sun to take your life.” (Lecture — Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.17 — Los Angeles, June 12, 1972)


“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 — 24/01/70)


“There is nothing new to be said. Whatever I had to say, I have already said in my books. Now you must try to understand it and continue with your endeavours. Whether I am present or not does not matter. ” (Arrival Conversation, Vrindavan, 17/5/77)


“If it is possible to go to the temple, then take advantage of the temple. A temple is a place where by one is given the opportunity to render direct devotional service to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. In conjunction with this you should always read my books daily and all your questions will be answered and you will have a firm basis of Krishna Consciousness. In this way your life will be perfect.” (Letter — 22/11/74)


“After 80 years, no one can be expected to live long. My life is almost ended. So you have to carry on, and these books will do everything.” (Room conversation, 18/2/76)


“Any way, whatever your position may be simply follow the rules carefully, chant 16 rounds and read my books and you will be saved from Maya.” (Letter — Bombay 18 March, 1975)

          Srila Prabhupada is guiding the movement through his books, all members and future candidates of the movement being his disciples. Furthermore, Srila Prabhupada remaining the initiator guru is not based on a lack of qualified disciples to initiate within the movement. Srila Prabhupada has made his role in the movement very clear:

“I am the Spiritual Master of this institution, and all the members of the Society, they’re supposed to be my disciples. They follow the rules and regulations which I ask them to follow, and they are initiated by me spiritually.” (Srila Prabhupada Radio Interview, 12 March 1968, San Francisco)

          Four months before Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance he issued a directive (July 9th letter) which only confirmed this role. One hundred letters were sent to temple presidents around the world informing them of Srila Prabhupada’s continued role as the initiator spiritual master of the movement. In other words, nothing changed – the status quo of Srila Prabhupada as the initiator was simply emphasized to continue.

 

A Matter Of Choice

Hanumān: One thing he’s saying, this gentleman, and I would like to know, is your successor named or your successor will…
Prabhupāda: My success is always there. Yes. Just like the sun is there always. It may come before your vision or not. The sun is there. But if you are fortunate, you come before the sun. Otherwise you remain in darkness. Sun is open to everyone. Our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement—Kṛṣṇa is open to everyone. But if you are fortunate, you come to the light. If you are unfortunate, do not. That is your choice. Kṛṣṇa says, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja [Bg. 18.66]. You do it. Now it is your choice. You surrender to Kṛṣṇa or don’t surrender. That is your business. We are canvassing everyone, “Take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness and you’ll be happy.” Now it is their business to take it or not to take it. But he can come. (Room Conversation — February 12, 1975, Mexico)


Reporter: Who will succeed you when you die?

Srila Prabhupada: I will never die!

Devotees: Jaya! Haribol!

Srila Prabhupada: I will live forever from my books and you will utilise. (Interview, Berkley, 17/7/75)


 

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