Sound and Presence
BY: DHIRA GOVINDA DASA
May 16, ALACHUA, FLORIDA (SUN) — The disciplic succession in the line of Srila
Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta is based on sound
vibration, not on the formal initiation ceremony.
Through sound vibration transcendental knowledge is
conveyed. This is the essential aspect of the process
of initiation. And this essential aspect is not
dependent on formal initiation, though the processes
of formal initiation are meant to serve and support
the essential component of the initiation process,
receiving transcendental knowledge. This knowledge of
course inspires and drives devotional service. The
process of formal initiation is generally recommended
for conditioned souls, and should not be minimized or
avoided. At the same time we don’t want to confuse the
essence with externals that are meant to serve the
spirit of the process.
We receive mercy from the parampara in the opportunity
to hear from the members of the parampara. Hearing
from the disciplic succession intrinsically implies
transcendental sound vibration. Srila Prabhupada wrote
to Rupanuga Prabhu “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.” (Oct. 19,
1974)
In Vaisnava societies the question has arisen whether
the relationship between spiritual master and disciple
necessitates physical presence. Of course there are
numerous quotes from Srila Prabhupada regarding the
primary importance of vani compared to vapu. Still,
the controversy is there, with regards to the
continuation of the disciplic succession, regarding
the role of physical presence.
Srimad-Bhagavatam explains "Persons who are learned
and who have true knowledge define sound as that which
conveys the idea of an object, indicates the presence
of a speaker screened from our view and constitutes
the subtle form of ether." (SB 3.26.33)
I invite us to consider this verse with respect to the
question of presence. Sound vibration indicates the
presence of a speaker screened from view. So, when we
hear Srila Prabhupada’s sound vibration, might we
understand that he is, with reference to the above
definition, present and screened from our view. This
screening, of course, is a reflection of our
limitations and not of Srila Prabhupada’s lack of full
presence.
Lord Brahma received knowledge, was initiated into
knowledge, from a Speaker screened from view. Does
that indicate that the initiation was not valid,
because the speaker remained concealed? Did Lord
Brahma not have a living spiritual master, because the
Speaker was screened from view? We understand from
Srila Prabhupada that Lord Brahma received knowledge
from within the heart. I think it’s important to
realize that this is the case not just with Brahma. In
any authentic relationship between guru and disciple,
knowledge is received within the heart. "Divya jnan
hrde prokoshito."
Genuine disciplic succession is based on sound, and it
is also based on presence, though this presence is not
mundane. My understanding is that even if the
spiritual master, in the common sense of the term, is
“physically present”, still he is screened from the
view of conditioned souls. That is, his transcendental
position is not seen, or understood. And,
transcendental knowledge is conveyed through the
heart. In a consciousness of receiving this knowledge,
we open a direct relationship with the guru. His
presence is manifest, and the essential process of
diksa is alive within us. This consciousness that
allows us to enter this relationship entails a
conscious choice to serve our spiritual master.
Dhira Govinda dasa
April 21st, 2006
