Initiation
BY: ANANDA DEVI DASI
Aug 31, 2010 — UK (SUN) — Just to follow on from what Bhakta George is stating, there are several axiomatic instructions concerning initiation that are worth pointing out. Firstly the question of qaualification. The reason that many disciples have had to take initiation on several occasions in the past from GBC authorised Gurus is because of lack of qualification.
From Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 24.330, we have the emphatic axiomatic instruction concerning the qualification of the Diksa Guru thus:
"The Guru must be situated on the topmost platform of devotional service. There are three classes of devotees, and the Guru must be accepted from the topmost class."
And later in the same text:
"When one has attained the topmost position of maha-bhagavata, he is to be accepted as a guru and worshipped exactly like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. Only such a person is eligible to occupy the post of a guru."
And from Nectar of Instruction (pp58) we find exactly the same axiomatic instruction. That is, only a Vaisnava who has attained the platform of Uttama-adhikari can be a Spiritual Master, and a disciple should be careful to only accept an Uttama-adhikari as a Spiritual Master. In ISKCON we have seen the problems caused by not following this instruction.
In Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 7.130, Srila Prabhupada instructs all of ISKCON thus:
"It is best not to accept any disciples." Srila Prabhupada says this is the best way.
The second point that I would like to add is that besides having the correct qualification, the Diksa Guru has to be authorised by his predecessor Spiritual Master thus,
"One should take initiation from a Bona Fide Spiritual Master coming in the disciplic succession, who is authorised by his predecessor spiritual master. This is called diksa-vidhana." (Srimad Bhagavatam 4.8.54 Purport)
And further to that point, in Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 24.331 Srila Prabhupada writes thus:
"As far as the time of Initiation is concerned, everything depends on the position of the Guru...If the Sad Guru, the bona fide spiritual master agrees, one can be initiated immediately, without waiting for a suitable time or place."
Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 24.256:
"This is the process of initiation. The disciple must admit that he will no longer commit sinful activity.... He promises to execute the order of the Spiritual Master. Then, the Spiritual Master takes care of him and elevates him to spiritual emancipation."
In a lecture in Auckland, February 22, 1973, Srila Prabhupada was answering the question of how important is formal Initiation?
Srila Prabhupada: "Formal initiation means to accept officially to abide by the orders of Krsna and his representatives. That is formal Initiation."
Thus it becomes clear of the need of these two requirements for a Vaisnava to be a Diksa Guru and for disciples to accept an Uttama-adhikari as their Spiritual Master. In our case in ISKCON since Srila Prabhupada's departure, the problems concerning initiation have no doubt been caused by disqualified Vaisnavas taking on the role of Diksa Guru and their disciples accepting and worshipping them as if they were properly qualified and authorised Diksa Gurus continuing the Disciplic Succession. Clearly this has not been the case.
