Gurus Present, Initiations Real
BY: TAMOHARADASA (ACBSP)
Nov 27, CALGARY, CANADA (SUN) — The topic of ritvikism has again risen on the website. I have read most of the ritvik publications, and although impressed by the presentation and conviction, and although I sympathize to the fullest with their intent and idealism, Gour Govinda Swami’s refutation has convinced me of the correctness of continuing the disciplic succession by the standard means of initiating diksa gurus. I accept his statements that advanced devotees are practically always present, by grace of Godhead.
As hopefully apparent from other comments, I have the highest respect for the many advanced Vaisnavas in our society, and see great value for those fortunate to have taken them as siksa and diksa gurus. However, I also accept the ritvik initiation mode, both, and feel that ritvik disciples of Srila Prabhupada should be accepted and accommodated with no prejudice. They want Srila Prabhupada, no other. This is not a crime deserving of rejection. They should have all privileges as offered by ISKCON. This would also go a long way to ameliorate the hard feelings developing stronger and stronger over this divisive issue.
It has been pointed out that Srila Prabhupada asked Gour Govinda to act as initiator, and although I have no personal experience of that, I lived with him in 1978, acting as Temple President back when we had but the mud hut on the edge of the desert. We ate simple dahlma once a day, slept on the ground, and were very happy there. No one from outside knew who Maharajah was. Practically, it was those living in Bhubaneswara, including my humble self, who first attempted to fully honor him as the uttama adhikari that he is. Bhagavata Prabhu and Lagudi Prabhu, for example, spent much more time with him in those early days, and were great admirers of Gour Govinda.
I was and am but a small player in ISKCON, so could only have a minor impact, such as insisting that he sit upon a special seat to give class on Sunday. He refused, but finally relented when informed that such respect was meant for the benefits of the listeners, who would benefit by honoring the Vaisnavas. At that time, he wasn’t even scheduled to give any classes at the annual Mayapura Gaura Purnim festival, though we Bhubaneswara devotees knew that Maharajah was like a diamond hidden under a pile of straw. The local Oriyaan devotees had no doubts as to his exalted status, to the extent that they refused to take diksa from anyone else, even when offered, until he was officially “OK’d” by the ISKCON GBC. His effulgence was generated from within by the Lord, no rubber-stamp vote required. So it is not the case that qualified gurus are now unavailable, as ritvikism argues.
Further, the ritviks like to point out that the process of initiation is a formality, secondary to sincere hearing and acceptance. This sounds good, but I have an experience that suggests the power of the initiation ceremony. It was in Sridhama Mayapura, 1976. A fire sacrifice was arranged and performed, attended by Srila Prabhupada himself. HH Brahmananda Swami Maharajah taught us the Gayatri, as ritvik. About an hour after the ceremony, I was sitting in the “wall building” chanting. Suddenly, my whole inner visual field totally cleared and expanded, like I was entering a large open space, as opposed to my usual restricted inner state! I felt lighter, 3-D as opposed to 2-D, exactly as if I’d been reborn! I have never been the same since. Since, I have felt saved, free, inspired, clear-headed, awake, happy, etc. This was the single largest change in my consciousness in this lifetime.
So, like the man who has eaten and feels satisfied, I have taken diksa and feel like a new person. There is no doubt that this ceremony had great value for me in the service of Srila Prabhupada. So, by personal experience, I have to say that this initiation was no mere formality, rather it is dynamically potent, although admittedly secondary to the initiating faith that develops from reading Prabhupada’s books, which is the start. To say that it is mere formality begs the question of why it is done at all? If it is just a formality, then why bother at all, unless there is real value and potency? By encouraging us to take these initiations, Srila Prabhupada established their importance. He also wanted to make it clear that reading his books was in itself also sufficient to enable us to begin to surrender to devotional service, and thus redevelop our love of Godhead. If the Guru is present, take full advantage of the opportunities for service. When the acarya is not present, he is available also in his books, fully. Acintya bheda-abheda tattva.
Your servant,
Tamoharadasa (ACBSP)
