Hare Krishna Society

Hare Krsna to all

Pranams

Glories to Srila Prabhupada

What follows is our continuing reading and summarizing some of the nectar contained with Prabhupadas SB classes.. It is an 11 Volume set and we are not starting Vol 8

Hare Krsna

Damaghosa das

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SB classes Vol 7–part one of two–

below are a few tidbits of nectar…..

1. Highest standard of material achievement is brahminical life-but that is still

an infected state

2.Nigama kalpa taru-the Vedas are desire trees of wisdom

3.If you go to Krsnaloka and bring some touchstone-then touch it to the Tata

factory ,turn all his iron to gold

4.Without Adhoksaja Krsna, material life is purposeless-life after life

5.Mayavadis say its all one-the lila of Brahman- so a pig eating stool, is Gods lila !

6.Iccha dvesha-desire and hate-these two things perpetually keep us in samsara

7.Gauda desa and Dravida desa-origin of Gaudiya sampradaya explained

8. So whole world is nirvisesa-sunyavadi. Some of them are advocates of zero. There are

many big, big philosophers writing on zero. They believe in zero, but

they write volumes of books. Why you are wasting time writing volumes

of books on zero? After all, if you are going to be zero, remain zero.

So zero means disgust. Continue reading →

Hare Krsna to all

Pranams

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Every Hare Krsna devotee is aware of the guru tattva debate now going on, in and outside of iskcon.

Here are some direct statements by Srila Prabhupada where HE explains, and not us, what and who

is actually a liberated soul and therefore FIT for becoming a spiritual master. I would like to think that

most reasonable devotees would accept that Srila Prabhupada is a liberated soul and therefore himself

qualified to tell us all, who amongst us, if any, if also a liberated soul. And if one is not a liberated soul, then

he is not qualified to liberate any others, what to speak of becoming a spiritual master.

Hare Krsna

Damaghosa das

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770422r3.bom Tamala Krsna: Well, I have studied myself and all of your disciples, and it’s clear fact that we are all conditioned souls, so we cannot be guru. Maybe one day it may be possible… Prabhupada: Hm. Tamala Krsna: …but not now. Prabhupada: Yes. I shall choose some guru. I shall say, “Now you become acarya. You become authorized.” I am waiting for that. You become all acarya. I retire completely. But the training must be complete.

SB 4.20.16 Lord Visnu was very pleased with Maharaja Prthu’s good character and behavior and offered him a benediction. The Lord openly says that performing great sacrifices or undergoing the austerities of mystic yoga practice cannot satisfy Him. He is pleased only by elevated character and behavior. But these cannot develop unless one becomes a pure devotee of the Lord. Anyone who has developed unalloyed, unflinching devotional service unto the Lord develops his original good qualities as spirit soul. The spirit soul, as part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, has all the good qualities of the Lord. When the spirit soul is contaminated by the material modes of nature, one is considered good or bad with reference to the material qualities. But when one is transcendental to all material qualities, all the good qualities come out. These qualities of a devotee, twenty-six in number, are listed as follows: (1) kind to everyone, (2) does not quarrel with anyone, (this one alone eliminates about 99.9% of all of us)

(3) fixed in the Absolute Truth, (4)equal to everyone, (5) faultless, (6) charitable, (7) mild, (8) clean, (9) simple, (10) benevolent, (11) peaceful, (12) completely attached to Krsna, (13) has no material hankering, (14) meek, (15) steady, (16) self-controlled, (17) does not eat more than required, (18) sane, (19) respectful, (20) humble, (21) grave, (22) compassionate,

(23)friendly, (24) poetic, (25) expert, (26) silent. The Lord is satisfied by development of the transcendental qualities of the living entity and not by artificial performance of sacrifices and mystic yoga. In other words, unless one is fully qualified to become a pure devotee of the Lord, one cannot expect to be liberated from material entanglement.

740412BG.BOM Knowledge should be taken from the perfect person. Because if you take knowledge from a person who is defective, your knowledge has no value. You must take knowledge from the perfect.

69-06-10.Mukunda– The answer to your Istagosthi questions are as follows: Unless one is a resident of Krishna Loka, one cannot be a Spiritual Master. That is the first proposition. A layman cannot be a Spiritual Master, and if he becomes so then he will simply create disturbance. And who is a liberated person? One who knows Krishna. It is stated in BG, fourth chapter, anyone who knows Krishna in truth is immediately liberated, and after quitting the present body, he immediately goes to Krishna. That means he becomes a resident of Krishna Loka. As soon as one is liberated he is immediately a resident of Krishna Loka, and anyone who knows the truth of Krishna can become Spiritual Master. That is the version of Lord Caitanya. So to summarize the whole thing, it is to be understood that a bonafide Spiritual Master is a resident of Krishna Loka. Your next question, whether the Spiritual Master was formerly a conditioned soul, actually a bonafide Spiritual Master is never a conditioned soul. There are three kinds of liberated persons. They are called 1) sadhan siddha, 2) kripa siddha, and 3) nitya siddha. Sadhan siddha means one who has attained perfection by executing the regulative principles of devotional service. Kripa siddha means one who has attained perfection by the special mercy of Krishna and the

Spiritual Master, and nitya siddha means one who was never contaminated. The symptoms of nitya siddha is that from the beginning of his life he is attached to Krishna, and he is never tired of rendering service to Krishna. So we have to know what is what by these symptoms. But when one is actually on the siddha platform there is no such distinction as to who is sadhan, kripa, or nitya siddha. When one is siddha, there is no distinction what is what. Just like when the river water glides down to the Atlantic Ocean nobody can distinguish which portion was the Hudson River or some other river. Neither is there any necessity to make any such distinction. Actually, every living entity is eternally uncontaminated, although he may be in the material touch. This is the version of the Vedas. Asanga ayam purusha–the living entity is uncontaminated. Just like when there is a drop of oil in water you can immediately distinguish the oil from the water, and the water never mixes with the oil. Similarly, a living entity, although in material contact, is always distinct from the matter. You are correct when you say that when the Spiritual Master speaks it should be taken that Krishna is speaking. That is a fact. A Spiritual Master must be liberated. It does not matter if he has come

from Krishna Loka or he is liberated from here. But he must be liberated. The science of how one is liberated is explained above, but when one is liberated, there is no need of distinction whether he has come directly from Krishna Loka or from the material world. But in the broader sense everyone comes from Krishna Loka. When one forgets Krishna he is conditioned, when one remembers Krishna he is liberated. I hope this will clear up these points. I hope this will meet you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

“UNLESS ONE IS UNDER THE SHELTER OF A REALIZED SPIRITUAL MASTER, HIS UNDERSTANDING OF THE SUPREME IS SIMPLY FOOLISHNESS.” TLC.

When a devotee is perfectly qualified in chanting the Transcendental vibration of the Holy Names, he is quite fit to become SM and deliver all the people of the world. (TLC)

751009BG.DUR–Lectures– “The Supreme Personality…” Bhagavan means He does not cheat you. Others, they will give you instruction and cheat you, because anyone who is not liberated, he has got four defects of his life: he commits mistake, he is illusioned, he cheats and his senses are imperfect. This is called conditioned soul, everyone..

Prabhupada: No, why? Krsna book must be there, in the book must be there. Acyutananda: But in public… Prabhupada: But you should go gradually. You should go gradually. You first of all understand Krsna, then krsna-lila. If you have not understood Krsna, then you’ll think Krsna’s rasa-lila is just like we mix with young women. And that becomes as polluted. Because they do not understand Krsna. Manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye yatatam api siddhanam. Krsna understanding so easy? If you do not understand Krsna how can you go to the Krsna’s confidential activities? Acyutananda: Some of the devotees, they said that it is for liberated souls. So they said, “Well, we are all liberated.” Prabhupada: Yes. Liberated for going to hell . Devotee: In your Krsna book, Srila Prabhupada, you’ve given such clear explanations along with the stories of Krsna that it’s very difficult to misinterpret, because you use such clear explanation. Prabhupada: No, you read all the books first of all. Then you’ll be able to understand. [Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, August 16, 1976, Bombay]

“Better to be a sincere street sweeper, than a charlatan meditator”-SP

Madhya 16.237

“Be patient and return home. Don’t be a crazy fellow. By and by you will be able to cross the ocean of material existence.

PURPORT

As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.58):

samasrita ye pada-pallava-plavam

mahat-padam punya-yaso-murareh

bhavambudhir vatsa-padam param padam

padam padam yad vipadam na tesam

This material world is just like a big ocean. It begins with Brahmaloka and extends to Patalaloka, and there are many planets, or islands, in this ocean. Not knowing about devotional service, the living entity wanders about this ocean, just as a man tries to swim to reach the shore. Our struggle for existence is similar to this. Everyone is trying to get out of the ocean of material existence. One cannot immediately reach the coast, but if one endeavors, he can cross the ocean by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy. One may be very eager to

cross this ocean, but he cannot attain success by acting like a madman. He must swim over the ocean very patiently and intelligently under the instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu or His representative. Then, one day, he will reach the shore and return home, back to Godhead.

Madhya 16.238

“You should not make yourself a showbottle devotee and become a false renunciant. For the time being, enjoy the material world in a befitting way and do not become attached to it.”

PURPORT

The word markata-vairagya, indicating false renunciation, is very important in this verse. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, in commenting on this word, points out that monkeys make an external show of renunciation by not accepting clothing and by living naked in the forest. In this way they consider themselves renunciants, but actually they are very busy enjoying sense gratification with dozens of female monkeys. Such renunciation is called markata-vairagye-the renunciation of a monkey. One cannot be really renounced until one actually becomes disgusted with material activity and sees it as a stumbling block to spiritual advancement. Renunciation should not be phalgu, temporary, but should exist throughout one’s life. Temporary renunciation, or monkey renunciation, is like the renunciation one feels at a cremation ground. When a man takes a dead body to the crematorium, he sometimes thinks, “This is the final end of the body. Why am I working so hard

day and night?” Such sentiments naturally arise in the mind of any man who goes to a crematorial ghata. However, as soon as he returns from the cremation grounds, he again engages in material activity for sense enjoyment. This is called smasana-vairagya, or markata-vairagya. In order to render service to the Lord, one may accept necessary things. If one lives in this way, he may actually become renounced. In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.108), it is said:

yavata syat sva-nirvahah

svikuryat tavad arthavit

adhikye nyunatayam ca

cyavate paramarthatah

“The bare necessities of life must be accepted, but one should not superfluously increase his necessities. Nor should they be unnecessarily decreased. One should simply accept what is necessary to help one advance spiritually.” In his Durgama-sangamani, Sri Jiva Gosvami comments that the word sva-nirvahah actually means sva-sva-bhakti-nirvahah. The experienced devotee will accept only those material things that will help him

render service to the Lord. In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.256), markata-vairagya, or phalgu-vairagya, is explained as follows:

prapancikataya buddhya

hari-sambandhi-vastunah

mumuksubhih parityago

vairagyam phalgu kathyate

“Whatever is favorable for the rendering of service to the Lord should be accepted and should not be rejected as a material thing.” Yukta-vairagya, or befitting renunciation, is thus explained:

anasaktasya visayan

yatharham upayunjatah

nirbandhah krsna-sambandhe

yuktam vairagyam ucyate

“Things should be accepted for the Lord’s service and not for one’s personal sense gratification. If one accepts something without attachment and accepts it because it is related to Krsna, one’s

renunciation is called yukta-vairagya.” Since Krsna is the Absolute Truth, whatever is accepted for His service is also the Absolute Truth. The word markata-vairagya is used by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to indicate so-called Vaisnavas who dress themselves in loincloths trying to imitate Srila Rupa Gosvami. Such people carry a beadbag and chant, but at heart they are always thinking about getting women and money. Unknown to others, these markata-vairagis maintain women but externally present themselves as renunciants. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very much opposed to these markata-vairagis, or pseudo-Vaisnavas.

Hare Krsna to all

Pranams

Glories to Prabhupada

Below we have some sections of a lecture given by Srila Prabhupada where he explains the position of

a qualified brahmana in this world and how dear such a person is to the Lord.

Such a person is not interested in increasing his bank balance, or niche in society, but has learned

the art of living with the bare necessities of life and then spends the balance of his time in bhajan to the Lord. He makes his material life practically zero by accepting only the actual things necessary for his life

to continue without pandering to his minds or senses demands.

He also warns his disciples with brahmana threads to acquire the symptoms of

a brahmana and not just make a show of it. Dont become puffed up thinking now I have

this thread and all my business is now finished. No. We have to become qualified brahmanas.

And the result of this? He becomes peaceful

Hari bol

Damaghosa das

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761110SB.VRN Lectures Pradyumna: “O respectful brahmanas, as far as I am concerned, no one is equal or superior to the brahmanas in this world. I do not find anyone comparable to them. When people know My motive, after performing rituals according to the Vedic principles they offer food to Me with faith and love through the mouth of a brahmana. When food is thus offered unto Me, I eat it with full satisfaction. Indeed, I derive more pleasure from food offered in that way than from the food offered in the sacrificial fire.”

Krsna is first of all interested to see whether in the society the brahmana and the cow is properly respected. Namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca. His first business is to see that the brahmana and cow is being properly honored. Then jagad-dhitaya. Then automatically the whole world will be peaceful. This secret of success they do not know. Nobody is prepared to become brahmana, and so far cow protection is concerned, it is in the oblivion. This is the whole world position. Therefore it is in chaotic condition. It must be, because this is animal society. When these two things are neglected, it is animal society, and then other animal qualities and paraphernalia follow….

Unless we control the base qualities, namely the modes of ignorance and passion, you cannot be happy. It is not possible. Tato rajas-tamo-bhavah. Rajas tamo-bhavah means kama and lobha. So long I have lusty desire and so long I have greediness to acquire more and more and more, to enjoy senses more and more That is greediness. One should be satisfied, the minimum possible. Ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithunam ca samanyam etat pasubhir naranam. Ahara means eating. Ahara, nidra, sleeping, and fearing, and sense enjoyment. These are required, but not for increasing but decreasing. Just like when a person is diseased he should not eat as he likes. Because he is diseased, doctor prescribes that “You take little barley water or glucose, no solid food, if you want to be cured.” Similarly, these things are necessity so long this body is there. Ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithuna. But this should be decreased, not increased. That is human civilization, not to increase. Just like the Gosvamis in Vrndavana. They did not come here to increase ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithuna. No. They came here to decrease. Nidrahara-viharakadi-vijitau. That is wanted. This is Vrndavana-vasi, not that to live in Vrndavana and increase this

Unfortunately the present civilization, they are not meant for decreasing. They are simply increasing. The Western civlization means increasing the means of sense gratification, “machine, machine, machine, machine.” So, and the brahminical culture means samo damo titiksa. Titiksa means without something I may suffer. Suffer. So one should be practiced to suffer. Suffer, that is tapasya. Tapasa brahmacaryena. Tapasya begins from celibacy. We are practiced to sex life or sense gratification. Tapasya means first of all stop this. Tapasa brahmacaryena. This is practice. So to become fit for going back to home, back to Godhead, it is not so easy. It is not so easily… We have to make our material life almost zero. Not almost zero–practically zero. Anyabhilasita-sunyam. That is wanted, practice.

That is called greediness. The Vedic civilization teaches that “Be satisfied with the minimum necessities of life. Don’t increase unnecessary necessities of life, and then you have to work for it very hard like hogs and dogs.” That’s all. Then you have to work very… Modern world, they have increased their unnecessary necessities of life, and therefore you’ll find how hard working. In European and American cities we have seen how people are working very hard, beginning from morning at five o’clock till four o’clock next night, for sense gratification. So this is not civilization. This is condemned civilization. Nayam deho deha-bhajam nrloke kastan kaman arhate vid-bhujam ye. This is not civilization. This is animal civilization, working so hard day and night for eating. That is the business of the hogs and dogs. You will find the hogs and dog, they are loitering on the street whole day and night: “Where is food? Where is sex?” That is not civilization. They must be peaceful brahmana. Of course, not that everyone can be elevated to the position of a brahmana, but at least they must have the chance to see that “Here is a class of men, brahmana.” That is wanted. Otherwise the civilization is failure.

Prabhupada: Rukmini. He (she) took immediately the camara. He (she) said, “My husband is respecting.” But he was dressed very poorly, lean and thin. Brahmana, because they refuse unnecessary necessities of life, sometimes they look very poor, poverty-stricken. They are not poverty-stricken. They are the richest. Mahatmanas tu mam partha daivim prakrtim sritah, bhajanty ananya-manaso. Those who are engaged in bhajana never think of their poverty. No. They are not poor. Otherwise, if Sudama Vipra, externally he looked very poor, lean and thin, not very nice cloth… Krsna is: “My dear friend, sit down here.” He brought water, washed the feet, just respectable person, guru, brahmana. This is etiquette. Krsna is showing personally. He is the king. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He also respects a brahmana. When Narada used to come to Krsna, immediately He would get down from the seat and offer obeisances, and Narada was smiling, “Just see Krsna’s lila.”

So laksanam must be, laksanam, the symptom, what is brahmanas’ symptoms. So my request to you, the Europeans and American boys, you have been initiated as brahmana but you must practice the laksana. Otherwise, if you think, puffed up, that “Now I have got the sacred thread. My business is finished. I can do whatever I like,” no. That is not. Laksanam. Laksanam means symptoms. That you must observe, laksanam. Yasya hi yad laksanam proktam. Then nobody can check you. You will be very much dear of Krsna. Namo brahmanya-devaya go brahmana-hitaya ca. If you keep yourself in the platform of a true brahmana as you are expected… It is not difficult. We have selected the four principles: no illicit sex, no meat-eating, no intoxication, and no gambling. That’s all. If you keep to these practices, then you remain. And if you chant, then above brahmana, you become Vaisnava. Manmana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru. Qualify yourself as a brahmana. Qualify yourself as a Vaisnava. Then your position is guaranteed. Kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati. Sure. Guranteed.

So when Krsna takes care of you, He…, attention is on you. Then who can…? Maya’s… There is no strength of maya to touch you. Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te. Maya may be there. Police may be there. Police is there, so what business I have got with the police if I am honest? If I am properly observing the rules and regulation of the government, what business police has got to touch me? Maya is there. Maya must be there. Maya… (aside:) Don’t stop… Maya is there, but it does not mean maya can touch you if you are actually surrendered to Krsna. Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te. So here it is (aside:) Sitting there. So Krsna personally will take care. And to come to the brahmana stage, this is also Everything is described. Everything is prescribed. If you have to follow again and again We can come to the brahmana stage by a simple method, as we are practicing, that nityam bhagavata. Nasta-prayesu abhadresu nityam bhagavata-sevaya. Bhagavata-sevaya. The book Bhagavata and the person bhagavata. Person bhagavata, the guru, is the symbolic representation of person bhagavata, whose life is bhagavata and book Bhagavata. So you have to serve two bhagavata, nityam bhagavata…..

This is a REPLY to Rocana Prabhu on his COMPLETE MISUNDERSTANDING of BOTH Guru AND Ritvik Issue:

77-07-09.All Letter: All G.B.C., All Temple Presidents The name of a newly initiated disciple should be sent by the representative who has accepted him or her to Srila Prabhupada, to be included in His Divine Grace’s “Initiated Disciples” book.”

Amar Puri Prabhu wrote to Rocana Prabhu and Rocana Prabhu Replies: “So who gave you permission, Amar Puri, to decide that the system will be changed upon his departure so that names get sent to someone else? Or not sent? Or whatever?” — Rocana

Mahesh: Srila Prabhupada had ALREADY given instruction of HOW he wanted the prospective disciples ACCEPTED. The system was ALREADY in place. Besides this, use of LITTLE COMMON-SENSE is neccesary WHAT sort of person can REPRESENT Srila Prabhupada. If REPRESENTATIVE OF ACARYA falls down he CAN be REPLACED:

Note: OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE is the Ritvik Representative as per July 9th 1977 Order Madhya 24.330 The Sixty-One Explanations of the Atmarama Verse Similarly, a disciple’s qualifications must be observed by the spiritual master before he is accepted as a disciple. 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.

770528me.vrn Conversations Tamala Krsna: Of course, IF SOMEONE HAS A FALLDOWN, just like in the past some GBC men have fallen down… Prabhupada: HE SHOULD BE REPLACED. Tamala Krsna: Then he should be replaced. But that’s a serious falldown, not some minor discrepancy. Prabhupada: THEY MUST BE ALL IDEAL ACARYA-LIKE. IN THE BEGINNING WE HAVE DONE FOR WORKING. Now we should be very cautious. ANYONE WHO IS DEVIATING, HE CAN BE REPLACED.

One can replace a Representative of Acarya if he deviates BUT one can NOT replace DIKSA Guru because he MUST be a Mahabhagavata OTHERWISE he is NOT DIKSA GURU. It is 3rd offense in chanting to accept any other than a Mahabhagavata:

NoD 8 Offenses to Be Avoided The offenses against the chanting of the holy name are as follows: (3) TO DISOBEY THE ORDERS OF THE SPIRITUAL MASTER.

Madhya 24.330 The Sixty-One Explanations of the Atmarama Verse MAHA-BHAGAVATA-srestho brahmano vai gurur nrnam sarvesam eva lokanam asau pujyo yatha harih maha-kula-prasuto ‘pi sarva-yajnesu diksitah sahasra-sakhadhyayi ca na guruh syad avaisnavah

((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. The first-class devotee is the spiritual master for all kinds of people. ….When one has attained the topmost position of maha-bhagavata, he is to be accepted as a guru and worshiped exactly like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. ONLY SUCH A PERSON IS ELIGIBLE TO OCCUPY THE POST OF A GURU.))

Rocana Dasa in his “Church of Rtvik”: NOI 5

“One should not become a spiritual master unless he has attained the platform of uttama-adhikari. A neophyte Vaisnava or a Vaisnava situated on the intermediate platform can also accept disciples, but such disciples must be on the same platform, and it should be understood that they cannot advance very well toward the ultimate goal of life under his insufficient guidance. Therefore a disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari as a spiritual master.” (NOI5)

“Nectar of Instruction, Text 5

If one reads the above Purport, which contains the statement used by the HKS to support their position, it is clear that Srila Prabhupada is suggesting that a guru should ideally be an uttama-adhikari. We have to keep in mind, however, the fact that Srila Prabhupada is Himself an uttama-adhikari and a Sampradaya Acarya. At the time Nectar of Instruction was published, the reader had a choice to take initiation directly from Srila Prabhupada. But Srila Prabhupada also clearly says in this quote that there are gurus in all three categories: kanistha, madhyama, and uttama-adhikari. He does not state that he is referring here to diksa gurus rather than siksa gurus. He does state that the problem with having a guru that is not uttama-adhikari is that the initiated can’t advance beyond the level of their guru’s realization. Consequently, he cautions that the disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari as their guru. He does not say, however, that gurus in the other two categories are bogus, or are not part of the sampradaya, or are just pretending to be gurus but are actually not gurus. Clearly, the Hare Krishna Society would like you believe that he is saying these things. While it is absolutely true that there is no Sampradaya Acarya who has ever fallen down, and that certain things disqualify a diksa guru, they cannot make the case that Srila Prabhupada has instructed that one must never accept a kanistha or madhyama as diksa guru. ”

Mahesh: we will just take a segment of his ERRONEOUS understanding of the DIKSA Guru AND PROVE HIM COMPELETELY WRONG THAT KANISTHA AND MADHYAMA ARE **NOT** DIKSA GURU as he SPECULATES:

Rocana Dasa: “While it is absolutely true that there is no Sampradaya Acarya who has ever fallen down, and that certain things disqualify a diksa guru, they cannot make the case that Srila Prabhupada has instructed that one must never accept a kanistha or madhyama as diksa guru. ”

Mahesh:

NOI 5

Some devotees are taking this above quote to mean that Kanistha can give Diksa. This is NOT what Srila Prabhupada says. There is NO mention of Diksa by kanistha. What it exactly says is about accepting DISCIPLES. Then suggests very strongly 2 points:

1)”..they cannot advance very well toward the ultimate goal of life under his insufficient guidance. Therefore a disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari as a spiritual master.”

2)“One should not become a spiritual master unless he has attained the platform of uttama-adhikari.

The question is can a Kanistha give DIKSA from this quote? The answer is NO!

So how can we establish that Kanistha does NOT give diksa? Kanistha is a QUALIFIED Brahmana. But even such a QUALIFIED Brahmana is in MATERIAL CONTAMINATION. And because he has MATERIAL CONTAMINATION he does NOT have Transcendental Knowledge. What you do NOT have you can NOT give. And it is Transcendental Knowledge that frees one from ALL MATERIAL CONTAMINATION.

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740619rc.germany Conversations Prabhupada: My idea is that all our centers should be self-supported. We do not like that idea that for your support you have to go 100 miles to get your bread. That is a very dangerous drawback. You produce your food locally and then support yourself. The main problem is what to eat, where to sleep. So we get some place and support ourself by producing our own food. We have already begun in New Vrindaban, New…, West Virginia, Virginia, and similarly in other centers, we are producing our food, grains, vegetables, fruits and milk. That is sufficient. …..

As the times all over this world , get even more tough to make a “living” and one has to

undergo so much austerity-just to– get to “work”, and then actually work

at a place one really doesn’t like, these instructions by Srila Prabhupada are starting

to sound more and more attractive to one so much harassed by modern day

so called “living”.

Hare Krsna,

Damaghosa das-go ahead shoot the messenger, see if I care…

SB 5.5.21-22 Lord Rsabhadeva’ s Teachings to His Sons

1) Of the two energies manifest [spirit and dull matter], beings possessing living force [vegetables, grass, trees and plants] are superior to dull matter [stone, earth, etc.]. Superior to nonmoving plants and vegetables are worms and snakes, which can move. Superior to worms and snakes are animals that have developed intelligence. Superior to animals are human beings, and superior to human beings are ghosts because they have no material bodies. Superior to ghosts are the Gandharvas, and superior to them are the Siddhas. Superior to the Siddhas are the Kinnaras, and superior to them are the asuras. Superior to the asuras are the demigods, and of the demigods, Indra, the King of heaven, is supreme. Superior to Indra are the direct sons of Lord Brahma, sons like King Daksa, and supreme among Brahma’s sons is Lord Siva. Since Lord Siva is the son of Lord Brahma, Brahma is considered superior, but Brahma is also subordinate to Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because I am inclined to the brahmanas, the brahmanas are best of all.

2) SB 5.5.23 O respectful brahmanas, as far as I am concerned, no one is equal or superior to the brahmanas in this world. I do not find anyone comparable to them. When people know My motive after performing rituals according to the Vedic principles, they offer food to Me with faith and love through the mouth of a brahmana. When food is thus offered unto Me, I eat it with full satisfaction. Indeed, I derive more pleasure from food offered in that way than from the food offered in the sacrificial fire.

3) SB 3.16.8 … The conclusion is that if one can feed a brahmana or Vaisnava, it is better than performing hundreds of thousands of sacrifices. In this age, therefore, it is recommended that harer nama–chanting the holy name of God–and pleasing the Vaisnava are the only means to elevate oneself to spiritual life.

Conclusion- So if Krsna is so much pleased by eating thru the mouths of His brahmanas,

then why would we offer to the brahmanas anything less than the very best of foodstuffs?

How can you satisfy a brahmana– with bad food?

Food which has been sprayed with chemicals, herbicides and pesticides is toxic, everyone knows.

These foods cause damage to ones bodily organs, everyone knows.

So now with the introduction of genetically modified food organisms, this new

so called frankensteinfood is also well known to be causing immense damage to body organs.

We are trying to get the word out so that everyone knows this as well.

Its the New Year, time for some good change !! Let us only offer to Krsna

and His devotees and brahmanas– ONLY the best of foodstuffs !!!

Hare Krsna

Damaghosa das

Sadhana Bhakti warnings from our Acarya-

NBS 13 P Narada-bhakti-sutra If a diseased person is being cured of the symptoms of his disease but does not care for the principles of healthy living, there is every possibility of a relapse. Similarly, the neophyte devotee serious about advancing in devotional service must carefully follow the principles of regulative devotional service; otherwise there is every possibility of his falling down. Strictly speaking, if a devotee ignores the regulative principles and acts according to his whims–if, for example, he does not eat krsna-prasadam but eats anywhere and everywhere, such as in restaurants–there is every possibility of his falling down. If he accumulates money without spending it for devotional service, there is every possibility of his falling down. If he applies his energy not in the service of the Lord but in some material activity, there is every possibility of his falling down. If the devotee does not engage himself always in hearing and chanting the topics of Krsna and His activities but instead indulges in idle talk, there is every chance of his falling down. If a neophyte devotee does not follow the orders of the spiritual master and simply officially sticks to the principles, or if he does not strictly follow the principles, there is every possibility of his falling down. To become greedy is another cause of falldown. And to associate with persons who

are not in devotional service is the last word in maya’s allurements for causing a devotee to fall down.

01212rc.ind Conversations sadacara means to become freed from sinful reaction. Unless one follows the regulative principles he cannot be freed. And unless one is fully freed from sinful reaction he cannot understand what is God.

SB 2.9.31 P –Therefore, one cannot understand the Personality of Godhead unless one becomes a devotee and discharges devotional service. This mystery is love of Godhead. Therein lies the main qualification for knowing the mystery of the Personality of Godhead. And to attain the stage of transcendental love of Godhead, regulative principles of devotional service must be followed. The regulative principles are called vidhi-bhakti, or the devotional service of the Lord, and they can be practiced by a neophyte with his present senses. Such regulative principles are mainly based on hearing and chanting of the glories of the Lord. And such hearing and chanting of the glories of the Lord can be made possible in the association of devotees only. Lord Caitanya therefore recommended five main principles for attaining perfection in the devotional service of the Lord. The first is association with devotees (hearing); second is chanting the glories of the Lord; third, hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam from the pure devotee; fourth, residing in a holy place connected with the Lord; and fifth, worshiping the Deity of the Lord with devotion. Such rules and regulations are parts of devotional service.

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Guru-tyaga by the Prabhupada-anugas.

Srila Prabhupada explains: Who is Bali maharaja?

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 4: “The Creation of the Fourth Order” : SB 4.24: Chanting the Song Sung by Lord Siva : SB 4.24.51 : PURPORT :

Lord Śiva is one of the twelve great authorities mentioned in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (6.3.20). These authorities are Svayambhū, Nārada, Śambhu, Kumāra, Kapila, Manu, Prahlāda, Janaka, Bhīṣma, Bali, Vaiyāsaki, or Śukadeva Gosvāmī, and Yamarāja.

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 1:”Creation” : SB 1.12: Birth of Emperor Pariksit : SB 1.12.25 : PURPORT :

Bali Mahārāja: One of the twelve authorities in the devotional service of the Lord. Bali Mahārāja is a great authority in devotional service because he sacrificed everything to please the Lord and relinquished the connection of his so-called spiritual master who obstructed him on the path of risking everything for the service of the Lord. The highest perfection of religious life is to attain to the stage of unqualified devotional service of the Lord without any cause or without being obstructed by any kind of worldly obligation. Bali Mahārāja was determined to give up everything for the satisfaction of the Lord, and he did not care for any obstruction whatsoever. He is the grandson of Prahlāda Mahārāja, another authority in the devotional service of the Lord. Bali Mahārāja and the history of his dealings with Viṣṇu Vāmanadeva are described in the Eighth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (Chapter 11-24).

As a Krpa-siddha by the mercy of Lord Vishnu.

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 8: “Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations” : SB 8.20: Bali Maharaja Surrenders the Universe : SB 8.20.3 : PURPORT :

Bali Mahārāja had already been blessed by his grandfather Prahlāda Mahārāja. Therefore, he was a pure devotee, although born in a family of demons. There are two kinds of highly elevated devotees, called sādhana-siddha and kṛpā-siddha. Sādhana-siddha refers to one who has become a devotee by regular execution of the regulative principles mentioned in the śāstras, as ordered and directed by the spiritual master. If one regularly executes such devotional service, he will certainly attain perfection in due course of time. But there are other devotees, who may not have undergone all the required details of devotional service but who, by the special mercy of guru and Kṛṣṇa—the spiritual master and the Supreme Personality of Godhead—have immediately attained the perfection of pure devotional service. Examples of such devotees are the yajña-patnīs, Mahārāja Bali and Śukadeva Gosvāmī. The yajña-patnīs were the wives of ordinary brāhmaṇas engaged in fruitive activities. Although the brāhmaṇas were very learned and advanced in Vedic knowledge, they could not achieve the mercy of Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma, whereas their wives achieved complete perfection in devotional service, despite their being women. Similarly, Vairocani, Bali Mahārāja, received the mercy of Prahlāda Mahārāja, and by Prahlāda Mahārāja’s mercy he also received the mercy of Lord Viṣṇu, who appeared before him as a brahmacārī beggar. Thus Bali Mahārāja became a kṛpā-siddha because of the special mercy of both guru and Kṛṣṇa. Caitanya Mahāprabhu confirms this favor: guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja (Cc. Madhya 19.151). Bali Mahārāja, by the grace of Prahlāda Mahārāja, got the seed of devotional service, and when that seed developed, he achieved the ultimate fruit of that service, namely love of Godhead (premā pum-artho mahān), immediately upon the appearance of Lord Vāmanadeva. Bali Mahārāja regularly maintained devotion for the Lord, and because he was purified, the Lord appeared before him. Because of unalloyed love for the Lord, he then immediately decided, “I shall give this little dwarf brāhmaṇa whatever He asks from me.” This is a sign of love. Thus Bali Mahārāja is understood to be one who received the highest perfection of devotional service by special mercy.

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 5: “The Creative Impetus” : SB 5.24: The Subterranean Heavenly Planets : SB 5.24.18 : PURPORT :

The Supreme Personality of Godhead is described as Uttamaśloka, “He who is worshiped by the best of selected Sanskrit verses,” and His devotees such as Bali Mahārāja are also worshiped by puṇya-śloka, verses that increase one’s piety. Bali Mahārāja offered everything to the Lord—his wealth, his kingdom and even his own body (sarvātma-nivedane baliḥ). The Lord appeared before Bali Mahārāja as a brāhmaṇa beggar, and Bali Mahārāja gave Him everything he had. However, Bali Mahārāja did not become poor; by donating all his possessions to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he became a successful devotee and got everything back again with the blessings of the Lord. Similarly, those who give contributions to expand the activities of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement and to accomplish its objectives will never be losers; they will get their wealth back with the blessings of Lord Kṛṣṇa. On the other side, those who collect contributions on behalf of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness should be very careful not to use even a farthing of the collection for any purpose other than the transcendental loving service of the Lord.

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 6: “Prescribed Duties for Mankind” : SB 6.3: Yamaraja Instructs His Messengers : SB 6.3 Summary :

Yamarāja continued, “The essence of sanātana-dharma, or eternal religion, is extremely confidential. No one but the Lord Himself can deliver that confidential religious system to human society. It is by the mercy of the Lord that the transcendental system of religion can be understood by His pure devotees, and specifically by the twelve mahājanas—Lord Brahmā, Nārada Muni, Lord Śiva, the Kumāras, Kapila, Manu, Prahlāda, Janaka, Bhīṣma, Bali, Śukadeva Gosvāmī and me. Other learned scholars, headed by Jaimini, are almost always covered by the illusory energy, and therefore they are more or less attracted by the flowery language of the three Vedas, namely Ṛg, Yajur and Sāma, which are called trayī. Instead of becoming pure devotees, people captivated by the flowery words of these three Vedas are interested in the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies. They cannot understand the glories of chanting the holy name of the Lord. Intelligent persons, however, take to the devotional service of the Lord. When they chant the holy name of the Lord without offenses, they are no longer subject to my rulings. If by chance they commit some sinful act, they are protected by the holy name of the Lord because that is where their interest lies. The four weapons of the Lord, especially the club and the Sudarśana cakra, always protect the devotees. One who chants, hears or remembers the holy name of the Lord without duplicity, or who prays or offers obeisances to the Lord, becomes perfect, whereas even a learned person may be called to hell if he is bereft of devotional service.”

Srila Prabhupada explains how Bali Maharaja attained perfection. .

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 7: “The Science of God” : SB 7.5: Prahlada Maharaja, the Saintly Son of Hiranyakasipu : SB 7.5.23, SB 7.5.24, SB 7.5.23-24 : PURPORT :

“Parīkṣit Mahārāja attained salvation simply by hearing, and Śukadeva Gosvāmī attained salvation simply by chanting. Prahlāda Mahārāja attained salvation by remembering the Lord. The goddess of fortune, Lakṣmīdevī, attained perfection by worshiping the Lord’s lotus feet. Pṛthu Mahārāja attained salvation by worshiping the Deity of the Lord. Akrūra attained salvation by offering prayers, Hanumān by rendering service, Arjuna by establishing friendship with the Lord, and Bali Mahārāja by offering everything to the service of the Lord.”All these great devotees served the Lord according to a particular process, but every one of them attained salvation and became eligible to return home, back to Godhead

Srila Prabhupada explains under what circumstances Bali Maharaja rejected his so-called guru.

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 8: “Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations” : SB 8.20: Bali Maharaja Surrenders the Universe : SB 8.20.1 : PURPORT :

Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura remarks that Bali Mahārāja remained silent at a critical point. How could he disobey the instruction of Śukrācārya, his spiritual master? It is the duty of such a sober personality as Bali Mahārāja to abide by the orders of his spiritual master immediately, as his spiritual master had advised. But Bali Mahārāja also considered that Śukrācārya was no longer to be accepted as a spiritual master, for he had deviated from the duty of a spiritual master. According to śāstra, the duty of the guru is to take the disciple back home, back to Godhead. If he is unable to do so and instead hinders the disciple in going back to Godhead, he should not be a guru. Gurur na sa syāt (Bhāg. 5.5.18). One should not become a guru if he cannot enable his disciple to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The goal of life is to become a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa so that one may be freed from the bondage of material existence (tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mam eti so ’rjuna [Bg. 4.9]). The spiritual master helps the disciple attain this stage by developing Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Now Śukrācārya has advised Bali Mahārāja to deny the promise to Vāmanadeva. Under the circumstances, therefore, Bali Mahārāja thought that there would be no fault if he disobeyed the order of his spiritual master. He deliberated on this point—should he refuse to accept the advise of his spiritual master, or should he independently do everything to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead? He took some time. Therefore it is said, tūṣṇīṁ bhūtvā kṣaṇaṁ rajann uvācāvahito gurum. After deliberating on this point, he decided that Lord Viṣṇu should be pleased in all circumstances, even at the risk of ignoring the guru’s advice to the contrary,.

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WHAT IS BOGUS INITIATION?

Hare Krsna to all

Pranams

Glories to Srila Prabhupada

Below we have here more valuable information which confirms the principles of bona fide initiation vs. non bonafide and the symptoms by which one can judge for himself.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Maharj writes in the book Brahmana and Vaisnava….

…”If an initiated person has not undergone the sacred thread ceremony, then according to the statement of Brhaspati, a compiler of Dharma sastra, he has simply transgressed religious principles. The scriptures state that after receiving initiation one becomes twice born. If this was not so, then it is to be concluded that he has certainly not been properly initiated. If one is properly initiated then the results must come. A cause is known by its effects. If one claims to be a Vaisnava guru while neglecting the tat tenaiva vinirdiset verse, (“he should be accepted according to those symptoms of classification” statement of Srimad Bhagavatam 7.11.35), then he should be rejected. This is the purport of the scriptures.

One who assumes the dress and position of an acarya, who speaks against conclusions of Srimad Bhagavatam and other scriptures or who performs kirtan opposed to the proper glorification of Sri Krsna, certainly goes to hell for countless lifetimes along with his disciples and whoever else hears such non devotional talks and kirtans….”

The above reference to SB is here—SB 7.11.35– If one shows the symptoms of being a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra, as described above, even if he has appeared in a different class, he should be accepted according to those symptoms of classification.

And in Srila Prabhupadas purport to SB……

SB 8.20.1 Purport Anyone who is supposed to be a guru but who goes against the principle of visnu-bhakti cannot be accepted as guru. If one has falsely accepted such a guru, one should reject him. Such a guru is described as follows (Mahabharata, Udyoga 179.25):

guror apy avaliptasya karyakaryam ajanatah utpatha-pratipannasya parityago vidhiyate

Srila Jiva Gosvami has advised that such a useless guru, a family priest acting as guru, should be given up, and that the proper, bona-fide guru should be accepted.

Isopanisad 12 The pseudo religionists have neither knowledge nor detachment from material affairs, for most of them want to live in the golden shackles of material bondage under the shadow of philanthropic activities disguised as religious principles. By a false display of religious sentiments, they present a show of devotional service while indulging in all sorts of immoral activities. In this way they pass as spiritual masters and devotees of God. Such violators of religious principles have no respect for the authoritative acaryas, the holy teachers in the strict disciplic succession. They ignore the Vedic injunction acaryopasana–“One must worship the acarya”–and Krsna’s statement in the ▼Bhagavad-gita (4.2) evam parampara-praptam, “This supreme science of God is received through the disciplic succession.” Instead, to mislead the people in general they themselves become so-called acaryas, but they do not even follow the principles of the acaryas. These rogues are the most dangerous elements in human society. Because there is no religious government, they escape punishment by the law of the state. They cannot, however, escape the law of the Supreme, who has clearly declared in the Bhagavad-gita that envious demons in the garb of religious propagandists shall be thrown into the

darkest regions of hell (Bg. 16.19-20). Sri Isopanisad confirms that these pseudo religionists are heading toward the most obnoxious place in the universe after the completion of their spiritual master business, which they conduct simply for sense gratification.

SB 1.19.37 P The Appearance of Sukadeva Gosvami Unless one is perfectly anxious to inquire about the way of perfection, there is no necessity of approaching a spiritual master. A spiritual master is not a kind of decoration for a householder. Generally a fashionable materialist engages a so-called spiritual master without any profit. The pseudo spiritual master flatters the so-called disciple, and thereby both the master and his ward go to hell without a doubt. Maharaja Pariksit is the right type of disciple because he puts forward questions vital to the interest of all men, particularly for the dying men. The question put forward by Maharaja Pariksit is the basic principle of the complete thesis of Srimad-Bhagavatam.

CONCLUSIONS–So many come in Kali yuga and claim they are Guru–but the Srimad Bhagavatam

says one should judge these persons by their behavior first, then such persons can be classified as Brahmana, Ksatryia or whatever, etc. If one sees that a person who is claiming to be Vaisnava guru doesn’t even chant 16 rounds, the minimum given by his own Guru, then what kind of guru is he? If this same or similar person has also been found to be engaged in sinful acts, then how is he Guru?

Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaj also states that if one has been considered to be initiated by a bona fide guru then the symptoms in the disciple should manifest, namely brahminical behavior. Effect should follow proper cause. Yet if we see that so many of the new “disciples’ of this modern age, dont even chant Hare Krsna mantra, or follow the 4 regulative principles, then this simply means that person from whom they took “initiation” was not a bona fide guru in the first place. I read one story of a devotee who sat in on a discussion of some iskgurus who were saying that practically all of their disciples fall away in 2-3 years so get as much (money) out of them as soon as you can. This is the mentality of a family priest not a Vaisnava Acarya.

So after these two types of cheaters come together for some guru-disciple business, then what happens? Sastra states that the bogus guru and the bogus disciple both go to hell. Not a very pretty picture is it?

WHAT IS REAL INITIATION?

750520mw.mel Conversations Devotee (3): Srila Prabhupada, if one goes to the temple, if one attends the temple regularly and inquires from the devotees about the devotional principles, and because of some reason, it’s not necessarily… it’s not convenient for him to live in the temple at that time, and he is living with people… Prabhupada: No, no, you live in temple or without temple, if you follow the instruction, that is wanted. If you live without temple and chant sixteen rounds and observe the regulative principle, that’s all right. It doesn’t require that you should live in the temple. And if you live in the temple and do all nonsense, then what is the use of living in the temple? Devotee: Is it wrong to think of initiation then? Or initiated also? (?) Prabhupada: Their “thinking” means they are not fixed up. That very word suggest that they are not fixed up. Oh, initiation can take place anywhere.

[In the above convesation we see Srila Prabhupada stressing that initiation can take place anywhere.

Many devotees think that initiation has to take place ONLY in a temple with the fire sacrifice, all your family members,TP, GBC sanction, etc. Yet here Srila Prabhupada states that initiation can take place anywhere.

Why is that?

Because initiation means it is an affair of the heart when the aspirant decides he or she wants to be guided by the Param para disciplic sucession as delivered down thru eternal time. When THAT time comes, THAT moment in time is considered “initiation”. Then a formal initiation can take place later, even decades later or 11 years, as was Srila Prabhupada’s personal case.]

761210DB.HYD Lectures 240636/530501 So anyway, from 1922 [when he first met Bhaktisiddhanta maharaj] to 1933 practically I was not initiated, but I got the impression of preaching Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s cult. That I was thinking. And that was the initiation by my Guru Maharaja. Then officially I was initiated in 1933 because in 1923 I left Calcutta. I started my business at Allahabad. So I was always thinking of my Guru Maharaja, that “I met a very nice sadhu.” Although I was doing business I never forgot him.

[So above is the proof by Srila Prabhupada himself. He states that he first met Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaj in 1923, at which point he considered himself “initiated” even though he waited until 11 years later for the formal initiation, due to business concerns which took him out of Calcutta and away from Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaj.]

761016iv.cha Conversations 452898/530501 Interviewer: What is the procedure of the movement? Do you initiate yourself all the disciples or do your other disciples also do that? Prabhupada: Well, initiation or no initiation, first thing is knowledge. (break) …knowledge. Initiation is formality. Just like you go to a school for knowledge, and admission is formality. That is not very important thing…. So our this movement is successful…

[In this conversation Srila Prabhupada states that for initiation, the first thing is knowledge, not the bananna throw into the sacred fire. First we have to be convinced about what we are hearing and doing, then that conviction becomes our desire for initiation within the heart by following the teachings laid down by the acaryas in our sampradaya.]

Hare Krsna

Damaghosa das

SB 10.13.54 The visnu-murtis all had eternal, unlimited forms, full of knowledge and bliss and existing beyond the influence of time. Their great glory was not even to be touched by the jnanis engaged in studying the Upanisads.

PURPORT

Mere sastra jnana, or knowledge in the Vedas, does not help anyone understand the personality of Godhead. Only one who is favored or shown mercy by the Lord can understand Him. This is also explained in the Upanisads (Mundaka Upanisad 3.2.3):

nayam atma pravacanena labhyo na medhasa na bahuna srutena yam evaisa vrnute tena labhyas tasyaisa atma vivrnute tanum svam

“The Supreme Lord is not obtained by expert explanations, by vast intelligence, or even by much hearing. He is obtained only by one whom He Himself chooses. To such a person, He manifests His own form.”

Hare Krishna Society

Srila Prabhupada’s SB classes-summary file–VOLUME 7 P: I

Devotees think-“we are all liberated”-SP says- “liberated for going to hell”

“Be patient and return home. Dont be a crazy fellow”–C.C.

Become qualified brahmanas-SP

Reply to Rocana Dasa on his COMPLETE MISUNDERSTANDING of BOTH the Guru and Ritvik Issue

More proof for self sufficiency-SP

How Krsna eats food –thru the mouths– of His brahmanas

Here’s some good- new years resolutions–SP

Guru-tyaga by the Prabhupada-anugas

What is real and what is bogus initiation?