No way to calculate the value of accepting initiation from a bona fide spiritual master
Dear Ravendra Gupta,
Please accept my blessings. I have only recently received your
letter of February 6, 1974, due to travelling.
I am very glad to hear you are following my instructions by
chanting 16 rounds daily. In order to chant offenselessly, so that the
chanting will have the greatest effect, one must avoid the four sinful
activities. You have asked “How serious would it be for me if I should
miss the golden opportunity to become your initiated disciple?” You
should know that the value of accepting a bonafide spiritual master is
more than we can calculate. It is not a mere formality. Of course
everyone is encouraged to chant Hare Krishna, but until one gives up
sinful activities and becomes determined to serve Krishna through His
representative then the firm fixing up of devotional service will not
take hold, and there is every chance that one will fall prey to all
sorts of material desires and have to come back again in the next
life–and one cannot guarantee that he will be born in the form of
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your
letter dated 18th February, 1971 and have noted the contents. You
write to say that this Hare Krishna Movement is perfect in all
respects. Thank you very much. And it is a fact that “Sankirtana will
keep you happy and the books will keep you convinced“, so make your
program in that way and become fixed up in Krishna Consciousness.