View source for Receiving initiation

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{{terms|"initiation receives"|"receive Brahmin initiation"|"receive Gayatri initiation"|"receive initiation"|"receive second initiation"|"receive the initiation"|"receive your second initiation"|"received hari-nama initiation"|"received his initiation"|"received initiation"|"received spiritual initiation"|"received the hari-nama initiation"|"receiving first initiation"|"receiving initiation"|"receiving mantra initiation"}}
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{{first|28Sep09}}
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[[Category:Receiving Initiation|1]]
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<div id="Srimad-Bhagavatam" class="section" sec_index="1" parent="compilation" text="Srimad-Bhagavatam"><h2>Srimad-Bhagavatam</h2>
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<div id="SB_Canto_2" class="sub_section" sec_index="2" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 2"><h3>SB Canto 2</h3>
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<div id="SB297_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_2" book="SB" index="285" link="SB 2.9.7" link_text="SB 2.9.7">
<div class="heading">The Lord is within every living entity as the Supersoul, and He initiated Brahmā because Brahmā was willing to receive the initiation. The Lord can similarly initiate everyone who is inclined to have it.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 2.9.7|SB 2.9.7, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">To achieve success in life, one should follow the example of Lord Brahmā, the first living creature in the beginning of creation. After being initiated by the Supreme Lord to execute tapasya, he was fixed in his determination to do it, and although he could not find anyone besides himself, he could rightly understand that the sound was transmitted by the Lord Himself. Brahmā was the only living being at that time because there was no other creation and none could be found there except himself. In the beginning of the First Canto, in the First Chapter, first verse, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, it has already been mentioned that Brahmā was initiated by the Lord from within. The Lord is within every living entity as the Supersoul, and He initiated Brahmā because Brahmā was willing to receive the initiation. The Lord can similarly initiate everyone who is inclined to have it.</p>
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<div id="SB_Canto_4" class="sub_section" sec_index="4" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 4"><h3>SB Canto 4</h3>
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<div id="SB42432_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_4" book="SB" index="1012" link="SB 4.24.32" link_text="SB 4.24.32">
<div class="heading">Although the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra is powerful in itself, a disciple upon initiation receives the mantra from his spiritual master, for when the mantra is chanted by the spiritual master, it becomes more powerful. Lord Śiva advised the sons of the King to hear him attentively, for inattentive hearing is offensive.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 4.24.32|SB 4.24.32, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Lord Śiva voluntarily came to bless the sons of the King as well as do something beneficial for them. He personally chanted the mantra so that the mantra would be more powerful, and he advised that the mantra be chanted by the King's sons (rāja-putras). When a mantra is chanted by a great devotee, the mantra becomes more powerful. Although the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra is powerful in itself, a disciple upon initiation receives the mantra from his spiritual master, for when the mantra is chanted by the spiritual master, it becomes more powerful. Lord Śiva advised the sons of the King to hear him attentively, for inattentive hearing is offensive.</p>
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<div id="SB42611_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_4" book="SB" index="1124" link="SB 4.26.11" link_text="SB 4.26.11">
<div class="heading">A materialistic person must retire from sinful activities and become purified by accepting a spiritual master and hearing from him about the values of life. If one would do this, he would feel completely refreshed, just as one feels after taking a bath. After receiving initiation from a bona fide spiritual master, one must abandon all kinds of sinful activities, namely illicit sex, intoxication, gambling and meat-eating.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 4.26.11|SB 4.26.11, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">King Purañjana's coming home, taking bath and having an appropriate dinner indicate that a materialistic person must retire from sinful activities and become purified by accepting a spiritual master and hearing from him about the values of life. If one would do this, he would feel completely refreshed, just as one feels after taking a bath. After receiving initiation from a bona fide spiritual master, one must abandon all kinds of sinful activities, namely illicit sex, intoxication, gambling and meat-eating.</p>
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<div id="SB_Cantos_1014_to_12_Translations_Only" class="sub_section" sec_index="11" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Cantos 10.14 to 12 (Translations Only)"><h3>SB Cantos 10.14 to 12 (Translations Only)</h3>
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<div id="SB108448_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Cantos_10.14_to_12_(Translations_Only)" book="SB" index="2781" link="SB 10.84.48" link_text="SB 10.84.48">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 10.84.48|SB 10.84.48, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">Vasudeva received initiation along with his wives, who wore silk sārīs and were adorned with bangles, necklaces, ankle bells and earrings. With his body wrapped in a deerskin, Vasudeva shone splendidly.</p>
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<div id="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta" class="section" sec_index="2" parent="compilation" text="Sri Caitanya-caritamrta"><h2>Sri Caitanya-caritamrta</h2>
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<div id="CC_Adi-lila" class="sub_section" sec_index="1" parent="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta" text="CC Adi-lila"><h3>CC Adi-lila</h3>
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<div id="CCAdi10152154_0" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="1403" link="CC Adi 10.152-154" link_text="CC Adi 10.152-154">
<div class="heading">When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was in Bengal, Tapana Miśra approached Him to discuss spiritual advancement. Thus he was favored by Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and received hari-nāma initiation. After that, by the order of the Lord, Tapana Miśra resided in Vārāṇasī.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 10.152-154|CC Adi 10.152-154, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was in Bengal, Tapana Miśra approached Him to discuss spiritual advancement. Thus he was favored by Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and received hari-nāma initiation. After that, by the order of the Lord, Tapana Miśra resided in Vārāṇasī, and when Lord Caitanya visited Vārāṇasī He would accept prasādam  at the home of Tapana Miśra.</p>
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<div id="CCAdi1717_1" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="1957" link="CC Adi 17.17" link_text="CC Adi 17.17">
<div class="heading">By seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face and embracing Him, both the sinful brothers were at once cleansed. Thus they received initiation into the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra from the Lord and were delivered.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 17.17|CC Adi 17.17, Translation and Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">Thereafter mother Śacīdevī saw the brothers Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma in Their manifestation of Lord Caitanya and Nityānanda. Then the Lord delivered the two brothers Jagāi and Mādhāi.</p>
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<div class="purport text"><p>One night Śacīdevī dreamt that the Deities in her house, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, had taken the forms of Caitanya and Nityānanda and were fighting one another, as children do, to eat the naivedya, or offering to the Deities. The next day, by the will of Lord Caitanya, Śacīdevī invited Nityānanda to take prasādam at her house. Thus Viśvambhara (Lord Caitanya) and Nityānanda were eating together, and Śacīdevī realized that They were none other than Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma. Seeing this, she fainted.</p>
<p>Jagāi and Mādhāi were two brothers born in Navadvīpa in a respectable brāhmaṇa family who later became addicted to all kinds of sinful activities. By the order of Lord Caitanya, both Nityānanda Prabhu and Haridāsa Ṭhākura used to preach the cult of Kṛṣṇa consciousness door to door. In the course of such preaching they found Jagāi and Mādhāi, two maddened drunken brothers, who, upon seeing them, began to chase them. On the next day, Mādhāi struck Nityānanda Prabhu on the head with a piece of earthen pot, thus drawing blood. When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu heard of this, He immediately came to the spot, ready to punish both brothers, but when the all-merciful Lord Gaurāṅga saw Jagāi's repentant behavior, He immediately embraced him. By seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face and embracing Him, both the sinful brothers were at once cleansed. Thus they received initiation into the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra from the Lord and were delivered.</p>
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<div id="CC_Madhya-lila" class="sub_section" sec_index="2" parent="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta" text="CC Madhya-lila"><h3>CC Madhya-lila</h3>
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<div id="CCMadhya24331_0" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="5647" link="CC Madhya 24.331" link_text="CC Madhya 24.331">
<div class="heading">The following injunction is given in the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa regarding mantra-adhikārī, the qualification for receiving mantra initiation: "Śūdras and women who are chaste and sincerely interested in understanding the Absolute Truth are qualified to be initiated with the pāñcarātrika-mantras."
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 24.331|CC Madhya 24.331, Translation and Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">“You should discuss the qualifications necessary for receiving a mantra, the perfection of the mantra, the purification of the mantra, initiation, morning duties, remembrance of the Supreme Lord, cleanliness and washing the mouth and other parts of the body.</p>
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<div class="purport text"><p>The following injunction is given in the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa (1.194) regarding mantra-adhikārī, the qualification for receiving mantra initiation:</p>
:tāntrikeṣu ca mantreṣu dīkṣāyāṁ yoṣitām api
:sādhvīnām adhikāro ‘sti śūdrādīnāṁ ca sad-dhiyām
<p>"Śūdras and women who are chaste and sincerely interested in understanding the Absolute Truth are qualified to be initiated with the pāñcarātrika-mantras." This is confirmed by Lord Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā (9.32):</p>
:māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya ye ‘pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ
:striyo vaiśyās tathā śūdrās te ‘pi yānti parāṁ gatiṁ
<p>"O son of Pṛthā, those who take shelter in Me, though they be of lower birth—women, vaiśyas (merchants) and śūdras (workers)—can attain the supreme destination."</p>
<p>If one actually wants to serve Kṛṣṇa, it doesn't matter whether one is a śūdra, vaiśya or even a woman. If one is sincerely eager to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra or dīkṣā-mantra, one is qualified to be initiated according to the pāñcarātrika process. However, according to Vedic principles, only a brāhmaṇa who is fully engaged in his occupational duties can be initiated. Śūdras and women are not admitted to a vaidika initiation. Unless one is fit according to the estimation of the spiritual master, one cannot accept a mantra from the pāñcarātrika-vidhi or the vaidika-vidhi. When one is fit to accept the mantra, one is initiated by the pāñcarātrika-vidhi or the vaidika-vidhi. In any case, the result is the same.</p>
<p>Regarding mantra-siddhy-ādi-śodhana, the efficacy of the mantra, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura gives sixteen divisions, which are confirmed in the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa (beginning with 1.204):</p>
:siddha-sādhya-susiddhāri-
:kramāj jñeyo vicakṣaṇaiḥ
<p>These are (1) siddha, (2) sādhya, (3) susiddha and (4) ari. These four principles can be divided further: (1) siddha-siddha, (2) siddha-sādhya, (3) siddha-susiddha, (4) siddha-ari, (5) sādhya-siddha, (6) sādhya-sādhya, (7) sādhya-susiddha, (8) sādhya-ari, (9) susiddha-siddha, (10) susiddha-sādhya, (11) susiddha-susiddha, (12) susiddha-ari, (13) ari-siddha, (14) ari-sādhya, (15) ari-susiddha, and (16) ari-ari.</p>
<p>Those who are initiated with the eighteen-syllable mantra do not need to consider the above-mentioned sixteen divisions. As enjoined in the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa (1.215, 219, 220):</p>
:na cātra śātravā doṣā narṇasvādi-vicāraṇā
:ṛkṣa-rāśi-vicāro vā na kartavyo manau priye
:nātra cintyo ‘ri-śuddhyādir nāri-mitrādi-lakṣaṇam
:siddha-sādhya-susiddhāri-rūpā nātra vicāraṇā
<p>There is śodhana, or purification of the mantra, but there is no such consideration for the Kṛṣṇa mantra. Balitvāt kṛṣṇa-mantrāṇāṁ saṁskārāpekṣaṇaṁ na hi: "The Kṛṣṇa mantra is so strong that there is no question of śodhana." (Hari-bhakti-vilāsa 1.235)</p>
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<div id="CCMadhya24331_1" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="5647" link="CC Madhya 24.331" link_text="CC Madhya 24.331">
<div class="heading">As far as the time of dīkṣā (initiation) is concerned, everything depends on the position of the guru. As soon as a bona fide guru is received by chance or by a program, one should immediately take the opportunity to receive initiation.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 24.331|CC Madhya 24.331, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">As far as dīkṣā is concerned, one should consult Madhya-līlā 15.108. On the whole, when a person is initiated according to the pāñcarātrika-vidhi, he has already attained the position of a brāhmaṇa. This is enjoined in the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa (2.12):</p>
:yathā kāñcanatāṁ yāti kāṁsyaṁ rasa-vidhānataḥ
:tathā dīkṣā-vidhānena dvijatvaṁ jāyate nṛṇām
<p>"As bell metal can be turned into gold when treated with mercury, a disciple initiated by a bona fide guru immediately attains the position of a brāhmaṇa."</p>
<p>As far as the time of dīkṣā (initiation) is concerned, everything depends on the position of the guru. As soon as a bona fide guru is received by chance or by a program, one should immediately take the opportunity to receive initiation. In the book called Tattva-sāgara, it is stated:</p>
:durlabhe sad-gurūṇāṁ ca sakṛt-saṅga upasthite
:tad-anujñā yadā labdhā sa dīkṣāvasaro mahān
:grāme vā yadi vāraṇye kṣetre vā divase niśi
:āgacchati gurur daivād yathā dīkṣā tad-ājñayā
:yadaivecchā tadā dīkṣā guror ājñānurūpataḥ
:na tīrthaṁ na vrataṁ hemo na snānaṁ na japa-kriyā
:dīkṣāyāḥ karaṇaṁ kintu svecchā-prāpte tu sad-gurau
<p>"If by chance one gets a sad-guru, it doesn't matter whether one is in the temple or the forest. If the sad-guru, the bona fide spiritual master, agrees, one can be initiated immediately, without waiting for a suitable time or place."</p>
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<div id="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" class="section" sec_index="3" parent="compilation" text="Other Books by Srila Prabhupada"><h2>Other Books by Srila Prabhupada</h2>
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<div id="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" class="sub_section" sec_index="0" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya"><h3>Teachings of Lord Caitanya</h3>
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<div id="TLC12_0" class="quote" parent="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" book="OB" index="18" link="TLC 12" link_text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 12">
<div class="heading">However, one should generally accept the following principles to properly execute devotional service: (1) take shelter of a bona fide spiritual master, (2) receive initiation from the spiritual master, (3) serve the spiritual master, (4) inquire and learn love from the spiritual master.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:TLC 12|Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 12]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Remembrance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead within one's heart is the goal of devotional service. When devotional service is performed purely and affectionately, there is no question of regulative principles. There are no do's and don't's.</p>
<p>However, one should generally accept the following principles to properly execute devotional service: (1) take shelter of a bona fide spiritual master, (2) receive initiation from the spiritual master, (3) serve the spiritual master, (4) inquire and learn love from the spiritual master, (5) follow in the footsteps of holy persons devoted to the transcendental loving service of the Lord, (6) prepare to give up all kinds of enjoyment and miseries for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa, (7) live in a place where Kṛṣṇa had His pastimes, (8) be satisfied by whatever is sent by Kṛṣṇa for the maintenance of the body and hanker for no more, (9) observe fasting on Ekādaśī day (this occurs on the eleventh day after the full moon and the eleventh day after the new moon. On such days no grains, cereals or beans are eaten; simply vegetables and milk are moderately taken, and chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa and reading scriptures are increased.), (10) show respect to devotees, cows and sacred trees like the banyan tree.</p>
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<div id="Correspondence" class="section" sec_index="6" parent="compilation" text="Correspondence"><h2>Correspondence</h2>
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<div id="1968_Correspondence" class="sub_section" sec_index="3" parent="Correspondence" text="1968 Correspondence"><h3>1968 Correspondence</h3>
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<div id="LettertoJeffreyHickeyLosAngeles2December1968_0" class="quote" parent="1968_Correspondence" book="Let" index="464" link="Letter to Jeffrey Hickey -- Los Angeles 2 December, 1968" link_text="Letter to Jeffrey Hickey -- Los Angeles 2 December, 1968">
<div class="heading">I have noted by your letter that already you are progressing nicely by associating with devotees and chanting 22 rounds daily so there is no more any need to wait. You may send to my Los Angles address your chanting beads so that you may receive initiation.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Jeffrey Hickey -- Los Angeles 2 December, 1968|Letter to Jeffrey Hickey -- Los Angeles 2 December, 1968]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of November 28, in which you request to be initiated as my student. I have noted by your letter that already you are progressing nicely by associating with devotees and chanting 22 rounds daily so there is no more any need to wait. You may send to my Los Angles address your chanting beads so that you may receive initiation.</p>
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<div id="1969_Correspondence" class="sub_section" sec_index="4" parent="Correspondence" text="1969 Correspondence"><h3>1969 Correspondence</h3>
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<div id="LettertoUpendraLosAngeles4January1969_0" class="quote" parent="1969_Correspondence" book="Let" index="5" link="Letter to Upendra -- Los Angeles 4 January, 1969" link_text="Letter to Upendra -- Los Angeles 4 January, 1969">
<div class="heading">I have just yesterday received one letter from a boy in Seattle named Charles McCollogh, and he has desired to come here to Los Angeles and receive initiation from me. Please inform me of the situation with this boy so I may reply to his letter there after.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Upendra -- Los Angeles 4 January, 1969|Letter to Upendra -- Los Angeles 4 January, 1969]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">I have received your nice gift of rose petal preserves and I thank you very much for this. Also, I have just yesterday received one letter from a boy in Seattle named Charles McCollogh, and he has desired to come here to Los Angeles and receive initiation from me. Please inform me of the situation with this boy so I may reply to his letter there after.</p>
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<div id="LettertoBhurijanaLosAngeles7February1969_1" class="quote" parent="1969_Correspondence" book="Let" index="100" link="Letter to Bhurijana -- Los Angeles 7 February, 1969" link_text="Letter to Bhurijana -- Los Angeles 7 February, 1969">
<div class="heading">I understand from your letter that Kanupriya has not yet received his initiation beads for chanting upon, but they were sent over two weeks ago. I am enclosing a carbon of the letter which I had sent along with his beads, and if he has still not received them, please request him to send another pair of beads, and I will send these back to him duly chanted upon.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Bhurijana -- Los Angeles 7 February, 1969|Letter to Bhurijana -- Los Angeles 7 February, 1969]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">I understand from your letter that Kanupriya has not yet received his initiation beads for chanting upon, but they were sent over two weeks ago. I am enclosing a carbon of the letter which I had sent along with his beads, and if he has still not received them, please request him to send another pair of beads, and I will send these back to him duly chanted upon.</p>
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<div id="1971_Correspondence" class="sub_section" sec_index="6" parent="Correspondence" text="1971 Correspondence"><h3>1971 Correspondence</h3>
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<div id="LettertoJagadisaBombay11April1971_0" class="quote" parent="1971_Correspondence" book="Let" index="148" link="Letter to Jagadisa -- Bombay 11 April, 1971" link_text="Letter to Jagadisa -- Bombay 11 April, 1971">
<div class="heading">Yes, Mayavati Devi may receive Gayatri initiation. I am enclosing herewith Gayatri mantra sheet. You recite it and let her hear, and hold a fire ceremony as well.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Jagadisa -- Bombay 11 April, 1971|Letter to Jagadisa -- Bombay 11 April, 1971]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">My full blessings are there for the marriage of Yugalkishore and Kirtimati Devi (John Morgan and Carol Stibbard), as well as for Meenakatan and Devi Dasi from Miami. Yes, Mayavati Devi may receive Gayatri initiation. I am enclosing herewith Gayatri mantra sheet. You recite it and let her hear, and hold a fire ceremony as well.</p>
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<div id="LettertoSatsvarupaCalcutta26May1971_1" class="quote" parent="1971_Correspondence" book="Let" index="221" link="Letter to Satsvarupa -- Calcutta 26 May, 1971" link_text="Letter to Satsvarupa -- Calcutta 26 May, 1971">
<div class="heading">Yes, if you feel that she is qualified, the girl Carol may receive Gayatri initiation also so that she can take up pujari business full time.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Satsvarupa -- Calcutta 26 May, 1971|Letter to Satsvarupa -- Calcutta 26 May, 1971]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">As of yet, I have not received the check for $50 for ten tulasi beads. Yes, if you feel that she is qualified, the girl Carol may receive Gayatri initiation also so that she can take up pujari business full time.</p>
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<div id="LettertoKarandharaLondon26August1971_2" class="quote" parent="1971_Correspondence" book="Let" index="422" link="Letter to Karandhara -- London 26 August, 1971" link_text="Letter to Karandhara -- London 26 August, 1971">
<div class="heading">Enclosed also you will find one letter from Jagatguru Das Brahmacari from ISKCON Salt Lake City. He has asked to receive Brahmin initiation. Why is he so much anxious to take second initiation? He was just very recently initiated with Hare Krishna mantra. So I have not agreed.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Karandhara -- London 26 August, 1971|Letter to Karandhara -- London 26 August, 1971]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Enclosed also you will find one letter from Jagatguru Das Brahmacari from ISKCON Salt Lake City. He has asked to receive Brahmin initiation. Why is he so much anxious to take second initiation? He was just very recently initiated with Hare Krishna mantra. So I have not agreed.</p>
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<div id="1972_Correspondence" class="sub_section" sec_index="7" parent="Correspondence" text="1972 Correspondence"><h3>1972 Correspondence</h3>
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<div id="LettertoNiranjanaBombay5January1972_0" class="quote" parent="1972_Correspondence" book="Let" index="23" link="Letter to Niranjana -- Bombay 5 January, 1972" link_text="Letter to Niranjana -- Bombay 5 January, 1972">
<div class="heading">So I hope that very soon you will be coming to Bombay to receive your second initiation.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Niranjana -- Bombay 5 January, 1972|Letter to Niranjana -- Bombay 5 January, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The four sinful activities which one must avoid if there is to be any hope for spiritual advancement are the eating of meat, fish and eggs, the use of intoxicants, illicit connection with women, and gambling. So these are the first four sins which I ask all of my students to strictly avoid committing. Practically the entire population of the world is entrapped by these four sinful activities. In our Krishna Consciousness Society we are training our students up to the standard of brahminical culture. So the great respect we are getting here in India and throughout the rest of the world is due to these restrictions. Actually our students have surpassed the category of brahmana because they are Vaisnavas which means they are transcendental to any material position, and brahmana is a material order of life, part of the Varna Ashrama system. Many times I have been told by other so-called holy men that I should not expect that foreigners will be able to avoid these sinful activities. But I have never compromised in any way and as a result of our sticking strictly to our principles our position is unique. So I hope that very soon you will be coming to Bombay to receive your second initiation.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LettertoSatsvarupaParis25July1972_1" class="quote" parent="1972_Correspondence" book="Let" index="392" link="Letter to Satsvarupa -- Paris 25 July, 1972" link_text="Letter to Satsvarupa -- Paris 25 July, 1972">
<div class="heading">Regarding your questions about children at Gurukula, above ten years old they can be initiated first time, and after one year of perfectly chanting 16 rounds and observing the other regulative principles, they may receive second initiation.
</div>
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Satsvarupa -- Paris 25 July, 1972|Letter to Satsvarupa -- Paris 25 July, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Regarding your questions about children at Gurukula, above ten years old they can be initiated first time, and after one year of perfectly chanting 16 rounds and observing the other regulative principles, they may receive second initiation. The Bhagavata class should go on, just as I have shown you, with everyone attending, including the children. Read the Sanskrit sloka all together, word meanings, translation, purport and give elucidation on all points. The children should be doing the same thing we are doing, plus giving them the playing facility, a little ABC, history, mathematics, geography, like that. They should not help in cooking, nor should they take part in any hard work, they must study. After initiation, then they can learn cooking. They should not be utilized for giving service to the elderly members, they should be given chance for reading and writing. So far marriage is concerned, they must be legally married.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LettertoVisvambharaAhmedabad14December1972_2" class="quote" parent="1972_Correspondence" book="Let" index="616" link="Letter to Visvambhara -- Ahmedabad 14 December, 1972" link_text="Letter to Visvambhara -- Ahmedabad 14 December, 1972">
<div class="heading">So if you have received initiation, then you have got the instruction no intoxication. So why do you ask this? That means that you have still addiction to these intoxicants. It was said, and you promised, no intoxication, so why do you think of this?
</div>
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Visvambhara -- Ahmedabad 14 December, 1972|Letter to Visvambhara -- Ahmedabad 14 December, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">(4) You have asked about "chemical changes of consciousness" or drugs, and if these may ever be utilized in Krishna's service. To change consciousness, therefore the Spiritual Master is there. Do not do anything whimsically, like taking these drugs, that will ruin everything. Because you are imperfect you require help from the Perfect, and anything material like drugs is imperfect, so do not be distracted by contemplating in this way. This chemical is intoxicant, it will not help, it will send you to hell. So if you have received initiation, then you have got the instruction no intoxication. So why do you ask this? That means that you have still addiction to these intoxicants. It was said, and you promised, no intoxication, so why do you think of this?</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="1974_Correspondence" class="sub_section" sec_index="9" parent="Correspondence" text="1974 Correspondence"><h3>1974 Correspondence</h3>
</div>
<div id="LettertoCitsukhanandaLosAngeles5January1974_0" class="quote" parent="1974_Correspondence" book="Let" index="10" link="Letter to Citsukhananda -- Los Angeles 5 January, 1974" link_text="Letter to Citsukhananda -- Los Angeles 5 January, 1974">
<div class="heading">I have duly chanted on the threads of the three men recommended by you for Second initiation, Viraha, Pramona, and Tamoha, and you may also distribute gayatri mantra to Vara devi dasi. Play the tape of gayatri mantra in their right ear and instruct them regarding Brahminical principles. For those receiving first initiation impress on them the importance of chanting at least sixteen rounds daily without fail and always observe the regulative principles. You may hold fire yajna for the initiates and instruct them on the ten offenses to chanting.
</div>
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Citsukhananda -- Los Angeles 5 January, 1974|Letter to Citsukhananda -- Los Angeles 5 January, 1974]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">On your recommendation I am accepting the following devotees as my initiated disciples and there Spiritual names are as follows:</p>
<p>1st Initiation</p>
<p>Wilfredo—Varesa</p>
<p>Ricardo—Urdhvabhaga</p>
<p>Pedro—Puruji</p>
<p>Harry—Tarksya</p>
<p>Carlos—Durantavira</p>
<p>Steve—Siddhajana</p>
<p>Salvador—Gopesa</p>
<p>Jorje—Kavi</p>
<p>Teo—Krato</p>
<p>Solvai—Subhanana Dasi</p>
<p>Bula—Tilakaini Dasi</p>
<p>Maria—Modani Dasi</p>
<p>Anthony Velasquez—Pitamvara</p>
<p>Lenox—Vasuki</p>
<p>Anthony—Vama</p>
<p>Reinaldo—(now here in Los Angeles) Simhadasa</p>
<p>2nd Initiation</p>
<p>Viraha dasa</p>
<p>Pramona dasa</p>
<p>Tamoha dasa</p>
<p>Vara devi dasi</p>
<p>I have duly chanted on the threads of the three men recommended by you for Second initiation, Viraha, Pramona, and Tamoha, and you may also distribute gayatri mantra to Vara devi dasi. Play the tape of gayatri mantra in their right ear and instruct them regarding Brahminical principles. For those receiving first initiation impress on them the importance of chanting at least sixteen rounds daily without fail and always observe the regulative principles. You may hold fire yajna for the initiates and instruct them on the ten offenses to chanting.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="1975_Correspondence" class="sub_section" sec_index="10" parent="Correspondence" text="1975 Correspondence"><h3>1975 Correspondence</h3>
</div>
<div id="LettertoTripurariBombay16January1975_0" class="quote" parent="1975_Correspondence" book="Let" index="68" link="Letter to Tripurari -- Bombay 16 January, 1975" link_text="Letter to Tripurari -- Bombay 16 January, 1975">
<div class="heading">Regarding the two boys you mentioned, they can receive initiation in Mayapur as long as they are recommended by the temple president or GBC.
</div>
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Tripurari -- Bombay 16 January, 1975|Letter to Tripurari -- Bombay 16 January, 1975]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Regarding the two boys you mentioned, they can receive initiation in Mayapur as long as they are recommended by the temple president or GBC.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>