A living entity by nature is pure because he is part and parcel of the Supreme Pure, God. But due to his impure condition, he has forgotten his eternal relationship with God. So this initiation means that one is being accepted as student by the spiritual master to promote him gradually to the purified state, where he can realize himself and God. This is the whole process.
In contaminated state we cannot approach. I have given this example many times. Just like if you want to enter into certain place, then you must be adjusted with the conditions. Just like people are going to the moon planet. There it is supposed to be it is very cold. So people go with a certain type of dress by adjusting.
Similarly, if you want to enter into the spiritual kingdom, the abode, the planet where Kṛṣṇa lives, so you must be purified, adjust yourself. Not only to the spiritual kingdom of Kṛṣṇa—any planet you want to enter, you must adjust yourself in that way. It is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā:
- yānti deva-vratā devān
- pitṝn yānti pitṛ-vratāḥ
- bhūtejyā yānti bhūtāni
- mad-yājino 'pi yānti mām
- (BG 9.25)
If you adjust yourself, then you can go to the higher planetary system. Deva-vratā devān. Devān means the planetary system or the different planets where demigods are living. Just like this moon planet. This moon planet is also another planet of the demigod Candra. I do not know the modern expedition for going to the moon planet, how far it will be successful. I think it cannot be successful. According to Vedic literature, it cannot be successful, because people cannot adjust to enter that planet. One has to adjust, make the bodily condition in that way, so that one can live there.
In this planet also, there are different climates. In India the climate is different, and your Western country, the climate is different. So when one comes to the Western country, he also adjusts with different coats and shirts. In India we can remain naked body practically throughout the whole year, but you cannot live here. So there is adjustment.