Category:Our Second Initiations (Disciples of SP)
Theme Analysis
The process of receiving the sacred thread and the gāyatrī-mantra is a monumental step in the spiritual life of a devotee. Throughout his extensive correspondence and teachings, a clear and uncompromising standard for second initiation was established by Śrīla Prabhupāda. He repeatedly warned his temple presidents and students that this elevation to the status of a brāhmaṇa must never be treated as an automatic reward or taken cheaply. By demanding strict adherence to the regulative principles, steady chanting, and philosophical study, he ensured that his followers truly understood the gravity of their lifelong vows before entering the Deity room or stepping onto the altar to perform sacrifices.
- The True Meaning of a Brāhmaṇa: Taking second initiation is a genuine spiritual rebirth where the disciple accepts the spiritual master as the father and the gāyatrī-mantra as the mother, becoming thoroughly purified from all material designations.
- A Strict Period of Observation: The sacred thread is not awarded hastily; a minimum observation period of six months to a year is required to ensure the candidate is steadily executing bhajana-kriyā and chanting sixteen rounds without fail.
- Uncompromising Adherence to Vows: Devotees must write statements confirming their strict adherence to the regulative principles, as anyone failing to follow the basic rules of first initiation is completely unfit for the status of a brāhmaṇa.
- Preventing Cheap Initiations: Deep concern is expressed by Śrīla Prabhupāda regarding whimsical recommendations. He heavily burdens the temple presidents with the responsibility of ensuring candidates rise early and follow all practices rigorously.
- Philosophical Understanding: Because a true brāhmaṇa is a paṇḍita, mandatory scriptural examinations like bhakti-śāstrī were gradually introduced to ensure the initiates were truly digesting the philosophy.
- Exclusive Duties of the Twice-Initiated: Only those who have received second initiation and maintain impeccable cleanliness are authorized to cook for the Lord, enter the Deity room, and perform fire sacrifices.
- The Lifelong Commitment: The vows of a brāhmaṇa involve chanting the mantras three times a day and cultivating high moral qualities like śama, dama, and titikṣā, ultimately preparing the disciple for the highest order of sannyāsa.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Prabhupāda Warns His Disciples Not to Take Second Initiations Cheaply.
Pages in category "Our Second Initiations (Disciples of SP)"
The following 55 pages are in this category, out of 55 total.
A
- A brahmana means purified. So those who are going to be sacred-threaded today, they should remember that they are being accepted as sucih, as brahmana
- A pure devotee is above a brahmana; therefore it is not incompatible to offer the sacred thread to devotees in Europe, America, Australia, Japan, Canada, and so on
- Although jealous rascals protest that Europeans and Americans cannot be given the sacred thread or sannyasa, there is no need even to consider whether one is a gentleman or a rogue because this is a spiritual movement which is not concerned with the body
- Anyone wishing to be 2nd initiated will sit for examination once a year at Mayapur. Answers will be in essay form and authoritative quotations will be given a bigger score. During the exams books may not be consulted
- As I have several times explained, when initiation is given, the Spiritual Master becomes the spiritual father and the gayatri mantra becomes the spiritual mother and thus second birth takes place
- Ask your wife to chant this mantra and you hear it and if possible hold a fire ceremony as you have seen during your marriage and get this sacred thread on your body. Saradia, or any twice-initiated devotee, may perform the ceremony
C
- Chant Gayatri mantra to them individually and let them hear and repeat. Then offer the threads on my behalf. The fire sacrifice should be performed as usual
- Chant sixteen rounds and observe these rules and regulations. Then, when I see, six months or one year, he's doing very nicely, then we accept him as my disciple, the second initiation. So this is bhajana-kriya
D
E
- Either you or Ranadhira can hold a fire sacrifice & present sacred threads to Kutila & Mahendra. One thing, you can get a copy of me reciting Gayatri Mantra from Rupanuga in New York but the tape must be heard through earphones into the right ear
- Every day I am getting request for second initiation, but I do not know. The responsibility goes to the presidents who pick them. Unless they are thoroughly convinced second initiation should not be given
I
- I accept Sriman Dhananjaya Pandit das for brahman initiation. You may hold a fire sacrifice and he should listen to the Gayatri mantra in the right ear from the tape
- I am also asking that they write a statement in all seriousness stating they have not broken promises of first initiation & they will go on steadfastly chanting the prescribed rounds. I am hoping to stop whimsical recommendations for second initiation
- I am especially concerned that the second initiation not be taken cheaply and devotees who do not even rise early be recommended for brahmana
- I am especially concerned that the second initiations not be taken cheaply. Brahmins are expected to rise early in the morning and follow strictly all the devotional practices
- I have already cautioned you that the second initiation should be given out only when you are certain that the devotee is really following all our principles
- 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
- I hereby accept the two devotees you recommended for second initiation and enclosed find two sacred threads and two gayatri mantras
- I think you know all the procedures by now and you may give them the Gayatri as I have already prescribed by using the tape record of the mantras and performing the fire sacrifice
- I understand that all the others from Scotland have gone to Bhaktivedanta Manor, so why do you not go there also and get recommended by the temple President for Brahminical initiation
- If our brahmanas do not take their second initiation seriously, then we will be deserving of criticism. So on this basis, if you think the men you have recommended are still eligible, you can resubmit their names to me and I will accept them
- If you see fit, you may offer the second initiation to Sriman Yasodanandana Das Brahmacari and encourage him to open a nice center in Quebec. That will be great service and I know he is very enthusiastic devotee
- In our KC movement when he (who took second initiation) advances still further and is willing to give up this material world, he is given the sannyasa order. At that time he receives the title svami or gosvami, both of which mean - master of the senses
- In our Krsna consciousness movement after six months or a year, he (who has got first initiation with hari-nama and chanting at least 16 rounds a day) is initiated for the second time and given the sacred thread with the regular sacrifice and rituals
- In our Krsna consciousness society, unless one is twice initiated - first by chanting Hare Krsna and second by the Gayatri mantra - he is not allowed to enter the kitchen or Deity room to execute duties
- Initiation should be given as a future hope, but we should be careful about the second initiation
- It is not that automatically we have to award a devotee second initiation after he has been with us for a certain time, but the qualifications have to be there
- It is not that we are stopping second initiation, but I want to be sure it does not become a farce and names be sent to me without proper qualification
- It is to be understood by chanting Hare Krsna mantra, by following the regulative principle, he has already come to the platform of sattva-guna. But if it is a false thing, there is no need of second initiation
- It is very important (The Nectar of Instruction) and must be immediately read by all devotees. In the near future we shall introduce the Bhakti-sastri examination for second initiation and this shall be one of the required books of study
O
- Of course second initiation does not depend upon passing an examination. How one has moulded his life--chanting, attending arati, etc--these are essential. Still, brahmana means pandita. Therefore I am suggesting examinations
- On your recommendation I am accepting the following disciples for first and second initiation. First Initiation: Bhakta Anders - Atma-nivedana dasa; Bhakta John - Yogindra dasa
S
- Second initiation is real initiation. First initiation is the preliminary, just to make him prepared, just like primary and secondary education
- So far as Gayatri initiations are concerned, the tape is not required
- So far as Savitri getting her 2nd initiation you have written to say that she had difficulty now to even chant a few mantras. So you must observe first whether she will be able to keep the Brahminical vows
- So far Gayatri Mantra is concerned, of course it is not such an important thing. The main thing is to chant Hare Krishna but you can consult with the G.B.C. and get his recommendation. The Hare Krishna mantra is sufficient for becoming Krishna Conscious
T
- Temple Presidents may henceforward send recommendation for first and second initiation to whichever of these eleven representatives are nearest their temple
- 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
- There is one request for 2nd initiation from Yadavacarya das, but I have not received any recommendation from the temple president or a sannyasi
- They promise that three times they will chant gayatri-mantra, but I do not know what they are doing
- This second initiation is very, very serious business, and you must become very strong and firmly situated in devotional service
- Those who are going to be initiated with this sacred thread, they must always remember to follow all these rules and regulations - Sama dama titiksa. Arjava. Jnanam Vijnanam Astikyam
- Twice initiated brahmana disciples
- Twice-initiated devotee
W
- We do not allow devotees to perform sacrifices until they are properly initiated in the sacred thread ceremony
- We initiate our students. The preliminary initiation is offering chanting. Then we observe at least for one year, how he is chanting, how he is doing. Then the second initiation confirms. That is the system
Y
- 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
- You can ask me freely to make devotees initiated for first initiation provided they are enthusiastic and following the rules, but be very cautious before awarding second initiation, even though you have a need for brahmanas in the temple
- You should make sure that there is nice fresh, clean dress every morning, nice bathing ceremony every morning, nice offerings of prasadam. You should see that the Deity is tended for and cooked for only by the duly second initiated brahmanas