If You Are Not Twice-Born, You Are An Animal

Our first birth is from our mother and father. Every animal gets such a birth. So if we only get first birth, we are in the category of the animals. What makes one a human being as distinguished from the animals is when he takes to the self-realization pathway seriously by accepting second birth from the bona fide spiritual master. This second-birth, which is called diksha or initiation, occurs when one surrenders to the bona fide spiritual master to learn from him the transcendental self-realization science. At the time of initiation the spiritual master gives the disciple a new name such as Krishna Das (servant of Krishna) to remind him of his new transcendental identity.

Initiation Ceremony--New Delhi, India
12 November 2011 

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version

Question: How to Judge Sadhana Progress?

Dear Gurudeva,
Namaste.

I would like to ask the following questions:

What happens at the physical, mental and intellectual levels when one does rounds of japa mala and chants the Hare Krishna mahamantra? After monitoring these parameters how one should judge that his/her sadhana is on right track for achieving the transcendental destination?

Yours in yoga

Janardan Mali

Answer: More Attraction to Krishna Less to Maya

When one absorbs his consciousness in chanting the Hare Krishna mahamantra his body, mind, and intelligence all become purified. If one is losing his attraction to all forms of material sense gratification, both subtle and gross, and is becoming more and more attracted to the transcendental name, form, pastimes, qualities, entourage, and paraphernalia of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is definitely on the right track to the transcendental destination. Therefore you should take up this chanting process seriously and become spiritually perfect in this rare human form of life for achieving the transcendental destination of going back to home, back to Godhead.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari