The Disciplic Succession Continues

The process of disciple succession is an ongoing process. It does not stop at a certain moment in history. In this connection Srila Prabhupada explains as follows

"One who is now the disciple is the next spiritual master. And one cannot be a bona fide and authorized spiritual master unless one has been strictly obedient to his spiritual master."
--from purport to SB 2.9.43

Srila Prabhupada explains that just as he is in the line of disciplic succession, his disciples are also in the line of disciplic succession:

"So we have got this message from Krishna, from Caitanya Mahaprabhu, from the six Gosvamis, later on, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Bhaktisiddhanta Thakura. And we are trying our bit also to distribute this knowledge. Now, tenth, eleventh, twelfth. My Guru Maharaja is tenth from Caitanya Mahaprabhu, I am eleventh, you are the twelfth. So distribute this knowledge."
--Arrival Lecture-- Los Angeles, May 18, 1972

In spite of the above instructions some foolish so-called followers of Srila Prabhupada claim that the ancient system of disciplic succession described by Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita has ended with Srila Prabhupada, that there will be no more spiritual masters after Srila Prabhupada.

We are not so foolish as to accept such a so-called conclusion, which is not in accord with the teachings of Krishna, of Lord Caitanya and the great Vaisnava Acaryas.

Srila Prabhupada Instructs His Disciples

Srila Prabhupada Instructs His Disciples

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Answers by Citing the Vedic Version:

Question: Is the Mahamantra Useless Without Initiation?

Gurumataji mentioned in recent Srimad Bhagavatam class that if the mahamantra is not received through disciplic succession it gives no benefit. Why is it so? Is the mahamantra just empty words, if it's not received through the parampara (system of disciplic succession)?

Lakshmipriya devi dasi

Answer: One Requires Proper Training to Perfect His Chanting

Any chanting of the names of God is beneficial. But in order to go back to home, back to Godhead one must master the art of chanting under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master. This is why it is stated in the Padma Purana:

sampradāya-vihīnā ye
mantrās te niṣphalā matāḥ

"Unless you are initiated by a bona fide spiritual master in the disciplic succession, your mantra or initiation is useless."

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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