Super Ecstatic Initiation Ceremony in Brampton, Ontario

It is most auspicious that on 15 January 2017 in Brampton, Ontario, Canada I was blessed by Lord Sri Krishna and Srila Prabhupada with the sublime opportunity of giving five wonderful devotees entrance into immortality by formally initiating them as my disciples. These devotees are as follows:

1. Cleveland Mentore is now Caitya-Guru Das
2. Paramraj Bhatt is now Paramahamsa Das
3. Bindiya Bhatt is now Bhagavati Devi Dasi
4. Samantha Mentore is now Satyabhama Devi Dasi
5. Vandana Neeraye is now Vasundhara Devi Dasi

I also gave second initiation to three of my initiated disciples who are nicely following their initiation vows. This means that they are now formally ordained as brahmanas, member of the priestly class. These three disciples are Amogha Lila Das, his wife Patita Pavana Devi Dasi, and Vrindavanesvari Devi Dasi.

Two other devotees, Hemanga Das and his wife Govinda Mohini Devi Dasi, who previously had been awarded second initiation but had not yet participated in a fire sacrifice ceremony for that initiation also joined the ceremony. Thus we had a very nice group of thirteen devotees (including myself as the officiating priest, my wife as the leader of the Brahma-samhita chanting, and an assistant priest) participating in the fire sacrifice ceremony with a temple room packed full of devotees also participating as our audience. It was truly a most auspicious occasion.

Initiation Ceremony-Brampton, Ontario Canada-15 January 2017

Initiation Ceremony By Sankarshan Das-Brampton, Ontario Canada

Sankarshan Das Adhikari with Initiates
15 January 2017-Toronto, Ontario Canada

Sankarshan Das Adhikari with Initiates,Toronto, Ontario Canada

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Toronto Departure

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version

Question: How to Conquer Shame?

Hare Krishna Dear Srila Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

I would like to ask you about something I battle with constantly recently.

Sometimes when I feel that I am not serving Krishna as I should the immediate feeling I sense is shame. Sometimes this shame breaks me down so bad I almost feel like I am unworthy to continue with a certain action (even though this action is related to Krishna consciousness). Can you elaborate on the topic of shame or feeling shame towards the devotees or the spiritual master?

Related to this I would also like to ask: Are pure devotees able to distinguish between a subtle advice given by the material mind, the advice or knowledge of the spirit soul himself or of Krishna guiding within us as Paramatma? How to differentiate between the three voices so we can be fully Krishna consciousnesses and follow the right advice?

With love and devotion,
Your servant

Answer: Be Grateful for Krishna's Kindness

While we should always feel that our service attitude is far from perfect, we should also feel very much blessed that in spite of our so many inadequacies we are getting the opportunity to engage in devotional service. This is why Krishna is called Dinabandhu, the friend of the fallen. In this way we should enthusiastically reciprocate with the loving kindness of Krishna.

Pure devotees can clearly distinguish between the proper guidance coming from Krishna and the nonsense misguidance of the material mind. Thus they are always think, speak, and act perfectly in all times, places, and circumstances. To keep themselves always on the right track neophyte devotees should carefully follow the instructions of their spiritual master. Whenever they have some doubt about the proper course of action they should inquire from their spiritual master.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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