Is initiation from a spiritual master required?

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Is Initiation from a Spiritual Master Required?

29 March 2025

Sometimes we hear claims that initiation from the bona fide spiritual master is not required, that simply taking instructions from a spiritual master without initiation is sufficient. However, this is not what Srila Prabhupada has taught us. Here is what he has written in his introduction to his book The Nectar of Devotion;

"The connection with the spiritual master is called initiation. From the date of initiation by the spiritual master, the connection between Kṛṣṇa and a person cultivating Kṛṣṇa consciousness is established. Without initiation by a bona fide spiritual master, the actual connection with Kṛṣṇa consciousness is never performed."

In this connection Srila Prabhupada has also written in the Sri Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi Lila 1, Chapter 1, Text 35 purport:

"One should always remember that a person who is reluctant to accept a spiritual master and be initiated is sure to be baffled in his endeavor to go back to Godhead. One who is not properly initiated may present himself as a great devotee, but in fact he is sure to encounter many stumbling blocks on his path of progress toward spiritual realization, with the result that he must continue his term of material existence without relief. Such a helpless person is compared to a ship without a rudder, for such a ship can never reach its destination. It is imperative, therefore, that one accept a spiritual master if he at all desires to gain the favor of the Lord."

Of course, it is not that we should think, "Since I am now initiated my business is finished. Now I am going back to Godhead." In Chapter Five of The Nectar of Devotion Srila Prabhupada has written:

"Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī warns, however, that if a person is properly initiated by a bona fide spiritual master, he should not think that simply by the acceptance of such initiation his business is then finished. One still has to follow the rules and regulations very carefully. If after accepting the spiritual master and being initiated one does not follow the rules and regulations of devotional service, then he is again fallen. One must be very vigilant to remember that he is the part and parcel of the transcendental body of Kṛṣṇa, and that it is his duty as part and parcel to give service to the whole, or Kṛṣṇa. If we do not render service to Kṛṣṇa then again we fall down. In other words, simply becoming initiated does not elevate one to the position of a high-class brāhmaṇa. One also has to discharge the duties and follow the regulative principles very rigidly."

So let us not be misled by the bogus philosophies that are sometimes presented by those who quote so many scriptures to try to prove a point that initiation is against Srila Prabhupada's teachings.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari
P.S: Live classes are at: www.LiveLectures.net
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Transcendental Correspondence

Sometimes I hear the concern that since we may only meet our spiritual master once or twice a year, how can he truly understand our personal situation well enough to guide us deeply?

Vraja Kishore Das

Answer

From: Aheloy, Bulgaria

My Dear Vraja Kishore,

Please accept my blessings.
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your question posted on zoom 24 March 2025 copied below and have noted the contents.

Many devotees in ISKCON have failed to the understand the potency of the guru/disciple relationship because they are still holding onto their desires for material sense gratification. The real fact of the matter is that when the disciple fully embraces the order of his spiritual master accepting it as his very life and soul, his spiritual master is with him at every moment guiding him how to perfectly think, speak, and act in all times, places, and circumstances.

I hope this meets you in the best of health
and in a cheerful mood.

Your ever well-wisher,

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

My Spiritual Journey in a Nutshell

As an American youth I was taught to believe in the. "American dream": Study hard, get a good education and a good job to get a good wife some good kids in a good house to enjoy a good life. But when I got to college I realized that this was not enough. I wanted to know what is the meaning of life, but no one could tell me. So I took to the path of self-realization and was blessed in 1968 with the Hare Krishna mantra and the worship of Radha and Krishna. (I did not know about ISKCON.) This inspired me to drop out of college and renounce the world to become a holy beggar in India. But on the way to India I realized that to renounce everything I had to ultimately renounce renunciation itself and accept something transcendental Thus I embraced the mission of delivering the world from chaos. For this purpose I adopted the life a singer/songwriter who in 1969 became recognized and very much appreciated. In 1971, seeking spiritual perfection, I followed the example of Lord Jesus Christ and prayed to God how I could become His perfect servant. Then God revealed to me path of pure Krishna bhakti as taught by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. On the most auspicious day of 12 August 1971 he accepted me as his disciple. Now on his order and under his most expert guidance I have fully devoted my life for awakening pure love of God within my heart and for making the entire world Krishna conscious.

To read about my journey in detail get my memoir:

Love
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