INITIATED ACCORDING TO AUTHORIZED PANCARATRIKI REGULATIONS

[Guest guest]

THE STUDENTS AND DISCIPLES ARE INITIATED ACCORDING TO AUTHORIZED PANCARATRIKI REGULATIONS

DIKSA IS OFFERED ACCORDING TO PANCARATRIKI-VIDHI this is the system that has

been set up for ISKCON by Srila Prabhupada(Our BONAFIDE Diksa Guru). There is

no contradiction when Srila Prabhupada makes such statement as "And below the

brahmana there is no question of Vaisnava." This means one has to rise up to

the QUALIFIED brahmana status and make FURTHER advancement in order to become

**PURE** VAISNAVA. The philosophy is SIMULTANEOUS ONESS AND DIFFERENCE.

770214r2.may Conversations

Prabhupada: Kanistha-adhikari means he must be a brahmana. That is

kanistha-adhikari. The spiritual life, kanistha-adhikari, means he must be a

qualified brahmana. That is kanistha. What is esteemed as very high position in

the material world, brahmana, that is kanistha-adhikari.

arcayam eva haraye

pujam yah sraddhayehate

na tad-bhaktesu canyesu

sa bhaktah prakrtah smrtah

The brahmana means from the material stage gradually he is elevated to the

spiritual stage. And below the brahmana there is no question of Vaisnava.

Note: here in the SAME conversation Srila Prabhupada is actually presenting PANCARATRIKI-VIDHI.

770214r2.may Conversations

Satsvarupa: Today you've been saying that the Vaisnava is the highest, above the

brahmana. But then we've also understood that everyone in ISKCON is a Vaisnava.

Prabhupada: Yes. Vaisnava everyone, even if he's not brahmana. Jivera svarupa

haya nitya-krsna-dasa. But you have to gradually bring him to that pure

consciousness that "I am servant of Krsna." Here the bodily conception is going

on, "I am American,I am Indian,I am this,I am that."

701219SB.SUR Lectures

Prabhupada: Yes, they are after preyah. Those who are after sreyah, they should

follow the catur-asrama, varnasrama. The varnasrama, according to Vedic system,

the four kinds of varnas or social caste, and four kinds of spiritual order,

asramas. That is the beginning of preyah. Without this acceptance of these

principles, according to Vedic principles, one is not considered as human being

or civilized man. Because that is a system, if we follow that system, gradually

we rise to the platform of sreyah. If anyone does not follow regulative

principles, it is very hard for him to come to the standard of sreyah. But in

this age, in Kali-yuga, every man is so fallen that he cannot follow any

regulative principles according to the Vedic scriptures. As such, they have

been accepted as sudras. Kalau sudra-sambhavah: "In this age everyone should be

accepted as sudra." But then how to elevate them? FOR ELEVATING THEM, THIS...,

NOT THE VEDIC SYSTEM IS TO BE FOLLOWED BUT PANCARATRIKI. PANCARATRIKI... Just

like we are trying to elevate these Europeans and Americans according to

Pancaratriki-vidhi. Everyone should be followed. It is not that Indians should

not follow; only the others will. No. It is for everyone, Pancaratriki-vidhi.

THE PANCARATRIKI-VIDHI MEANS THAT IF ANYONE HAS GOT LITTLE TENDENCY FOR BEING

ELEVATED TO THE SREYAH PLATFORM, HE SHOULD BE GIVEN CHANCE. THAT IS CALLED

PANCARATRIKI-VIDHI. JUST LIKE DIKSA, INITIATION. SUDRAS ARE NOT GIVEN

INITIATION. A SUDRA CANNOT BE INITIATED. ONLY THE BRAHMANAS CAN BE INITIATED,

OR DVIJA, OR THE VAISYAS AND THE KSATRIYAS, THE HIGHER CASTE, NOT THE SUDRAS.

BUT ACCORDING TO PANCARATRIKI-VIDHI, EVEN THE SUDRAS OR LESS THAN THE SUDRAS,

KIRATA-HUUNANDHRA-PULINDA-PULKASA, EVERYONE CAN BE INITIATED BY A BONA FIDE

REPRESENTATIVE OF KRSNA, NOT BY OTHERS. THAT IS THE SYSTEM.

68-06-12. Letter: whom it may concern

In each center we have got hundreds of disciples and followers, and our

initiated disciples are strictly following the restrictions as principle, as

follows: (1) no illicit sex life, (2) no intoxication, including coffee, tea,

and cigarettes, (3) no gambling, (4) no meat eating. We have got both

Brahmacaris and Householders as disciples, and all of them are following the

above mentioned principles. THE STUDENTS AND DISCIPLES ARE INITIATED ACCORDING

TO AUTHORIZED PANCARATRIKI REGULATIONS. According to Srimad-Bhagavatam and

Bhagavad-gita, anyone, including so-called low born men, who may take shelter

unto the Lotus Feet of Lord Krishna or His devotees, is sanctified by

initiation process.

kirata-hunandhra-pulinda-pulkasa

abhira-sumbha yavanah khasadayah

ye 'nye ca papa yad-apasrayasrayah

sudhyanti tasmai prabhavisnave namah

How such thing can be possible is explained in the Srimad-Bhagavatam that by

special all-pervading power of Visnu this is possible.

N98:711117WE.DEL classes

So in this Krsna consciousness movement, everything is being performed according

to the scriptural injunction. It is not that we are manufacturing something.

yah sastra-vidhim utsrjya

vartate kama-karatah

na sa siddhim avapnoti

na sukham na param gatim

So our initiation, our accepting a disciple as brahmana, they are all strictly

according to Vedic injunctions. IN THIS KALI-YUGA, THERE IS NO VAIDIKA DIKSA

BECAUSE VAIDIKA DIKSA DEPENDS ON THE PERSONS BEING A--I MEAN TO SAY--SANCTIFIED

BRAHMANA. A SANCTIFIED BRAHMANA MEANS THAT BEFORE HIS BIRTH, THE

GARBHADHANA-SAMSKARA IS OBSERVED. IF IT IS NOT OBSERVED, THEN HE IMMEDIATELY

FALLS DOWN TO THE CATEGORY OF SUDRA. KALAU SUDRA SAMBHAVA. BUT THERE IS

PANCARATRIKI-VIDHI GIVEN BY NARADA, WHO SAID THAT ONE SHOULD BE ACCEPTED IN THE

CATEGORY OF BRAHMANA, KSATRIYA, VAISYA, AND SUDRA ACCORDING TO SYMPTOMS. YASYA

HI YA SVABHAVASYA.

721027ND.VRN Lectures

So we are trying to follow Sanatana Gosvami. By diksa-vidhanena, by imitating

persons any, from anywhere. It does not matter. Because in this age, Kali-yuga,

the diksa-vidhana is performed according, according to Pancaratrika-vidhi. Not

Vaidika-vidhi. Vaidika-vidhi is very strict. Unless one is bona fide son of a

dvija, the initiation was not given. To the sudras, there was no initiation. A

brahmana ksatriya, vaisya. So these are the Vedic process. SO IN THE KALI-YUGA,

BECAUSE IT IS TO BE UNDERSTOOD THAT EVERYONE IS A SUDRA, THEREFORE

VAIDIKA-VIDHANA CANNOT BE APPLIED. VAIDIKA-VIDHANA REQUIRES THAT ONE MUST BE

BORN BY A BRAHMANA, KSATRIYA. THEN HE'S ELIGIBLE FOR BEING INITIATED. BUT IN

THE KALI-YUGA, THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE. THEREFORE THE PANCARATRIKI-VIDHI IS

ACCEPTED.

680724IN.MON Lectures

sruti-smrti-puranadi-

pancaratriki vidhim vina

aikantiki harer bhaktir

utpatayaiva kalpate

This is the definition given by Srila Rupa Gosvami, that to become a devotee of

the Lord, Krsna, one has to follow the principles of sruti and smrti, and

pancaratriki-vidhi. Especially in this age, Kali-yuga, there is no Vedic vidhi.

Because Vedic vidhi is lost. Formerly, initiation was offered to a person who is

actually born of a brahmana father. Otherwise... Or the higher caste, the

brahmanas, the ksatriyas, and the vaisyas, they were offered initiation, and

the sudras were not offered. That was the Vedic system. But in this age the

sastra says that kalau sudra sambhava. IN THIS AGE OF KALI PRACTICALLY THERE IS

NO MORE ANY BRAHMANA, KSATRIYA, OR VAISYA. MAYBE BY NAME, BUT IN QUALIFICATION

THEY ARE NOT EXISTING. EVERYONE IS SUPPOSED TO BE SUDRA. SO IN KALI-YUGA THE

PANCARATRIKI-VIDHI IS ACCEPTED. The pancaratriki-vidhi is also Vedic vidhi,

corollary, given by Narada Mahamuni. But it is accepted by the Vedic followers,

pancaratriki-vidhi.

Pancaratriki-vidhi means if any one has a little inclination for spiritual

development, he should be given chance. This initiation means to give chance.

The Bhagavata says that kirata-hunandhra-pulinda-pulkasa abhira-sumbha yavanah

khasadayah. These are the list of the candalas or less than the sudras. So

Bhagavata gives open road for everyone. Even one is kirata... Kirata means...

Generally they are called aborigines, or the very black aborigines living in

the jungles, they are called kirata.

"710329BG.BOM Lectures Our Sanatana Gosvami gives direction in the

Hari-bhakti-vilasa that one man can become a brahmana by the regular process of

diksa. Diksa, this initiation, cannot be offered to a sudra. Diksa cannot be

offered to a sudra. But in this age, Kali-yuga, it is the statement of the

sastras that in the Kali-yuga most of the population are sudras. Kalau sudra

sambhavah. How they can be initiated? This initiation is offered not according

to the Vedic rules, because it is very difficult to find out a qualified

brahmana. DIKSA IS OFFERED TO A QUALIFIED BRAHMANA. THEREFORE THIS DIKSA IS

OFFERED ACCORDING TO PANCARATRIKI-VIDHI. THAT IS RECOMMENDED IN THIS AGE. MY

SPIRITUAL MASTER INAUGURATED THIS PANCARATRIKI-VIDHI, AND WE ARE FOLLOWING HIS

FOOTSTEPS. Anyone who is inclined to devote his life for Krsna, he should be

accepted as brahmana.

Note : now Srila Prabhupada teaches how to become QUALIFIED

SB 1.2.20 P Divinity and Divine Service

The very same thing is confirmed herein in the above words. No ordinary man, or

even one who has attained success in human life, can know scientifically or

perfectly the Personality of Godhead. Perfection of human life is attained when

one can understand that he is not the product of matter but is in fact spirit.

And as soon as one understands that he has nothing to do with matter, he at

once ceases his material hankerings and becomes enlivened as a spiritual being.

This attainment of success is possible when one is above the modes of passion

and ignorance, or, in other words, when one is actually a brahmana by

qualification. A brahmana is the symbol of sattva-guna, or the mode of

goodness. And others, who are not in the mode of goodness, are either

ksatriyas, vaisyas, sudras or less than the sudras. The brahminical stage is

the highest stage of human life because of its good qualities. SO ONE CANNOT BE

A DEVOTEE UNLESS ONE AT LEAST QUALIFIES AS A BRAHMANA. THE DEVOTEE IS ALREADY A

BRAHMANA BY ACTION. BUT THAT IS NOT THE END OF IT. AS REFERRED TO ABOVE, SUCH A

BRAHMANA HAS TO BECOME A VAISNAVA IN FACT TO BE ACTUALLY IN THE TRANSCENDENTAL

STAGE. A PURE VAISNAVA IS A LIBERATED SOUL AND IS TRANSCENDENTAL EVEN TO THE

POSITION OF A BRAHMANA. IN THE MATERIAL STAGE EVEN A BRAHMANA IS ALSO A

CONDITIONED SOUL BECAUSE ALTHOUGH IN THE BRAHMINICAL STAGE THE CONCEPTION OF

BRAHMAN OR TRANSCENDENCE IS REALIZED, SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE OF THE SUPREME LORD

IS LACKING. ONE HAS TO SURPASS THE BRAHMINICAL STAGE AND REACH THE VASUDEVA

STAGE TO UNDERSTAND THE PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD KRSNA.

SB 4.21.12 P Instructions by Maharaja Prthu

Brahmana refers to one WHO KNOWS BRAHMAN, OR THE IMPERSONAL FEATURE OF THE

ABSOLUTE TRUTH, and a Vaisnava is one WHO SERVES THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF

GODHEAD.

SB 4.21.37 P Instructions by Maharaja Prthu

The simple definition of Vaisnava is given by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu: a person

who immediately reminds one of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, is a

Vaisnava. In this verse, both Vaisnavas and brahmanas are mentioned. A Vaisnava

is a learned brahmana and is therefore designated as brahmana-vaisnava,

brahmana-pandita or as a Vaisnava and brahmana. In other words, a Vaisnava is

supposed to be a brahmana already, but a brahmana may not be a pure Vaisnava.

WHEN A PERSON UNDERSTANDS HIS PURE IDENTITY, BRAHMA JANATI, HE IMMEDIATELY

BECOMES A BRAHMANA. IN THE BRAHMANA STAGE, ONE'S UNDERSTANDING OF THE ABSOLUTE

TRUTH IS MAINLY BASED ON THE IMPERSONAL VIEW. WHEN A BRAHMANA, HOWEVER, RISES

TO THE PLATFORM OF PERSONAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE SUPREME GODHEAD, HE BECOMES A

VAISNAVA. A VAISNAVA IS TRANSCENDENTAL EVEN TO A BRAHMANA. IN THE MATERIAL

CONCEPTION, THE POSITION OF A BRAHMANA IS THE HIGHEST IN HUMAN SOCIETY, BUT A

VAISNAVA IS TRANSCENDENTAL EVEN TO A BRAHMANA. Both the brahmana and Vaisnava

are spiritually advanced. A brahmana's qualifications are mentioned in

Bhagavad-gita as truthfulness, mental equanimity, control of the senses, the

power of tolerance, simplicity, knowledge of the Absolute Truth, firm faith in

the scriptures, and practical application of the brahminical qualities in life.

IN ADDITION TO ALL THESE QUALIFICATIONS, WHEN ONE FULLY ENGAGES IN THE

TRANSCENDENTAL LOVING SERVICE OF THE LORD, HE BECOMES A VAISNAVA.

SB 4.28.7 P Puranjana Becomes a Woman in the Next Life

In the human form of life one should become a brahmana, which means that one

should understand the constitutional position of the Absolute Truth, Brahman,

and then engage in His SERVICE as a Vaisnava.

SB 7.14.41 P Ideal Family Life

>From the Vedas we learn that the Personality of Godhead is the Supreme Person.

Every living entity is an individual person, and the Supreme Personality of

Godhead, Krsna, is the Supreme Person. A brahmana who is well versed in Vedic

knowledge and fully conversant with transcendental matters becomes a

representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore one should

worship such a brahmana or Vaisnava. A VAISNAVA IS SUPERIOR TO A BRAHMANA

BECAUSE WHEREAS A BRAHMANA KNOWS THAT HE IS BRAHMAN, NOT MATTER, A VAISNAVA

KNOWS THAT HE IS NOT ONLY BRAHMAN BUT ALSO AN ETERNAL SERVANT OF THE SUPREME

BRAHMAN.

SB 10.7.13-15 P The Killing of the Demon Trnavarta

The blessings of brahmanas who are not envious, disturbed or puffed up with

pride and false prestige and who are fully qualified with truthfulness will be

useful. Therefore a class of men must be trained as brahmanas from the very

beginning. Brahmacari guru-kule vasan danto guror hitam (Bhag. 7.12.1). The

word dantah is very important. Dantah refers to one who is not envious,

disturbing or puffed up with false prestige. With the Krsna consciousness

movement, we are trying to introduce such brahmanas in society. BRAHMANAS MUST

ULTIMATELY BE VAISNAVAS, AND IF ONE IS A VAISNAVA, HE HAS ALREADY ACQUIRED THE

QUALIFICATIONS OF A BRAHMANA. BRAHMA-BHUTAH PRASANNATMA (BG. 18.54). THE WORD

BRAHMA-BHUTA REFERS TO BECOMING A BRAHMANA, OR UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS BRAHMAN

(BRAHMA JANATITI BRAHMANAH). ONE WHO IS BRAHMA-BHUTA IS ALWAYS HAPPY

(PRASANNATMA). NA SOCATI NA KANKSATI: HE IS NEVER DISTURBED ABOUT MATERIAL

NECESSITIES. SAMAH SARVESU BHUTESU: HE IS READY TO BESTOW BLESSINGS UPON

EVERYONE EQUALLY. MAD-BHAKTIM LABHATE PARAM: THEN HE BECOMES A VAISNAVA. In

this age, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura introduced the sacred thread

ceremony for his Vaisnava disciples, with the idea that people should

understand that when one becomes a Vaisnava he has already acquired the

qualifications of a brahmana. Therefore in the International Society for

Krishna Consciousness, those who are twice initiated so as to become brahmanas

must bear in mind their great responsibility to be truthful, control the mind

and senses, be tolerant, and so on. Then their life will be successful. IT WAS

SUCH BRAHMANAS THAT NANDA MAHARAJA INVITED TO CHANT THE VEDIC HYMNS, NOT

ORDINARY BRAHMANAS.

Note: Wheareas, a Vaisnava ACTUALLY renders SERVICE in one of the five

relationships a brahamana simply knows he is not matter but spirit soul. This

is the difference of realization.

Adi 7.73 Lord Caitanya in Five Features

In his Anubhasya, Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami says that the actual

effect that will be visible as soon as one achieves transcendental knowledge is

that he will immediately become free from the clutches of maya and fully engage

in the service of the Lord. Unless one serves the Supreme Personality of

Godhead Mukunda, one cannot become free from fruitive activities under the

external energy. However, when one chants the holy name of the Lord

OFFENSELESSLY, one can realize a transcendental position that is completely

aloof from the material conception of life. RENDERING SERVICE TO THE LORD, A

DEVOTEE RELATES TO THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD IN ONE OF FIVE

RELATIONSHIPS--NAMELY, SANTA, DASYA, SAKHYA, VATSALYA OR MADHURYA--AND THUS HE

RELISHES TRANSCENDENTAL BLISS IN THAT RELATIONSHIP. SUCH A RELATIONSHIP

CERTAINLY TRANSCENDS THE BODY AND MIND. When one realizes that the holy name of

the Lord is IDENTICAL with the Supreme Person, he becomes completely eligible to

chant the holy name of the Lord. Such an ecstatic chanter and dancer must be

considered to have a DIRECT RELATIONSHIP with the Lord.

Adi 7.73 Lord Caitanya in Five Features

According to the Vedic principles, there are three stages of spiritual

advancement, namely, sambandha-jnana, abhidheya and prayojana. Sambandha-jnana

refers to establishing one's original relationship with the Supreme Personality

of Godhead, ABHIDHEYA REFERS TO ACTING ACCORDING TO THAT CONSTITUTIONAL

RELATIONSHIP, and prayojana is the ultimate goal of life, which is to develop

love of Godhead (prema pum-artho mahan)

..Madhya 15.277 The Lord Accepts Prasada at the House of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya

The Absolute Truth is realized in three phases--impersonal Brahman, Paramatma

and the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavan. All of these are one and the

same truth, but Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan constitute three different

features. WHOEVER UNDERSTANDS BRAHMAN IS CALLED A BRAHMANA, AND WHEN A BRAHMANA

ENGAGES IN THE LORD'S DEVOTIONAL SERVICE, HE IS CALLED A VAISNAVA. UNLESS ONE

COMES TO UNDERSTAND THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, HIS REALIZATION OF

IMPERSONAL BRAHMAN IS IMPERFECT. A BRAHMANA CAN CHANT THE HARE KRSNA MANTRA ON

THE PLATFORM OF NAMABHASA, BUT NOT ON THE PLATFORM OF PURE VIBRATION. WHEN A

BRAHMANA ENGAGES IN THE LORD'S SERVICE, FULLY UNDERSTANDING HIS ETERNAL

RELATIONSHIP, HIS DEVOTIONAL SERVICE IS CALLED ABHIDHEYA. WHEN ONE ATTAINS THAT

STAGE, HE IS CALLED A BHAGAVATA OR A VAISNAVA. THIS INDICATES THAT HE IS FREE

FROM CONTAMINATION AND MATERIAL ATTACHMENT. This is confirmed by Bhagavad-gita

(7.28):

yesam tv anta-gatam papam

jananam punya-karmanam

te dvandva-moha-nirmukta

bhajante mam drdha-vratah

"Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life, whose sinful

actions are completely eradicated and who are freed from the duality of

delusion, engage themselves in My service with determination.

Note: A MADHYAMA-ADHIKARI HAS RECEIVED SPIRITUAL INITIATION FROM THE SPIRITUAL

MASTER AND HAS BEEN FULLY ENGAGED BY HIM IN THE TRANSCENDENTAL LOVING SERVICE

OF THE LORD.** THIS IS DIKSA**.

Antya 4.192 T Sanatana Gosvami Visits the Lord at Jagannatha Puri

DIKSA-KALE bhakta kare atma-samarpana

sei-kale krsna tare kare atma-sama

"At the time of initiation, when a devotee FULLY SURRENDERS UNTO THE SERVICE OF

THE LORD, Krsna accepts him to be as good as Himself.

Antya 4.193 Sanatana Gosvami Visits the Lord at Jagannatha Puri

"When the devotee's body is thus transformed into spiritual existence, the

devotee, in that transcendental body, renders SERVICE to the lotus feet of the

Lord.

Antya 4.194 Sanatana Gosvami Visits the Lord at Jagannatha Puri

" 'The living entity who is subjected to birth and death, when he gives up all

material activities dedicating his life to Me for executing My order, and thus

acts according to My direction, AT THAT TIME HE REACHES THE PLATFORM OF

IMMORTALITY, AND BECOMES FIT TO ENJOY THE SPIRITUAL BLISS OF EXCHANGE OF LOVING

MELLOWS WITH ME.'

NoI 5

In order to intelligently apply the sixfold loving reciprocations mentioned in

the previous verse, one must select proper persons with careful discrimination.

Srila Rupa Gosvami therefore advises that we should meet with the Vaisnavas in

an appropriate way, according to their particular status. In this verse he

tells us how to deal with three types of devotees--the kanistha-adhikari,

madhyama-adhikari and uttama-adhikari. The kanistha-adhikari is a neophyte who

has received the hari-nama initiation from the spiritual master and is trying

to chant the holy name of Krsna. One should respect such a person within his

mind as a kanistha-vaisnava. A MADHYAMA-ADHIKARI HAS RECEIVED SPIRITUAL

INITIATION FROM THE SPIRITUAL MASTER AND HAS BEEN FULLY ENGAGED BY HIM IN THE

TRANSCENDENTAL LOVING SERVICE OF THE LORD. The madhyama-adhikari should be

considered to be situated midway in devotional service. The uttama-adhikari, or

highest devotee, is one who is very advanced in devotional service. An

uttama-adhikari is not interested in blaspheming others, his heart is

completely clean, and he has attained the realized state of unalloyed Krsna

consciousness. According to Srila Rupa Gosvami, the association and service of

such a maha-bhagavata, or perfect Vaisnava, are most desirable.s to act for

everyone's welfare.