All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev
I was asked by a friend who has been aspiring . She was told by her guru that she was already considered his disciple and initiation was just a formal thing. She has not been formally initiated yet.
My question is is formal intiation necessary? IF you are following the teachings of your Guru and Surrendered to him is it good enough . I dont know about this concept and just need more detailed explanation.
Hare krishna
Dandavat Pranams
Replies
TWICE-BORN.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
SECOND BIRTH.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS ON INITIATION.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
Q. WHAT IS FIRST INITIATION AND WHAT IS SECOND INITIATION ?
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
Hare Krsna! pamho agtsp
This contradicts with what Bhaktin Maral prabhuji and Zola preetam prabhuji said but it is said in Nectar of Devotion that real connection with Krsna is not established until a devotee is initiated by a guru.
I am not sure if we must take this statement with some deeper understanding.
Thought I should share it. Please forgive me if I make a mistake.
Hare Krishna Krsna's servant prabhu/mataji
Humble obeisances AGTSP!
What you said is correct we need a guru to reestablish our relation with Krishna. Initiation means accepting the discipline of the guru. And in any case initiation is only the beginning. If you look the word up in the dictionary it will say something like beginning. So the initiation is only the beginning of ones devotional life. When one is initiated, he must follow all the 4 regulative principals and chant 16 rounds daily. But if we do not agree to follow even the most basic things like chanting 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna mantra daily and following the four regulative principles there is no initiation. Even if one has taken initiation from Srila Prabhupada that is no guarantee he is actually initiated. We all have free will. Unless we actually surrender to the spiritual master, even if we had lots of personal association with Srila Prabhupada and accepted formal initiation from him, if we don’t actually surrender to him, there is no initiation at all. So as Maral mataji said initiation takes place in the heart. If we commit to a guru and follow all the guidelines given by Him, it means we are His disciple. Nectar of Devotion says that real connection with Krishna is not establish until we approach a guru. In this turbulant world we can hardly follow anything sincerely if we don't have a role modle or inspiration and if we'r not ordered to do so. So when we get initiated, it means to promise to sincerely follow the guidelines of the guru and obey Him. Not that only if we'r formally initiated without following any regulative rules we can go back home. Hope this helps
Your servant
Hare Krishna Prabhuji, please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
It is true many of Gurus have many aspiring disciples because of that formal initiation waits for many years. But i was told by a senior Devotee that in order to go to Goloka Dham no need for formal initiation if we are sincere. Real initiation takes place in the heart. As her Gurdev told her.
He already accepted her as a disciple but only formalities are left.
Even if we do not get formal initiation but remain faithful to the mercy of Guru and Krishna then Krishna will take us to His abode. And Guru also will help us to go to Him.
But we should try our best to serve nicely so that even formal initiation take place.
Your servant,