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. It is a serious commitment by the devotee that he will strictly follow the process of Krishna consciousness under the instruction of his spiritual master. But if he takes initiation but does not surrender to his spiritual master there is actually no initiation at all. 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. These days, so many are “initiated” by “gurus” who themselves are not even pure devotees. So that sort of initiation is not at all the same as being initiated by a pure devotee. If the spiritual master’s heart is not even free from all dirty things how can a disciple of such a bogus guru expect his heart to become purified on 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.
But as you have asked, it is not always a mandatory process to establish connection with krishna. What I mean is you don't always need formal initiation. If you follow all the guidelines laid by Hid grace prabhupada and chant very nicely and live a very righteous life in the association of devotees, then indirectly you can be called a disciple of prabhupada. This is because if you really was initiated by prabhupada then he would have asked you to do the same.
Still it is recommended in sastras and as well as by Krishna in BG, to approach a bonafide spiritual master in the disciplic succession and hear from submassively about the Supreme.
Replies
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF RECEIVING THE GRACE AND MERCY OF THE GURU AND LORD KRISHNA.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS ON INITIATION.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
INITIATION INTO SPIRITUAL LIFE BY SRILA BHAKTISIDDHANTA SARASVATI THAKURA.
http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/group/krishnaconsciousness/forum/to...
Hare krsna, pranam dandavat AGTSP!
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. It is a serious commitment by the devotee that he will strictly follow the process of Krishna consciousness under the instruction of his spiritual master. But if he takes initiation but does not surrender to his spiritual master there is actually no initiation at all. 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. These days, so many are “initiated” by “gurus” who themselves are not even pure devotees. So that sort of initiation is not at all the same as being initiated by a pure devotee. If the spiritual master’s heart is not even free from all dirty things how can a disciple of such a bogus guru expect his heart to become purified on 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.
But as you have asked, it is not always a mandatory process to establish connection with krishna. What I mean is you don't always need formal initiation. If you follow all the guidelines laid by Hid grace prabhupada and chant very nicely and live a very righteous life in the association of devotees, then indirectly you can be called a disciple of prabhupada. This is because if you really was initiated by prabhupada then he would have asked you to do the same.
Still it is recommended in sastras and as well as by Krishna in BG, to approach a bonafide spiritual master in the disciplic succession and hear from submassively about the Supreme.
Hope the concept is clear.
Your servant