shelter/initiation

 what is the difference between shelter and initiation? if one can get shelter from any iskcon maharaj,need to get initiation?if so ,is it right to take initiation from  any other iskcon maharaj?

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  • Harekrishna prabhuji.please accept my obeisences.Thank u very much prabhuji.
    ur servant
    krishnaveni
  • Volunteer

    Dear mataji Hare Krsna,  Taking shelter starts now.    At first we get strong faith in Krsna, in chanting His Name, and seeing Him in His deity form.     We hear from Him and His devotees by His books like Srimad. Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita.     Getting more faith we begin to associate with His devotees more and more.     Hearing and practiceing Bhakti yoga with the devotees you may develop  great faith in one advanced devotee whom you approach and ask for personal guidence.   After a period of time say around 1 year or so you will see how that devotee is takeing care of your spiritual advancement.     Then if you feel you can complerely surrender to this person as the external represntative of the Super soul Krsna you accept this person as Guru and take initiation, diksha.          The Guru need not be a sannyasi.   The Guru can be a lady also who is an advanced and pure devotee.      Generaly the person who gives you personal training ie shiksha they become the initiator diksha guru.     But if you take training from the disciple/s of a living guru you are often encoraged to take diksha from their guru as that guru is still present.     In many ways accepting a guru and taking initiation is like getting married.       The disciples feel their guru is the best and they adore their guru like he is God.        With that faith in guru and Krsna they can understand the secrets of bhakti by Krsna's grace and chanting with great faith all their offences will cease and they will get Krsna.     That is the ultimate goal of life.

    So that is the difference between taking shelter and initiation and you must have strong faith in Krsna and take  shelter of Him and see Krsna is the goal.      Initiation is not the goal but only a begining.   The begining of our complete surrender to Krsna.      We may have more than one instructing us ie shiksha guru but we have only one initiator.       Take your time and carefully take shelter of Krsna.      Hare Krsna.      

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