Meaning of Initiation

(Compiled from notes on lectures of H. H. Mahavishnu Goswami)

Maharaja continued, "First of all Srimad Bhagavatam 1.17.38 should be clear in our mind.

suta uvaaca
abhyarthitas tadaa tasmai
sthaanaani kalaye dadau
dyutam paanam striyah sunaa
yatraadharmas catur-vidhah

Suta Gosvami said: "Maharaja Parikshit, thus being petitioned by the personality of Kali, gave him permission to reside in places where gambling, drinking, prostitution and animal slaughter were performed."
Kali yuga started 5000 years ago and as soon as Krishna decided to leave this planet, things started deteriorating. But with Krishna's presence nothing can deteriorate. So we should make sincere attempts to attach ourselves to the path of Krishna and detach ourselves from our body. Our body is an "akshaya patra" filled with urine and stool. We cannot be comfortable in this body.

Understanding this is the beginning of detachment. Whatever we eat is converted into stool. This is reality. Our aim is to chant the holy name of the Lord constantly (kirtaniya sadaa harih) without any pride and ready to offer all respect to others (amaanina maanadena). One should not be too much attached to one's own body but at the same time care must be taken since it is the instrument for living. When one understands detachment then that is called initiation.

Detachment doesn't mean that we must ignore our body and leave it to be shabby. Cleanliness is very important. Cleanliness is Godliness. We should keep ourselves and the surrounding clean. But for this, we should increase our physical labor in the house by doing all our household work ourselves instead of depending on machines. This is called initiation.

We are all in the comfort zone, so we should use it nicely in spiritual activities to recognize Krishna. We cannot get rid of technologies but reduce it. Lead a simple life. This is called initiation.

Toleranc is important. Don't curse any situation. Don't destroy smiles. If the attitude is good, then health is also good. If we don't want anybody to be morose with us, then we should not be morose with anybody. We have to cultivate good character and quality. This is called initiation.

Instead of eating food cooked outside, we should prepare our own prasadam. Taking prasadam according to our needs is important. This is initiation.

Spare at least half-hour every day to read Srila Prabhupada's books and one hour to clean our surroundings. This will give us rosy attitude and rosy health.

Chant,

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna

Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama

Hare Hare

and be happy.