The following is a lecture given by HH Jayapataka Swami on September 14th 1986 at New Panihati dham in Atlanta, Georgia. The lecture was given on the occasion of an initiation ceremony.

HARE KRISHNA!

nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale srimate bhaktivedanta swamin iti namine

namaste saraswati deve gaura-vani-pracharine nirvishesha-shunyavadi pashchatya-desha-tarine

śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu-nityānanda śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda

hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare

mukam karoti vachalam pangum langhayate girim yat-kripa tam aham vande shri-gurum dina-taranam

paramananda-madhavam sri-caitanyam isvaram

So the Krsna conscious program is to give people practical realization of the self.

rāja-vidyā rāja-guhyaṁ pavitram idam uttamam pratyakṣāvagamaṁ dharmyaṁ su-sukhaṁ kartum avyayam (BG 9.2)

Then, there are many methods of religious practice, but specifically this is considered to be the topmost of all spiritual process by which one can realize their own spiritual identity. A living force which activates the body, which is the essential living principle in the body, which is known as the atma or the self, as well as the Supreme self from where everything comes. So, in order to achieve that type of realization there are different systems which have been given, of which taking a second birth or a spiritual birth is specifically recommended in the vedas. That one should take a spiritual birth with the guru as the father and the shastra as the mother and in this spiritual newly gained life, when one can proceed in the practical realization of the self. To realize oneself as a spiritual entity one should start to act as one who is spiritually realized would act. So the initial practice is somewhat mechanical, that this is the way a spiritually liberated person would act in this was. By acting in that way, simultaneously chanting, reading and following the other processes then one gradually becomes realized. And then one automatically acts that way. It is kind of like, when you take off in a bicycle, in the beginning when you don't know how to keep your balance they have the training wheels. The bicycle you already have to pedals it the same way , it's just that you don't have your balance yet. You do not realize the system of keeping your balance while riding and bicycles they have the training wheels for the small paths (?) (4.26). Once you get the hang of it, once you have that method then you don't need the training wheels. So in the beginning the rules and regulations guide us so that we can act in a way which spiritually realized souls should act. By acting in that way it is very easy, it is very favourable for realizing the self, and realizing Krsna the Supreme Self. So, process of initiation, is a process where one makes a commitment that from now on I am not going to act or I will try not to act simply on the basis of a kind of animal in the material world, rather I am going to act as a spiritual soul embodied in a material body and act for my spiritual interest. The spiritual interest is supervised and guided by the spiritual master. If we don't know what we should do or shouldn't do, then we ask the guru and he gives us guidance and this is the proper thing to do. This way we are always safe; we are protected. Some of the candidates are living in the temple here, doing full time service and propagation. Some of the candidates are living in their home and they are doing jobs outside, normal employment, tax paying citizens but they are practicing their Krsna consciousness from their home, very responsibly and they are feeling a complete change in their lives since they took up the Krsna conscious process. So our program is a "grhe tako bane tako", whether someone lives in the home, or whether they live in the ashram, everyone should practice the system of chanting Hare Krsna. It is not very difficult but it is very sublime, and it is very effective. It is so effective that even if you are not living in ashram if you make your own home into a spiritual atmosphere for chanting and other systems which we can train one, then that can also be a suitable place from which to practice Krsna consciousness. So this is our program, that first the person should try chanting, try and then if you find that there is.. don't blindly believe us, we are not asking that you have blind faith, believe in our dogmas. We are giving this as a process, this is a philosophy, whether it is a philosophy or some meditation or some yoga, any angle you want to look at it, this is a science. And if you personally try to apply it in your own life, make an experiment, what do you have to lose?!. You have everything to gain, nothing to lose. If you actually find that it works, then if you are interested in taking any forms of initiation, then that door is always open. This is totally voluntary, there is no obligation that if somebody comes here 10 times here they have to take some initiation, nothing like that. In fact there are some people who have come here for years together and they are not taking any initiation. So this is totally open, it is up to one's own volition if they want to take more responsibility in spiritual life, if they want to have a closer relationship with the guru, for those who can chant four rounds in a day, which takes about a half-an-hour and who want to have a close relationship with the guru, we give a prak-diksha(?)(8:15), pre-initiation of Gaur-sevak. For those who chant eight to sixteen rounds and who are preparing to take initiation very seriously and they follow the basic day to day program of spiritual sadhana or practices they take Krsna Sadhak. Those who are already convinced and want to make a permanent commitment to lead a Krsna conscious way of life they take the harinaminitiation. Those who after taking harinam initiation want to themselves perform higher level type of services like deity worship, be trained in these various rituals, even if possibly to become a priest, or other types of spiritual duties and obligations, then they may after further training take the second initiation, known as the gayatri mantra or brahminical initiation. These are various stages, there are other stages but, today we are having basically these stages of initiations and pre-initiations, are being performed. But the whole process from beginning to end is totally voluntary. At any stage it is totally up to the... person has to personally come forward and say I would like to take this kind of pre-initiation or initiation, or I would like to become trained, to become qualified to take that level of spiritual responsibility. Or if someone doesn't want they can go on chanting. Just learn from us this process and they can chant in their own home or anywhere that they feel comfortable to chant, whether in the park, in the (?) (10.07) buses or wherever. And by doing this they can experience for themselves what is the practical effect of practicing Krsna consciousness. If somebody is not yet convinced to do that, then well they can study the philosophy or they can analyse it from another intellectual angle. For that we have our classes and our question and answer periods and discussions. But tonight we are dealing now with the practical, those people who have understood basically some of the philosophy, and they have practically applied it and they want to become more serious and more advanced in the practical process of Krsna consciousness. So for this reason we are having this ceremony, these are very important ceremonies, because there is a link which is formed between the guru and the disciple. The guru takes the responsibility for the disciple's spiritual life, the disciple also promises to follow the guidance of the guru. So this link is a soul to soul relationship, it has nothing to do with the body. Even after this body perishes that relationship is still there. So it is a very important relationship which is established one has to be very responsible.That is why we do not rush anyone into it. We say take a year or so before you..., at least..., longer if you like, and see that this is actually what you want to do. But usually when someone gets a little taste for Krsna consciousness spiritual life then they can understand that this is something which is very profound, and very deep, very satisfying, they willingly like to go further.

Are there any questions?

Just in case somebody by accident might just be sitting down here, they don't really want to be here, this is your chance. If someone is forcing you to be there or it is not, you know... may be you have been brain-washed or something, then you are totally free to get out and wait for whenever you feel,... whatever.

So for the harinam initiation, first we have Mr and Mrs Cinthy and Paul, come up together and pay your obeisances. Husband and wife team. What are the four regulative principles? How many times chanting minimum every day? So you are committed to follow the disciplic succession coming from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu through Srila Prabhupada? So then, one of the names of Krsna, and those ones are the names of Krsna's devotees.

Actually Cinthy and Paul, they are Krsna Sadhak. Paul is working outside, managing some business things and Cinthy is working for AT&T. Although they are working outside they are able to practice Krsna consciousness. This shows that anyone can practice Krsna consciousness if they put their mind to it. Although they are very busy due to their active day, but they also come in the morning at 4 o'clock, 4.30 am, for the mangal arathi, drive from their home, attend the mangal arati here, then go back to their home, get ready and go to work.

So for those who like to see the very peaceful time of the day, if you come over here every morning, we have a before dawn meditation period and you will find that is the best time for practicing Krsna consciousness. Because that time is very peaceful and the mind is also in a favorable state for meditation. They have been practicing that and experienced the change in their life and soul.

Your name, Paul, is Pandava Das Adhikari (devotees play kartals very loudly, clapping and chanting 'Hari bol'). Your name is Caitanya Rupa Devi Dasi (devotees play kartals very loudly, clapping and chanting 'Hari bol').

Nefertiti..

What are the four principles? (devotee replies, but not audible) How many times Hare Krsna per day? (devotee replies, but not audible) Are you committed to following the disciplic succession coming from Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu?

On your beads ... (16:02) after the eighth bead have a string, there is a string that gets added. Somehow it was not added on this.

So your name means you are the servant of one who is very dear to Lord Nityananda. Your name is Nitai Priya Devi Dasi (devotees play kartals very loudly, clapping and chanting 'Hari bol').

Then we have one pre-initiation. Krsna Sevak, he is taking Krsna Sadhaka... One of the Atlanta seniors.

So there are four principles of Krsna Sadhak, in addition to the four Sevak you took before.

The 4 sevas is to remind you that Shri Krsna is the supreme personality of Godhead and his pure devotional service is the highest perfection of life. The personal goal in life is to achieve pure devotional service and for that purpose you have accepted me as your Siksha Guru and you are preparing yourself by gradually practicing devotional service.

To become more purified and advanced. The next level of Krsna sadhak is also 4 principles. “Krsna bolo Krsna bhajo Koro Krsna Sikkha” and of course sadhana bhakti. So the first principle that you are committed to chanting regularly how many rounds you are chanting now? So if you are committed to chanting your regular number of rounds. Attending the congregational chanting of Hare Krsna. Then say Hare Krsna.

And if you are committed to reading the books published by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad or pursuance of his teachings under my guidance then say Hare Krsna. If you are committed to worshipping Lord Krsna in the temple or your home or worshipping Tulsi or worshipping Guru as representative of Krsna. Worshipping Krsna by offering your foodstuff to him then say Hare Krsna.

You are committed to controlling your mind and senses by engaging them practically in devotional service. And become fully qualified and get the blessings to take full initiation of harinam. Then say Hare Krsna. Krsna Sadhak Harriot. Devotees clamming kartals and gongs. This evening in celebration of our rathyatra festival and Diwali we had a rathyatra possession.

Next there is going to be special drama. The deliverance of Jagai and Madhai. So devotees sitting in that corner would have to shift this side because that’s their entrance. After the drama Ajun Das devotee from India is here he was there in the kalashetra in Hare Krsna land for many years. So he has come here. Helping to organize some systematic performances.

He and some other devotees have gathered to perform the history about Lord Chaitanya’s sankirtan movement. And how they delivered the two very drunk characters. Jagai and Madhai. Jagai and Madhai were born in a brahmana family 500 years ago in Navadwip. Leaving aside their brahmana family, priest family. Instead they became robbers and thieves.

Persons of the worst character. Socially undesirable elements. On the other hand Lord Chaitanya sent his devotees to go out and preach door to door. He wanted that everyone should get the opportunity to practice this Krsna conscious philosophy and way of life and take up chanting of Hare Krsna. Lord Nityananda was very compassionate going and requesting all the people to chant Hare Krsna.

But it will be interesting to see what happens when Lord Nityananda tries to preach Jagai and Madhai. Considering they were a bit rough in character. So this will be the drama. After that I will give a very short discourse. So we are all going to offer lamps on the occasion of Diwali. We are going to offer ghee wicks. Lights to the deity.

After that there is going to be a feast. So hope everyone stays up till the feast. The whole thing should only take another hour or so. Rathyatra is celebrating the outing of Krsna and his brother and sister Balaram and Subhadra. When they went out from their capital Dwaraka to Hastinapur which is now New Delhi. At that time they were not going to Hastinapur but beyond Hastinapur to Kurukshetra.

Kurukshetra is now in Northern State of Harayana I believe? The battle of kurukshetra is where Lord Krsna spoke the Bhagavat Gita. Then after the battle Yudhisthir was established on the throne as the emperor. Krsna went back to his capital Dwaraka. Then on the occasion of solar eclipse it was customary to have a pilgrimage to kurukshetra.

So Yudhistir Maharaj invited Krsna to come. So Krsna left his queens behind and went with his brother and sister. Hearing that Krsna was going to Kurukshetra the residents of Vrindavan. Vrindavan is not very far from kurukshetra. They went from Vrindavan to meet Krsna. Their Lord. So they all went to meet him. The Bhagavat Gita explains Kurukshetra Dharmashetra. It’s been a holy place since time immemorial.

So people would go there occasionally. So in Jagannath Puri recently in Orissa there was deity. Like this deity form more or less form of Krsna known as Nila Madhava. There is a long history how the Nila Madhava transformed and became this Jagannath Deity. The Jagannath deity that temple is thousands and thousands of years old. So its tradition that on a particular time of the year of course in India in the month of July. In the west we have on different occasions whenever we get permission or on a holiday when everyone can attend.

So the system is that they take Jagannath out for nine days to his aunty’s house Yudhistir mother is his aunt Kunti Devi to meet the devotees at Kurukshetra. So in commemoration of that journey they take the deity out for 9 days. He goes on a procession for 9 days then he comes back. So we compacted that 9 day festival into 90 minutes. Going around and coming back. So the esoteric significance is Lord Chaitanya was in great ecstasy in taking Lord Jagannath in the mood of serving the residents of Vrindavan in great separation from Lord Krsna. So long he had been gone. So that was Lord Chaitanya’s mood that he was bringing Krsna back to Vrindavan. These are different angles or perspectives. Great sages and rishis have made their commentaries. In the puran it is described that those who participate in the rathyatra carry the rath pull the rath even walk with the rath all of them gain unlimited benefit.

They achieve positions in the spiritual world after this body. So it’s very purifying to have this festival. We have the big cart that was shipped down to New Orleans. Every year we have the festival in New Orleans. New Orleans is where we have the big festival during the “…”(28:37) which is the time when everyone is on the street in New Orleans so they didn’t have a RathYatra at this time.

So we felt that for Jagannath Baladev Subhdra deities we had to have a rath yatra here although there was a procession in the palanquin. Because there was no big rath in New Orleans. That’s basic history in a nutshell. Person that asked that question is satisfied or wants to know more. Satisfied. In Calcutta we have rathyatra festival same time as Jagannath Puri.

This year about 4 million people witnessed that. Going for 9 days and coming. Diwali is the time when Ram is coming back to Ayoddha. Isn’t it? So when Ram after 14 years of exile was returning all the residents of Ayoddha were so pleased Ram was coming in an airplane. A special airplane. It doesn’t require any petrol or diesel or anything.

So the residents of Ayoddha wanted to let Ram know where Ayoddha was. So they put lights on top of their house. They put many lights. Dipawali. It’s a very old festival. Many businesses consider it their New Year. Many other ceremonies have also come up. But the original idea was greeting for Lord Ram. Inviting him to come.

This month is also considered the month of Damodar or Kartik. This month is called the month of Damodar Vrata or Kartik vrata. In the vedas it’s said that that if one performs various spiritual activities whether it’s rathyatra, offering lamps, chanting Hare Krsna or eating Prasad. Any type of spiritual activity you do during this month you get 100 times benefit.

So this month its specially recommended one should take up to vegetarianism. This is the best month to be completely vegetarian. Then you can get 100 times the benefit. So we are already krsnaterian or vegetarian, this month we don’t eat high protein. We don’t even take high protein vegetarian food like Kalai daal or urad daal.

So this is a great opportunity that so many festivals fall this month. This particular month there is Govardhan puja. There is Dipavali. His rasalila there are many festivals this month. So it’s very easy for people to participate in these festivals. By doing so you get so many times more benefit. Normally the saffron is worn by initiated brahmacharis.

But the saffron color is very serious color. This color is that of when the sun rises Aruna. The color just before the sun comes up. Which is very peaceful at the same time very dynamic. The color symbolizes renunciation. Not in a negative sense like black renunciation in a positive sense of engaging in spiritual activities.

So the saffron is traditionally worn by brahmacharis some vanaprastas and sannyasis. Those who wear the saffron are supposed to be completely celibate. Following various rules and regulations. In fact in India the saffron cloth is given a certain ceremony. Everyone doesn’t wear saffron cloth. It’s an offense if someone makes certain types of mistakes while wearing saffron cloth.

Brahmacharis they wear saffron but with the permission of the guru they enter into grihasta ashram. At which time they return the saffron cloth to the spiritual master and they receive white cloth or other color cloth. Then they enter into household life get married and so on. So as long as they are in training they have a system called upanyan. Where they are given different mantras.

At that time they can serve as a brahmachari. When one retires from active family life and visits holy places. That time husband wife agree not to have any more sexual relationship. Just to help each other as friends. That’s called vanaprasta or retired life. At that time husband and wife can travel together to different holy places. Do certain devotional services.

Then there is another stage where the husband takes the renounced order. Then he wears saffron also. Same color but different type of cloth. That time he is not allowed to have any association with his wife anymore at all. He should be completely dedicated to spiritual activities. Without any consideration for social, familial, national and other type of responsibilities.

Completely dedicated to pure spiritual activities. So these are the different types of stages. From the student to the married to the retired to the renounced. Normally people enter into the retired stage after the age of 50. Then after sometime if they are strong enough they enter into renounced. But in this age the renounced order is not recommended.

So we generally recommend that people get training as a student. Learn to be controlled as brahmacharis so when they enter into the household life they will lead a more spiritual household life on the basis of foundation of austerity, foundation of simple living which they have built up in their brahmachari life.