Initiation Ceremony of Viṣṅujana

Prabhupāda: [japa] Nama.

Viṣṅujana: Nama.

Prabhupāda: Oṁ.

Viṣṅujana: Oṁ.

Prabhupāda: ...viṣṅu [Viṣṅujana repeats each word] pādāya kṛṣṅa preṣṭhāya bhū-tale śrīmate bhaktivedānta svāmin iti nāmine.

You chant beginning from here, Hare Kṛṣṅa, Hare Kṛṣṅa, Kṛṣṅa Kṛṣṅa, Hare Hare / Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. Then begin again, another. In this way, there are 108. Come this side. Don't cross. Then again chant on this side from this way to this way. Your name is Viṣṅujana. Viṣṅujana. V-i-s-n-u-j-a-n-a. Hare Kṛṣṅa. Chant Hare Kṛṣṅa.

[break] [japa]

[break] You have not brought? All right. All right. You come. [indistinct] [break]

The brahminical qualifications is described in the Bhagavad-gītā: satyam śauca śama dama titikṣa ārjavam, jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam [Bg 18.42].

[Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge, and religiousness—these are the qualities by which the brāhmaṅas work.]

Those who are actually brāhmaṅas, they must be truthful, always clean, inside and outside. Truthful, clean, and controlling the senses, śama dama, controlling the mind, controlling the senses, controlling the mind; śama dama titikṣa, tolerance, titikṣa, tolerance; ārjavam, simplicity; and jñānam, must be profoundly wise; vijñānam, practical application in life; jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyam, full faith in scriptures and in God, or Kṛṣṅa, āstikyam. Brahma-karma svabhāva-jam: "These are natural duties, or work, of a brāhmaṅa."

And in the Bhagavad-gītā you will find in another place, cātur-varṅyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṅa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ [Bg 4.13].

[According to the three modes of material nature and the work ascribed to them, the four divisions of human society were created by Me. And, although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the non-doer, being unchangeable.]

"These four classes of classification of the society, it is made by Me." That means this classification of society in the human society, that is made by God. What is that classification? The brāhmaṅa, the kṣatriya, the vaiśya and the śūdra. It is not the name, but it is guṅa-karma. Brāhmaṅa means quality and work, kṣatriya means quality and work, and vaiśya means quality and work. There is no question of birthright.

It is a false proposition that a brāhmaṅa's son becomes brāhmaṅa. No, not necessarily. If he properly becomes initiated under the guidance of a spiritual master, then he is brāhmaṅa. Otherwise, if he has acquired the qualities of a śūdra, then he should be considered as a śūdra. These are the śāstric injunctions. And this classification is all over the world. Don't think that it is Indian or Vedic system. No. In every country, in every place, in every planet, these four divisions are there.

Brāhmaṅas means those who are interested in spiritual life, they are called brāhmaṅas, intelligent class. They are called intelligent class, because unless one is intelligent, he will simply consider that this body is he, identification of the body. That is foolishness. Brāhmaṅas means brahma jānātīti brāhmaṅaḥ. One who knows that "I am ahaṁ brahmāsmi," and he has actually realized that "I am not this body; I am pure spirit self..." It is not the question of Hindu, Muslim. Anyone. Anyone who knows this knowledge that "I am the self," and acts in that way, he is a brāhmaṅa.

So these initiation formalities are there. You are instructed, you are guided, but you have to act. Unless you act, then the same thing as in India—the so-called brāhmaṅas and kṣatriyas are degraded; there will be no meaning. So guṅa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ [Bg 4.13].

[According to the three modes of material nature and the work ascribed to them, the four divisions of human society were created by Me. And, although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the non-doer, being unchangeable.]

You have to stick to the brahminical qualities, and at the same time work. Brahma-karma. Brahman is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the last word of Brahman. So you have to engage yourself, brahma-karma, means Kṛṣṅa consciousness. And exhibit your quality, that you are truthful, you are controlling control over the senses, control over the mind, and you are simple and you are tolerant.

Because as soon as you take up spiritual life, the whole class conducted by māyā, they will be against you. That is māyā's influence. Somebody will criticize. Somebody will do this, somebody will do that, but we shall... We have to become tolerant. This is the disease of this material world. If anyone becomes spiritually advanced, the agents of māyā will criticize. So therefore you have to become tolerant.

And simple, simplicity. Ārjavam, titikṣa ārjavam, and jñāna, and you must be fully equipped with knowledge. The Bhagavad-gītā is there, the Śrīmad-Bhāgavata is there. Now we are publishing other books also, Teachings of Lord Caitanya. So read them. These three or four books, if you read, you become fully qualified with knowledge. And vijñānam, and apply them in your practical life. And āstikyam, in full faith of the procedures and in Kṛṣṅa. That will make you successful. All right. Get up.

[japa] [indistinct]

[break] Come forward. Now you keep your mālikā, [indistinct]. You have to offer it. [knocking noises] Its in your name. Take little, this. Nama.

Devotees: Nama.

Prabhupāda: Apavitraḥ. Not like that. Do like this.

Devotee: Each can take a little in their right hand.

Prabhupāda: Each time, when I say "svāhā" three times, you'll... Little bit. [devotees chant responsively]

oṁ apavitraḥ pavitro vā sarvāvasthāṁ gato 'pi vā yaḥ smaret puṅḍarīkākṣaṁ sa bahyābhyantaraḥ śuciḥ

[Either pure or impure, or having passed through all conditions of material life, if one can remember the lotus-eyed Kṛṣṅa, he becomes externally and internally clean.]

nama oṁ viṣṅu-pādāya kṛṣṅa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, who is very dear to Lord Kṛṣṅa on this earth, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.]

svāhā

vande 'haṁ śrī-guroḥ śrī-yuta-pada-kamalaṁ śrī-gurūn vaiṣṅavāṁś ca śrī-rūpaṁ sāgrajātaṁ saha-gaṅa-raghunāthānvitaṁ taṁ sa-jīvam sādvaitaṁ sāvadhūtaṁ parijana-sahitaṁ kṛṣṅa-caitanya-devaṁ śrī-rādhā-kṛṣṅa-pādān saha-gaṅa-lalitā-śrī-viśākhānvitāṁś ca

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master and of all the other preceptors on the path of devotional service. I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaiṣṅavas and unto the Six Gosvāmīs, including Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī, Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, Jīva Gosvāmī and their associates. I offer my respectful obeisances unto Śrī Advaita Ācārya Prabhu, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and all His devotees, headed by Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura. I then offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṅa, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṅī and all the gopīs, headed by Lalitā and Viśākhā.]

nama oṁ viṣṅu-pādāya kṛṣṅa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale śrīmate bhaktisiddhānta-sarasvatīti nāmine

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī, who is very dear to Lord Kṛṣṅa, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.]

śrī-vārṣabhānavī-devī-dayitāya kṛpābdhaye kṛṣṅa-sambandha-vijñāna-dāyine prabhave namaḥ

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

I offer my respectful obeisances to Śrī Vārṣabhānavī-devī-dayita dāsa [another name of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī], who is favored by Śrīmatī Rādhārāṅī and who is the ocean of transcendental mercy and the deliverer of the science of Kṛṣṅa.

mādhuryojjvala-premāḍhya-śrī-rūpānuga-bhaktida- śrī-gaura-karuṅā-śakti-vigrahāya namo 'stu te

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto you, the personified energy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mercy, who delivers devotional service enriched with conjugal love of Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṅa, coming exactly in the line of revelation of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī.]

namas te gaura-vāṅī-śrī-mūrtaye dīna-tāriṅe rūpānuga-viruddhāpasiddhānta-dhvānta-hāriṅe

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto you, who are the personified teachings of Lord Caitanya. You are the deliverer of the fallen souls. You do not tolerate any statement against the teachings of devotional service enunciated by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī.]

namo gaura-kiśorāya sākṣād-vairāgya-mūrtaye vipralambha-rasāmbhodhe pādāmbujāya te namaḥ

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto Śrīla Gaurakiśora dāsa Bābājī Mahārāja [the spiritual master of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī], who is renunciation personified. He is always merged in a feeling of separation and intense love of Kṛṣṅa.]

namo bhaktivinodāya sac-cid-ānanda-nāmine gaura-śakti-svarūpāya rūpānuga-varāya te

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto Śrīla Saccidānanda Bhaktivinoda, who is the transcendental energy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He is a strict follower of the Gosvāmīs, headed by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī.]

gaurāvirbhāva-bhūmes tvaṁ nirdeṣṭā saj-jana-priyaḥ vaiṣṅava-sārvabhaumaḥ śrī-jagannāthāya te namaḥ

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

[I offer my respectful obeisances to Śrīla Jagannātha dāsa Bābājī, who is respected by the entire Vaiṣṅava community and who confirmed the discovery of the place where Lord Caitanya appeared.]

vāñchā-kalpatarubhyaś ca kṛpā-sindhubhya eva ca patitānāṁ pāvenebhyo vaiṣṅavebhyo namo namaḥ

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

[I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaiṣṅava devotees of the Lord. They are just like desire trees who can fulfill the desires of everyone, and they are full of compassion for the fallen conditioned souls.]

namo mahā-vadānyāya kṛṣṅa-prema-pradāya te kṛṣṅāya kṛṣṅa-caitanya-nāmne gaura-tviṣe namaḥ

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

[O most munificent incarnation! You are Kṛṣṅa Himself appearing as Śrī Kṛṣṅa Caitanya Mahāprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Śrīmātī Rādhārāṅī, and You are widely distributing pure love of Kṛṣṅa. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.]

pañca-tattvātmakaṁ kṛṣṅaṁ bhakta-rūpa-svarūpakam bhaktāvatāraṁ bhaktākhyaṁ namāmi bhakta-śaktikam

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

[I offer my obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṅa, who is nondifferent from His features as a devotee, devotional manifestation, devotional incarnation, pure devotee and devotional energy.]

he kṛṣṅa karuṅā-sindho dīna-bandho jagat-pate gopeśa gopikā-kānta rādhā-kānta namo 'stu te

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

[O my dear Kṛṣṅa, O ocean of mercy, O friend of the distressed and the source of creation, O master of the cowherd men and the lover of the gopīs, especially Rādhārāṅī, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.]

jayatāṁ, suratau, paṅgor, mama, manda, mater, gate mat, sarvasva, padām, bhojau, rādhā, madana, mohanau [Sambandhādhideva Praṅāma]

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

[Glory to the all-merciful Rādhā and Madana-mohana! I am lame and ill advised, yet They are my directors, and Their lotus feet are everything to me.]

dīvyad, vṛnda, araṅya, kalpa, drumādhaḥ śrīmad, ratna, agāra, siṁha, asana-sthau śrī śrī, rādhā, śrīla, govinda, devau preṣṭhā, devī, sevya, mānau, smarāmi [Abhidheyādhideva Praṅāma]

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

[In a temple of jewels in Vṛndāvana, underneath a desire tree, Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Govinda, served by Their most confidential associates, sit upon an effulgent throne. I offer my most humble obeisances unto Them.]

namo, rāsa, rasa, arambhī, vaṁśī, vaṭa, taṭa, sthitaḥ karṣan, veṅu, svanair, gopīr, gopī, nāthaḥ, śriye, astu, naḥ [Prayojanādhideva Praṅāma]

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

[Śrī Śrīla Gopīnātha, who originated the transcendental mellow of the rāsa dance, stands on the shore in Vaṁśīvaṭa and attracts the attention of the cowherd damsels with the sound of His celebrated flute. May they all confer upon us their benediction.]

Now take each one. Chant.

nama oṁ, brahmaṅya, devāya go, brāhmaṅa, hitāya ca jagad, dhitāya, kṛṣṅāya govindāya, namo, namaḥ [Viṣṅu Purāṅa 1.19.65]

[I offer my respectful obeisances to the Supreme Absolute Truth, Krishna, who is the well-wisher of the cows and the brahmanas as well as the living entities in general. I offer my repeated obeisances to Govinda [Krishna], who is the pleasure reservoir for all the senses.]

Slowly like this. [japa]

hare kṛṣṅa hare kṛṣṅa kṛṣṅa kṛṣṅa hare hare hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare

[My dear Lord, and the spiritual energy of the Lord, kindly engage me in Your service. I am now embarrassed with this material service. Please engage me in Your service.]

Now those with a sacred thread you come. [indistinct] you do like that. [japa]

Now you can sit down and chant. Chant.

[32:00] [kīrtana] [prema-dhvani] [obeisances]

You keep it and others will come. Keep it. [japa]

Yes chant Govinda. [Govinda jaya jaya]

[prema-dhvani]

Malati where is that jug? Opening jug.

Devotee: Its right here.

Prabhupāda: Fill it with water. [Japa] Keep it there in the middle between the two candles. Up, up. That alright? It not secure? Why it is like this? Keep it there. And you have to [indistinct] some silver plates and a cup that is to be put down. Now you can distribute prasādam. What is that?

Devotee: Pineapple.

Prabhupāda: [sounds of eating] [end]