Initiation into Krishna Consciousness
The most important celebration for a devotee to take part in is his own acceptance of initiation from the Spiritual Master. The fire sacrifice marks the climax of the initiation…
Srila Prabhupada’s Initiation
Abhay considered Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura his spiritual master from the time of their first meeting in 1922, but business and family commitments kept Abhay from participating full-time in Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati's…
Do You Need a Guru? — Notes from the Editor
Most people think they have no need for a spiritual master. In a sense, they are right. People interested only in an animal-like existence do not need a spiritual master.…
The Test of the Genuine Guru
If you want a cheap guru there will be many cheater gurus. But if you are sincere, you will have a sincere guru. Because people want everything very cheaply, they…
Remembering Srila Prabhupada
Some personal recollections by his disciples. In January or February of 1971, Srila Prabhupada wrote us from India. He said that in April he would be coming back to America…
What Now? Who will Replace Srila Prabhupada? — Notes from the Editor
How many times have we recently been asked, "Who will succeed Srila Prabhupada as the spiritual leader of the Hare Krsna movement?" And how often have we been confronted with…
The Qualifications of the Spiritual Master
Although we do not want unhappiness, by our dealings we create enemies, and there is fighting and war. This forest fire of material existence goes on perpetually, and the authorized…
Finding a Genuine Guru
You have to surrender to the guru, but not blindly or sentimentally. First you should study him carefully to find out whether he has the qualifications spelled out in the…
Light of my Life
Srila Prabhupada you are fulfilling Lord Gauranga's wish. Without discrimination you distribute the contents of the storehouse of transcendental love.…
Separating the Saints from the Swindlers
If you want to be cheated, you will find cheating gurus. But if you are sincere, you will find a sincere guru. The genuine guru is God's representative, and he…
The Most Blessed Event
Since 1969 in ISKCON Srila Prabhupada's Sri-Vyasa-puja homage book has become an annual publication, presented to Srila Prabhupada on his appearance day. …
Delivering the Message Unchanged
The precious Bhagavatam has been handed down in disciplic succession, from guru to disciple, in an unbroken chain, and today Srila Prabhupada, spiritual master of ISKCON, is delivering it in…
What is a Guru?
The guru's business is to see that no human being suffers in this material world. No one can claim that he is not suffering. That is not possible. …
Initiation Into Krishna Consciousness
For a typical initiation, about one hundred devotees gather in the temple. The devotees to be initiated—perhaps a dozen of them—sit in two rows, facing the devotee designated to be…
An Emergency Prayer for the Health of Our Spiritual Master
We, the fallen servants of His Divine Grace; beseech all of our Masters—Please give Srila Prabhupada more time! Time to insure the strength of this movement. Time to finish the…
Establishing the Proof: Who Is a Real Guru?
A genuine guru must not only speak the truth; he must also live it. His character must be perfect and his behavior exemplary.…
Religion: Separating the Bogus from the Bonafide
Who will say which religion is false and which genuine, which harmful and which beneficial? What we need is not someone's self-interested opinion but a reliable, nonsectarian standard for separating…
The Disciplic Succession
Many times, when people inquiring about Krsna consciousness hear from us about the importance of disciplic succession, they are not able to grasp what we are talking about. We say,…
Initiation, Second Birth
I want to talk of the real guide, the pure devotee of God who showers unlimited love and mercy upon all living entities because he is the dearmost representative of…
Siddha Svarupa Surrenders His Disciples to Srila Prabhupada
I've relinquished my position as spiritual master and offered myself, my disciples, and all our wealth at the feet of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. …
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