Initiation

Devotee: Can you explain the real meaning of diksa, initiation?

Sridhara Maharaja: Srila Jiva Goswami has explained this in his Bhakti Sandarhha (868):

divyam jnanam yato dadyat
kuryat papasya sanksayam
tasmad dikseti sa prokta
desikais tattva-kovidaih

Experienced scholars have explained the meaning of diksa, or spiritual initiation, in this way: diksa is the process through which transcendental knowledge is imparted by the preceptor to the disciple. As a result, all the disciple's previous bad tendencies are crushed. Through diksa, all previous commitments are cleared, and one gets the light of new life in relationship with the transcendental Lord. Diksa, or initiation, is a process by which we are given a noble connection with the absolute center and at the same time, our previous commitments are all finished. It is an inner awakenment of life that brings divine knowledge. That wealth is there within us, but it is suppressed. Diksa means discovering one's inner wealth, and getting relief from all outward obligations.

With inner awakenment, the outward commitments vanish, just as when you reach home, all other arrangements you may have contracted for your comforts are all cut off, for at home you find full comfort. When we are in a foreign land, we may seek the comforts which are supplied in hotels, but when we reach home, the hotel comforts are discarded; we find no more use for them. Sometimes a minor is kidnapped from home. Later, while visiting his native place he may stay in a hotel, but if he suddenly finds his father's house, and retums home, his parents will recognize him and say, "O, my son! You were stolen from us when you were young. We recognize your face. I am your mother, this is your father, here is your sister." Then the hotel is no longer needed. In a similar way, with the inner awakenment of the soul, when we return back home, back to Godhead, we will find our comfortable home with Krsna. So, to make a connection with our real home and dispense with our outward links is known as diksa. – Sri Guru and His Grace ch 2

Sridhar Maharaja has very nicely explained the essence of initiation. If one really wants to understand the essence of Guru Tattva, a good book to read is Sri Guru and His Grace by Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Deva Goswami Maharaj.

From the explanation above, we can see initiation is not just fire ceremony. But due to improper understanding, we tend to think initiation to be a fire ceremony. Especially within ISKCON, my experience so far, devotees treat other non-initiated devotees differently from initiated ones. Over the years, I have had some experiences of my own where devotees naively attribute initiation to just a fire ceremony. Due to this naiveté, devotees become puffed up thinking they are “initiated” and act in ways befitting their neophytic nature and ultimately end up offending sincere hearted devotees. Therefore we should be careful to guard ourselves against pride swelling up in our hearts when devotees glorify us as being initiated. Initiation has been seen too ritualistically within ISKCON simply due to improper understanding of the fundamental principles of Krishna Consciousness.

While the ceremony is essential and important to confirm our vows in front of Guru and Krishna, actually initiation is the inner change or inner resolve one makes in progressing towards Krishna. Srila Prabhupada once quoted that a person is initiated simply when he/she starts to read his books. Therefore it is of utmost importance, using this initiation as an example, we should not see Krishna Consciousness in a ritualistic way as mere external formalities but of one where we sincerely strive to change our inner heart.

When the core of our heart is transformed and filled with gratitude, we can only appreciate and humble ourselves in front of Guru and Krishna and desire to be the instrument of their will, thus ultimately pleasing Guru and Krishna. This, I think, is the essence of initiation and Krishna Consciousness.

Hare Krishna