Nearly Everyone Is Ritvik
Bhaktisiddhanta Dasa – Vrndavan:
Has everyone forgotten what happened in the past? In the early ‘70’s Srila Prabhupada started his own ritvik system, surprise! At some point it became too much to chant on everyone’s beads and give the new spiritual names so what to do? He appointed some of his senior men to cover these details so he could go on with his writing and management of a world organization.
My wife and I were initiated in 1975 in Los Angeles, Srila Prabhupada had left the day before to go to San Francisco, by this time he deputed his personal secretary and Sanskrit scholar to look up the names; and then he would approve or disapprove.
During the fire sacrifice it was Hridayananda Maharaja that was standing next to the Vyasasana and handed out the beads and asked for the four regulative principles. Each time a new name was given there was a loud HARIBOL and everyone applauded.
In our group there was a Gaur Kisori das which opened a few eyes, and generated a loud response then I was called. I paid my obeisances to Srila Prabhupada’s picture on the Vyasasana and stumbled through the four regs. Then Maharaja handed me my beads and gave my name;
“Your name is Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati das!”
The temple exploded, what a name who is this rascal getting such a name? I was shocked I still have no idea what it meant, also in our group there was a devotee whose new name was ‘great kirtan leader’ this fellow was so shy he didn’t speak much to anyone let alone lead a kirtan or look like a great kirtan leader; so I thought my name was also the antithesis of my foolish character.
The point is – forget the political connotations and let us all remember it is Srila Prabhupada who is always in the centre and the force behind everything at all times. So it is understandable that if anyone is now taking the role of Acharya and not handing his initiates over to the source then, what is the fate of both the new guru and their initiates?
This movement would undergo a drastic change if all the new gurus who are initiating on behalf of Srila Prabhupada would recognize this fact and not take glorious worship and stand down to allow all new comers to this society full access to Srila Prabhupada who sweated blood and tears for each one of us who joined this movement. This is how it was in the beginning when Srila Prabhupada was physically with us and was not able to directly attend the initiation ceremony.
I am not a political antagonist but most of all my god brother’s and god sister’s like myself are all ritvik. Most of us were initiated when Srila Prabhupada was not physically present. This was not such a big deal to us we were all disciples of His Divine Grace.
Srila Prabhupada didn’t hand me my beads or give my name directly; so what is the difference today? Let’s make this movement a better place for all who have joined and will join in the future how we can deny anyone the right to take Srila Prabhupada as their life and soul.
I am told there are over 90 gurus now acting as diksa gurus instead of allowing Srila Prabhupada that privilege. To actually put Srila Prabhupada in the centre means to not stand in his way and to allow everyone unrestricted access to Srila Prabhupada like it was in the early days.
Pasted from; http://www.prabhupadavision.com
The Hare Krishna Movement 
Sep 14, 2011 @ 13:06:58
When it is accepted that the initiating gurus are doing just as you propose, recognizing that ‘Srila Prabhupada is always in the centre and the force behind everything at all times’… than, thru YOUR co-operation great advances may be realized.
I am a disciple of a disciple of Sr. Prabhupada, and i have immense understanding and respect for Srila Prabhupada…My guru always accepts our worship and praise, on Srila Prabhupada’s and the disciple successions behalf. He is always forthright in glorifying Srila Prabhupada and noting his own position as ‘dog’ of his Guru (Srila Prabhupada)
I have the benefit of a living guru to guide me personally as well as the shelter of the most merciful founder acharya His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. The grandfather is even more kindly disposed to the grandchildren.
I feel this has always been grand disciples understanding.
If any thing, i considered how difficult it may be for a devotee to see one’s own god-brother in a position that commands his disciples to ‘see his guru on a level of the supreme lord, being a most confidential servant of Him’.(saksad dharitvena samasta-satrair..’Sri Sri Guru-astaka
i know i would have to work at my ability to give respect in a humble acceptance for a god brother taking such a position. But i would do it to please my spiritual master, if for no other reason , and i would learn to be happy for my brothers advancement in responsibility in service.
The disciples of your god-brothers are happy to have their connection to Srila Prabhupada through thier gurus (your god-brothers) and i for one cannot imagine life without my spiritual master.Please stop trying to take that away.We are not seeing Srila Prabhupada in a diminished way…that is not possible to do and a false guru would easily be rejected for doing such, by a sincere devotee.Krishna will not misdirect if one is sincere. NEVER
And ,I must say , i grew initially, in my awareness of ONLY Srila Prabhupada as a bona-fide guru. From 1973 to the time of His Divine Graces departure, I fully accepted HDG as my Guru, from his teachings and from within..He even appeared to me in a dream, after his departure, asking me to join ISKCON. I couldn’t fathom Krishna Consc. without Srila Prabhupada at its helm.I joined and allowed my faith in the process to lead me .knowing that Krishna would never misdirect me if i remained steady, sincere in practice, and focused to be free of offense,and always desiring to please Him only. I have no complaints,, I have many faults and weaknesses, but at the same time, i am unwilling to put blame on the movement, it’s followers or the founder acayra Srila Prabhupada. The process is perfect and all we have to do is be truthful of ourselves..to follow in the mood of fool, humility to guru.The externals (politics, mismanagement,fallen devotees,less preaching , so many things to find shortcomings with) ,well, Krishna and Prabhupada are in control. thay will sort things out in ways we cannot conceive sometimes.But in the mean time we have to push forward.We simply have to follow perfectly in our own life the direction of authority as Prabhupada laid out( GBC,TP,Sp.Master,Senior devotees, etc) And that begins with the final order by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada…’co-operate’ with each other..Hare Krishna
servant of the servant,
Gopal das
Apr 20, 2013 @ 11:20:38
i suppose i must feel honoured that srila prabhupada gave me my japa mala directly………yes i feel very honoured…i never actually thought about untill i read this post….mmmmminteresting