ust one error in understanding Srila Prabhupada's instructions can prove fatal. We provide a shocking example of this below.
The rtvik system is temporary
In a October 18th, 1977 room conversation, Srila Prabhupada stated, in response to a person approaching him for initiation, that:
"I stop for the time being."
One party has given the following explanation for the above statement:
"Prabhupada said, I stop for the time being. That means, the temple president sending recommendation directly to Prabhupada. [...] Otherwise, I have stopped. I have already stopped. Prabhupada has already stopped from July 9th."
It is stated that Srila Prabhupada is referring to having stopped the initiation procedure that was carried out before July 9th, 1977, where all temple presidents would send recommendations for initiation to him directly. Whereas after July 9th, the rtvik system was introduced, whereby now the temple presidents would send recommendations to these rtviks instead. Thus, it is claimed that Srila Prabhupada has only stopped the initiation system used before the July 9th rtvik system for "the time being". Which means that the July 9th rtvik system was to be temporary, as it was introduced from July 9th only for "the time being", i.e. while Srila Prabhupada has stopped.
The rtvik system is temporary - 2
In the same conversation, Srila Prabhupada then goes on to state:
"if by Krsna's grace I recover from this condition, then I shall begin again, or I may not be pressed in this condition to initiate."
The same party as above has given the following explanation for this statement:
"Prabhupada said, I have stopped for the time being. Until my health becomes alright. If my health becomes alright, I will resume."
Thus, following on from the explanation given above regarding Srila Prabhupada having "stopped for the time being", it is claimed that Srila Prabhupada has only stopped initiating until his health improves. And once his health improves, he will again resume initiating in the way he did pre the July 9th rtvik system. Thus, this repeats what has been stated in the last section – that the rtvik system is temporary, meant only for while Srila Prabhupada is ill.
The rtvik system is temporary - 3
Referring again to Srila Prabhupada's statement quoted in the last section, the same party continues to explain:
"Prabhupada is saying that I may not be pressed in this condition to initiate. Don't bring those requests to me. Make me chant on the beads. Select the name [...] If by Krsna's krpa I recover, then I will do. Otherwise, no need. Those 11 people will continue."
It is again claimed that Srila Prabhupada is referring to having stopped what the 11 rtviks appointed on July 9th were meant to replace. Because he states that if he will "recover", then he will again resume the pre-July 9th rtvik system, where all temple presidents would once again be sending "requests" to Srila Prabhupada, and thus the rtvik system would end. Which again means that rtvik system was meant to be temporary, only due to, and for while, Srila Prabhupada was ill.
The fatal ending
The explanations above were given by ISKCON Bangalore via a governing council member on the official social media channel set up specifically to explain their stance on the "guru issue", in a video posted by them on 28/5/25. These explanations are exactly the same as those given by ISKCON India for the same October 18th statements, who state that Srila Prabhupada is saying that the rtvik system is meant to be temporary, only in use while he is ill:
"I'm sick, that's why I'm using these rtviks. I've nominated them, but if and when I become okay, I will initiate again. That means what? He cancels that rtvik order and he knows that this rtvik order cannot continue."
(ISKCON India Video, 27/5/25)
ISKCON Bangalore has been fighting with ISKCON India for the last 25 years for control of the Bangalore temple. But now they have agreed *3* times with ISKCON India using the same arguments as them to come to the same conclusion as them: that the rtvik system is temporary. Thus, their whole supposed philosophical opposition to ISKCON India – that the rtvik system is not temporary and therefore Srila Prabhupada is the diksa guru of ISKCON – has been defeated. By themselves. And this self-defeat is "final", because:
"as soon as one thing is three times stressed, that means final."
(Srila Prabhupada, Lecture, 27/11/68)
July 9th directive not understood
Bangalore's understanding, identical to ISKCON India, arises from not having understood the July 9th, 1977 directive correctly.
1) It is claimed for example that Srila Prabhupada should not be made to "chant on the beads". But this function is not even mentioned in the July 9th directive, because Srila Prabhupada had already delegated this function before even giving the July 9th directive.
2) The directive states only one thing that the rtviks are replacing in regard to first initiation, that Srila Prabhupada was previously doing. And that is giving an acceptance letter with a spiritual name. But this only requires that Srila Prabhupada could speak and dictate the spiritual name. Which he could. And thus Srila Prabhupada's health had no connection to the use of the rtvik system.
BTP gives correct understanding
The correct understanding has been given many times previously in BTP. A brief recap:
1) Srila Prabhupada can only be referring here to the one thing that did require his physical health in regard to initiation. That is if someone approached him personally to conduct the initiation and perform the fire yajna.
2) This is exactly what happened here, as someone had come from New York to get initiated by Srila Prabhupada personally.
3) Since Srila Prabhupada had already set up the rtvik system, he merely utilised it to also manage this one personal request. Thus, he is stating that he could resume performing such personal initiations if he recovers, alongside the rtvik system, which had already separately been established permanently for ISKCON.
Conclusion
It is crucial that Srila Prabhupada's instructions are understood fully, otherwise even the slightest misunderstanding can prove fatal – as has happened here.
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