Harinama Diksha – Ritvik Initiation Ceremony | Sri Balarama Jayanti 2023 | ISKCON Bangalore

ISKCON Bangalore is conducting Harinama Diksha, or Ritvik Initiation ceremony, on the auspicious occasion of Sri Balarama Jayanti. Harinama Diksha will be performed as instructed by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON, in the July 9, 1977 letter. (https://www.iskconbangalore.org/wp-co...)

By carefully studying Srila Prabhupada’s teachings and demonstrating proficiency in a written test, eligible candidates can earn the privilege of taking Diksha from a ritvik priest and officially become a disciple of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.

Initiation means the beginning of spiritual life under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master.
Srila Rupa Gosvami, one of the principal disciples of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, recommends the following on the path of regulative devotional service.

1. Taking shelter of a bona fide spiritual master.
2. Accept initiation from him.
3. Serve him.
4. Receive instructions from the spiritual master and inquire about devotional service.
5. Follow in the footsteps of the previous Acharyas and follow the directions given by the spiritual master.

Srila Prabhupada mentions the importance of the spiritual master in many places, like the one below:
“ādau gurvāśrayaṁ. The first thing is to accept a bona fide guru. Otherwise, there is no devotion. It is simply false imitation. This is the injunction of Rupa Gosvami in Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu…”
(Evening lecture, Bhubaneswar, January 23, 1977)

The candidates recommended for initiation take a vow to chant 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and follow four regulative principles every day for the rest of their lives.

The four regulative principles are:
1) No meat-eating
2) No gambling
3) No intoxication
4) No illicit sex

After the vows are taken, a Vaishnava Homa will be conducted wherein the candidates participate in a fire sacrifice. During this ritual, they will offer grains and other sacred items into an empty cup provided, which will then be offered into the sacrificial fire.

To know more on how to qualify and receive the Harinama Diksha ceremony, please visit: https://www.iskconbangalore.org/harin...

00:00 Kirtans
27:35 Welcoming the devotees for the ceremony
38:13 Introductory Talk by HG Madhu Pandit Dasa, President, ISKCON Bangalore
1:01:02 Devotees take the vow and receive their spiritual name
1:38:07 Vaishnava Homa
2:06:20 Arati
2:13:10 Prema dhvani