On Vaiṣṇavī Dīkṣā-gurus – Part 2

Posted inArticles, Essays, ISKCON, Video1 Comment
Hare Kṛṣṇa. Some years back, I did a lengthy presentation on the topic of Vaiṣṇavī-dīkṣā-guru: should Vaiṣṇavīs become initiating gurus in ISKCON? Now, if you've not watched it, I recommend that you do so, and it is linked in the description. This presentation is on the same topic, but it's focused on one simple point, which is: if Prabhupāda did not establish Vaiṣṇavī-dīkṣā-gurus, the GBC should not do so. Vaiṣṇavīs should not initiate in ISKCON.
Can śūdras become dīkṣā-gurus in ISKCON?

Can śūdras become dīkṣā-gurus in ISKCON?

Posted inArticles, Essays, ISKCONNo Comments
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s well-known statement — “Whether one is a brāhmaṇa, a sannyāsī or a śūdra, he can become a spiritual master if he knows the science of Kṛṣṇa” (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā, 8.128) — is often cited as a rejection of social status in spiritual life. Many think it means neither birth nor social status matters; only realization of kṛṣṇa-tattva matters. Yet ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC) as per a resolution in 2014 requires candidates for dīkṣā-guru to be “twice-initiated for at least ten years.” This raises a doubt: does ISKCON’s law contradict Mahāprabhu’s teaching?
Is Shastra the Center of ISKCON?

Is Śāstra the Central Authority for ISKCON?

Posted inArticles, Essays, ISKCONNo Comments
In May 2025 the Supreme Court gave Bengaluru ISKCON control of the Hare Krishna Hill temple, rejecting Mumbai ISKCON’s claims, but in October a split verdict on Mumbai’s review petitions sent the matter to a larger bench, suspending Bengaluru’s victory. Madhu Pandit Das had hailed the earlier ruling as vindication of the ritvik system, where Prabhupāda is believed to continue initiating disciples after his departure, yet the later review makes that claim uncertain. And since even highly learned judges and spiritual leaders can make mistakes, the deeper issue remains: how can anyone be certain that interpretations of Prabhupāda’s intentions—whether for or against ritvik initiations—are free from error?