Initiation \u00e2\u20ac\u201c A personal commitment – By Jagannath Sharan das.<\/p>\n
During the auspicious month of Purushottama, on the eleventh day of the waxing phase of the moon, known as Padmini Ekadasi, fifty candidates received initiation from His Holiness Radhanath Swami, a spiritual teacher and travelling monk, author of the autobiographical “The Journey Home.” The following is a personal account by Janak Rajani – one of the fifty candidates that day:- Having paid my respects, it was now my turn to go forward and receive initiation from His Holiness Radhanath Swami. I moved closer and sat within earshot of him, as he looked upon me with keen attention and focus. <\/p>\n
The world around me froze – and I was conscious only of Radhanath Swami sitting before me, the beautiful painting of Srila Prabhupada that graced the wall above him, and Sri Sri Radha-Gokulananda, who lovingly graced us with Their beautiful smiles – this despite being in a temple room full of loving friends, family and well- wishers. As I proceeded to offer my vows of commitment, first to the process of Krishna consciousness, and then to Srila Prabhupada’s family of ISKCON. <\/p>\n
Initiation is a relationship between three persons; namely Lord Krishna, the spiritual teacher and the aspiring student. Relationship means commitment, responsibility and love. Vows are made by the aspiring spiritual student to strive to adhere to principles that will help him on his spiritual journey, a journey to uncover his dormant loving relationship with Krishna. Why are vows necessary? It is for the spiritual teacher to understand, “Oh, this student is serious.” Witnessed by the spiritual master, as well as the community of loving devotees, and the Lord Himself, these vows give strength and the combined blessings of each witness. In return, out of his generosity and compassion, the guru, or spiritual teacher takes on a life-long responsibility to teach the student to become more serious still. Radhanath Swami spoke to me as follows, “On behalf of Srila Prabhupada, I am honoured to give you the name Jagannath Sharan das.” <\/p>\n
As I reached forward to gratefully receive my new chanting beads in the palm of my hands, I once again became aware of the world around me as the devotees shouted out blessings and cheers. So how does it feel to be initiated? A few weeks have passed since the day itself and I am constantly reminded that I have been blessed with an extended spiritual family of brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles and cousins. By the encouragement and support of this loving family of devotees I hope to traverse through the exciting spiritual adventure that lies ahead of me. <\/p>\n