Myth: “Ritvik theory” is based exclusively on incorrect interpretation of the word “henceforward”

Anti Ritvik Myths debunked (#1)

Myth: “Ritvik theory” is based exclusively on incorrect interpretation of the word “henceforward” from the July 9th directive

Truth: We have much more evidence than one word “henceforward”, and it’s anti-ritviks who give incorrect meaning to the word “henceforward” in the directive, and, moreover, they have nothing close to such a directive in favor of their self-made multiple diksa guru system in ISKCON

Anti-ritvik people try to defeat Srila Prabhupada’s instructions on ritvik initiations by claiming that the word “henceforward” from the July 9, 1977 directive signed by Srila Prabhupada is incorrectly used by his disciples:

1) Prabhupadanugas allegedly put some wrong linguistic meaning into this word. Anti-ritviks claim it’s not just, as dictionaries say, ‘from this time on’ (sometimes they falsely attribute to pro-ritviks ‘from this time on, for eternity’ interpretation of the word), but in this case the word, according to anti-ritviks, couldn’t indicate a long-term future, but was limited only to some very near, foreseeable future, or until the end of illness of Srila Prabhupada’s body, or until Srila Prabhupada’s physical departure after which he would not be able to remain the diksa guru current link of the sampradaya.

2) This word is supposedly the only proof on which the “ritvik theory” “hangs”.

Let’s review these arguments.

1. Cumulative evidence of the ritvik initiation system for the future, including after Srila Prabhupada’s physical departure, that anti-ritviks tend to suppress / discredit / ignore:

1968: In his article “SOME OBSERVANCES ON THE LATTER-DAY GURUS A Rational and Ethical View of Guru Since Prabhupada’s Departure” (1985) Rohini Kumar Swami wrote: “At our center at 26th Second Ave., Srila Prabhupada, when asked who would be the next acarya after him stated, “There will not be any more acaryas.”
Late 1960s: Srila Prabhupada begins to implement representative system of initiations in ISKCON. The right is first given to some senior disciples to recommend new disciples, to send their names by mail, then to get Srila Prabhupada’s approval, the spiritual name and the beads chanted upon by Srila Prabhupada and then to conduct yajna for new Prabhupada’s disciples. E.g. see SP letters to Upendra das dated November 18, 1968 and December 2, 1968.
1973: Srila Prabhupada delegates the right to chant the beads for his new disciples (first to Kirtanananda and Revatinandana, then to many others)
“Just now I have received some more requests for giving first initiation from Dhananjaya, and now I am receiving weekly not less than ten to fifteen such requests from new students. So it is becoming very expensive to send so many sets of beads such long distance, and it has become little bothersome for me also, so I think now you may be appointed by me to give first initiations to new disciples by chanting on their beads on my behalf. In America Kirtanananda Swami is going that. So now if there are two of you that will give me great relief. Kirtanananda will chant on the beads for new devotees in America, Canada, like that, you can chant on the beads for the European continent new disciples. They shall, of course, still be considered as my disciples, not that they shall become your disciples, but you will be empowered by me to chant their beads and that is the same effect of binding master and disciple as if I were personally chanting. They may continue to send me their letters of request, along the President’s recommendation, and I shall give them name and it will be entered by my Secretary in our records, only I will send my letter of reply to you and you will purchase beads there and chant them and send, along with my letter to the new initiates. Is that all right? I shall continue to deal with the matter of second initiations. The sacred threads do not require so much postage to send airmail.” (SP Letter to: Revatinandana — Bombay 4 January, 1973)
1975: Cyavana Swami: “The question of what to do regarding initiations after he was no longer with us was very difficult to ask, it was almost unthinkable at the time that he would not always be with us. Myself and Brahmananda Swami were in Srila Prabhupada’s room one morning in Nairobi, Kenya in 1975, at first he seemed surprised at the question, as if he had already made it very clear. We were performing initiations [on] his behalf all over the world for some years, so he said to simply continue as had been training us, “on my behalf” was not just for then”. (September 2017, Cyavana Swami letter to Nityananda das)
1975-76: Srila Prabhupada replies to reporters in a series of recorded interviews, where they asked who would be his successor after he would die, that he would never die, his mission is already successful, it’s like gold that would remain gold in the future “the same as it is at present”, he would live on in his books and there wouldn’t be “one spiritual leader”/successor but just his personal secretaries- GBC members. (See: Press Conference — July 16, 1975, San Francisco; Magazine Interview — June 10, 1976, Los Angeles; Room Conversation with Sanskrit Professor, other Guests and Disciples — February 12, 1975, Mexico; etc.)
17 May 1977: Srila Prabhupada arrives in Vrindavana to leave his body: Prabhupāda: So I cannot speak. I am feeling very weak. I was to go to other places like Chandigarh program, but I cancelled the program because the condition of my health is very deteriorating. So I preferred to come to Vṛndāvana. If death takes place, let it take here. So there is nothing to be said new. Whatever I have to speak, I have spoken in my books. Now you try to understand it and continue your endeavor. Whether I am present or not present, it doesn’t matter. As Kṛṣṇa is living eternally, similarly, living being also lives eternally. But kīrtir yasya sa jīvati: “One who has done service to the Lord lives forever.” So you have been taught to serve Kṛṣṇa, and with Kṛṣṇa we’ll live eternally. Our life is eternal. Na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre [Bg. 2.20]. A temporary disappearance of this body, it doesn’t matter. Body is meant for disappearance. Tathā dehāntara-prāptiḥ [Bg. 2.13]. So live forever by serving Kṛṣṇa. Thank you very much. (Arrival Speech — May 17, 1977, Vṛndāvana)
22 May 1977: While preparing his last will Srila Prabhupada first mentioned what he wants to write down in the document: Prabhupāda: The system of management will go on as it is now. There is no need of changing. The money which is in my personal name in different banks, that is being spent for the Society, and it will be Society’s property. In this connection a few deposits, which is allowing some pension to the members of my former family, may not be touched. That’s all, two points. (Conversation — May 22, 1977, Vṛndāvana)
Circa 24 May 1977: Gauridas Pandit das, one of Srila Prabhupada’s personal servants in April-July 1977: “About a week later [after Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in Vrindavana on May 17, 1977] I was attending to Srila Prabhupada in his garden when his secretary [Tamal Krishna] asked him if he would appoint a guru to succeed him after his departure. Prabhupada said that he would appoint ritvik representatives who would initiate on his behalf. (GPD open letter to Vaisyaseka das, June 08, 2009); “When Śrīla Prabhupāda said we should be officiating acharyas [in May 28, 1977 conversation], Tamal mentioned it [the word “ritvik”] because he heard Śrīla Prabhupāda talk about it in the garden days before. I stood before Śrīla Prabhupāda, serving him with the chamara [fan] during this time. Tamal also admitted to me in a letter that the guru issue was “fraught with errors”.” (GPD letter to Pratyatosa das, May 14, 1998)
28 May 1977: Satsvarūpa: …Then our next question concerns initiations in the future, particularly at that time when you’re no longer with us. We want to know how first and second initiation would be conducted.
Prabhupāda: Yes. I shall recommend some of you. After this is settled up, I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating ācāryas.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Is that called ṛtvik-ācārya?
Prabhupāda: Ṛtvik, yes. (GBC Meets with Śrīla Prabhupāda — May 28, 1977, Vṛndāvana)
Then Srila Prabhupada confirmed that new disciples would still become his disciples, and “regular gurus” could emerge instead of ritviks when he gives the order: “When I order, “You become guru,” he becomes regular guru. That’s all.” Only then new disciples could become his grand disciples/disciples of his disciples. But, off course, there is no such order like “Kirtanananda Swami, you become guru” recorded anywhere.
June 2, 1977: While discussing his last will’s draft, Srila Prabhupada said:
Prabhupāda: And that declaration should be taken. That you are already taking.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes, I am in the process of getting them all, oaths of allegiance.
Prabhupāda: Hm. Oath of allegiance. That should be maintained. (Discussions — June 2, 1977, Vṛndāvana)
The text of the Oath of Allegiance approved by Srila Prabhupada during the conversation with GBCs on March 27, 1975 four times states that an ISKCON officer should pledge allegiance to “my Guru Maharaja” Srila Prabhupada, to his orders and directions. So Srila Prabhupada said “that should be maintained” while discussing the topic of his last will.
June, 4 1977: in his Declaration of last will Srila Prabhupada doesn’t appoint any successor guru, but states that his GBC will be “ultimate managing authority”, that “the system of management will continue as it is now and there is no need of any change”, and that executive directors for each and every ISKCON property are “appointed for life”, and any future “successor director” “may be appointed by the remaining directors, provided the new director is my initiated disciple” (which is possible if Srila Prabhupada’s current guru status and the ritvik initiation system will continue for as long as ISKCON exists).
July 5, 1977: Gauridas Pandit das: “On July 5th Tamal asked Srila Prabhupada about some devotees who wanted to get initiated. This was in the garden as I fanned him. Srila Prabhupada said, “Tomorrow I will I will announce some ritvik acaryas who will initiate disciples on my behalf when I leave the planet.” (On My Behalf, by Gauridasa Pandita Dasa, 01/19/98, VNN)
July 7, 1977: Srila Prabhupada named first ritviks:
Prabhupāda: You can give me a list of sannyāsīs. I will mark who will…
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Okay.
Prabhupāda: You can do. Kīrtanānanda can do. And our Satsvarūpa can do. So these three, you can give, begin.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: So supposing someone is in America, should they simply write directly to Kīrtanānanda or Satsvarūpa?
Prabhupāda: Nearby. Jayatīrtha can give.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Jayatīrtha.
Prabhupāda: Bhavānan…, er, Bhagavān. And he can do also. Harikeśa.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Harikeśa Mahārāja.
Prabhupāda: And… Five, six men, you divide who is nearest.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Who is nearest. So persons wouldn’t have to write to Your Divine Grace. They could write directly to that person?
Prabhupāda: Hm.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Actually they are initiating the person on Your Divine Grace’s behalf. Those persons who are initiated are still your…
[…]
Prabhupāda: They can do second initiation.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: By writing you.
Prabhupāda: No. These men.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: These men, they can also do second initiation. So there’s no need for devotees to write to you for first and second initiation. They can write to the man nearest them. But all these persons are still your disciples. Anybody who gives initiation is doing so on your behalf.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
[…]
Prabhupāda: You can note down these names.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes, I have them.
Prabhupāda: Who are they?
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Kīrtanānanda Mahārāja, Satsvarūpa Mahārāja, Jayatīrtha Prabhu, Bhagavān Prabhu, Harikeśa Mahārāja, Jayapatākā Mahārāja and Tamāla Kṛṣṇa Mahārāja.
Prabhupāda: That’s nice. Now you distribute.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Seven. There’s seven names.
Prabhupāda: For the time being, seven names, sufficient. You can make Rāmeśvara.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Rāmeśvara Mahārāja.
Prabhupāda: And Hṛdayānanda.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Oh, yeah. South America.
Prabhupāda: So without waiting for me, wherever you consider it is right… That will depend on discretion.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: On discretion.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: That’s for first and second initiations.
Prabhupāda: Hm.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Okay. (Room Conversation — July 7, 1977, Vṛndāvana)
July 8, 1977: Yasoda nandana das, who was teaching at ISKCON Vrindavana gurukula, wrote in his 1977 diary, “He [Gauridas Pandit] said that Tamal Krishna Maharaja was talking [with Prabhupada] about Rtvik guru to initiate on behalf of Prabhupada after he leaves the planet.”
Gauridas Pandit das: “These arrangements were for after Srila Prabhupada’s departure. The next few days after the ritvic appointments I heard more instructions from Srila Prabhupada. Tamal K.G. asked him the next morning, July 8th, if there should be vyasasana’s for the ritviks in the temples. Srila Prabhupada said, “No; that would create enmity among my disciples.” […] Tamal K.G. also asked Srila Prabhupada if there could be more ritviks in the future. Srila Prabhupada said that more could be appointed by the GBC at Mayapura. Tamal K.G. asked Srila Prabhupada what to do if a ritvik falls down and Srila Prabhupada replied that the GBC could remove them.” (On My Behalf, by Gauridasa Pandita Dasa, 01/19/98, VNN)
July 9, 1977: “4.22 PM. I heard from Tamal Krishna Maharaja in the afternoon that Srila Prabhupada had told him to send a letter to ‘all the temples’ to explain the ritvik initiation system for the future.” (Yasoda nandana’s 1977 diary entry)
July 9, 1977: the ritvik directive to all ISKCON GBCs and Temple Presidents:
“Recently when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrndavana, Srila Prabhupad indicated that soon He would appoint some of His senior disciples to act as “rittik”—representative of the acarya, for the purpose of performing initiations, both first initiation and second initiation. His Divine Grace has so far given a list of eleven disciples who will act in that capacity: […] In the past Temple Presidents have written to Srila Prabhupad recommending a particular devotee’s initiation. Now that Srila Prabhupad has named these representatives, Temple Presidents may henceforward send recommendation for first and second initiation to whichever of these eleven representatives are nearest their temple. After considering the recommendation, these representatives may accept the devotee as an initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupad by giving a spiritual name, or in the case of second initiation, by chanting on the Gayatri thread, just as Srila Prabhupad has done. The newly initiated devotees are disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, the above eleven senior devotees acting as His representative. […] Approved: [Srila Prabhupada’s signature]”
July 10. 1977: “9.25 AM. Tamal Krishna Maharaja comes out of Prabhupada’s room (I’m coming from the gurukula) near the garden. TKG: “Haribol, Yasoda, did you see this?” YNS: “No, what is it?” TKG: “This is signed by Prabhupada.” (He pointed to Srila Prabhupada’s signature in the left hand bottom corner. I read the above letter and then asked him:) YNS: “What does all this mean?” TKG: “Devotees have been writing to Prabhupada asking for initiations and now Prabhupada has named eleven ritviks who can initiate on his behalf. Prabhupada said others can be added.” YNS: “And when Prabhupada departs?” TKG: “They’ll be ritviks. That’s what Prabhupada said. It’s all on tape.” (Yasoda nandana’s 1977 diary entry)
July 10, 1977: “Also find enclosed a letter addressed to all Temple Presidents and GBC, regarding initiations which should be photocopied and sent out to all Presidents and GBC. Hoping this meets you well.” (TKG letter to Ramesvara Swami)
July 11, 1977: “A letter has been sent to all the Temple Presidents and GBC which you should be receiving soon describing the process for initiation to be followed in the future. Srila Prabhupad has appointed thus far eleven representatives who will initiate new devotees on His behalf. You can wait for this letter to arrive (the original has been sent to Ramesvara Maharaja for duplicating) and then all of the persons whom you recommended in your previous letters can be initiated.” (TKG letter to Kirtanananda Swami)
July 12, 1977: “Information on the process for conducting initiations is co[ntained] in a letter already sent to Ramesvara for xeroxing. Prab[hupada] has name 11 persons, inclu[ding] yourself [Harikesa], to act as ‘rittik’, H[is] representatives for initiating.” (TKG letter to Suchandra and Avinas Candra, c.c. His Holiness Harikesa Swami)
July 18, 1977: “Regarding the devotees whom you have recommended for initiation, both first and second, a letter has been sent out to all Temple Presidents and GBC instructing them on the process to be followed. You should be receiving this letter soon and then you can resubmit the recommended names according to the new directions.” (TKG letter to ISKCON Toronto temple president Visvakarma das)
July 19, 1977: Prabhupāda: And nobody is going to disturb you [Hansadutta] there. Make your own field and continue to become ṛttvik and act on my charge. People are becoming sympathetic there. The place is very nice. (Room Conversation — July 19, 1977, Vṛndāvana)
July 21, 1977: “I have just received some letters from Tamal Krsna Maharaja, and am enclosing herein two documents: 1) Srila Prabhupada’s final version of his last will, and 2) Srila Prabhupada’s initial list of disciples appointed to perform initiations for His Divine Grace. This list is also being sent to all centers.” (Ramesvara Swami letter to “GBC Godbrother Prabhus”)
July 22, 1977: Tamal writes to Ramesvara, with “copies to all rittiks”, giving detailed instructions for ritviks how to arrange both first and second initiations, chant on Gayatri thread for second initiates, etc.: “I thought it would be in order to give some instructions to the 11 disciples of His Divine Grace whom He chose to represent Him for giving first and second initiations. I thought you could photocopy this letter and send a copy to each of them. […] I would suggest that His Holiness Ramesvara Maharaja may supply each of the 11 representatives sufficient copies of the Gayatri mantra sheet.” (TKG letter to Ramesvara Swami)
July 31, 1977: “You [Hansadutta] have written to Srila Prabhupad saying you do not know why he has chosen you to be a recipient of His mercy. His Divine Grace immediately replied, “It is because you are my sincere servant. You have given up attachment to a beautiful and qualified wife and that is a great benediction. You are a real preacher. Therefore I like you. (then laughing) Sometimes you become obstinate, but that is true of any intelligent man. Now you have got a very good field. Now organize it and it will be a great credit. No one will disturb you there. Make your own field and continue to be rittik and act on my behalf.” (TKG letter to Hansadutta Swami)
October 6, 1977: Kuladri das brought Srila Prabhupada $8,000 check from about 70 new Srila Prabhupada’s disciples initiated by Kirtanananda Swami as a ritvik. The conversation confirms that the ritvik system (“the new system of initiation”) was ongoing practice (at least in New Vrindavana) and not a word is said about its stoppage: Kulādri: . . . dakṣiṇā, eight thousand dollars in dakṣiṇā, for . . . before . . . with the new system of initiation that you’ve initiated, he [Kirtanananda] asked them to write you a check for $111 for each devotee he’s initiating for you. So he has a check for eight thousand dollars for you. (Room Conversation — October 6, 1977, Vṛndāvana)
October 18, 1977: less than a month before his physical departure, Srila Prabhupada again mentions deputies from the list of ritviks and does not cancel this system of initiations on his behalf but confirms its relevance:
Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṇa. One Bengali gentleman has come from New York?
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes. Mr. Sukamal Roy Chowdury.
Prabhupāda: So I have deputed some of you to initiate. Hm?
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes. Actually… Yes, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Prabhupāda: So I think Jayapatākā can do that if he likes. I have already deputed. Tell him.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes.
Prabhupāda: So, deputies, Jayapatākā’s name was there?
Bhagavān: It is already on there, Śrīla Prabhupāda. His name was on that list.
Prabhupāda: So I depute him to do this at Māyāpura, and you may go with him. (Room Conversation — October 18, 1977, Vṛndāvana)
On the same day Tamal Krishna wrote to ISKCON Fiji temple president Vasudeva das: “In this regard, His Divine Grace said, “Initiate the local natives. Ask them to give up their bad habits and become Vaisnavas.” […] If someone has agreed to follow the regulative principles and has been attending the temple for some time and chanting rounds, you can encourage them by giving initiation. You may send the names of such worthy persons to any one of the eleven devotees whom Srila Prabhupada has designated to initiate on His behalf, and after receiving the sanctified beads and new names, you can then perform the initiation ceremony. In this way spread very vigorously his glorious movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and try to make Fiji the first Krishna conscious country in the world.”
October 1977, a month before Srila Prabhupada left his body: Gargamuni das, who was present at Vrindavana in 1977 and was a GBC member: “The system he [Srila Prabhupada] introduced by this ritvik system worked perfectly all over the world. Every devotee stayed at the temples where they were initiated. There was no problems, no politics, and then a month before Prabhupada left he mentioned in a conversation, he said, “You keep this system. This is a perfect system. If you keep this system, everything will go on as it is going on now.” But what did we do? We changed the system. That’s another story. And that’s why a havoc came in the eighties. It was a havoc, fire in the institution, because we changed the system. Prabhupada said you keep the system, because it was working perfectly.” (From a video recorded lecture delivered on 28 July, 2016 in Srila Prabhupada’s house at ISKCON Vrindavana, video: https://vk.com/video-4018800_456239170)
Autumn 1977: According to testimony of Cyavana Swami, Srila Prabhupada pointed his finger at his “Initiated Disciples” book and said, “I will continue to accept disciples and give them my blessings even after I am no longer physically present, you may initiate them on my behalf”. To that he added, “I will have millions of disciples” (Posted by HH Cyavana Swami on his Facebook page on September 7, 2016)
Autumn 1977: In his video recorded memories Srila Prabhupada’s Godbrother B.V. Puri Goswami recalled how he visited Srila Prabhupada in 1977: “Maharaj, you have established 11 gurus… You have selected 11 gurus. He said, “I have not selected. I have appointed 11 ritviks. Ritviks.”
Autumn/winter 1977: “Several devotees have reported that Rameswara returned from Vrindavan to LA in late 1977, and gave a class explaining Srila Prabhupada’s RITVIK after departure method for future initiations.” (VVR 12, March 1990, pg. 13)
November 1977: Pita das recollected in 1998, “The fact of the matter was Srila Prabhupada made himself very clear on how new devotees coming into his movement were to be accepted into it after his disappearance. The word ritvik was first heard by me from Srila Prabhupada’s Lotus mouth and His Divine Grace used the term many times during his last two weeks in Vrindaban. I remember this clearly because I didn’t know what a ritvik was.” (from ‘Srila Prabhupada Coined The Term Ritvik’, December 1, 1998, VNN).
Locanananda das: “One other thing he [Pita das] mentioned in the same letter [to Locanananda] was that he heard Srila Prabhupada say at least a dozen times in Vrndavana in 1977 that initiations would be performed after his departure by the ‘ritvik acharya'”. (‘Srila Prabhupada Hidden Glories’, book 1, chapter 63, pg. 343)
Srila Prabhupada leaves his body on November 14, 1977. Pradyumna das wrote in his letter to GBC chairman Satsvarupa das Gosvami: “At the time of Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance, it was most clearly understood by all of us present that Srila Prabhupada had MADE NO SUCCESSOR. Everyone admitted that fact and understood it clearly. Instead, the GBC was to jointly manage all affairs of ISKCON just as had been the case previously”. (August 7, 1978)
1980: Ramesvara rejected his position as a zonal acarya and resumed conducting ritvik initiations on behalf of Srila Prabhupada, after which he was summoned to Dallas by Tamal Krishna and threatened to stop this practice and resume his zonal acarya position. Krishna Katha das (one of the devotees who at that time got ritvik initiation from Ramesvara and became Srila Prabhupada’s disciple): “For no less than two minutes, Ramesvara sat silently, eyes closed. His face was strained and his head swayed side to side, struggling with beginning to speak. Two minutes is a long time and it became a bit awkward. I’m paraphrasing with verified accuracy from other devotees that bore witness that day and finally, he said these words:
“Actually I’m not qualified to give all of you HariNama diksa initiation. My spiritual master, there’s a pause, and Ramevara turns his head to look at Srila Prabhupada seated on His Vyasasana, has somehow or other given me the service of initiating all of you on His behalf. You will all be disciples of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.”
Instantly there was a huge roar of ectatic JAYA JAYA JAYA, drums beating and even clapping.”
December 3, 1980: Tamal Krishna, after his suspension as “zonal acarya”, made the following confession at a public meeting of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples that was audio recorded:
“Actually, Prabhupada never appointed any gurus. He didn’t appoint eleven gurus. He appointed eleven ritviks. He never appointed them gurus. Myself and the other GBC have done the greatest disservice to this movement the last three years because we interpreted the appointment of ritviks as the appointment of gurus. What actually happened I’ll explain. I explained it, but the interpretation is wrong. What actually happened was that Prabhupada mentioned that he might be appointing some ritviks, so the GBC met for various reasons [in the end of May, 1977] and they went to Prabhupada – five or six of us. We asked him, “Srila Prabhupada, after your departure, if we accept disciples, whose disciples will they be, your disciples or mine?” Later on there was a piled-up list for people to get initiated, and it was jammed-up. I said, “Srila Prabhupada, you once mentioned about ritviks. […] So Prabhupada said, “All right, I will appoint so many….” and he started to name them and he did name them. He made it very clear that they’re his disciples. At that point it was very clear in my mind that they were his disciples. […] Before I got ready to type the letter, I asked him, two: ‘Srila Prabhupada is this all or do you want to add more?’. He said, ‘As is necessary, others may be added.’ Now I understand that what he did was very clear. […] He appointed eleven and he said very clearly, “Whoever is nearest, he can initiate.” This is a very important point, because when it comes to initiating it isn’t whoever is nearest, it’s wherever your heart goes. Who repose your faith on, you take initiation from him. But when it’s officiating, it’s whoever is nearest, and he was very clear. […] Then, on my behalf, they’ll initiate.” It’s not a question that you repose your faith in that person – nothing. That’s a function for the guru. “In order for me to manage this movement,” Prabhupada said, “I have to form a GBC, and I will appoint the following people. In order to continue the process of people joining our movement and getting initiated, I have to appoint some priests to help me because just like I cannot physically manage everyone myself, I physically cannot initiate everyone myself.” And that’s all that it was, and it was never any more than that. If it had been more than that, you can bet your bottom dollar that Prabhupada would have spoken for days and hours and weeks on end about how to set up this thing with the gurus, but he didn’t […] The point I want to state on that is this realization, and I feel that the GBC body, if they don’t adopt this point very quickly, if they don’t realize this truth: You can’t show me anything on tape or in writing where Prabhupada says, “I appoint these 11 as gurus.” It doesn’t exist because he never appointed any gurus. This is a myth.”
Later, Hansadutta, after his removal from the position of zonal acarya, also confessed: Hansadutta: The real point is that Prabhupada gave prescription for what’s to be done when he leaves this planet, which is to act as ritvik representative of the acharya… We don’t see, we don’t find any last letter where Prabhupada tells, “These persons shall be my acharyas, or they shall act as diksha-gurus.” He doesn’t write that. (Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WVcjM_MxSU) “My godbrothers have taken it FOR GRANTED that because they were acting as rittviks in Prabhupada’s presence, that it was therefore GRANTED to them to assume the office of guru acharyas upon his disappearance. But it was NEVER GRANTED by him. The GBCs and others took it FOR GRANTED, without authority. It has caused havoc. I shall demonstrate that what Prabhupada wanted was for his deputed rittviks to continue to be rittviks in his physical absence, which he specifically mentioned to Tamal in conversation and per letter to me, dated July 10, 1977 and again in a letter to Kirtanananda, dated July 11, 1977 and in numerous conversations with his disciples during his last days.” (Hansadutta’s letter to New Initiates, 8 October 1993 published at hos book ‘Srila Prabhupada, His Movement & You’) “Having failed to carry out this responsibility by assuming that automatically upon Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance the rittviks would become gurus, we find everything has gone off track, and the whole ISKCON movement is in shambles. Still, it is better late than never. Everything can be brought back into focus if we simply come back to the order of the Spiritual Master and act as “Rittvik representative of the Acharya.” (From Hansadutta’s letter, source: https://namhatta.com/2011/06/28/make-your-own-field-and-continue-to-be-rittvik/)

Note: the above is not comprehensive compilation, and testimonies are secondary proofs compared to documented ones, but we hope that more concealed audio recordings and documents will come to light in due course of time by the grace of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krishna. According to estimates, more than 200 audio tapes from 1977 were withdrawn/stolen and are lacking at the Bhaktivedanta Archives as of July 2024, and anti-ritvik leaders meanwhile resist and sabotage a thorough investigation of the hundreds of missing 1977 tapes, which in itself says something. Anyway, the above proves that pro-ritvik/Prabhupadanuga position has a lot of evidence.

2. Which interpretation is correct?

From “A Prospectus for Scholars, Religionists, Philosophers, and People in General to Establish the Authorized Initiating Spiritual Master of ISKCON: HIS DIVINE GRACE A.C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPADA Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness” by Kapindra Dasa, June 1991:

4. HENCEFORWARD

“Temple presidents may henceforward send recommendations for first and second initiation to whichever of these eleven representatives are nearest.” [July 9, 1977 directive]

Here is the proof that the ritvik system is to continue indefinitely on into the future. Otherwise, why the choice of the word “henceforward”?

An example definition in Srimad Bhagavatam (original, unedited, 1960 printing), p.12 of “henceforward” by Srila Prabhupada is as follows:

“He declared thenceforward nobody will put hindrance in the sankirtan movement started by the Lord. The Kazi of Nabadwipa has left his will for his future descendants that nobody would hinder the samkirtan movement started by the Lord.”

This incident happened 500 years ago and the order (henceforward) is still in effect today.

Henceforward here means indefinitely–from this time on. If Srila Prabhupada wanted initiations done on his behalf only for the present, he would have stated it. Otherwise, he would have said “for the time being” or “up until I leave my body–then you become gurus.” But there isn’t anything like this in this letter, as you can clearly see.

The final proof that Srila Prabhupada is to continue to initiate from July 9 on, was written in a letter of July 11, 1977 from Tamal Krsna Goswami, Srila Prabhupada’s secretary, to Kirtanananda Swami. He wrote:

“A letter has been sent to all of the temple presidents and G.B.C. which you should be receiving soon describing the process for initiation to be followed in the future. Srila Prabhupada has appointed these eleven representatives who will initiate new devotees on his behalf.” (End of excerpt from the Prospectus)

As in the above mentioned quote regarding Kazi, Srila Prabhupada could use this word pertaining to long-term future, and in some instances he naturally could mean short-term future. So the context and other evidence should help determine which option is best. But the word “henceforward” in itself doesn’t specify the end of any process. It is anti-ritviks who incorrectly and artificially try to impose a limitation that “henceforward” in July 9, 1977 directive was meant up to Srila Prabhupada’s physical departure. The letter doesn’t state this.

“The word ‘henceforward’ indicates an immediate start point but an indefinite end point or at least until another order in the future supersedes this order. And for a fact, Śrīla Prabhupāda never issued any order after this to imply that these 11 persons would automatically become gurus after his disappearance. Moreover, this word should be understood in context with the original question of the May 28th, 1977 conversation in which Satsvarūpa dāsa Gosvāmī said, “particularly when you are no longer here with us.” (Initiations After 1977, v.2.0, pg. 25, by ISKM)

So it’s unknown when this system will be terminated in the future, but as of now (2024) it is still valid, according to available evidence. It was issued for the institution, so most likely it will last for as long as ISKCON/Srila Prabhupada’s movement exists. But anti-ritviks dishonestly claim that Prabhupadanugas/pro-ritviks interpret “henceforward” as from now on eternally, forever, for all time to come:

Maya-ISKCON “guru” Jayadvaita Swami: “Let us start with the word “henceforward.” In the appointment letter, Srila Prabhupada’s desire that the rttvik-guru system last forever is supposedly set forth to the world in this one highly significant word. The meaning, we are reminded, is clear: “from now on.” And so Srila Prabhupada desired that the rttvik-guru system continue even after his physical departure. […] Taking “henceforward” to mean literally forever, never will the rttvik-guru system come to an end.” (‘Where the ritvik people are wrong’, 1996)

BBTI’s Vijitatma das: “Ritviks say that the word “henceforward” should be understood literally, that is, “from now on and then till the end of time””. (‘New Ritviks, Old Delusions’, 2009)

Maya-ISKCON “guru” Caitanya Carana dasa: “The ritvikas use the word ‘henceforward’ in the sentence ‘Now that Srila Prabhupada has named these representatives, Temple Presidents may henceforward send recommendation for first and second initiation to whichever of these eleven representatives are nearest their temple’ to claim that this – the representatives should initiate on his (Srila Prabhupada’s) behalf – is his final order for all time to come.” (‘Is the ritvika claim true?’ by CCD, from his website)

Lord Caitanya’s Golden Age is not going to remain here eternally but for 10 thousand years according to Brahma Vaivarta Purana. Moreover, “By the time the Age of Kali ends… [t]he path of the Vedas will be completely forgotten in human society” (SBhag. 12.2.12), never mind this material universe itself is not eternal, so how can we claim “henceforward” means eternally, forever, for all time to come?

Srila Prabhupada says the Hare Krishna movement will exist here for ten thousand years and his books will be “lawbooks” for that period, and then “Hare Kṛṣṇa will be finished” and Kali-yuga will increase its influence:

Allen Ginsberg: 400,000 years. Will people still be chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa in 400,000…
Prabhupāda: No. Hare Kṛṣṇa will be finished within ten thousand years. There will be no more Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Allen Ginsberg: Ah. So what will be left?
Prabhupāda: Nothing. Left will be I’ll kill you and eat you, and you shall kill me. You shall eat me. That will be left.
Allen Ginsberg: After ten thousand years?
Prabhupāda: Yes. […] And there will be no brain to understand, no preacher, nothing else. (Room Conversation with Allen Ginsberg — May 13, 1969, Columbus, Ohio)

Maya-GBC’s official paper “Disciple of My Disciple” (1997) stated:

“The standard dictionaries define “henceforward” as “starting from now.” The word “henceforward” signals that a process must begin immediately, but it offers no precision as to when the process, once begun, must stop. In fact, no standard dictionary defines “henceforward” as “starting from now and continuing forever.”

The following are some examples of Srila Prabhupada’s using “henceforward” in a non-eternal aspect:

“As I told you, that 2,500 years ago, or 5,000 years ago Vyasadeva wrote about Lord Buddha’s appearance. Still, there is appearance of Kalki from this time, henceforward, after 400,000’s of years Kalki will appear.” (From Prabhupada’s Lectures Srimad-Bhagavatam 1971, 710816SB.LON)

“Regarding printing 20,000 copies of Back To Godhead, I have appealed to 4 centers, namely New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and London to contribute $750 monthly. I have got confirmation from Los Angeles, so I shall be glad to hear from New York also whether this center is going to hand over to me $750 per month. I have no objection if this $750 is collected in the way of advertisements from New York, but charges will be increased because we are going to print 20,000 copies henceforward.” (Letter to: Rayarama : 69-02-20 Los Angeles)

“I have again begun speaking on the tapes and very soon you will get transcribed copies of my dictaphoning for being edited and laid out for printing, chapter-wise, the fourth canto. Let the second and third cantos be finished quickly so that the fourth canto can be started. Henceforward I shall be supplying material for all cantos and you must do the rest; editing, layout, printing, etc.” (Letter to: Candanacarya: 71-03-23 Bombay)

In each of these cases the period beginning with “henceforward” will have an end, whether or not specifically stated by Srila Prabhupada. Thus, “henceforward” does not necessarily mean “continuing forever,” either in the dictionary or in Srila Prabhupada’s usage. (End of excerpt from Disciple of My Disciple)

From “The Final Order Still Stands!” by Krishnakant in response to the above “Disciple of My Disciple” paper:

“In fact, no standard dictionary defines “henceforward” as “starting from now and continuing forever.” (DD p13)

“Thus “henceforward” does not necessarily mean “continuing forever”…(DDp.13)

“It is unreasonable to impose one’s own definition on a word and then use that imposed definition as proof of what Srila Prabhupada must have wanted.” (DDp.13)

More straw man arguments. If the authors had taken the trouble to read our paper they would see we give the standard dictionary definition of the word: ‘from now onwards’. Further the examples of Srila Prabhupada’s use of ‘henceforward’ offered in DD merely illustrate our point. One must diligently carry out the order of the spiritual master until one of three things happen:

1. The order is completed.
2. The guru stops or changes the order.
3. The order becomes impossible to follow.

As we pointed out in ‘The Final Order’, the July 9th order is not affected by any of these circumstances since:

1. The task is not completed, there are still billions more people who need to be initiated by Srila Prabhupada.
2. Srila Prabhupada never changed or revoked his final order, therefore it still stands.
3. It is still possible to follow, we just need the GBC to agree, and the rest will be plain sailing.

In any case, even if we leave out the word ‘henceforward’ from the July 9th letter, you are still left with a system of initiation, put in place personally by our acarya, with no direct order to terminate it. Thus if the word ‘henceforward’ had been left out of the final order altogether, the system still should not have been dismantled. (End of excerpt from ‘The Final Order Still Stands!’)

In maya-GBC’s ‘Prabhupada’s Order’ paper they cited Tamal Krishna’s interpretation given in late 1990s:

“‘Henceforward’ means something like, ‘in the foreseeable future,’ or, ‘until further notice.'”

Well, it doesn’t mean ‘in the foreseeable future’ according to dictionaries. Srila Prabhupada did not mean some very near future, this is speculation and contradiction to the cumulative evidence that point to the conclusion that ritvik system was/is to function for a long time, including after Srila Prabhupada’s physical departure. And no ‘further notice’ from Srila Prabhupada that stopped or changed the initiation system was ever given. In the 1990s, Tamal (a proven poisoner of Srila Prabhupada, the main person responsible for disappearance of hundreds of the acarya’s 1977 audio recordings, a key architect of zonal acarya system, etc.) tried to distort the history in order to protect his false “diksa guru” position.

The idea that the ritvik system was introduced only for the period of Srila Prabhupada’s illness is nothing more than speculation. There is nothing about it in the July 9th directive, and Srila Prabhupada didn’t state it anywhere.

Another idea that the ritvik system and, consequently, the word “henceforward” referred only to the period until Srila Prabhupada’s physical departure is also speculative. It contradicts the sum total available evidence that prove Srila Prabhupada’s ritvik initiations and his position as the current guru of the sampradaya should be maintained after his physical departure (May 28, 1977 conversation, the last will, testimonies of witnesses, etc.). In addition, the philosophical, scriptural meaning of diksa also does not contradict Srila Prabhupada’s ability to provide the spiritual essence of diksa, and the external formal side of initiation, according to Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, should be provided by his representatives. Therefore, there was nothing impossible in continuing the ritvik initiation system after Srila Prabhupada’s departure. Anti-ritviks try to foist upon others the idea- which is an unproved assumption- that a diksa-guru’s (or particularly Srila Pabhupada’s) ability to function as the current link of sampradaya is strictly limited to his physical body’s life span. Srila Prabhupada never taught such a narrow understanding of parampara (the real history of Vaisnava sampradayas easily disproves this idea and shows that actually it’s a broader principle) or his own transcendental position as guru. So this is also not a factor limiting the meaning of the “henceforward” in the July 9, 1977 directive.

Yet another idea was proposed by maya-ISKCON “guru” Niranjana Swami: “Prabhupada asked Tamala Krishna Maharaja to write the letter. He wrote all the letter, from beginning to end. Prabhupada himself didn’t write the letter. No one wants to talk about Prabhupada’s departure. If you have been at that time on the planet you would know it yourself. Everybody knew very well- “henceforward” means from now on until Srila Prabhupada would depart.” (From tape recorded conversation with Yajnasena dasa, summer, 1999, Moscow)

But this is wrong interpretation:

a) TKG could have meant anything, but Srila Prabhupada, when signing the letter, did not necessarily mean what Tamal wanted or did not want to talk about, what he meant or did not mean regarding “henceforward”. Of course, in fact, TKG knew perfectly well that Srila Prabhupada had given instructions to perform ritvik initiations for the period after his departure, and this is what he didn’t want to tell others, as shown by a thorough investigation of the coup that Tamal and his accomplices were preparing at that time.

b) Of course, it’s unpleasant for disciples to discuss the guru’s departure. But Srila Prabhupada was very dutiful. He knew that his body was poisoned and he would soon leave the body. On May 17, 1977, when he arrived in Vrindavana, he announced that he came here to leave the body and at the end of his arrival speech (recorded and included in the VedaBase) Srila Prabhupada told his disciples to “discuss” it. In addition, he asked for special, unscheduled GBC meeting that took place on May 27-29, 1977, where questions were prepared about the future, after Srila Prabhupada’s departure, including regarding initiations (and Srila Prabhupada promised to appoint ritviks for the period when he “is no longer with us,” and he fulfilled this promise in July 1977). Even before that, ISKCON documents also had mentioned Srila Prabhupada’s departure. For example:

“It is declared that His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is the Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness of California. He shall be the supreme authority with respect to all matters of the society, and that status shall not be occupied by or shared with any other individual, either during his lifetime, or after death.” (ISKCON California bylaws, November 14, 1975)

In 1977 conversations, Srila Prabhupada’s departure was repeatedly discussed by himself and disciples, e.g. when his last will was being prepared. In addition, when a disciple is obliged to write such an important directive in order to convey his guru’s instructions for the future of the entire Movement, there is no scope for any sentiment to alter it (and TKG wasn’t sentimental).

c) How could everyone understand that “henceforward” in the directive means until the departure, when the letter does not say so, and, moreover, in the summer of 1977, the directive was sent out limitedly, it didn’t actually reach all ISKCON GBCs and Temple Presidents. It wasn’t properly explained by Tamal and other leaders to the rest of devotees (many of whom did not learn about this directive in 1977), and subsequently this document was hidden by the false gurus until the 1990s. For testimonies and historical details, see ‘ISKCON HIDDEN HISTORY’, vol 5, Personal Ambitions Series, ch. 3: JULY 9 ORDER, LAST WILL SUPPRESSED.

Off course, the Supersoul was vigilant when Tamal worded the July 9th directive, and Srila Prabhupada was also vigilant when he approved the directive. They could have demanded to write “for the period after the departure” instead of “henceforward” (just like in Srila Prabhupada’s last will “an initiated disciple” from the June 2, 1977 draft was changed to “my initiated disciple” in the final version), but, in principle, the word was also right, and this situation was sanctioned by the Lord to unfold in such a way so that there would be some scope for interpretation by anti-ritvik rebels (at least temporary), but at the same time sincere followers can understand that the interpretation that anti-ritviks advocate is false. In 1980, Tamal himself acknowledged that their interpretation of the ritvik appointment was “wrong”, and he did “the greatest disservice to this movement the last three years because we interpreted the appointment of ritviks as the appointment of gurus” (December 3, 1980 Topanga Canyon Talks).

Thus, it’s not us who come up with some kind of false interpretation of the word “henceforward” related to eternity, but it’s anti-ritviks who impose a false interpretation related to their invented limitation of the meaning of this word in the July 9, 1977 directive, namely up to the physical departure of Srila Prabhupada, and also ignore the connection of this directive with May 28, 1977 conversation, when GBC’s questions were asked for the future, especially when Srila Prabhupada would be “no longer with us,” and they pretend there is not much other evidence in favor of continuing ritvik initiations, but, on the contrary, there is supposedly a whole mountain of evidence in favor of their system of nonliberated and unauthorized diksa gurus in ISKCON (some official publications and leaders of maya-ISKCON absolutely falsely claim, up to this day, that Srila Prabhupada appointed 11 initiating diksa gurus, although this is a deceptive claim that contradicts the actual evidence).

3. Pro-ritvik position rests just on one word- another false claim

Maya-ISKCON “guru” Trivikrama Swami: “You take one word, “henceforth”, written by his disciple to hang you whole movement on” (25 September, 2017)

Maya-ISKCON “guru” Sivarama Swami: “Prabhupada never said that some ideology that hangs on a few words, like “henceforth” in Prabhupada’s letter and in Prabhupada’s Will – “my initiated disciple”” (Podcast, 18 August, 2008)

GBC paper “Prabhupada’s Order”: “A cornerstone of TFO and other ritvik-theory papers is the use of the word ‘henceforward’ in this letter.” (1998)

Kundali dasa: “…they eke out meaning from the word “henceforth” that puts Srila Prabhupada at odds with the parampara conclusions of our great acarya, Srila Rupa Gosvami.” (1999)

Maya-ISKCON “guru” Niranjana Swami: “Srila Prabhupada would never do anything contrary to the laws of disciplic succession without giving very clear explanation. If he was going to do something that contradicts the laws of disciplic succession, why he would do it by using just one word in a letter that he himself even didn’t write but just signed, without giving no philosophical explanation?” (From tape recorded conversation with Yajnasena dasa, summer, 1999, Moscow)

The above is their usual display of ignorance, bewilderment and/or outright bluffing.

As for statements of anti-ritviks that Srila Prabhupada’s disciples place too much emphasis on the word “henceforward” in the July 9th directive: by now, a lot of devotees have made statements, posts, publications, videos, etc. on this topic. Even if we assume that someone focused too much on this word, this does not mean the word should be deleted from the evidence altogether (along with all other proofs based on Srila Prabhupada’s instructions). But who exactly built the entire evidence base on just one word- “henceforward”? Anti-ritviks simply exaggerate, try to distort and obscure the position of Prabhupadanugas, because otherwise they cannot refute it.

But even if the word “henceforward” had not been there in the letter at all, nothing would have changed for Prabhupadanuga’s position in principle: there is still a directive to the entire ISKCON that establishes a system of official ritvik initiations for the future, May 28, 1977 conversation, other letters and discussions of 1977, the last will, the Oath to Allegiance to Srila Prabhupada, witness testimonies, etc. All this directly and indirectly describes in detail the need to preserve the ritvik system for the future, especially for the period after Srila Prabhupada’s departure. This is the initiation standard set up by His Divine Grace for his entire movement. It was not revoked by Srila Prabhupada- that’s a fact. He did not replace it with a new guru system, with names of successor gurus and a description of the details of the new multiple diksa guru system in ISKCON, their GBC voting in and regulating them in the future, etc.

Anti-ritviks turn a blind eye to this logical, holistic view of the situation and try to turn it upside down: as if all this does not exist, but there is only one word (henceforward) which someone decided to use many years later, by false interpretation, to justify a new, invented theory, and the anti-rtivk party, on the contrary, allegedly has a whole mountain of evidence from Srila Prabhupada himself that clearly establishes their current diksa guru system in ISKCON for the period after his departure, which allegedly was carefully introduced and based on this evidence in 1977 or 1978 without hiding Srila Prabhupada’s instructions regarding this topic. Although in reality Tamal and co. artificially tried to make vacuum, conspiracy of silence, around this issue, and then suddenly manufactured some zonal acarya system based on their own ambitions (for which they had been chastised by Srila Prabhupada) and by unauthorized consultations with an outside “guru” Sridhara Maharaja in March 1978, and forcefully imposed it onto ISKCON, and years later officially abolished this system and recognized it as “unauthorized” (GBC resolution No. 403, 1999), although their “reforms” of the 1980s and 1990s essentially changed almost nothing.

In his 1977 correspondence Tamal (a proven conspirator) tried to obscure the fact that the ritvik system was being introduced for the future after Srila Prabhupada’s departure and hid many audio recordings of Srila Prabhupada’s conversations about it. Nevertheless, even he was forced to write at that time that the ritvik system had been discussed with Srila Prabhupada at the GBC meeting (in the end of May 1977 when the questions were asked specifically for the period after the departure), and Srila Prabhupada promised then to appoint ritviks (not diksa gurus). This is mentioned in the beginning of the July 9th directive. In his letters to the first ritviks, TKG had to write about the continuation of this system in the future- not a word was said in these letters that it’s temporary, stop-gap measure for the very near future, until Srila Prabhupada leaves, and not a word was mentioned that the first ritviks would become successors to Srila Prabhupada immediately after his departure. And of course, there are no such recorded instructions from Srila Prabhupada himself.

Can the above position of anti-ritviks be really considered solid and thoroughly proven? Has not history proved their guru systems to be false? Isn’t Srila Prabhupada’s current guru position and his ritvik arrangement is the most proven, best solution of the current ISKCON crisis? It’s amazing that anti-ritvik adherents do not see such obvious things.

dekhiyā nā dekhe yata abhaktera gaṇa
ulūke nā dekhe yena sūryera kiraṇa

But faithless unbelievers do not see what is clearly evident, just as owls do not see the rays of the sun. (Cc. Adi 3.86)

Thus, maya-ISKCON has not had anything close to July 9th directive and other evidence authorizing their self-made diksa guru system- new successors and numerous details of their current version of the guru system. They have nothing comparable to the instructions given by Srila Prabhupada on May 28, 1977, July 7, 1977, in the July 9, 1977 directive to all ISKCON managers, in Srila Prabhupada’s last will, etc.

Therefore, it’s not we who have a theory hanging on one word, it’s they who had/have no rights, zero authorization to transform 11 ritviks into 11 zonal acaryas or create some other diksa gurus in ISKCON- this is the real situation. Moreover, their position is not just zero, but it’s deeply negative: it’s built on the basis of attempts to poison Srila Prabhupada, hide his audio recordings and documents and unlawfully take over ISKCON by fraudulently introducing a false guru system that generates endless crimes and scandals. They do not have a single unambiguous quote from Srila Prabhupada, let alone documents from 1977, which would prove their failed system of pedophile gurus and their accomplices that was created after Srila Prabhupada’s departure.

Narasimha das (Srila Prabhupada’s disciple initiated in 1972): “Srila Prabhupada specifically responded to the question of how initiations would be continued in ISKCON after his departure by dictating, reviewing, and signing an official directive establishing ritvik initiations. He ordered that this directive be sent to all leaders and GBC members in ISKCON. Ritvik initiations were nothing new for ISKCON. The ritvik system of initiations and all standards had been current in ISKCON for several years prior. Nonetheless, through this official directive and numerous conversations instructions thereafter, Srila Prabhupada clarified it in detail and institutionalized the procedure to operate without his personal supervision. For sincere disciples, there is nothing vague or contradictory in His numerous instructions.” (From GBC vs. Prabhupada: Heresies of the Governing Body Commission Rejected)

In conclusion: Limited meanings that anti-ritviks try to impose on the word “henceforward” in July 9th, 1977 directive are speculative and false. They contradict the letter’s direct meaning, absence of any statement of the system’s validity until Srila Prabhupada’s departure only, lack of appointment of any diksa gurus, the directive’s reference to 28 May, 1977 conversation, and the full suite of evidence.

Yes, the directive does state the ritvik system will function in ISKCON henceforward, not particularly when Srila Prabhupada is no longer with us- but the latter is stated in the May 28, 1977 conversation which is referred to in the beginning of the directive (so indirectly July 9th letter indicates the period after departure), and, moreover, other evidences clearly confirm that the ritvik arrangement was the final initiation system established in ISKCON by Srila Prabhupada, with detailed explanation, it was never revoked and was primarily meant for the period after his disappearance.

Anyway, it’s better to have such a directive addressed to all ISKCON GBCs and Temple Presidents (and other quite convincing evidence) than no such directive in favor of present multiple diksa gurus in maya-ISKCON or any other system. The issue at hand is not that a disciple in principle can become a diksa guru someday (if qualified and authorized by his guru), not the general parampara principle (which is not contradicted by Srila Prabhupada’s ritvik system and his continued current guru status), not some past examples of previous acaryas. We are talking particularly of what our acarya Srila Prabhupada ordered specifically for his institution/movement in 1977. Therefore, we ask anti-ritviks: where is another final directive that delineates your diksa guru system in ISKCON, GBC voting in new gurus, or something else? Where is such a directive with initial list of diksa guru successors instead of ritviks? Where is such a directive that prescribes to follow this new guru system in ISKCON “henceforward”, nevermind “after Srila Prabhupada’s departure”? OK, such a directive doesn’t exist, so it’s amazing that maya-ISKCON anti-ritvik people who don’t have anything similar to July 9th directive and other pro-ritvik evidence try to discredit it by false interpretations and present their completely unauthorized, failed, self-imposed, scandal plagued “guru” system as most authoritative one.

(by Alexander Stegantsev)