Srila Bhaktisiddhanta on the meaning of initiation?

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34. Can one be attached to sense gratification even after taking initiation?

 

The process of attaining transcendental knowledge is called initiation. We

should know that the Supreme Lord is the transcendental Absolute Truth, we

are His eternal servants, and we have no duty other than to serve Him.

Knowing this is actual initiation. The absence of this understanding is

ignorance. At present, there is a controversy about the word "initiation".

People proudly claim that they have taken initiation from a bona fide

spiritual master, but how can they maintain material attachment even after

taking initiation? How can they desire to make advancement in material life?

If they don't learn about their relationship with the Lord, independent and

proud people uselessly brag about their initiations. Rather than treating

their spiritual master as if he were as good as God, they treat him as their

disciple, fit to be their order-supplier. Considering the guru an ordinary

mortal being, these persons become offenders at his lotus feet.

The spiritual master is worshipable. There is no one more worshipable to us

than guru. Serving the guru is superior to serving the Lord. There is no

greater religious principle than serving the spiritual master. Even though

we repeatedly hear this, due to our strong attachment for body and house, we

forget it and think that serving our family members and ourselves is more

important. Our position is similar to that of the boy who forgets his duty

and absorbs himself in play rather than study.

If after accepting initiation we do not awaken our propensity to serve the

Lord, then we must be cultivating a desire for fame, wealth, and serving our

family members. It is only by good fortune that one receives the opportunity

to serve the Lord, but we foolishly waste that opportunity. The results of

our folly are so poisonous that we are left only with disappointment. Do not

doubt my words. If we do not follow the guru and the Vaisnavas' orders, what

can they do to help us?