Official Ramakanta vs. IRM discussion thread

[Guest guest]

Posted by Yaduraja on Dec 06, 2006:

 

Dear Ramakanta Prabhu,

PAMHO. AGTSP!

I am asking:

 

‘Does the spiritual master have to be physically present on this planet in

order to impart ‘transcendental knowledge’- the definition of diksa- to

disciples on this planet.’

 

You have now posed numerous challenges. I shall pick them off in order of

magnitude and relevance:

 

> Please at once back up by a quote your claim that the definition of diksa

> is to impart transcendental knowledge. Srila Prabhupada did no use the

> term "impart knowledge" in connection with diksa. Therefore I remove "the

> definition of diksa" from your question.

 

Srila Prabhupada states:

 

"Diksa actually means *initiating* a disciple *with transcendental

knowledge* by which he becomes freed from all material contamination."

(Madhya-lila, 4:112, Purport)

 

Do you know what the word ‘means’ means?

 

Are you saying that the transcendental knowledge mentioned in the above

quote, which is the very meaning of diksa, is NOT imparted by the spiritual

master?

 

Are you saying that Bg. 4.34 is wrong where it says: ‘The self-realized soul

can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth’.

 

And was Srila Prabhupada wrong in his transliteration of Bg.4.34 to

translate this imparting or ‘upadeksyanti’ as meaning ‘initiate’?

 

> tat—that knowledge of different sacrifices; viddhi—try to understand;

> pranipatena—by approaching a spiritual master; pariprasnena—by submissive

> inquiries; sevaya—by the rendering of service; upadeksyanti—initiate;

> te—unto you; jnanam—knowledge; jnaninah—the self-realized; tattva—truth;

> darsinah—the seers.

(B.g 4.34 transliteration)

 

Best wishes

Ys

Yadu