Ritvik System Is Bona fide
BY: MAHESH RAJA
Feb 22, UK (SUN) — Balavidya Prabhu in his article "Questions for Madhu Pandit dasa" seems unable/unwilling to grasp the Ritvik System. Perhaps the following will help.
As he put it, "Is the "rtvik" system bona fide?" Yes - it is bona fide. As can be seen, only the formalities of initiation - ceremonies 1st and 2nd initiation have changed, as this is offered on behalf of Srila Prabhupada by Ritviks (Officiating Acaryas/Representatives of Acarya). This in confirmation with 9th July 1977 Order. Diksa given to the Madhyama has NOT changed." The formalities may be slightly changed here and there to make them Vaisnavas.
Srimad Bhagavatam 4.8.54 Purport - Dhruva Maharaja Leaves Home for the Forest:
"Those who are not actually in the line of acaryas, or who personally have no knowledge of how to act in the role of acarya, unnecessarily criticize the activities of the ISKCON movement in countries outside of India. The fact is that such critics cannot do anything personally to spread Krsna consciousness. If someone does go and preach, taking all risks and allowing all considerations for time and place, it might be that there are changes in the manner of worship, but that is not at all faulty according to sastra. Srimad Viraraghava Acarya, an acarya in the disciplic succession of the Ramanuja-sampradaya, has remarked in his commentary that candalas, or conditioned souls who are born in lower than sudra families, can also be initiated according to circumstances. The formalities may be slightly changed here and there to make them Vaisnavas."
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