On the auspicious ocaasion of Srivas Acarya's Appearance Day we held initiation ceremony in which 25 devotees were initiated by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Prabhupada is the initiating guru of the society and he confirms it in the following quote:
Prahupada: "Yes, I am the spiritual master of this institution, and all the members of the society, they're supposed to be my disciples. They follow the rules and regulations which I ask them to follow, and they are initiated by me spiritually."
March 12, 1968, San Francisco
The devotees who were going to be initiated
Devotees taking part in fire sacrifice
A Gurukul Student getting his initiated beads and names
A devotee receiving initiation
Lord Jagannath, Shubhadra and Baladeva on this occasion
Some grhastha devotees taking initiation
"Asking for alms- an important part of this ceremony"
Sankirtan
A group photo of the initiated devotees
Instructions given by Srila Prabhupada to the initiated devotees
"No addiction to indulgence in any form of intoxication, including coffee, tea and cigarettesNo illicit sexual relationships
Must be strictly vegetarian
No gambling
And the other standard practices for initiated devotees:
Must attend evening and morning classes
Should not extensively mix with non-devotees
Should not eat food cooked by non-devotees
Should not waste time in idle talks
Should not become engaged in frivolous sports
Should always chant and sing the Lord's Holy Names
Chanting as enunciated by Lord Caitanya is the only means for spiritual realization in this age of dissension. So chant at least 16 rounds daily, and for other help you can ask assistance from your elderly God-brothers.
Hope you are well."
Letter to: Sacisuta — Allston, Mass 30 May, 1968
