Initiation
In Srimad Bhagavad-gītā 4.34, Śrīla Prabhupāda urges everyone to take shelter of a bona fide spiritual master in order to attain Pure Devotional Service. He teaches that without the guidance of a bonafide Spiritual master, one cannot understand the complexities of spiritual life or the essence of the scriptures.
Śrīla Prabhupāda stresses that by humbly approaching and serving a spiritual master, one opens the door to Kṛṣṇa, which leads to liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
He encourages all sincere seekers to make this step, as sri guru is the representative of Kṛṣṇa.
- Chant a minimum of 16 rounds of Hare Krishna maha mantra every day.
- Read Srila Prabhupada’s books everyday.
- Serving continuously under or favourably connected to a ISKCON approved temple/Bhakti Vriksha/Namahatta/Gurukul etc for minimum last 6 months.
- Follow the four regulative principles as instructed by Srila Prabhupada – No illicit sex, gambling, intoxication including coffee & tea, meat eating including eggs, onion & garlic.
- Following a daily sadhana program including rising early, chanting, a simple morning program consisting of one arati, Srila Prabhupada Guru Puja & attending/ hearing Srimad Bhagavatam class
- Implement the Krishna Conscious practices at home.
- Fast on Ekadashi and festival days.
Sri-Guru Charan Ashraya
How to Apply?
- Download and Print Shri Guru Charan Ashraya Form – English | Hindi
- Fill bio-data form.
- Following requirement must be fulfilled by your immediate authority (ISKCON Preacher/Counsellor):
- Conduct and examined written test
- Oral Questionnaire test
- Preacher/Counsellor recommendation letter (Format is mentioned on above downloaded form)
- Scan and submit filled bio-data, recommendation letter, passport photo to BAVS Office. (Email or WhatsApp).
- Once you complete above steps, please contact your immediate authority or BAVS Office to get the HH Bhakti Ashraya Vaisnava Swami Maharaj Pranati if you don’t have it.
* Note: Those who have already gone through interview process by HH Srila Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj; they can skip the written and oral questionnaire test.
- Chanting a minimum of 16 rounds of Hare Krishna maha mantra every day for the past one year.
- Minimum of 6 months after taking Sri Guru Charana Ashraya. (It’s must to take shelter before applying for Harinama diksha.)
- Reading Srila Prabhupada’s books every day for the past one year.
- Must complete reading of the following books of Srila Prabhupada:
- Srila Prabhupada’s biography (brief version)
- Life comes from life
- Science of self-realisation
- Rāja-Vidyā
- Perfect question and perfect answer
- Beyond birth and death
- Following the four regulative principles as instructed by Srila Prabhupada for the past one year – No illicit sex, gambling, intoxication including coffee & tea, meat eating including eggs, onion & garlic.
- Following a daily sadhana program including rising early, attending mangala arati, guru-puja and Srimad Bhagavatam class for the past one year, either at home or at the local temple the devotee is in touch with.
- Serving continuously under or favourably connected to a ISKCON approved temple/Bhakti Vriksha/Namahatta/Gurukul etc for minimum last 12 months.
- Avoiding eating bhoga (food not offered to Lord Krishna) for the past one year.
- Completion of ISKCON disciple course.
*Note: Please refer the Harinam initiation comprehensive checklist for more details.
Harinama Diksha
How to Apply?
- Download and Print Harinam Diksha Form – English | Hindi
- Fill bio-data form.
- ISKCON disciple course certificate.
- Initiation Acceptance oath.
- Initiation essay (For educated devotees).
- Following requirement must be fulfilled by your immediate authority (ISKCON Preacher/Counsellor):
- Fill comprehensive checklist.
- Conduct and examined written test. (Oral test for uneducated devotees)
- Review essay on why they have faith/inspiration in diksa guru of
- Preacher/Counsellor recommendation letter.
- Temple recommendation letter on ISKCON letterhead.
- Scan and Submit filled bio-data, both recommendation letters, IDC certificate, comprehensive checklist, Initiation acceptance oath, Initiation essay and passport photo to BAVS Office. (Email, or WhatsApp).
- After completing above, we will schedule the interview online or offline.
* Note: Those who have already gone through interview process by HH Srila Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj; they can skip the written and interview.
Brahmin Diksha
- Following all the mentioned points for Harinam initiation.
- Harinam initiated for at least 12 months in ISKCON.
- Completed Bhakti Shastri course (only for educated devotees)
- Completed ISKCON disciple course (If not done during Harinam initiation)
- Devotees who are directly engaged in temple deity worship or temple deity kitchen on regular basis.
- Must complete reading of the following books of Srila Prabhupada:
- Bhagavad Gita
- Nectar of Devotion
- Nectar of Instruction
- Ishopanisad
- Srila Prabhupada’s biography (brief version)
How to Apply?
- Download and Print Brahmin Diksha Form – English | Hindi
- Fill bio-data form.
- ISKCON disciple course (IDC) and Bhakti Shastri course (BSC) certificate.
- Initiation Acceptance oath.
- Initiation essay (For educated devotees).
- Following requirement should be fulfilled by your immediate authority (ISKCON Preacher/Counsellor):
- Fill preliminary qualification checklist.
- Conduct and examined written test. (Oral test for uneducated devotees)
- Preacher/Counsellor recommendation letter.
- Temple recommendation letter on ISKCON letterhead.
- Submit filled bio-data, both recommendation letters, IDC and BSC certificate, qualification checklist, Initiation acceptance oath, Initiation essay and passport photo to BAVS Office. (Email or WhatsApp).
- After completing above, we will schedule the interview online or offline.
* Note: Those who have already gone through interview process by HH Srila Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj; they can skip the written and interview.
BAVS Office Contact
- E-mail: ask@vaisnavaswami.com
- Phone number: +91 70379 33576
- WhatsApp Number: +91 70379 33576 (Only text)