Atlanta September 23, 2022 Premier Spontaneous RtVik Lecture
One of the most contrived deviations ISKCON has had to contend with since the departure of His Divine Grace on Nov 14, 1977, is the idea that one does not need to surrender to a contemporary Spiritual Master. This idea came up towards the end of the 20th century as a reaction to some devotees falling down from their vows as well as other growing pains that ISCON was experiencing at the time.
The simplest rebuttal that unravels all the RtVik propaganda is that if one could simply read and study gaudia sruti and smriti on one’s own, then there would be no reason for Krishna to specifically instruct:
“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.” – Bg. 4.24
It is understandable why everyone wants to be thought of as a disciple of His Divine Grace, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, but as a very popular song declares: “You can’t always get what you want.” Mature individuals understand this simple point. Instead of wagering a huge propaganda campaign in an attempt to change the time-honored Gaudia tradition of taking initiation, they humbly follow that standard. There is no ambiguity about this because for ten years Srila Prabhupada very nicely explained why that process cannot be changed in his personal instructions, lectures, and most importantly in his books:
“Knowing that Vallabha Bhaööa’s heart was full of pride, Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu spoke these words, hinting at how one can learn about devotional service.” -Caitanya Caritamrita, Antya-lila Chapter Seven, The Meeting of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Vallabha Bhatta, Text 53, purport.
It appears from this verse that Vallabha Bhatta made the same mistake the RtViks are known for. They were greatly proud of their limited understanding of devotional service when in fact they really barely understood it at all. In the purport to this verse Srila Prabhupada firmly admonishes the concept of a RtVik-Charade:
“One should not proudly think that one can understand the transcendental loving service of the Lord simply by reading books… One must accept a Vaisnava guru (adau guru-asrayam), and then by questions and answers, one should gradually learn what pure devotional service to Krsna is. That is called the parampara system.” CC Antya 7.53 p.
For the RtVik-Charade to survive it must deny the Sastra, Sadhu, and Guru trifecta to understand the truth. In fact, one branch of the several RtVik defectors proudly declares that they will ONLY follow what they believe Srila Prabhupad said. From their point of view that is a safe path because the instructions of HDG are honored by all for always perfectly integrating both the instructions of the Scriptures and the Sadhus. However; this type of rationalization suffers from the logical flaw of Begging the Question. Yes, everything Srila Prabhupad taught was in harmony with the Sastra and the Acharyas. That is the very reason why he would have NEVER suggested something as silly as the RtVik Charade because that apostasy is NOT consistent with the Gaudia Trifecta for discerning the truth.
Although this is easy for humble devotees to understand, the cheap RtVik-Charade will allure a class of individuals because it masquerades with all the pomp of a legitimate initiation. “Why keep a cow when milk is available in the marketplace?” – Morning Walk Jan 9, 1977, Bombay. Why surrender to someone who can pull you back from the brink of self-indulgence when you are under the illusion that you can manage your own affairs?
We can therefore expect to see that this contrived method of initiation will continue into the future despite how vain and impersonal it is. This is to be expected in the age of Kali where pride and impersonalism will eventually destroy every last aspect of Vedic culture. Yet regardless of what those who promote the RtVik sampradaya may claim, it does not comply with what the Sastra teachers or what the overwhelming majority of Vaishnavas advise. Therefore it cannot be accepted as a valid understanding of what Lord Caitanya taught or what Srila Prabhupada wanted!
The lecture that follows was put together very spontaneously and expands on how the RtVik-Charade is just a lightning rod for ISKCON-Bashers to congregate around while they remain completely unaware of just how inauspicious it is for them to meet in such a dangerous place to gather.
Runtime: 1:28.53
