Sastric Advisory Council’s Paper on Brahma Gayatri

Urmila dasi
Chairperson, Sastric Advisory Council

Gradually in ISKCON various gurus, as well as some ISKCON authorities who recommend devotees for 1st and 2nd initiation, have introduced additions, subtractions, and changes to the system of initiation that Srila Prabhupada had for his society. The changes to the giving of the Brahma-gayatri mantra was what first came to the GBC’s attention, and so they requested their Sastric Advisory Council (SAC) to research the topic. After years of review and discussion on the SAC’s research, the GBC now publishes their paper, along with four related resolutions. Anyone who wants to be enlivened in their chanting of the Brahma -gayatri, to explore diksa in our sampradaya, and to examine the relationship of varnasrama to bhakti and principles to details should find this paper of interest.

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Approved: June 14 and 28, 2023
 
Whereas, the GBC Body has been informed that there are instances within ISKCON where systems of initiation have been instituted that differ significantly from the system followed by Śrīla Prabhupāda in terms of the eligibility of a devotee for initiation, as well as the vows taken, and the mantras given at the time of initiation.
And whereas, at the request of the GBC Body, its Sastric Advisory Council (SAC) has extensively researched the matter and presented a paper in their advisory capacity.
Therefore, it is resolved as follows:
1. Initiates’ vows at first initiation shall be, as Śrīla Prabhupāda required, to chant a minimum of sixteen rounds daily of the mantra: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare, as well as giving up intoxication, illicit sexi, gambling and the eating of meat, fish, and eggs.ii

2. Initiating gurus at second initiation shall give the specific seven mantras that Śrīla Prabhupāda gave to all initiates at what we call brahminical initiation or second initiation, and direct them to chant them three times a day at three sandhyās (at morning, mid-day, and evening).

3. Gurus and those who recommend initiation candidates shall not make any distinction of birth, nationality, race, ethnicity, previous saṁskāra, marital status, gender, or classifications within the varṇas (such as occupational livelihoodiii) as to who would be eligible to take those vows and receive those mantras in full at first and second initiation.

4. At the time of initiation, gurus should say, “As a member of ISKCON under the guidance and leadership of the GBC Body, I give you initiation in the guru Parampara.” Initiates must then take only the vows that Srila Prabhupada gave. Gurus may request, or instruct, disciples to accept additional voluntary individual commitments, such as chanting extra rounds on Ekadasi, or remaining loyal to ISKCON. However, such should be in the form of instructions or guidelines and should not be included as an initiation requirement or vow.

5. The GBC is hereby publishing the Sastric Advisory Council paper entitled “Brahma-gayatri Mantra in ISKCON — Varnashrama, Bhakti, Principle or Detail?” (Note: The SAC serves the GBC Body in an exclusively advisory capacity and its papers are published as SAC advice, not GBC conclusions, unless explicitly specified otherwise.)
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1 See GBC resolution 303, year 2001, for a definition of illicit sex
2 This supersedes ISKCON law 6.2.1.4
3 Those whose occupations directly involve or support any of the four sinful activities may be excluded from
initiation

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