Open in App
Open in App

Mahasakti dasa

The new candidates, including some freshly shaven-headed men from Tushta Krishna?s farm, came up individually to receive their beads and names from Srila Prabhupada. Jimmy became Kalasamvara; a young Maori boy became Rudra Chandi. Mark became Parivadi; Steve, Sarvaksha and Meg, Vrindavana. As per Prabhupada?s standard prescription, each devotee promised to follow the four regulative principles, and chant a minimum of 16 rounds daily. Roy: I was the last one up. I was very nervous. ?What are the regulative principles?? asked Srila Prabhupada, and I told him. ?And how many rounds do you promise to chant?? ?Sixteen rounds everyday, minimum,? I said. ?So?? Prabhupada said. He turned to Pushta Krishna who softly spoke my name into Prabhupada?s ear:?Mahasakti dasa?. Prabhupada paused and went ?Mmmmm.? There was some talk between Pushta Krishna and Prabhupada. Apparently, he didn?t approve of my name. Prabhupada leaned over towards me, looked at me, and then closed his eyes and leaned back and sat there for what appeared to be quite a long time. I just sat there and Prabhupada just sat there. Then he opened his eyes and said, ?Advaita dasa?. Guru Kripa Swami lit the sacrificial fire. Prabhupada chanted the prayers glorifying the previous acaryas. The devotees responded word for word, and threw their grains into the flames as Prabhupada poured ghee and chanted the oblations ?Svaha, svaha, svaha?. After the yajna, Hari-sauri announced that all the initiates should offer guru dakshina to their spiritual master. Srila Prabhupada returned to his room for breakfast. He had asked for puris and moist subji, but had specified that Rama dasa?s wife should cook them. ?Puris by Lakshmana,? he said. He also appreciated the sweet yellow guava, fresh from a fully-laden tree in the backyard.


Reference: The Great Transcendental Adventure by Kurma Dasa