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