Sannyasa, Brahmana, Hari-Nama

Hari Sauri: On March 16, 1976, in Mayapur, Srila Prabhupada awarded sannyasa to seven men, brahmana initiation to fifteen devotees, and hari-nama initiation to twenty-five. The devotees had beautifully decorated the entire temple room with flags, festoons, and banana trees. Prabhupada's vyasasana had an abundant array of flowers hanging from its umbrella.
 
A central aisle was left clear, from Prabhupada to the Deity room at the other end of the temple. On either side the new initiates sat before him, each behind a leaf plate containing some grains and a banana for offering into the fire. Behind them, over five hundred devotees crammed in, eager to watch the ceremony.
 
Hamsaduta, Ramesvara, Adi Kesava, Dhrishtadyumna, Pramana, Satadhanya, and Jagat Guru were effulgent in their new saffron lungi and uttariyah. One by one they prostrated themselves before Srila Prabhupada and received from the hand of His Divine Grace the tridanda.