DIKSHA: QUALIFICATION OR GENDER ISSUE?

 QUALIFICATION IS THE KEY

I want that all of my spiritual sons and daughters will inherit this title of Bhaktivedanta, so that the family transcendental diploma will continue through the generations. Those possessing the title of Bhaktivedanta will be allowed to initiate disciples.

 Maybe by 1975, all of my disciples will be allowed to initiate and increase the numbers of the generations. That is my program.” 

(Letter to Hamsaduta—Los Angeles 3 December, 1968)

We all have heard the contradictory inputs by different members of ISKCON, quoting and counter quoting ad infinitum. It can be read here. This article is not meant as a summary of these illustrious never ending discussions but rather my simple analysis and conclusion on the necessity for qualification.

Virtual visit to Nityananda Vamsa on the subject matter

I attempted to discuss this topic with gaudiya vaisnavas from another branch, also coming down from Jahnava Mata, the Nityananda Vamsa, the branch of Lord Nityananda coming down from Jahnava mata and her first disciple and step son, Virachandra prabhu. There was basically no discussion to be had since it was an obvious fact that qualification was the key, not gender as proven by their lineage.  I felt it may be relevant to share some of my findings as it is based on the same sastra, contemporary, and facing the same circumstances in regards to preaching etc....  Some have said female diksha gurus would never be accepted in India. It seems to not be a founded opinion. 

Following is an extract from Drops of Nectar from Srila Gurudeva, vol 1 a book published by the disciples of Sri Pran Krishna das Babaji Maharaj:

"The mothers in Nityananda vamsa play a very important role in conferring diksha mantras, and it is necessary to mention the reason of their position as initiating gurus. The family members are usually initiated by their mothers. It was by Nityananda Prabhu's instruction that Sri Jahnava Mata became the first initiating lady guru, even before HIs disappearance. He ordered her to initiate His daughter, Ganga when she was just a new born. From Then on it became the tradition in Nityananda Prabhu's lineage that all children would be initiated with the diksha mantra by their mothers. The reason for this is that the power of the diksha mantra combined with pur maternal love establishes a powerful bondage of spiritual love. After Jahnava Mata, there were other women like Sarada Sundari Goswamini and Gita Mata Goswamini who were strong and exalted in this lineage."

From left to right, Sri Sarada Sundari Mata Goswamini, Prabhupada Sri Pran
Gopal Goswami, Prabhupada Sri Yadu Gopal Goswami and Sri Gita Mata Goswamini

"The Diksha Guru Pranali Parampara in Nityananda Vamsa is separately given here:

• Sri Nityananda Prabhu
• Sri Jahnava Mata Goswamini
• Sri Narayani Mata Goswamini
• Sri Govinda Priya Mata Goswamini
• Sri Kadamba Mala Goswamini
• Sri Nava Kumari Mata Goswamini
• Sri Kalindi Mata Goswamini
• Sri Anna Purna Mata Goswamini
• Sri Taramani Mata Goswamini
• Sri Krishna Kishor Goswami Prabhu
• Sri Kishori Mata goswamini
• Sri Sarad Sundari Mata Goswamini
• Sri Pran Gopal Goswami Prabhu
• Sri Yadu Gopal Goswami Prabhu
• Sri Geeta Mata Goswamini
• Sri Madan Gopal Goswami Prabhu
• Sri Nitya Gopal Goswami Prabhu
• Sri Prema Gopal Goswami Prabhu

I have highlighted the matajis in the above lineage who accepted the role of diksha gurus on the order of Nityananda prabhu. Sri Geeta Mata Goswamini was trained by her husband Sri Yadu Gopal Goswami Prabhu. She and Sarada Sundari Mata
Goswamini, in particular, are remembered on account of their vast and detailed knowledge of sastra to the point of being consulted by others on sastric points, not unlike some of ISKCON's senior mataji disciples.

Directly from Srila Prabhupada's mouth.

Prof. O'Connell: "Is it possible, Swamiji, for a woman to be a guru in the line of disciplic

succession?"

Prabhupāda: "Yes. Jāhnavā Devī was – Nityānanda's wife. She became. If she is able to go to the highest perfection of life, why it is not possible to become guru? But, not so many. Actually one who has attained the perfection, she can become guru. But man or woman, unless one has attained
the perfection.... 

Yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vetta sei guru haya.

The qualification of guru is that he must be fully cognisant of the science of Kṛṣṇa. Then he or she can become guru. Yei Kṛṣṇa-tattva-vetta, sei guru haya. In our material world, is it any prohibition that woman cannot become professor? If she is qualified, she can become professor. What is wrong there? She must be qualified. That is the position. So similarly, if the woman understands Kṛṣṇa consciousness perfectly, she can become guru."

More next time, as I slowly and happily take one step at a time towards Radha and Krishna's Love and pray for the mercy of the vaisnavas without whose mercy I am lost.

Begging to remain the servant of your servants.