Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

It is common in Gaudiya Math.

I wonder what titles belong to the 2nd and 3rd stage:

"Your title is actually Tridandi Swami or Tridandi Bhiksu, which is the first stage of sannyasa life. Tridandi Goswami is for one in the fourth stage of sannyasa life which is paramahamsa stage."
(letter to Jayapataka, Bombay, 27 Nov 1970)

Srila Prabhupada got his name changed. ISKCON Gurus are often criticized to try to be in place of Srila Prabhupada. Maybe that is one of those attempted imitations.

In ISKCON, at least under Harikesa, future sannyasis were asked if they want to keep their name, or replace it. When all other zonal acaryas already had sannyasis, Harikesa was still the only one in his zone. He was pushed by GBC to instantly make some sannyasis. So some european devotees got sannyasa quickly. My diksa guru told me how it was in his case. No test, no waiting, just immediate sannyasa. He was asked if he wants to change his name, or keep it. He liked his name Avinasa Candra, but he liked the idea of getting another name too, so he decided for both. So he somewhat kept the name given to him by Srila Prabhupada (as initials A.C.), and he got Bhakti++++ name, Bhaktivaibhava - so put togethere, you get A.C. Bhaktivaibhava Swami. And later, when Harikesa left, he took reinitiation from Bhaktividyapurna Swami, and got another prefix "dasa", so his full name would now be "Dasa A.C. Bhaktivaibhava Swami". But he rarely uses "dasa" or "A.C.", and just keeps Bhaktivaibhava title, but he auto-signs himself on Pamho as "AC.BVaiSwami". Go figure.... I think he was the only sannyasi in europe, who changed his name in that batch of initiates, others kept the names Prabhupada gave them. I may be wrong, somebody can correct me as necessary.

Maybe nowadays they still get to choose if they want to keep or change their name.

>Harikesa was still the only one in his zone.

Not quite. He had some till they all run off to others.

>Srila Prabhupada got his name changed.

No he did not. His sannyasa name was Abhay Caranaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami. Same as it was before initiation plus Swami. He was awarded the Bhaktivedanta for studies of Bhagavatam that he took (it is not given to him at sannyas initiation as some claim - he received the title Bhaktivedanta in 1947 from the Gauuc0u7693 u299 ya Vaiu7779 u7751 ava Society.). He initiated his first disciple when he was not a sannyasi.

He wrote:
" 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. "

[quote][cite] ccd:[/cite]>Harikesa was still the only one in his zone.

Not quite. He had some till they all run off to others.
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You may not know some: Bhaktidaya Swami, Devuc0u257 mu7771 ta Swami, Ananta Santi Swami (Before Suhotra Swami and Smita Krishna Swami etc)

Again looking at the list of the sannyasis: VEDA do you know is Bhaktyananda-vidya Goswami is the same as Bhaktiananda Goswami who lived in New Vrindavana and is famous for the interfaith dialogue?

No, theyre different persons. Proper spelling is Bhaktiananda Goswami.

Actually becoming a Sanyasi is not common in the Gaudia Vaisnava tradition.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was the only one to take Sanyasa in our tradition, the next was Bhaktisiddanta Maharaja (Srila Prabhupadas guru) and his guru was a Babaji..
After Bhaktisiddanta Maharaja it become common in the Guadia Math and Iskcon.

What is common in the Gaudia Vaisnava tradition is house holders and babajis.

And no before you hit with "Oh so you think Srila Prabhupada was wrong?" No he did exactly what he needed to do he is beyond question because he was in pure service.

At first Srila Prabhupada only gave first initiation then he said the Indians will not take my disciples seriously if they are not brahmin, then he gave second initiation )brahmin), then later he gave Sanayas.

But none of these Ashrams or Varnas are important in service to Radha and Krishna...