The importance of second initiation.

By Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj

Mahaprabhu’s conception, Krishna consciousness, is for all ages. When I give second initiation, I tell others my feelings. We heard from Srila Guru Maharaj that Hari-nam can rescue everyone. So the mantram you have (the Hare Krishna mahamantra) is sufficient for you. It is not a problem if you do not take second initiation. Chant the Hare Krishna mahamantra and be happy. Why then I am giving you pancharatrik-diksa (second initiation)? The pancharatrik diksa mantram is for all ages.

narayana-para veda narayana-paraksarah
narayana-para muktir narayana-para gatih

This is for Satya-yuga.

rama narayanananta mukunda madhusudana
krsna kesava kamsare hare vaikuntha vamana

This is for Treta-yuga.

hare murare madhu-kaitabhare
gopala govinda mukunda saure
yajnesa narayana krsna visno
virasrayam mam jagadisa raksa

This is for Dvapar-yuga. And,

hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

This is for Kali-yuga. Our second initiation mantram, however, comes down from above through Krishna, is for all ages, and is very helpful for you.

The Hare Krishna mahamantra works after liberation within your service life during direct service to Krishna. The second initiation mantram takes you up to Goloka Vrndavan. Its job finishes there. The mantram takes you there, and when you engage in service there, it comes back. We heard this from Guru Maharaj. There is a reason we give so much importance to second initiation: there are many rules and regulations involved in it. There is also meditation and other things that look very nice. You can chant the Hare Krishna mahamantra in the bathroom, but you cannot chant the second initiation mantram in the bathroom. Therefore, we give more respect to the second initiation mantram. Still, the Hare Krishna mahamantra is the highest mantram. One who is enriched with that mantram is enriched with everything.

akrstih krta-chetasam sumanasam uchchatanam chamhasam
achandalam amuka-loka-sulabho vasyas cha mukti-sriyah
no diksam na cha sat-kriyam na cha purascharyam manag iksate
mantro ’yam rasana-sprg eva phalati sri-krsna-namatmakah
(Sri Chaitanya-charitamrta: Madhya-lila, 15. 110)

[“This mantra, Sri Krishna’s Name, attracts the devout who are pure in heart, eradicates sin, is easily chanted by anyone who can speak—even the uncultured, and controls the dispensation of liberation. Sri Krishna’s Name does not rely upon (pancharatrik) initiation, pious works, or preparatory practices in the least; Sri Krishna’s Name produces results simply by touching the tongue.”]

This is Rupa Goswami Prabhu’s conception. He presented it to us. So we have no problem.