Diksha Parampara

Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati started a NEW sampradaya. There are two Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradayas, with two different diksha paramparas. The Gaudiya Math diksha parampara STARTS with Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati. Saraswati Thakur rejects the previous diksha parampara which was followed by Bhaktivinoda Thakur.

Am I right or wrong?

So if you choose to accept Siddhanta Saraswati's line, then fine. But you have to recognize that they are two different paths, similar in many respects, supposedly following the same shiksha tradition. But in the traditional paramparas, the shiksha includes a particular culture of raganuga bhakti that is NOT accepted by the Gaudiya Math. They have their reasons, their interpretations of shastra that are their own. They are not in agreement. But in view of the similar objective and similar antecedents there is a possibility of cooperation, but it is not very likely as long as each considers the other illegitimate.

In fact, since everyone is chanting the Holy Name and the Holy Name is the ultimate arbiter, we should say that both are recipients of the Holy Name's particular mercy, which takes different forms for different people in different adhikaras. Hence the multiplicity of sampradayas. The only problem is the Holy Name does not like Vaishnava ninda.

The Gaudiya Math was created in opposition to the traditional Vaishnava paramparas. It was against the family lines of descendance and against the practice of bhajan as it had evolved in Radha Kund amongst the bhajananandi Vaishnavas. Saraswati's rationale may have had validity, that is not the point I am debating.

What I am saying is that if you wish to follow the traditional method of bhajan including siddha pranali you need to get initiated into the sampradaya that teaches it.

The Bhakti Sandarabha makes it clear that siddha pranali is a part of the archana marg into which one must be initiated. Nowadays there are many in the Gaudiya Math who will give you siddha pranali because it does not require any special imagination to invent an ekadash bhava. I can give you one right now if you want. So no problem.

I heard Narayan Maharaj gave siddha pranali. Narayan Maharaja said Keshava Maharaj was given siddha pranali by Siddhanta Saraswati. Moreover, I have learned that in this parampara, siddha pranali is given as far back as Bhaktivinoda Thakur, but does not include HIS guru!! Whom the Thakur has mentioned numerous times as the source of his own siddha identity. How anyone in their right mind can think that this is what "parampara" of ANY kind -- siksha or diksha -- means is beyond me.

So if you want to follow the system as it was taught and practiced in Radha Kund and by other bhajananandi Vaishnavas in Braj, then you should take initiation in a traditional line that goes back directly to Rupa and Raghunath in Braj.

Accept that there is a difference. Accept the fact that some people will make that decision. They are not your enemies. They are Vaishnavas who are seeking the way to prema. If they are engaged in anadhikar charcha, they will have to come down a few notches, but in this endeavor there is no loss or diminution. No pious endeavor goes unrewarded.

The difference is that the Gaudiya Math does NOT follow Gaur Kishor Babaji's diksha line. There is not one in ten thousand who even know the name of his guru. The problem of rejection comes from the Gaudiya Math. One may deny it, but the rejection of Bipin Bihari Goswami is the root of it all.

Yes, there are always differences, and the Nitai Gaur Radhe Shyam people have their own vision, but they have always given respect to the Goswamis and to the Babajis. If you accept a parampara you start by respecting the people in it.