Initiation Lecture [partially recorded] – April 23, 1976, Melbourne

This watering of the seed, bhakti-lata, is sravana-kirtana, hearing and chanting

Prabhupada: ...in the Caitanya-caritamrta, while teaching Srila Rūpa Gosvami, Caitanya Mahaprabhu said,

The living entities, they are transmigrating from one form of life to another and wandering from one planet to another, sometimes low-grade life, sometimes high-grade life. This is going on. This is called samsara-cakra-vartmani. Last night we were explaining, mrtyu-samsara-vartmani [Bg 9.3]. This very word is used, mrtyu-samsara-vartmani. Very difficult ways of life, to die. Everyone is afraid of dying, because after death nobody knows what is going to happen. Those who are foolish, they are animals. Just like animals are being slaughtered, the other animal is thinking that "I am safe." So any person with little intelligence will never like to die and accept another body. And we do not know what kind of body we are going to get.

So this initiation by the grace of guru and Krsna, do not take it very leniently. Take it very seriously. It is a great opportunity. Bija means seed, seed of bhakti. So whatever you have promised before the Lord, before your spiritual master, before fire, before Vaisnavas, never deviate from this promise. Then you will keep fixed up in your spiritual life: no illicit sex, no meat-eating, no gambling, no intoxication-these four no's-and chanting Hare Krsna-one yes. Four no's and one yes. That will make your life successful. It is very easy. It is not difficult. But maya is very strong, sometimes deviates us. So when there is endeavor by the maya to deviate us, just pray to Krsna, "Please save me. I am surrendered, fully surrendered, and kindly give me protection," and Krsna will give you protection. But don't miss this opportunity. That is my request. I have all my good wishes and blessings upon you. So let us take the opportunity of bhakti, bhakti-lata-bija. Mali hana sei bija kare aropana [Cc Madhya 19.152].

So when you get a nice seed, we have to sow it within the earth. The example is, just like if you get very nice seed of first-class rose flower, so you sow it on the ground and just offer little, little water, it will grow. So this seed can be grown by watering. What is that watering? Sravana kirtana jale karaye secana [Cc Madhya 19.152]. This watering of the seed, bhakti-lata, is sravana-kirtana, hearing and chanting. So you will hear from the sannyasis and the Vaisnavas more and more about it. But do not miss this opportunity. That is my request.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupada! [end]