One Should be Well Versed in the Śāstra (03/20/13)
Dear ______ Dāsa,
The is a small misunderstanding circulating and I want to clear it up.
______ said to me that it would be good if _____ Dāsa received second initiation (brāḥmaṇa initiation) so that he could help more with the Deity worship of Mahāprabhu. I said, “Yes that would be a good idea.” However, I was saying that would be a good idea for the future, not for the present.
_____ Dāsa is a very good boy, but he needs much more training and experience before he will be ready for brāḥmaṇa initiation. Here in western countries, before one receives brāḥmaṇa initiation one should be well-versed in the śāstra and the philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, as well as being trained in brāḥmaṇical habits.
I am sure that ______ Dāsa and other devotees here in _____ will eventually become qualified for brāḥmaṇa initiation, but not at this time.
I hope this clears up this small misunderstanding.
Your well wisher and spiritual father,
Swami Narasingha
