Sri Ramakrishna Math : The Vedanta Kesari, Preparation for Mantra-Diksha

This lecture, originally in Bengali, was delivered by Swami Bhuteshananda on 4 August 1995 at Ramakrishna Ashrama, Sylhet, in Bangladesh and had appeared in the Bengali monthly Udbodhan, 7th issue, 1406 Shraban, from where it has been translated by Swami Hitakamananda.

Many desire to have initiation. Some show great interest. But before initiation, unless one is familiar with the ideal which we want to present before you, the initiation will not be fruitful. That is why it is our practice that one must be familiar with the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda. Hence one seeking initiation is asked to prepare himself. Those who are found underprepared are advised to wait. Only the eligible candidates are advised to take initiation. This preparedness helps us to do our duty properly. Besides, the recipients also are able to grasp easily what we instruct.

According to scriptural injunction, whosoever approaches a guru for initiation must have certain qualifications. Let me cite an example. Narada went to Bhagavan Sanatkumara for initiation. Sanatkumara said, `Tell me first what you know; then I shall decide what is to be taught.' At this Narada gave a detailed list of what he had studied. None of the principal scriptural texts were left out. He had come to Sanatkumara after finishing the studies of all the major scriptures. He said he had read Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda, the six Vedangas; also all the principal puranas (eighteen), and many texts dealing with secular branches of learning. In spite of so much learning he said, `I am not in peace, neither am I satisfied. I still feel discontented. This sense of unfulfilment is probably the cause of my mental unrest.' `Well, Narada,' said Sanatkumara, `I understand that you have studied quite a lot. But what you know are only some words. You have become a master of words; but you do not know yourself. You are not an atmavid. Only a knower of the Self overcomes grief. Since you are not an atmavid, a knower of one's Real Nature, you have been overpowered by grief.' Then Narada humbly said, `Bhagavan, kindly impart me that knowledge by which I can get rid of all misery.'

What does this story suggest? It suggests that it is necessary to prepare the ground of one's mind before initiation. It is no use sowing seeds without preparing the soil. The soil must be properly tilled, and manure must be spread beforehand. If the seed is sown after that, it grows well. But if we sow the seeds without tilling the soil and without adding manure, will there be a good crop? No. Similarly, careful preparation is required before receiving mantra-diksha. This preparedness conduces to success. This must be kept in mind.

Most humbly, I want to touch another point. There is no end to this preparation. Before taking the name of God, before receiving the mantra, the soil of our mind has to be processed. Unless the mind is pure, the mantra will not be effective. The mind has to be prepared through the practice of good conduct, humility, shraddha, and true yearning. If there is a genuine urge in the mind for taking the name of God, the result of initiation will be highly rewarding. There is a beautiful simile given by Sri Ramakrishna. The oyster eagerly awaits with its mouth open. If a drop of rain falling during the ascendancy of the Swati constellation enters, the oyster closes its mouth, goes to the bottom of the ocean and turns it into a pearl. Mantra-diksha is just like this drop of water in association with the star Swati. Before having initiation, one must keep one's heart open to receive that Truth with great yearning like an oyster. Only then will the mantra be effective in life.

We always say, even at the time of initiation, that without devotion and faith it does not become fruitful. Hence we must have faith. One has to receive the mantra with shraddha. Only then the mantra, like a seed, will sprout and flourish into a full grown tree, bearing flowers and fruits. Hence it must be borne in mind that prepared-ness before receiving the mantra-diksha is mandatory. In fact, nothing in spiritual life can be achieved without preparation. The scriptures recommend that a spiritual seeker must approach the Guru for learning the ideal by being serviceful, humble, with selfless devotion, making himself pure and blemishless. Why is so much importance laid in the scriptures on preparedness? The reason is, the moment is an invaluable one, when the name of God is presented to us. Receiving that holy name in our heart with faith and devotion and concentrating our mind on it, if we can dive deep into our being, like the oyster, and remain engrossed in it, the most valuable gem will take shape within us. This is to be especially borne in mind. We get this lesson from the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna. In the Bhagavad Gita (18.67) also it is said,

Idam te natapaskaya
nabhaktaya kadachana
Na chashushrushave vachyam
na cha mam yobhyasuyati.

This is never to be spoken by thee to one who is devoid of austerities or devotion, nor to one who does not render service, nor to one who cavils at Me.

Why have these categories of people been excluded? Because the field (of their mind) is not prepared. The criteria mentioned earlier are only preparatory steps. Once the field is ready, one develops love for the name of God. This is to be remembered by boththose who are seeking diksha and also those already initiated. Hence it is said in the scriptures that one must be humble, inclined to serve and must keep one's life as pure and stainless as possible. Many people have an opposite notion. They think that their body and mind will be purified after mantra-diksha. This is a wrong concept. Before being initiated, our hearts are to be purified to receive initiation. Before installing the deity, the temple and its surroundings must be well cleaned. Then only can we think of the installation ceremony. Receiving mantra signifies installation of God in one's life. All preparations are aimed at this only. Without compliance to these conditions, or even being indifferent to them, we cannot really install God in our heart. This must be especially borne in mind.

We do not want to initiate young boys and girls. But at times devotees insist on initiations of boys and girls of ten to twelve years or even less in age. They feel hurt when we reject their request. They repeatedly request us. These people do not realise the significance of mantra-diksha. Are these young ones ready for initiation? Are their minds mature enough to grasp the importance of initiation? Not at all. `Please initiate, please initiate' etc. is nothing short of childish insistence. Maybe some guardians put such requests with true faith and in all seriousness. But they also do it due to lack of understanding of the importance, meaning, and gravity of mantra-diksha. There is an appropriate time for mantra-diksha. When the mind becomes restless for initiation, then it must be understood that it is capable of receiving the mantra. To keep this fact in mind is beneficial.

We should not forget that mantra- diksha is a very significant event in life. So, it should be taken with all seriousness. Here I like to point out one thing not only for the initiated but for everyone. Let not initiation be looked upon as a status symbol or as a means to attain a status either. Let us not forget that it is a means of God-realization only. Those who come to take initiation should be serious about it. That the moment of initiation is a unique one should be borne in mind. Suppose the guru is speaking something that requires close attention but some are not attentive and are thinking of something else. It clearly suggests that they have not understood the importance or seriousness of mantra-diksha. I have no intention to criticize anybody. I mention it to drive home the point that one must have a reverential attitude towards initiation. One must remember that it is an important event in one's life. Otherwise, one will not feel the worth of this event. At times, we are forced to pass through a number of adverse situations. They must be overcome. From where shall we get the strength and motivation to overcome them? If we get initiated after due preparation, that initiation itself will provide us with that strength.

There is another point to be remembered in this context. Our conduct should be in tune with our state of being initiated. I recommend following five codes of conduct at the time of initiation. There is nothing secret about it. Everybody should know it. Hence I speak for everyone. No one can move towards God, unless he is pure in conduct. To proceed towards God the conduct must be pure. We often hear about the necessity of taking pure food. Does it mean that our diet should include sufficient clarified butter? Not that. Pure food implies sattvika food, nourishing food. This is the scriptural injunction. The food that is beneficial both for the body and the mind and for building them up is to be consumed as much as the body needs it, i.e., one must not eat to satisfy one's greed. We must partake of the food with the idea that it will nourish our body and mind, and we shall use the nourished body and mind for contemplation of God. We have to be particular about food, not merely that `I shall not take this, I won't take that' and so on; these are not the criteria of aharashuddhi or consumption of pure food. It implies consuming food in appropriate quantity that ensures sound body and mind.