The ceremony of diksa marks the solemn moment when a conditioned soul formally enters the path of devotional service. By this sacred rite the disciple is connected to the authorized disciplic succession and becomes eligible to cultivate spiritual life under proper guidance. In this sense, diksa may be compared to admission into a distinguished university: it is essential, transformative, and full of promise.
When Prabhupada walked through the gorgeous building in Detroit, in the front lobby there was…