# Cc. Madhya 24.331 > মন্ত্র-অধিকারী, মন্ত্র-সিদ্ধ্যাদি-শোধন । > দীক্ষা, প্রাতঃস্মৃতি-কৃত্য, শৌচ, আচমন ॥৩৩১॥ ## Text > mantra-adhikārī, mantra-siddhy-ādi-śodhana > dīkṣā, prātaḥ-smṛti-kṛtya, śauca, ācamana ## Synonyms *mantra-adhikārī*—qualification for receiving *mantra* initiation; *mantra-siddhi-ādi*—the perfection of the *mantra* and so on; *śodhana*—purification; *dīkṣā*—initiation; *prātaḥ-smṛti-kṛtya*—morning duties and remembrance of the Supreme Lord; *śauca*—cleanliness; *ācamana*—washing the mouth and other parts of the body. ## Translation **"You should discuss the qualifications necessary for receiving a mantra, the perfection of the mantra, the purification of the mantra, initiation, morning duties, remembrance of the Supreme Lord, cleanliness, and washing the mouth and other parts of the body.** ## Purport The following injunction is given in the *Hari-bhakti-vilāsa* (1.194): > tāntrikeṣu ca mantreṣu > dīkṣāyāṁ yoṣitām api > sādhvīnām adhikāro 'sti > śūdrādīnāṁ ca sad-dhiyām "*Śūdras* and women who are chaste and sincerely interested in understanding the Absolute Truth are qualified to be initiated with the *pāñcarātrika-mantras.*" his is also confirmed in *Bhagavad-gītā* [[bg/9/32|(Bg. 9.32)]]: > māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya > ye 'pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ > striyo vaiśyās tathā śūdrās > te 'pi yānti parāṁ gatiṁ "O son of Pṛthā, those who take shelter in Me, though they be of lower birth-women, *vaiśyas* [merchants], as well as *śūdras* [workers]—can approach the supreme destination." If one actually wants to serve Kṛṣṇa, it doesn't matter whether one is a *śūdra, vaiśya,* or even a woman. If one is sincerely eager to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa *mantra* or *dīkṣā-mantra,* he is qualified to be initiated according to the *pāñcarātrika* process. According to Vedic principles, only a *brāhmaṇa* who is fully engaged in his occupational duties can be initiated. *Śūdras* and women are not admitted to a *vaidika* initiation. Unless one is fit according to the estimation of the spiritual master, one cannot accept a *mantra* from the *pāñcarātrika-vidhi* or the *vaidika-vidhi.* When one is fit to accept the *mantra,* he is initiated by the *pāñcarātrika-vidhi* or the *vaidika-vidhi.* In any case, the result is the same. Regarding *mantra-siddhi-ādi-śodhana,* the efficiency of the *mantra,* Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura gives sixteen divisions, which are confirmed in the *Hari-bhakti-vilāsa* (beginning with 1.204): > siddha-sādhya-susiddhāri- > kramāj jñeyo vicakṣaṇaiḥ These are (1) *siddha,* (2) *sādhya,* (3) *susiddha* and (4) *ari.* These four principles can be divided further: (1) *siddha-siddha,* (2) *siddha-sādhya,* (3) *siddha-susiddha,* (4) *siddha-ari,* (5) *sādhya-siddha,* (6) *sādhya-sādhya,* (7) *sādhya-susiddha,* (8) *sādhya-ari,* (9) *susiddha-siddha,* (10) *susiddha-sādhya,* (11) *susiddha-susiddha,* (12) *susiddha-ari,* (13) *ari-siddha,* (14) *ari-sādhya,* (15) *ari-susiddha,* and (16) *ari-ari.* Those who are initiated with the eighteen-alphabet *mantra* do not need to consider the above-mentioned sixteen divisions. As enjoined in the *Hari-bhakti-vilāsa* (1.215, 219, 220): > na cātra śātravā doṣā > narṇasvādi-vicāraṇā > ṛkṣarāśi-vicāro vā > na kartavyo manau priye > > nātra cintyo 'ri-śuddhyādir > nāri-mitrādi-lakṣaṇam > siddha-sādhya-susiddhāri- > rūpā nātra vicāraṇā There is *śodhana,* or purification of the *mantra,* but there is no such consideration for the Kṛṣṇa *mantra. Balitvāt kṛṣṇa-mantrāṇāṁ saṁskārāpekṣaṇaṁ na hi.* "The Kṛṣṇa *mantra* is so strong that there is no question of *śodhana.* (1.235) As far as *dīkṣā* is concerned, one should consult *Madhya-līlā,* Chapter Fifteen (108). On the whole, when a person is initiated according to the *pāñcarātrika-vidhi,* he has already attained the position of a *brāhmaṇa.* This is enjoined in the *Hari-bhakti-vilāsa* (2.12): > yathā kāñcanatāṁ yāti > kāṁsyaṁ rasa-vidhānataḥ > tathā dīkṣā-vidhānena > dvijatvaṁ jāyate nṛṇām "As bell metal can be turned into gold when treated with mercury, a disciple initiated by a bona fide *guru* immediately attains the position of a *brāhmaṇa."* As far as the time of *dīkṣā* (initiation) is concerned, everything depends on the position of the *guru.* As soon as a bona fide *guru* is received by chance or by a program, one should immediately take the opportunity to receive initiation. In the book called *Tattva-sāgara,* it is stated: > durlabhe sad-gurūṇāṁ ca > sakṛt-saṅga upasthite > tad-anujñā yadā labdhā > sa dīkṣāvasaro mahān > > grāme vā yadi vāraṇye > kṣetre vā divase niśi > āgacchati gurur daivād > yathā dīkṣā tad-ājñayā > > yadaivecchā tadā dīkṣā > guror ājñānurūpataḥ > na tīrthaṁ na vrataṁ hemo > na snānaṁ na japa-kriyā > > dīkṣāyāḥ karaṇaṁ kintu > svecchā-prāpte tu sad-gurau "If, by chance, one gets a *sad-guru,* it doesn't matter whether one is in the temple or the forest. If the *sad-guru,* the bona fide spiritual master, agrees, one can be initiated immediately, without waiting for a suitable time or place." In the early morning hours (known as *brāhma-muhūrta*) one should get up and immediately chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa *mantra,* or, at least, "Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa." In this way, one should remember Kṛṣṇa. Some *ślokas* or prayers should also be chanted. By chanting, one immediately becomes auspicious and transcendental to the infection of material qualities. Actually one has to chant and remember Lord Kṛṣṇa twenty-four hours daily, or as much as possible. > smartavyaḥ satataṁ viṣṇur > vismartavyo na jātucit > sarve vidhi-niṣedhāḥ syur > etayor eva kiṅkarāḥ "Kṛṣṇa is the origin of Lord Viṣṇu. He should always be remembered and never forgotten at any time. All the rules and prohibitions mentioned in the *śāstras* should be the servants of these two principles." This is a quotation from *padma Purāṇa* in the portion called *Bṛhat-sahasra-nāma-stotra. prātaḥ-kṛtya* means that one should evacuate regularly and then cleanse himself by taking a bath. One has to gargle (*ācamana*) and brush his teeth (*danta-dhāvana*). He should do this either with twigs or a toothbrush-whatever is available. This will purify the mouth. Then one should take his bath. Actually householders and *vānaprasthas* should bathe two times a day (*prātar-madhyāhnayoḥ snānaṁ vānaprastha-gṛhasthayoḥ*). A *sannyāsī* should bathe three times daily, and a *brahmacārī* may take only one bath a day. Whenever one is not able to bathe in water, he can bathe by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa *mantra.* One also has to perform his *sandhyādi-vandana—*that is, one has to chant his Gāyatrī *mantra* three times daily-morning, noon and evening.