Is the ritvik system the solution to fallen gurus?

Join us for an in-depth discussion from our June 12, 2025, meeting exploring the controversial Ritvik system within the ISKCON tradition. This session delves into Srila Prabhupada’s teachings on guru succession, the validity of the Ritvik initiation system, and its alignment with Vedic principles, including pramanas (shabda, pratyaksha, anumana) and the concepts of Guru, Sadhu, and Shastra. Participants debate the reasons behind guru fall-downs, the role of Varnashrama Dharma, and the disciplic succession, concluding that the Ritvik system lacks shastric support and does not address the root causes of guru falls. Featuring insights from Basu Ghosh Das, Sridhar Srinivas Das, Krishna Kirti Das, Rama Aprameya Das, this discussion offers a balanced perspective on spiritual authority and Vedic tradition.