GURU TATTVA #7 THE HENCE IN HENCEFORWARD

Discussion on guru tattva #7

The "henceforward" argument.
The ritvik philosophy is based on the July 9th letter.
Here we see Srila Prabhupada has Tamal Krishna Maharaja 
write up a letter to be sent to all the leaders in ISKCON.
Srila Prabhupada is appointing eleven senior disciples
to act on his behalf as ritvik acaryas
in the matter of Harinam initiation and brahmana initiation.
The disciples initiated in this way will be Srila Prabhupada's disciples.

The use of the word "henceforward" has caused some confusion.
The definition of the word henceforward is given:
"from this time on or from that time on."
This has been taken by the ritviks to mean from now on no end ever
and they have taken the position that Srila Prabhupada
has ruled out anyone else ever taking disciples within ISKCON.
Even after His disappearance.

But if we break the word down... we find it has two part..
"Hence" and "forward."
The definition of hence is given...
"because of a preceding fact or premise : therefore."
There is a causal element. In other words,
Hence....due something there is such and such...

When we put "hence" with the word "forward"
we see a deeper meaning. Because of something...
it will be like this in this future.

Now we have to ask what was that "something"
that required the use of "hence?"
What was it that established ritvik initiations?

Srila Prabhupada was incapacitated. His health was just too poor.
That was the "hence" ...the reason for the directive for ritviks.
Hence... due poor health... That was all.
When He would disappear that "hence" was no longer valid
since it simply referred to his condition of poor health.

Those that were initiated from July to November of that year
when Srila Prabhupada disappeared
are indeed Srila Prabhupada's initiated disciples.

It is clear He never appointed spiritual masters.
Spiritual masters are always recognized
by qualifications never by appointments.