Hare Kṛṣṇa! Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!

My (new) name is Somagiri dāsa. I just got initiated today by the ṛtvik system through His Grace Sundar Gopāl Prabhu.

I met with the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement at 1995.

That time, I was not serious. We were doing book distribution for a while and also Food for Life Prasādam distribution. But somehow or other I didn’t felt that it was my life and soul, I did not choose a guru and that time I didn’t follow the principles. I was only a congregation member. About 10-11 years ago my friend Īśvara Kṛṣṇa Prabhu showed me a book about the ṛtvik system. I was surprised. I always feel some problems with the present system in the ISKCON, but I thought I am offender, aparadhi, etc. After reading this book, it was always in my mind. I understood that Śrīla Prabhupāda is the original guru and we have to accept him as guru and his books as the authentic knowledge. But the Hungarian Yātra (as usual) don’t like very much the ṛtvik system. So I didn’t speak about this. Only Īśvara Kṛṣṇa Prabhu was my secret connection. But that time he was also undercover, because we liked to go to the temple and if they know what is in our attitude, maybe can’t go inside. Few years ago my friend is coming out and he accept the ṛtvik system publicly. That time I was not convinced fully. In 2018 autumn, I met with Sundar Gopāl Prabhu and other ISKM devotees, namely Tattvavit Prabhu, Nimāi Nitāi Prabhu, Vraja Kiśora Prabhu and Rādhikā Kiśorī Mātājī. We had 2 phenomenal programs. One of them was in our house. That experience was very strong. I never seen before these kind of devotees who is so strongly committed by Śrīla Prabhupāda teachings. Example if we asking some question always quoted Śrīla Prabhupāda or the śāstra or both. No speculation. It was so impressed. And they were very kind also, no bad attitude. Actually I am a fault finder, but that time I didn’t found anything bad. I found only right things.

Actually I was scared a little bit, because in the ISKCON temple we always heard that the so-called ṛtviks are very dangerous 😄 But I didn’t see any problem. After these programs we kept in touch on the internet and I started to feel here is what I really searched. Very nice devotees, with real knowledge and strictly following what Śrīla Prabhupāda wants. So I become a little bit more serious. By their grace I started chanting 16 rounds, singing Mangala ārati, and making a full morning program, reading Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, following the principles.

It was more than a year ago and I can only say the ritvik system is so powerful. By this way you can feel the real thing, the real Krishna-consciousness, what Śrīla Prabhupāda teachings and what he wants.

Now I am very grateful, that I become a part of this magic. Thank you very much to everybody who inspiring me!
And please bless me to become a real devotee of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Hare Krishna. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda! All glories to ISKM devotees!