The Disciplic Succession

In order to make progress in spiritual life the Vedas enjoin that one must accept a spiritual master in disciplic succession from God Himself.1 In this way, the knowledge revealed directly by God is carefully passed down without change from spiritual master to disciple.

The members of the Krishna consciousness movement are in the Brahma-Madhva Gaudiya disciplic succession. This succession originated with Lord Brahma, the first created being in this universe. He was instructed directly by the Supreme Lord from within the heart. Lord Brahma's disciple was Narada Muni. Narada Muni's disciple was Srila Vyasadeva. The disciplic succession was carried forward to Lord Caitanya, who, although He is Krishna Himself, accepted a spiritual master in this line to set an example. Lord Caitanya's direct disciples were the Six Goswamis of Vrindavana; who carried out the tradition by initiating disciples of their own and writing volumes of books about the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the modern age we have Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Gaura-kisora das Babaji Maharaja, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, and Srila Prabhupada; the founder-ocharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Srila Prabhupada empowered his disciples to carry out this most sacred tradition. The disciplic succession is therefore continuing.
1. MundakaUpanisad 1.2.17