Bhakti Steps
Come closer to Krishna, one step at a time
For the ease of devotees, the summary of this page is available in downloadable form – Bhakti Steps Requirements.
The recommended books can be purchased from ISKCON Whitefield Gift Shop or online from GoGita.in
Downloadable version of questionnaire and reading material
| Chanting- min Rounds | 1 |
Reading (Refer reading material for these topics) | Pancha tattva mantra (click here) |
| Prabhupada pranam mantra (click here) | |
| Sikshastakam | |
| Ten offenses to be avoided (click here) | |
| Prayers for offering Bhoga (click here) | |
| Prasadam honoring mantra (click here) | |
| Hearing | Recommended- SP’s BG classes |
| Rules and Regulation | * I will read the teachings of Lord Krishna as given in the books of Srila Prabhupada. * I will be an active devotee in the temple’s congregation, that is, I will visit the temple as often as possible, participate and associate with Krishna Conscious programs & festivals in the IBC/temple. |
| Writing Shiksha Paper | An open book test (questionnaire) |
| Training- Attend Seminar | No |
| Interview | No |
| Service at IBC/Temple | Recommended |
| Mentor/Guide | Recommended |
| Attending Bv | Recommended |
Downloadable version of questionnaire
| Chanting- min Rounds | 4 |
Reading | Pancha tattva mantra (click here) |
| Prabhupada pranam mantra (click here) | |
| Sikshastakam | |
| Ten offenses to be avoided (click here) | |
| Prayers for offering Bhoga (click here) | |
| Prasadam honoring mantra (click here) | |
| Beyond Birth & Death | |
| Science of Self Realization chapter 1 | |
| Bhagavat Gita As It Is Introduction & Chapter 1 | |
| Hearing | Recommended- SP’s BG classes (BG 1 chapter – click here) |
| Rules and Regulation | * I will read the teachings of Lord Krishna as given in the books of Srila Prabhupada. * I will be an active devotee in the temple’s congregation, that is, I will visit the temple as often as possible participate and associate with Krishna Conscious programs in the IBC/temple. * Refraining from non-vegetarian food (meat, fish and eggs ) and try to lead a moral life. * I will be dedicated to personal improvement in devotional practice and purity, by gradually applying the teachings of Srila Prabhupada under the guidance of his representatives. * I will accept that Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. |
| Writing Shiksha Paper | An open book test (questionnaire) |
| Training- Attend Seminar | No |
| Interview | No |
| Service at IBC/Temple | Recommended |
| Mentor/Guide | Recommended |
| Attending Bv | Recommended |
Downloadable version of questionnaire
| Chanting- min Rounds | 8 to 12 |
Reading | Panch tattva mantra (click here) |
| Prabhupada pranam mantra (click here) | |
| Sikshastakam | |
| Ten offenses to be avoided (click here) | |
| Prayers for offering Bhoga (click here) | |
| Prasadam honoring mantra (click here) | |
| Beyond Birth & Death | |
| Science of Self Realization chapter 1 – 3 | |
| Bhagavat Gita As It Is Introduction & Chapter 1 – 6 | |
| Raja vidya | |
| Matchless Gift | |
| Recommended- Krishna book | |
| Hearing | Must- SP’s BG classes (BG 2-6 chapters – click here) |
| Rules and Regulation | * I will be an active devotee in the temple’s congregation, that is, I will visit the temple as often as possible participate and associate with Krishna Conscious programs in the IBC/temple. * Refraining from non-vegetarian food (meat, fish and eggs ) and try to lead a moral life. * I will be dedicated to personal improvement in devotional practice and purity, by gradually applying the teachings of Srila Prabhupada under the guidance of his representatives. * I will accept that Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. * I will lead a pure holy life by avoiding intoxication ( alcoholic drinks ), meat-eating, gambling and extramarital sex. * I will study the books of Srila Prabhupada and attend the classes in ISKCON as often as possible ( atleast the Sunday evening Bhagavad-gita class every week). * I will worship Lord Krishna as far as practical at home, by setting up an altar, offering arati and foodstuffs, worshipping the sacred tulasi plant and following basic sadhana like rising early in the morning. * I will observe fasting on the Ekadashi and festival days as indicated in the Vaishnava Calendar. Bhoga Offering Procedure (click here) |
| Writing Shiksha Paper | An open book test (questionnaire) |
| Training- Attend Seminar | No |
| Interview | No |
| Service at IBC/Temple | Must have min one weekly service at IBC/temple |
| Mentor/Guide | Must have |
| Attending Bv | Must attend weekly BV |
Downloadable version of questionnaire
| Chanting- min Rounds | 12 to 16 |
Reading | Panch tattva mantra (click here) |
| Prabhupada pranam mantra (click here) | |
| Sikshastakam | |
| Ten offenses to be avoided (click here) | |
| Prayers for offering Bhoga (click here) | |
| Prasadam honoring mantra (click here) | |
| Beyond Birth & Death | |
| Science of Self Realization chapter 1 – 5 | |
| Bhagavat Gita As It Is Introduction & Chapter 1 – 12 | |
| Raja vidya | |
| Matchless Gift | |
| Recommended- Krishna book | |
| Hearing | Must- SP’s BG classes (BG 7-12 chapters – click here) |
| Rules and Regulation | * I will be an active devotee in the temple’s congregation, that is, I will visit the temple as often as possible participate and associate with Krishna Conscious programs in the IBC/temple. * Refraining from non-vegetarian food (meat, fish and eggs ) and try to lead a moral life. * I will be dedicated to personal improvement in devotional practice and purity, by gradually applying the teachings of Srila Prabhupada under the guidance of his representatives. * I will accept that Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. * I will lead a pure holy life by avoiding intoxication ( alcoholic drinks ), meat-eating, gambling and extramarital sex. * I will study the books of Srila Prabhupada and attend the classes in ISKCON as often as possible ( atleast Sunday Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita every week). * I will worship Lord Krishna as far as practical at home, by setting up an altar, offering arati and foodstuffs, worshipping the sacred tulasi plant and following basic sadhana like rising early in the morning. * I will observe fasting on the Ekadashi and festival days as indicated in the Vaishnava Calendar. * I will accept the acharyas in the Gaudiya Parampara. * I will fast for the appearance and disappearance of the previous acharyas & Lord as given in the Vaishnava Calendar. |
| Writing Shiksha Paper | A closed book at Sector level (questionnaire) |
| Training- Attend Seminar | Basic Vaishnava Etiquette |
| Interview | Yes, BV |
| Service at IBC/Temple | Must have min one weekly service at IBC/temple |
| Mentor/Guide | Must have |
| Attending Bv | Must attend weekly BV |
Downloadable version of questionnaire
| Chanting- min Rounds | 16 |
Reading | Panch tattva mantra (click here) |
| Prabhupada pranam mantra (click here) | |
| Sikshastakam | |
| Ten offenses to be avoided (click here) | |
| Prayers for offering Bhoga (click here) | |
| Prasadam honoring mantra (click here) | |
| Beyond Birth & Death | |
| Science of Self Realization chapter 1 – 8 | |
| Bhagavat Gita As It Is Introduction & Chapter 1 – 18 | |
| Sikshastakam | |
| Raja vidya | |
| Matchless Gift | |
| Recommended- Krishna book | |
| Srila Prabhupada book (Your ever well wisher) | |
| Teachings of Lord Caitanya (Chapter 17) | |
| Optional- Scriptural Evidence that Lord Chaitanya is Lord Krishna Himself | |
| Hearing | Must- SP’s BG classes. Optional – SP’s SB Classes (SB Canto 1 – click here)(BG 13-18 chapters – click here) |
| Rules and Regulation | * I will be an active devotee in the temple’s congregation, that is, I will visit the temple as often as possible participate and associate with Krishna Conscious programs in the IBC/temple. * Refraining from non-vegetarian food (meat, fish and eggs ) and try to lead a moral life. * I will be dedicated to personal improvement in devotional practice and purity, by gradually applying the teachings of Srila Prabhupada under the guidance of his representatives. * I will accept that Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. * I will lead a pure holy life by avoiding intoxication ( alcoholic drinks ), meat-eating, gambling and extramarital sex. * I will study the books of Srila Prabhupada and attend the classes in ISKCON as often as possible ( atleast Sunday Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita every week). * I will worship Lord Krishna as far as practical at home, by setting up an altar, offering arati and foodstuffs, worshipping the sacred tulasi plant and following basic sadhana like rising early in the morning. * I will observe fasting on the Ekadashi and festival days as indicated in the Vaishnava Calendar. * I will accept the acharyas in the Gaudiya Parampara. * I will fast for the appearance and disappearance of the previous acharyas & Lord as given in the Vaishnava Calendar. * I will avoid intoxication including coffee & tea, cinema, sports . I will also abstain from taking onion and garlic. * I will be actively engaging in preaching (according to my capacity) to others about Krishna Consciousness. * I will follow a strict sadhana programme at home by rising early in the morning and following a program similar to the temple as far as possible. |
| Writing Shiksha Paper | A closed book IBC level (questionnaire) |
| Training- Attend Seminar | SP Position Seminar |
| Interview | Yes, IBC |
| Service at IBC/Temple | Must have min one weekly service at IBC/temple |
| Mentor/Guide | Must have |
| Attending Bv | Recommend to lead BV |
Downloadable version of Assessment Form & Questionnaire
| Chanting- min Rounds | 16 |
Reading | Panch tattva mantra (click here) |
| Prabhupada pranam mantra (click here) | |
| Sikshastakam | |
| Ten offenses to be avoided (click here) | |
| Prayers for offering Bhoga (click here) | |
| Prasadam honoring mantra (click here) | |
| Beyond Birth & Death | |
| Science of Self Realization chapter 1 – 8 | |
| Bhagavat Gita As It Is Introduction & Chapter 1 – 18 | |
| Sikshastakam | |
| Raja vidya | |
| Matchless Gift | |
| Recommended- Krishna book | |
| Srila Prabhupada book (Your ever well wisher) | |
| Should have taken Srila Prabhupada Asraya | |
| Bhagavat Gita As It Is (Twice) | |
| Nectar of Instruction | |
| Nectar of Devotion (up to 19th Chapter) | |
| Teachings of Lord Caitanya (Chapter 17) | |
| Optional- Scriptural Evidence that Lord Chaitanya is Lord Krishna Himself | |
| http://gbc.iskcon.org/harmonizing-iskcons-lines-of-authority/ | |
| http://www.dandavats.com/wp-content/uploads/GBCresolutions/GBCRES13.html | |
| Hearing | Must- SP’s BG classes. Optional – SP’s SB Classes (SB Canto 1 – click here)(BG 13-18 chapters – click here) |
| Rules and Regulation | * I will be an active devotee in the temple’s congregation, that is, I will visit the temple as often as possible participate and associate with Krishna Conscious programs in the IBC/temple. * Refraining from non-vegetarian food (meat, fish and eggs ) and try to lead a moral life. * I will be dedicated to personal improvement in devotional practice and purity, by gradually applying the teachings of Srila Prabhupada under the guidance of his representatives. * I will accept that Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. * I will lead a pure holy life by avoiding intoxication ( alcoholic drinks ), meat-eating, gambling and extramarital sex. * I will study the books of Srila Prabhupada and attend the classes in ISKCON as often as possible ( atleast Sunday Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita every week). * I will worship Lord Krishna as far as practical at home, by setting up an altar, offering arati and foodstuffs, worshipping the sacred tulasi plant and following basic sadhana like rising early in the morning. * I will observe fasting on the Ekadashi and festival days as indicated in the Vaishnava Calendar. * I will accept the acharyas in the Gaudiya Parampara. * I will fast for the appearance and disappearance of the previous acharyas & Lord as given in the Vaishnava Calendar. * I will avoid intoxication including coffee & tea, cinema, sports . I will also abstain from taking onion and garlic. * I will be actively engaging in preaching (according to my capacity) to others about Krishna Consciousness. * I will follow a strict sadhana programme at home by rising early in the morning and following a program similar to the temple as far as possible. |
| Writing Shiksha Paper | A closed book test at IBC level (15 questions from GBC) (questionnaire) |
| Training- Attend Seminar | Vaishnava etiquette seminar |
| Interview | Yes, IBC |
| Service at IBC/Temple | Must have min one weekly service at IBC/temple |
| Mentor/Guide | Must have |
| Attending Bv | Recommend to lead BV |
| Chanting- min Rounds | 16 |
Reading | Panch tattva mantra (click here) |
| Prabhupada pranam mantra (click here) | |
| Guru Pranam Mantra | |
| Sikshastakam | |
| Ten offenses to be avoided (click here) | |
| Prayers for offering Bhoga (click here) | |
| Prasadam honoring mantra (click here) | |
| Beyond Birth & Death | |
| Science of Self Realization chapter 1 – 8 | |
| Raja vidya | |
| Matchless Gift | |
| Recommended- Krishna book | |
| Srila Prabhupada book (Your ever well wisher) | |
| Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1 | |
| Bhagavad Gita As It Is (Twice) | |
| Life and Teachings of Lord Chaitanya | |
| Nectar of Instruction | |
| Nectar of Devotion (up to 19th Chapter) | |
| Hearing | Must- SP’s BG classes (SB Canto 2 – click here) |
| Rules and Regulation | * I will be an active devotee in the temple’s congregation, that is, I will visit the temple as often as possible participate and associate with Krishna Conscious programs in the IBC/temple. * Refraining from non-vegetarian food (meat, fish and eggs ) and try to lead a moral life. * I will be dedicated to personal improvement in devotional practice and purity, by gradually applying the teachings of Srila Prabhupada under the guidance of his representatives. * I will accept that Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. * I will lead a pure holy life by avoiding intoxication ( alcoholic drinks ), meat-eating, gambling and extramarital sex. * I will study the books of Srila Prabhupada and attend the classes in ISKCON as often as possible ( atleast Sunday Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita every week). * I will worship Lord Krishna as far as practical at home, by setting up an altar, offering arati and foodstuffs, worshipping the sacred tulasi plant and following basic sadhana like rising early in the morning. * I will observe fasting on the Ekadashi and festival days as indicated in the Vaishnava Calendar. * I will accept the acharyas in the Gaudiya Parampara. * I will fast for the appearance and disappearance of the previous acharyas & Lord as given in the Vaishnava Calendar. * I will avoid intoxication including coffee & tea, cinema, sports . I will also abstain from taking onion and garlic. * I will be actively engaging in preaching (according to my capacity) to others about Krishna Consciousness. * I will follow a strict sadhana programme at home by rising early in the morning and following a program similar to the temple as far as possible. |
| Writing Shiksha Paper | A closed book test at IBC (1st Initiation – Writing Shiksha paper). Refer to the document: First Initiation Candidate Pre-requisites |
| Training- Attend Seminar | IDC, Holy Name (Harinaam Chinatamni), Vaishnava etiquete (or manual) |
| Interview | Yes |
| Service at IBC/Temple | Must have min one weekly service at IBC/temple |
| Mentor/Guide | Senior disciple of Guru for association or guidance should be identified before initiation |
| Attending Bv | Recommend to lead BV |
When recommendation letter for initiation is issued from IBC, it meant IBC vouch for applicant’s stability in terms of Sadhana and leading moral life. To get fair evaluation, devotee must be connected to IBC at least 6 months