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I have often spoken about mantra initiation. A mantra is a spiritual word with two meanings. First, it represents positive spiritual energy. Second, it is the name of God according to Vedic or Hindu tradition. Ultimately, God is God, regardless of the name used. Mahāprabhujīho. There are mantras dedicated to the Holy Mother, known as tantric mantras, and there is the Gāyatrī Mantra. The Gāyatrī Mantra is ancient. Some say the entire Vedic wisdom emerged from it, while others say it emerged from the Vedas. There are many good mantras, but also many for black magic. We have sattvic, spiritual, divine mantras from our spiritual lineages. Before receiving a mantra, one should read Līlāmṛt, the biography of Mahāprabhujī, five times. Then you will understand what it means to receive a mantra and what a master means. It is not that I do not wish to give mantras; I was born to give them. I would be happiest to give you a mantra, and you will receive one. The question is: do you understand what the mantra means? Do you understand what the guru means—the master or spiritual leader? You should have only one such guru or spiritual master in your life. Even if that master is no longer in physical form, never think, "My master has passed away; who will guide me?" The master's guidance remains with you in this life and all others. Neither the guru dies, nor the disciple dies. This is merely a physical matter. Unless you understand what the mantra means, and unless you have clarity about religion—which means free thinking—the mantra is not good for you to take. It is okay to have a mantra; it is better than nothing. But what you wish to achieve can only be given and realized through systematic practice, complete understanding, surrender, and devotion to the master and your mantra. Do not change the mantra or take another master. Therefore, choose the master you resonate with. Sanātana Dharma is the eternal religion, the universal principle. Love, happiness, contentment, freedom—these are universal principles. No one holds a copyright. The entire functioning of the universe is sanātana. Sanātana means eternal, from the very beginning, and it is and will be our relationship with God—that God which has no name and no form, ātmā to ātmā. That is Sanātana. Sanātana means truth. Sanātana means beauty. Sanātana means bliss. Sanātana means pure consciousness. It is not connected to a particular religion because when sanātana became clear to human intellect, none of today's religions existed. Sanātana Dharma is known as the living Dharma. There is a system of teaching from master to devotee or student. You cannot drive a car, so you go to a teacher who instructs you. He is your master, and you are the disciple. He gives you the knowledge of driving, and you may also become a driving master. This process of transmitting light and wisdom is the guru and sanātana. There are many spiritual masters in the world, but you should know their background, their spiritual lineages, and have clarity in your consciousness. There are many self-made masters who say, "We do not need a master; just follow me." Now he is a master, but he does not believe in other masters. This indicates something is wrong. We always adore our spiritual lineage and masters because it is Siddha Gāḍī, Siddha Pīṭh, the holy chair, our holy lineage. Before receiving a mantra from any master, you should know from which stream the water flows, its source. Reading the Līlāmṛt will bring clarity, and then you should seek initiation. This mantra initiation is not merely a religious ceremony, though ceremonies are also important. It is a spiritual initiation, the first milestone in your life. It should not happen that after two or five years you say, "Swāmījī, I am sorry, I did not understand everything when I took the mantra, and I have decided to stop." For your own benefit, I suggest you do not receive a mantra from anyone unless you are clear. Otherwise, it will be like modern life. While returning from Prague the day before yesterday, I heard Austrian news stating that every second Austrian is getting divorced. It is terrible. There will also be news about how many disciples give up their mantras and how many take them. Marriage means to merge into oneness. In English-speaking countries, they say, "The road merges there." When someone marries, it is a oneness, not merely emotional. To receive a mantra is also a spiritual marriage where your consciousness merges with the master's consciousness. It is the first mighty stone on your path—not a physical one, but of consciousness. I know many wish to receive a mantra, and I would be more than happy and proud if you see something good in me, especially since everyone seems to shout at me. Yesterday I was unhappy: why are people angry with me? What have I done? No one loves me. I am a clear person. I am not counting seeds in my yard, but counting how many seeds from my yard attain mokṣa, liberation. Therefore, for your benefit, think it over. Read Mahāprabhujī’s Līlāmṛt five times, then decide. When you come to receive the mantra, come with an empty stomach, fasting. Bring bhāva with you. Bhāva means devotion. Bhāva znamená oddanost. Bring flowers as an offering. Also bring a donation; there is no fixed amount, but it is a token of your appreciation and material surrender. Bring a cloth for the master—a shawl, towel, or material for a dress. Sometimes students collectively buy cloth for the master's robe. If you wish, nine meters is good, as sometimes people bring too little, leaving me with mismatched colors. It need not be, but you may bring a bedsheet in any color. If you bring cloth for me, it should ideally be of this color, as whatever I receive goes to the ashram, and the ashram is for you. You are the ashram, and the ashram is you. These things unite us more. We follow Guru Vākya, and you know we love animals. We do not wish to kill them; this is the first ethical principle: do not kill. Therefore, we do not eat meat. The first reason is: thou shalt not kill. Second, you never know what illness an animal had or what chemicals were fed to it, which then enter your body. All my devotees around the world are vegetarian. I can tell you that all our children worldwide are raised vegetarian and achieve the best grades in school. I have been here 37 years, and my children, whom I always call, were small when I arrived. Now they have children and even grandchildren. I am a great-grandfather. I have seen four generations through yoga and daily life, and I tell you, all have the best grades, professions, and health. A vegetarian diet is very healthy. It is not just salad and pumpkin; you must learn about Indian vegetarian cuisine. We use milk products. If possible, get milk directly from farmers, along with honey, nuts, various spices, vegetables, corn, wheat, and rice. Use whole wheat and organic products. Our children are healthy and happy. Eat everything except killed animals: no fish, no eggs, no meat. When you receive a mantra, you should know you must become vegetarian. Before doing so, speak with your partner. Do not end up cooking meat for them while abstaining yourself; it is not appreciable, and your partner may be unhappy. First, create harmony and mutual understanding, then decide to receive a mantra. Vegetarianism is known as the noble way of life, the highest thinking and spirit in the body. Organize this, then receive the mantra in a wonderful ceremony that will uplift your spirit, body, and consciousness. Otherwise, I could give you a mantra, and you might say, "Yes, I had a guru who gave me a mantra. What's his name? I cannot repeat it, but he is called Swamiji, something beginning with M." What kind of disciple does not know their master's name? The master's name should flow with every breath, in and out. As Holī Gurujī said in a bhajan: "Through each and every breath, inhalation and exhalation, should be only your name, oh my." Those who wish to receive a mantra, I am very happy to give it, and I will be very happy to have you as a disciple. But I will be very unhappy if I disappoint you, or you disappoint me by thinking, "I did not understand, and I took a mantra. I am sorry." It is okay, but it is not what we expect—neither you nor I. You are an honest person with the motivation and desire to achieve something higher. It does not matter if you take a mantra from me or another master. First, check thoroughly. Do not fall into emotion, whether from philosophical or emotional talk. There are a hundred baby goats and a hundred mothers; every mother finds her child instantly without a photo. Our mother does not have a photo of the child either. When you see your master, it should be penetrating, transparent, and clear. Then it is right to take the mantra.