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His Holiness Lokanath Swami - A Guru! A bonafide guru honestly accepts and faithfully serves the authority of the disciplic succession represented by the Founder Acharya of ISKCON, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda. Having viewed the life of His Holiness Lokanath swami Maharaja, I can definitely say that he has matched the statement above! Maharaj is currently serving in ISKCON as Guru, and has reached his Golden Jubilee (50 years) in Iskcon. What an achievement! His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada had awarded maharaj the sannyasa (renounced order) in 1976 enabling him to then accept the position of guru a few years later ratified by the ISKCON Governing Body Council. Since then, Maharaja has gained a discipleship of just over five thousand disciples globally, having awarded them his shelter and guidance. He has shown real, genuine care and great concern for them all. This isn't a small fete by any standards! Let us consider the statement just made. These days everyone is looking on gaining spiritually of some sort, and for that inspiration is needed. For us, members of ISKCON Srila Prabhupada serves as the ultimate source of inspiration as the founder acarya. Yet, Srila Prabhupada has vested and empowered many of his disciples and these disciples have gone on to inspire those who follow them. It is however important to note that; this is the disciplic succession, it holds the succession plan for generations of devotees in this particular hierarchy. A well thought system. Yet, though the hands may change the principles and teachings remain the same. All bona fide representatives of Srila Vyäsadeva in the chain of disciplic succession are to be understood to be gosvämis. The gosvämis do not deliver lectures on the Bhägavatam (Vedic Literature) capriciously. Rather, they execute their services most carefully, following their predecessors who delivered the spiritual message unbroken to them. — SB 1.1.5yp His Holiness Lokanath Swami has certainly represented his predecessors in the manner that is most careful, and as a result he has attracted so many to his shelter. His qualities and scholarship has led to this being achieved. When one develops the attribute of being a servant leader, immediately one's ability is enhanced. Though he may act spontaneously, he has thought the process through. To project or promote any sort of teaching requires the promoter to be empowered, else that renders inadequate to render such teachings. A bonafide guru is fixed in serving the Supreme Personality of Godhead as servant of the servant. SSR Ch. 8

A bonafide guru has realized the conclusions of scriptures. The qualification of a spiritual master is that he must have realized the conclusions of the scriptures by deliberation and arguments and thus be able to convince others of these conclusions. Such great personalities who have taken shelter of the Supreme Godhead, leaving aside all material considerations, are to be understood as bona fide spiritual masters. — NOD Ch. 7 With absolute conviction, we can definitely understand the nature and purpose of a guru. It is serious business. His Holiness Lokanath Maharaj has certainly fulfilled this aspect, achieved a whole lot more for his spiritual master and has set the scene for the future generations to follow suit. #Lokanath Swami #Lokanath Swami Guru Iskcon #Iskcon GBC- Guru

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His Holiness Lokanath Swami, Iskcon!

His Holiness Lokanath Swami Maharaj, the epitome of youthfulness, inspiration, humility, sincerity, servitude and a person who exudes and exemplifies the servant leader title, by placing others first under the banner of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Lokanath Maharaj, being a direct disciple of the founder acarya of Iskcon, His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, magnifies the qualities imbibed from Srila Prabhupada by His Holiness. 
Having renounced his worldly order of life and taken on responsibility within the realm of ISKCON , Lokanath Swami Maharaj has gone on to inspire many people worldwide. Inspiration or the ability to inspire isn’t arrived at an instant! Inspiration is permeated by someone who is dedicated, accomplished, circumspect, disciplined and humble enough to accept one’s position despite success or disappointment. This is what comes to mind when I think of His Holiness Lokanath Swami Maharaj, a renowned monk in ISKCON. 

My first interaction with Maharaj was at the Festival of Chariots at the Durban Beachfront South Africa in 2004. He was so dynamic yet small in stature. Dynamite comes in small packages, it is said.  He wore a warm and welcoming smile, a shining bright personality with a roaring voice. At the start of the article, attention was drawn on Maharaj’s youthfulness.  I had begun the youthful phase of my life then and there at that very gathering. What better start to a youthful tenure could there be? The energy he gave off was immense and positively impactful, in fact if one conducts a survey on all those who have met Maharaj , I’m sure you will get a similar response.

Most, if not all the youth members of ISKCON have been positively impacted by His Holiness Lokanath Swami Maharaj. He is well recognized for his ability to perform Kirtan (devotional music), and when it’s his turn to render a bit all the youth members flock to be as close to him as possible. His exuberance is phenomenal. That’s not the only charm Maharaj possesses though, he is well versed in Vedic Scriptures, he is a prolific writer, a perfect disciple, a guru to many; just to name a few. He has left no stone unturned in fulfilling the order of His Divine grace Srila A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. This has shaped the character of Maharaj in so many ways. He joined this mission of ISKCON at a young age and has made it his home ever since, making him the person he is today. A true impacting inspiration! Having gained the wonderful opportunity of closely associating with Maharaj, I can definitely say his personality has rubbed off on me. It has given me an opportunity to review my character and work on becoming a better person for the present and the future. His personality is an exemplar for us all, teaching one without speaking, but showing instead. I am greatly indebted for his association in my life, I certainly wish to have more of an interaction so that I get to learn more! 

ALL GLORIES TO HIS DIVINE GRACE SRILA A.C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI SRILA PRABHUPADA!   ALL GLORIES TO HIS HOLINESS LOKANATH SWAMI MAHARAJ!