Mohsin Hassan: There is another question many people like to know about. They visit the temples in Chicago and many temples all over the United States. They are fascinated in the ritual things, the ara . . . during the offering food to the Deities, and especially this initiation service. I would like to record the meaning of these ritual things, because it's very important to explain in great detail about it.
Prabhupāda: Yes. This is, this is essential for advancing in spiritual consciousness. Just like kindergarten system, the children are given some wooden, I mean, some plans to form A, B and C like that . . . (indistinct) . . . so this not like . . . exactly like the . . . kindergarten . . . system. This system is introduced by great ācāryas, authorities. So we have to follow. In the beginning we have no love for Kṛṣṇa, so this process will help how to invoke his love for Kṛṣṇa. This is standard process.
Mohsin Hassan: This is the basic philosophy of the ritual.
Prabhupāda: Yes. And they are introduced by great ācāryas. You'll find, if you go in India, there are many thousands of temples, the same things are being followed from, shall we say, thousands and thousands of years—not only since the time of Kṛṣṇa; before the time of Kṛṣṇa. This is called arcana-vidhi, the regulative principle for worshiping the Lord. Therefore . . . so they have to be . . . Pañca . . . this is called Pañcarātrika-vidhi, the regulative principle on the authority of Nārada Pañcarātra. So they must be followed. Otherwise one cannot be purified. This is purificatory process.