Got Name?

On the morning of April 16, 2008, prep work in the Athens, Ohio ISKCON center started up as usual. However, the scheduled evening program was not going to be the typical Wednesday night program.
Garlands needed to be strung and hung in anticipation of a very special ceremony. Mahalaxmi dd is the garland acarya and I am very thankful that she offered her services and expertise. Luckily, the magnolia trees were in full bloom and the daffodils were plentiful.
As 7:30pm rolled near, the auspicious guests began to arrive.
His Holiness Hrdayananda das Goswami took to the throne and the initiation ceremony officially commenced. Click here to listen to the full lecture.My prayers are being answered. How fortunate I am to have taken shelter of a bona fide spiritual teacher who has formally agreed to personally guide my spiritual life and development and, thereby, maximize my full potential in this human body. What more could a girl ask for?At this very moment I received Nama Initiation into the Madhva-Gaudiya ISKCON sampradaya. Following tradition, just before I received my japa mala, I made a public vow to chant at least 16 rounds (1728 mantras in total) of the Hare Krsna Mahamantra every day and to uphold the four regulative principles of freedom for the rest of my life. The four regulative principles are as follows:

1. No Intoxication
2. No Gambling
3. No Illicit Sex
4. No Meat-Eating (no carne, no fish, no eggs)

Traditionally, one is also given a new name with initiation. As Srila Acaryadev puts it, Vaisnava initiation is like a "Vedic barmitzvah." I am thrilled to announce that my new spiritual name is Ali Krsna devi dasi. Ali literally means "girlfriend of the girlfriends" and Krsna means "all-attractive". Together the name signifies that I am the loving servant of Krsna who is the center of the lives of all women. My godbrother from Australia also received initiation. He was given the name Arka das. Click here to see the ecstatic kirtan that followed the ceremony.
HH Hrdayanada das Goswami (more commonly known as Srila Acaryadev) is the most magnificent personality I have ever met. Having had the opportunity to personally serve him these last two weeks, I have an even greater understanding of his magnanimous personality. He brings out the very best in all who surround him. To know him is to love him. His knowledge of Sanskrit & sastra is unparalleled, and his understanding of Srila Prabhupada's mood and the mission of Lord Caitanya is perfectly complete. Please pray that I may follow in Srila Acaryadev's footsteps and serve Lord Caitanya and His mission to reestablish spiritual principles throughout the universe by chanting the Holy Names and, thereby, personally seeing to the spiritual upliftment and evolution of mankind and all living entities.

It's official. There's no turning back now. Ali Krsna dd is at your service!