June 16, 2024

Questions on today's Swami call:

Thank you for your kind mercy. Can you share something about the moods and bhavas of the wives of Sri Caitanya's associates?

Is the Haridas Goswami you mentioned the same person that founded the Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan? Is it possible that what Haridas Goswami taught was about Sri Gauranga's relationship with his wives before taking sannyasa?

In the madhya-lila of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, there is an instance where Sri Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya offers food to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Mahaprabhu then comments that he hopes the food has been offered to Sri Krishna, as there are Tulasi flowers on it. If we are to worship our deities of Sri Sri Gaura Nityananada in the mood that they are pursuing, when we offer them food, would they prefer it to have been offered to Sri Krishna first?

Is there a significance to the sequence of how the deities are placed on the altars at Srila Prabhupada's temple of Sri Sri Krishna-Balarama in Vrindavana?

Do you think that people like Martin Luther would have heard about Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and been inspired by him in their work?

It is said that Sri Gauranga appears in other Kali-yugas as Gaura Narayana rather than Gaura Krishna. What would be the purpose of such avataras?

Do you have any thoughts on accepting money for religious services?

Would you like to say something in memory of Sriman Jagadananda Prabhu, who passed away this week?

There is a verse in the Padyavali that describes Mother Yashoda telling Sri Krishna about Lord Narasimhadeva. Did this event take place in the spiritual world or in the lila here on Earth?

Could you recommend any Gaudiya Vaishnava or Vaishnavi who has explained madhurya-rasa in the same way that you have explained sakhya-rasa?

How can one maintain the commitment of a beginner (kanistha) devotee while striving to become open-minded like an intermediate (madhyama) devotee?

Is the maha-mantra a Vedic mantra or not, and what difference would that make?

When you read the Bhagavad-Gita, should it be taken more as allegorical and interpreted or as an actual eventa

Questions on today's Swami call:

When the sadhana-siddha enters the spiritual world, do they forget the baddha-jivas of this world?

Once when asked about why there are so many religions in the world, Srila Sridhara Maharaja answered, "There must be religious differences, but one who can catch the real internal meaning of the truth will be saved." Can you help me understand this statement?

Srila Sridhara Maharaja also said that since people are so fallen in Kali-yuga, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had to bring the highest conception of the Godhead to save them. Is it then ultimately to our advantage that we are so fallen?

Is it also an advantage that things like cheating and parakiya is not so foreign to us and therefore we can better relate to Sri Krishna?

When Sri Nimai Pandit was disturbed about unqualified people having entered the kirtana at Srivasa Angan, was his ecstasy actually diminished, or was that something he said to create a teachable moment?

When chanting the maha-mantra, should we focus on something particular such as the syllables or the spirit of service?

When we receive diksa, is it the nature of the maha-mantra that changes to give us a deeper experience or is it our body changing into a sadhaka deha that makes us more receptive to what is already there in the mantra?

The Bhagavatam's contrast between the highly demoniac father, Hiranyakasipu, and his most saintly son, Prahlada is considerable. What is the text seeking to convey to its readers by this contrast?

Why do we refer to Srila Sridhara Maharaja with the title Deva?

Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi was at one point critical of the pujaris in Jagannatha Puri for covering the deities in new cloth without washing out the starch. In response to this, Lord Jagannatha and Lord Balarama appeared to him in a dream an slapped him on his cheeks. Can you explain the significance of this pastime?

Earlier in Gaura-lila, Sri Gadadhara Pandit criticized Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi which he later realized was a grave mistake. Here Pundarika Vidyanidhi is critical. This makes me wonder, who is Pundarika Vidyanidhi in Krishna-lila?

What is the role of the unconscious in Krishna consciousness?

What is the relationship between the mind and the brain, and what is the function of the brain?

Why do we refer to Srila Sridhara Maharaja with the title Deva?

If Sri Ramananda Raya is identified with Pandava Arjuna, and Arjuna is identified with Nara-Narayana, who is VIshnu-tattva, might this be the reason that Ramananda Raya is also identified with many other personalities, as Vishnu-tattva may have several sthayi-bhavas simultaneously while jivas do not?

00:01:03 Dandavats, dear Guru Maharaja. In the Bhagavad-gita, Sri Krishna instructs us to fix not only our mind but also our intelligence on him. In verse 2.41, is “fixed intelligence” (vyavasayatmika buddhir ekeha) the same as the Vedantic practice of reflective contemplation (mananam)?

00:13:33 How important is it for us as sadhakas to know that we are units of eternity, consciousness and bliss (sat-cit-ananda)? When we are unaware of this fact, we are vulnerable, and perhaps this vulnerability is conducive to surrender (saranagati), for example, seeing Sri Krishna as our only maintainer and protector.

00:30:43 Sri Rupa Goswami and Sri Jiva Goswami present slightly different perspectives on whether sakhya-rasa or vatsalya-rasa affords greater intimacy with Sri Krishna. What might be Sri Krishna’s perspective?

00:39:13 Is there any connection between the vanara-monkeys in Rama-lila and the monkeys to whom Sri Krishna feeds butter in Krishna-lila? I have heard thet the vanara monkeys endeared themselves so much to Lord Rama that they were given birth in Krishna-lila to continue associate with him there.

00:47:42 You mentioned in an answer to an earlier question that while we speak in this world about a hierarchy in the spiritual world, in the spiritual world it is not perceived as such. Would this principle extend outside of the different rasas of Vraja to, for example, Mathura, Dwaraka, Ayodhya, and Vaikuntha?

00:49:19 Considering that there may be different valid spiritual perspectives pointing to different abodes in the spiritual world, do you think there is room for a religious tradition to present its truths as universal/absolute even if they do not align with the truths present in other traditions?

0:00 News

00:00:41 Dandavats pranam, Guru Maharaja. Why is it that Sri Krishna sometimes refers to himself in third person in the Bhagavad-Gita?

00:01:59 Should we always refer to Sri Krishna himself or should we sometimes use terms like Paramatma?

00:11:18 Is Bhaktivedanta a title given to devotees who have studied at a high level?

00:18:45 Would you like to share about what the difference was between the version of the sannyasa-mantra you received from Srila Prabhupada and the one you received from Srila Sridhara Maharaja?

00:24:20 Sometimes it is taught that we should worship Sri Krishna because the spiritual world is the only place where we will be happy, whereas the material world only brings suffering. In my case, I worship Sri Krishna because I am interested in who he is and what he wants from me. At the same time, I want my material situation to be good, including relationships. Does this mean I have not yet let go of the thought that one can find happiness in this world?

00:37:19 Some devotees say that Lord Jagannatha is Srimati Radharani in the mood of Sri Krishna, whereas Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Sri Krishna in the mood of Srimati Radharani. Have you heard anything about this?

00:42:51 Devotees in higher stages feel themselves fallen whereas beginners may want recognition for being good devotees. Is this an obstacle for the beginner devotees?

00:55:03 Is something lacking in hearing the guru speak on the Srimad Bhagavatam online that is there if one attends in person?

0:00 News

00:02:34 You have mentioned that you received additional diksa-mantras from Srila Sridhara Maharaja. Can you tell us more about that? Are you still chanting those mantras regularly, or are they for special occasions such as when worshipping certain deities?

00:17:52 Before attaining steadiness (nistha) in our sadhana, what would be an appropriate experience of Sri Krishna to aspire for? 

00:29:59 Are ghosts real and is it true that they are the cause of mental illness?

00:42:36 Is Rahu a real planet?

00:49:01 What is the origin of the term acintya?

00:57:40 Should we be strict about breaking ekadaśi at the designated time?

0:00 A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada has reiterated many times that his Guru Maharaj instructed him to publish and distribute books and this is what he has done and what he wants his disciples to do. What is the one main instruction that we should remember from you and you want us to achieve on your behalf?

00:19:28 Dandavats to Guru Maharaja and all devotees. If one receives siddha-pranali and meditates as prescribed on one’s siddha-deha, how does one know whether that is merely mental projection or actual spiritual experience?

00:44:22 Hare Krishna, Dandavats. Dandavats to everyone. Do you know of any mantra, sloka, or pastime to study that is helpful for improving our very capacity to memorize slokas?

00:50:39 In Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya Lila 4.176, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says to Srila Sanatana Goswami: “In the material world, conceptions of good and bad are all mental speculations. Therefore, saying ‘This is good’ and ‘This is bad’ is all a mistake.” Why then is it important for devotees to behave “well” in the world?

01:02:12 Sadly, some time ago, a devotee friend of mine became attracted to monism, then buddhism, and then left our path. Have you seen such cases throughout your life in the Gaudiya Vaishnava world? Is it common?

March 24, 2024. North Carolina

March 23, 2024. North Carolina

March 23, 2024. North Carolina

March 22, 2024. North Carolina

March 21, 2024. North Carolina

March 20, 2024

0:00 Why does shastra divide the living beings into moving and non-moving?

00:05:09 It is said that the soul is immovable, and yet consciousness appears to move in the case of the moving living beings. How is that possible?

00:06:54 Sometimes Krishna-lila is said to come from Gaura-lila, and other times it is said that Gaura-lila comes from Krishna-lila. Can you comment on this?

00:11:47 Can you explain Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s teaching in Sri Jaiva Dharma that one may offer Sri Krishna’s prasadam to the devas and devis before accepting it oneself?

00:28:59 Can you shed light on the terms bala, jnana and kriya in the parasya saktir vividhaiva sruyate-verse? Is bala related with Sri Nityananda Prabhu?

00:36:04 What is the significance of the diksa mantras, and why do we chant them?

00:48:53 Are the diksa mantras the same as the gayatri mantras?

00:53:31 It is said that devotees do not go to hell, but why then do many devotees have to go through very difficult situations in life?

0:00 How can one serve Sri Nityananda Prabhu and attain his grace?

00:09:39 How can we preach what we consider authentic Krishna consciousness to others while still allowing them to have their own inspired experiences of Sri Krishna?

00:16:42 What is the significance of Sri Nityananda Prabhu being likened to the moon and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu being to the sun?

00:26:45 Why did Sri Nityananda Prabhu break Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s danda? In Srila Sridhara Maharaja’s favorite painting of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the Prabhu is holding a staff. Would that be before he was married?

00:36:23 Is there a special reason why in our tradition it is considered necessary that the devotee takes birth in Krishna-lila on earth before entering the spiritual world? In other traditions, a perfected devotee is believed to go directly from the material world to the spiritual world.

00:52:21 If it is necessary for us to take birth in Krishna-lila on earth, why does Sri Krishna say in the Bhagavad-gita that one who approaches him will not take birth again?

00:55:32 How come Sri Sankaracarya, since he is the founder of monistic vedanta, said he would like to retire on the banks of the Yamuna and hear Hari-katha?

0:00 What is the significance of the name Rama in the maha-mantra? Is it referring to Balarama? If so, why do we always emphasize the virtues of Harinama, but do not often talk about Rama-nama?

00:18:52 Some say that in the Kalisantarana Upanisad, the maha-mantra begins with Hare Rama and that Mahaprabhu changed it to beginning with Hare Krishna because Upanisadic mantras should not be shared in public. Do you agree with this view?

00:23:52 Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura said that one’s svarupa will be revealed by the chanting of the holy names, and the guru will assist in this process. Will the guru’s blessing make the holy names more inclined to reveal one’s svarupa?

00:26:17 What prayers do you recommend for praying to Sri Govardhana?

00:33:04 Some spiritualists believe one chooses one’s next birth in between lives in order to best learn necessary lessons. If this is true, it appears one would have to be outside of maya for a moment and then absorbed into maya again when one takes birth. What are your thoughts on this?

00:42:46 Can one consider oneself a Christian and a Gaudiya Vaishnava at the same time?

00:50:00 Some Christians perform a kind of smaranam, meditating on the end of the life of Christ. Would their internal experience be similar to that of raganuga-bhaktas?

00:54:00 Should we take seriously if a desire comes naturally in our heart towards a specific relationship with Sri Krishna?

Questions on today's Swami call:

0:00 Did Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura dance in kirtana?

00:01:53 Did Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura coin the term yukta-vairagya?

00:10:57 In what ways could our study of the Srimad Bhagavatam be enriched by understanding the teachings of the six classical schools of Indian philosophy?

00:23:45 What would be a good way to present to academicians the idea that Krishna consciousness is a science?

00:41:05 Would people who are suffering pain be more receptive than academicians to Krishna consciousness?

00:43:57 Why did Mahaprabhu first appear as a scholar and only later as a vaishnava?

00:47:28 Are bhakti and jnana mutually exclusive, or can they be seen as two complementary wings allowing us to fly?

00:51:35 If there are no rules for chanting the Holy Names, why are there offenses to the Name and so on?

Questions on today's Swami call:

0:00 How can we use feelings of sadness about the impermanence of relationships in this world as negative impetus for practice?

00:13:50 The attainment of bhava is said to come out of sadhana, but should we see bhava as the goal of our practice or focus on our practice as an end in itself?

00:23:39 Kashmiri Shaivites also speak about spiritual emotions, and Sri Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya recognized symptoms of spiritual emotions in Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu the first time he saw him. How is it that Shaivites and Advaitins have an understanding of spiritual emotions even though bhava-bhakti is not their goal?

00:32:31 Is it offensive to believe that jivas can fall from the spiritual world? Will misunderstandings about our philosophy hamper our progress?