In Bhakti Sandarbha (Anuccheda 217), Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī divides bhakti into three categories, namely Āropa-siddhā, Saṅga-siddhā and Svarūpa-siddhā. It is easy to understand the last category but there is some confusion about the others, especially the first one. As human beings, we have the ability to act using our mind, body, and speech. These actions
There was a sage named Jamadagni. He and his wife Reṇukā had many sons. One of these sons was Paraśurāma who is famous for annihilating many kṣatriya kings 21 times. What impelled him to do this? And why 21 times? He did so to take revenge of the murder of his father. Kārtavīrya Arjuna was
Our ahaṅkāra is relentless. It never gives up and is one-pointedly devoted to itself. It only has a single-point agenda – “I am Supreme. There is no one like me.” Unfortunately, the first part is not true and not possible even theoretically. If it were true, then everyone would be supreme. Then being supreme would
It is a well-known fact that Kṛṣṇa was born to Devakī in the prison of Kaṁsa in a four-handed form holding a conch, lotus, club, and disc. He had all the insignia of Viṣṇu on His body. His parents recognized Him as Bhagavān and recited prayers to Him. Then Kṛṣṇa spoke and reminded them of
The saying “the face is the index of the mind” has been ingrained in our cultural consciousness, often suggesting that one’s facial expressions accurately reflect one’s inner thoughts and emotions. There is a tale from Hitopadeśa that confirms this notion. In the city of Campaka, within the confines of an āśrama inhabited by hermits, resided
In Bhagavad Gītā, Śrī Kṛṣṇa uses the word yukta many times. The word yukta is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, “to join or to meditate,” by applying the kṛdanta suffix kta in the sense of an agent. The word yukata can mean a person “balanced or regulated,” “endowed with,” “appropriate,” or “perfected or accomplished
Question: As you know, the Smārtas, Śrī Vaiṣṇavas, and Madhvas differ philosophically. While people at times engage in polemical attacks on Smārtas, the attack on them has become a street fight. What is the attitude of traditional Gauḍīyas toward Smārtas? Do you think it is proper for Vaiṣṇavas to attack Smārta brāhmaṇas? Answer: Let us
