Question: We understand that in relation to Bhagavan Kṛṣṇa, everybody is female. He is the only male. How does this play out in the context of genders and the concept of masculine and feminine? Answer: This is a different concept and should not be mixed with our understanding of the words “male” and “female.” The difference between sex and gender is
We have heard often that Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Controller—iśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇa (Brahma-saṁhitā 5.1). He also proclaims this in Gītā (7.7)—mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñcid asti dhanañjaya, “There is nothing superior to Me, O Dhanañjaya”. As a controller, He manifests Himself in the form of Paramātmā. Paramātmā is Kṛṣṇa’s controlling manifestation. Kṛṣṇa says that He
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
