Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa
Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa Sandarbhas

Symptoms of Śraddhā

The following article is based upon Bhakti Sandarbha (Anuccheda 172–173). In these two anucchedas, Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī describes śraddhā as the basic qualification of a devotee. According to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, there are only three paths for the ultimate good of human beings, as stated, “These three yogas—jñāna, karma, and bhakti—have been taught by Me with

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Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa

No Place for Jealousy in Bhakti

We all have acquired certain deceptive attitudes as a consequence of identifying ourselves with the mind-body complex. Such identification naturally puts the preservation of the body and such mental paradigms at its forefront and thus, self-centeredness inevitably arises. Trying to please the mind-body duo, which is inert and lives by the infused consciousness of the

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Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa Sandarbhas

Is Kṛṣṇa a Warmonger?

Some may read Bhagavad Gītā and think that Śrī Kṛṣṇa spoke in order to inspire Arjuna to fight for dharma. Being a kṣatriya, it was in fact Arjuna’s dharma to fight. However, seeing his teacher Droṇācārya and friends and relatives such as Bhīṣma on the opposing side, he lost his enthusiasm for the battle. Rather

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Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa

Gossip: The Quickest Route to Spiritual Suicide

We repeatedly hear that Vaiṣṇavas shouldn’t gossip. We all know that it is a big offense to gossip about another Vaiṣṇava, and a catastrophic offense to gossip about one’s guru. Śrī Kṛṣṇa grants the wish of His devotee. Therefore, the gossipers will find plenty of outlets in the form of other devotees who will commiserate

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Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa Gaudiya History Gaudiya Vaishnavas

Female Guru

“Can a female be guru?” is a frequently asked question. Such a question did not arise in the minds of people a few decades ago because people in general, and in India specifically, were clear about their identities and roles. With the advancement of technology and science, our lifestyles have changed drastically. This has also

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Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa

Why Do Good People Suffer?

Often people ask this question—why do good people suffer and bad people enjoy? This seems to be an age-old question. Such a doubt arose even in the mind of Draupadī. When King Yudhiṣṭhira lost his kingdom in a gambling match, he along with his brothers and queen Draupadī had to go into exile for twelve

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Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa

Are We Biased to Believe?

Many years ago, while studying Nyāya and Vedānta, my Nyāya teacher said:   tattva-pakṣa-pāto hi dhiyāṁ svabhāvaḥ “The nature of the intellect is definitely biased towards truth.” At the time, I did not understand the deep implications of this statement. Recently, while teaching Sāṅkhya-kārikā (64), I came across the same statement in Vācaspati Miśrā’s commentary. I

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