General
General

Renunciation in Bhakti

Question:  We hear in the Bhagavatam about the austerities of King Prthu: “In the summer he placed fires around himself in the four directions, with the sun burning overhead. During the monsoon season he tolerated the torrents of rain. During the dewy season he stood up to his neck in cold water and slept on

Read More
General

The Essence of Dharma

Question: Babaji, can you tell me in brief the essence of dharma? I have read books on dharma, but there are so many principles that sometimes it is difficult to decide what is proper behavior. Answer: The purpose of dharma is to maintain discipline in an individual and in society so that the individual can

Read More
General

Keep Your Practice and Realizations Secret

The following article is an extract from Bhakti Sandarbha Text 339 by Jīva Gosvāmī (the second to last text of Bhakti Sandarbha), with commentary of Babaji Satyanarayana Dasa. The path of devotion has thus been outlined in this book. If, by the mercy bestowed by guru or Bhagavān, one has realized some confidential truth regarding

Read More
General

Study Shastra Properly

Question: Sometimes devotees argue that there is no need to study shastra. They give examples, such as the story from Caitanya Caritamrita of the simple devotee who could not even read Bhagavad Gita properly. He was ‘reading’ it upside down and crying, but even so, Lord Caitanya was pleased with him. Answer: Some people think

Read More
General Questions & Answers

Is Bhakti Dependent on Indian Culture?

QUESTION: Why can I not be a devotee of Kṛṣṇa without subscribing to Vedic or rather Indian customs? Why do I have to dress like an Indian, which even modern Indians don’t do? This may be alright while one is living in India, but to carry these customs to the West makes one look weird

Read More
General

The Jīva’s Beginningless Nature and Bondage

The following is an excerpt from the commentary on Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī’s Tattva Sandarbha (Anuccheda 32). The subject is the individual self, jīva, and its involvement with Bhagavān’s deluding potency, māyā.

Read More
General

Atha Sadhu-sanga (Part 4)

My intention was to study all the major Gaudiya Vaisnava literature from Maharaja while studying the Sad-darshanas, such as Nyaya and Vaisesika, from another teacher. My logic was that no one else could teach Gaudiya literature, while others were proficient in the Sad-darshanas, so I should not use Maharajji’s time to study the latter. Maharajji

Read More