Question: In BG 16.20, Śrī Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa presents a concept of “eternal hell” for some jīvas, with no possibility of deliverance. Even after many births, Bhagavān does not deliver them. He explains how Bhagavān only kills a specific type of asura who is not internally opposed to the Vedas. Even in Govinda-bhāṣya, Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa quotes
Question: In Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, there is Catuhślokī Bhāgavatam, which is spoken by the Lord Himself (SB 2.9.33–36). Was it spoken by the Lord on the first day (kalpa) of Lord Brahmā, or during the present kalpa? Answer: On the first day of Brahmā. Question: Do Sanatkumāra, Lord Śiva, and Śrī Nārada Muni take birth in
Question: I have a question about ego and spirituality. As we can see, especially in the West, most people approach religion, yoga, or philosophy in general, looking for personal gain. Most people think: “Only God can save me.” Therefore, they go into religious environments for the sake of their own selves. Even in bhakti, it
Question: We are aware that there are 8.4 million species in this material world. Does the jīva have to pass through all these species, one by one, to attain a human form of life? Or does it depend on the guṇa to which it is associated? Answer: Birth depends on past karma. It is not
Question: I have two questions concerning Rāmāyaṇa. 1) When Vālī defeated Sugrīva, he threw him out of his kingdom and took his wife away. 2) When Lord Rāma was ruling Ayodhyā, He sent Sītā away when a man questioned her character. How can we understand this in today’s modern context? What’s the Vedic view on
Question: Why is Buddha counted among the Dāśavatāras since his teachings are averse to Vaiṣṇava philosophy? Answer: There are two possible explanations. Some scholars propound the idea that there were two Buddhas. One Buddha is the well-known Buddha who was born as Gautama to King Śuddhodana in Nepal. The other is the Buddha included in
Question: In Krama-dīpikā, Yaśodā is said to be dark blue, and so the contrast of colors would occasion a great splendor. In Gautamiya Tantra, however, her bodily luster is said to be yellow. In his commentary on SB 10.9.3, Jīva Gosvāmī writes: “Atasī, umā, and kṣauma are synonymous [and mean ‘flax’]” (Amarakośa 2.9.20). Moreover, Yasoda’s
