Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers

Questions on Caitanya Caritamrita

Question:  I read in a purport to Caitanya Caritamrita (Madhya 24) that the guru must be situated on the topmost platform of devotional service. If this is so, what happens when someone on a lower class accepts disciples? Answer: Both guru and disciple remain in ignorance, if they are not sincere. If they are sincere,

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Questions & Answers

Near Death Experiences, Jivas, Catuhsloki

Near Death Experiences Question:  People have near death experiences and during such experiences, they often see a bright light. Is this really just the self shining in its own presence cut from the senses for a brief moment, or is it some samskara they are experiencing of many eons ago possibly merging with Brahman in

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Questions & Answers

Universal Form, Animal Killing, Bhagavata Commentaries

Question: Usually we hear that on the battlefield of Kuruksetra, only Arjuna saw the virata-rupa. But sometimes it is said that others saw it as well. Do you know where this alternate idea is stated specifically? I found a reference from Sridhara Maharaja's disciple, Govinda Maharaja.

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Questions & Answers

Karma, Sex, Sincerity and Buddhist Mantra

Question: Karma is a complex process in evolution. At what point is the sadhaka, who has a sad-guru and is strictly following the process of bhajan, subjected to karma, and when is the karma nullified and the will of the Lord acting?

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Philosophy Questions & Answers

Questions and Answers about Free Will, Tantra, Prostitutes

Question: Is free will an illusion? Answer: Yes, more or less. Unless one has spiritual knowledge, it is an illusion only. Question: Sometimes in shastra there are references to free will and that human life is the only with free will, but it seems also that many times in shastra there are statements that indicate

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Philosophy Questions & Answers Shastra

The Greatness of Bhakti

Question: Jiva Goswami writes in his tika of Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.1.22 that the dog-eater needs to take another birth to qualify for the soma yaga, and quotes Sridhara Swami who says that his immediate qualification for sacrifice means that he is given the respect due to a qualified person ...

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Philosophy Questions & Answers Shastra

Haribhakti Vilasa, Krishna’s Avatara

The Status of Haribhakti Vilasa Question: I have a few questions about the status of Haribhakti Vilasa. Was it written for both devotees and smartas? Answer: It was written for Vaisnavas, but not specifically for Gaudiya Vaisnavas. Question: For what time was it written? For a specific time or for eternity? Answer: Not for any

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