Question: Sometimes devotees argue that there is no need to study and they give examples such as the story from Caitanya Caritamrita of the simple devotee who could not even read Bhagavad Gita, he was ‘reading’ it upside down and crying, but even so, Lord Caitanya was pleased with him. Answer: The point to take
Question: A question regarding Bhāgavatam 2.10.12 dravyaḿ karma ca kālaś ca svabhāvo jīva eva ca yad-anugrahataḥ santi na santi yad-upekṣayā Do you feel this is one of the pramānas establishing that the origin of the jīva is in Mahāviṣṇu / Puruṣa? I hear the verse like this: “He produced the fundamental material elements, and the
Question: Can you explain where the jivas have their origin. I understand it is in Paramatma, but Krsna also says that the living entities are his eternal fragmental parts (Gita 15.7). So what exactly does it mean? Answer: The simple principle, which I am sure you know, is that Bhagavan has three distinct saktis, namely
Question: Bhava and rasa are given by guru and when one accepts a guru, one is not aware of these things. So even though in rasa-shastra one always reads that one should perform seva and follow the inhabitants of Vraja according to one’s choice, there is not really so much choice of free will involved.
Is God unjust? Question: How can a just God create some souls eternally free, whereas others eternally damned (eternally, backward in time, since everyone agrees that all souls can be saved ultimately). How about reformulating this to “How can a just God approve of souls of unequal status?” I can personally live with that, but most
Question: I am taking your view very seriously. It is plausible and searching, but so far I find such a God less attractive than the soul-making God I defend. Answer: There are two ways to know or understand God. One is from our view, the other is God's own view about Himself. They both can
Question: Allow me to share my reservations about the Playful God. I understand the psychology of wanting to serve the one you adore, but only when service is needed does it make any sense. All my research tells me that service rendered by evolved spirits in the afterlife is one of the keys to their
