Question: I am reading “The Yoga of Dejection” again. On page 153, when answering a question about varnasrama, you say: “Aptitudes can be ascertained... Read More
Question: Is there any difference between the happiness and distress caused by karma and the happiness and distress that are caused by the Lord’s... Read More
Question: What are offenses? Answer: Offenses are the activities which are against devotion. We have a list of them. It is important to avoid... Read More
Question: I found your article on the Indian Schools of Philosophy very interesting and I have some questions for you. Did the six darshans... Read More
Question: On your website [under Lineage], you say that “Jiva Gosvami’s uncles, Rupa and Sanatana Gosvami received diksha from Gadadhara Pandita and Jiva Gosvami followed in the line of his uncles.” I do not see that anywhere in our Vaishnava literature. Is that in Chaitanya Charitamrta?
Question: My understanding is that on a superior level of analysis, Brahman is made of persons: Jivas, like light is made of photons. Am I right? Answer: No, Brahman is not made of jivas. Jivas are the tatastha sakti of Bhagavan and Brahman is Bhagavan with unmanifest qualities. Moreover, Brahman has no parts. If it were made of jivas, it would have parts in it.
Question: I read the article on jñāna on your website and have some questions: What is the difference between self-luminous and self-conscious? Answer: Self-luminous means an object which does not need the help of another luminous object to see it or perceive it. For example, a burning candle is self-luminous because you do not need another burning candle or light source to see it. However a book or table is not self-luminous because you need a light source to see it.
