Questions & Answers
Philosophy Questions & Answers

Gopi svarupa or Indian Girl?

Question: Is it correct to say that if one meditates wrongly one can take the next birth as a material Indian girl; one can only attain gopi svarupa while following the descriptions in the Gosvamis’ books. Anwer: You were right. One needs to submissively follow the indications and descriptions given by the Guru and by

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Philosophy Questions & Answers

Prakriti and Purusha

Question: I have studied Sankhya very briefly as part of another course I took at the Hindu University.  But, I have been very interested in it ever since.  I have read about it and have learned some and been confused some.  Your lesson notes are very clear and helpful.  Of course, being from the Western

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Questions & Answers

Six Obstacles in Bhakti

Question: Can you please explain the meaning of the six obstacles in bhakti: kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada, matsarya.   Answer: Kama literally means desire but more commonly is translated as lust, which is one of the most preoccupying desires of the human mind. Krodha (anger): When kama is obstructed anger arises. Lobha (greed): If

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Taste beyond Injunctions

Question: I have a question about this verse from Bhakti Sandarbha (312), from Gautamiya Tantra: prItir atra tAdRza-ruciH …. na japo nArcanaM naiva dhyAnaM nApi vidhi-kramaH kevalaM santataM kRSNa-caraNAmbhoja-bhAvinAm “There is no japa, no deity worship, no meditation and no succession of rules. There is only feelings for Krishna’s lotusfeet.” This verse is quoted in

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Philosophy Questions & Answers

Sahajiyas, Tapasvis and Rasa

Question: It is said in shastra – ataeva kama prema bahut antara – kama andhatama prema nirmala bhaskara. Prema and kama are totally different from each other. In their tikas to BRS 3.5.2, Sri Jiva and Sri Visvanatha confirm this: nivRtteSu prAkRta-zRGgAra-rasa-sama-dRSTyA bhAgavatAd apy asmAd rasAd virakteSv anupayogitvAd ayogyatvAt Because they see it as the

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Questions & Answers

Trips to Vaikuntha

Question: I came across the following verses from Bhavisyottara Purana, quoted in Haribhakti Vilasa: Text 284 putra-santanam arogyam saubhagyam atulam labhet satya dharma rato bhutva mrto vaikuntham apnuyat “By observing the vow of Janamastami, one receives good children, good health, and unlimited good fortune. One also becomes truly righteous and ascends to Vaikuntha after death.”

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Questions & Answers

Questions on Bhakti and Jnana

Question: How is jnana dependent on bhakti? Does it mean a jnani has to practice bhakti with his practice of jnana to be successful? Or does it mean that a jnani has to come to path of bhakti as a result of his jnana? Answer: He has to practice bhakti as secondary to jnana. Question:

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