Sadhana
Gaudiya Philosophy Questions & Answers Sadhana

Chanting the Name without Offense

Question: Cakravarti Thakur writes: “Even so, the Yamadutas, the messengers of Yamaraj, are powerless to attack anyone who chant the Holy Name, even offenders, for the Bhagavatam says, “[These devotees] do not see Yama’s noose-bearing servants even in their dreams, for they are free from the need for any other atonements.” In the description of the

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Bhakti Sadhana

Basic Principles of Deity Worship

QUESTION: In the śāstras an elaborate process of Deity worship is described. If, however, someone is living alone in the West, should they do simple Deity worship, and if so what exactly is necessary for them to do? ANSWER: In Vaiṣṇava culture, after taking dīkṣā, it is mandatory to perform Deity worship, because this is

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onions and garlic
Questions & Answers Sadhana

What Is Wrong with Onions and Garlic?

Question: What is the rational, logical reason behind not eating Garlic, Onions, (Carrots, etc)? It seems there is not logical reason, only a reference to a myth with several versions claiming that certain vegetables sprouted for the first time in connection with the slaughter of a cow. Can you give any logical reason for this dietary

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Questions & Answers Sadhana

Duty, Ekadashi, Address, Dress

Question: In chapter 3 of Bhagavad Gita, Krishna speaks of duty, and how one should do one's duty imperfectly rather than perform another's duty well. As Vaishnava's in today's world, what should our duty be?

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Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa Gaudiya Vaishnavas Philosophy Sadhana

Svadhyaya – Japa and Shastra Treat

Two years ago I experimented with something I had been deliberating on for many years. Along with twelve of my students, I rented a house in Switzerland for a week in the summer and engaged in japa meditation as described in bhakti shastra. There was no contact with the outside world, (i.e. no phone or

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