Philosophy
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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Gaudiya Philosophy Questions & Answers Shastra

The Purpose behind Storytelling in the Bhagavatam

Question:  I heard that Sukadeva Gosvami was Krsna’s parrot in his last life, and in this life he was a brahman-realized person. How is one to understand this, if he’s an eternal associate of the Lord? Is this a lila or something else? Answer: There are various types of stories related to Sukadeva in shastra, and

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Gaudiya Philosophy Questions & Answers

Are the Vedas Inherent in the Heart? (3)

When I was requested to comment on the discussion, I wrote as follows: “Jīva Gosvāmī has refuted sphota-vāda in Sarva-samvādini. It is not a question of citing some verses to prove a point but to understand the complete system. Does acintya-bhedabheda-vāda of Jīva Gosvāmī entertain the idea of sphota-vāda or the Veda or love being

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Gaudiya Philosophy Questions & Answers

More on the Origin of Jiva and the Siddhanta

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

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Events Gaudiya Philosophy Sandarbhas

New Edition of Tattva Sandarbha Released!

Jiva Institute has just released a brand new edition of Tattva Sandarbha, which is the first book of Jīva Gosvāmī’s Ṣaṭ Sandarbha. The first edition, published nineteen years ago, has been out of print for some time. The new edition has been completely revised from start to finish. The entire text has been re-translated from

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Gaudiya Philosophy Questions & Answers

The Playful God beyond God – Part 2

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

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Gaudiya Philosophy Questions & Answers

The Playful God beyond God – Part 1

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

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