Philosophy
Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa Gaudiya Philosophy Shastra

Preface to Tattva Sandarbha

Of the Six Sandarbhas, Tattva Sandarbha is the smallest in size, but not in importance. As its name suggests, it discusses the Reality (tattva) that is the ultimate subject to be understood and realized. Tattva also means “essence,” and thus Tattva Sandarbha provides the essence of what is to be elaborated upon in the rest

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Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa Gaudiya Philosophy

The Importance of Nāma Kīrtana – 2

Śravaṇam precedes kīrtanam and smaranam because it is impossible to remember or glorify something one has not yet heard about. Despite this practical primacy of śravaṇam, kīrtanam is actually of primary significance and importance, and, therefore special attention should be given to its practice.

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Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa Gaudiya Philosophy

The Importance of Nāma Kīrtana – 1

In the 7th Canto of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, Śrī Prahlāda speaks two verses to his demoniac father Hiraṇyakaśipu, which, in brief, contain the essence of the primary forms of bhakti. In the following we will discuss an explanation of these verses based on the commentary of Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī.     śrī-prahlāda uvāca     śravaṇaṁ

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Philosophy Questions & Answers

Advaita Vedanta, Shastra

Question: What is the concept of shakti in Advaita-vada? Answer: Brahman has no shakti but Isvara has. Question: From where does Isvara get his shakti? If Brahman, the cause, doesn’t have it, how can the effect have shakti?

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Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa Gaudiya Philosophy Shastra

Can Kṛṣṇa Be Attained Through Enmity? (Part 1)

In the Seventh Canto of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, there is a very interesting dialogue recited by Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī about the liberation of Śiśupāla who was killed by Kṛṣṇa during Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja’s Rājasūya-yajña. Śiśupāla was Kṛṣṇa’s cousin, but hated ...

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Gaudiya Philosophy Questions & Answers

Sayujya-mukti and Bliss in Brahman

Question: This question is regarding sayujya-mukti, where there is no personal relationship with the Lord. If a living entity attains this mukti (after practice), then does he eternally remain in that liberated state or does he fall back to the material sphere due to lack of love for the Personality of Godhead? According to my

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Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa Philosophy

Bhagavān, Grace and Material Suffering – Part 7

Commentary on Paramātmā Sandarbha, Anuccheda 93.6 by Satyanarayana Dasa: The second objection raised by Vidura was that if the avatāras and their activities of sustaining the creation are not directly performed by Bhagavān, then they cannot be part of His svarūpa, as had been established in Bhagavat Sandarbha.

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