We have heard often that Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Controller—iśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇa (Brahma-saṁhitā 5.1). He also proclaims this in Gītā (7.7)—mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñcid asti dhanañjaya, “There is nothing superior to Me, O Dhanañjaya”. As a controller, He manifests Himself in the form of Paramātmā. Paramātmā is Kṛṣṇa’s controlling manifestation. Kṛṣṇa says that He
Question: How shall I deal with a situation when a person in the position of an authority is acting inappropriately? As I consider you an authority in spiritual literature, Vedic spiritual history and so on, perhaps you can give me some new aspects or views. Answer: If it does not concern you directly, and if
Bhagavān has innumerable names, which all have inherent potency in them. Yet not all names have equal potency. The Name of Kṛṣṇa is supreme. Therefore, hearing and singing Kṛṣṇa’s names is most beneficial and effective, and thus constitutes one of the most important parts of bhakti in Gaudīya sampradāya. Moreover, hearing from the mouth of a
Question: Sometimes I don`t experience the presence of Bhagavān in the mūrti, and think that the mūrti is material. At other times, when I am out of my house, it seems that the spiritual is everywhere. Is this normal? Answer: No, this is not normal. It is normal to feel the presence of Bhagavān in
Question: Could you specify the difference between āropa-siddhā-bhakti and karma-miśrā-bhakti as defined by Srīla Jīva Gosvami in Bhakti Sandarbha? Answer: Āropa-siddhā-bhakti consists of activities that are not devotional in themselves but become part of devotion because of their contact with bhakti. Primarily it includes offering your actions to Kṛṣṇa, karmārpaṇam. These actions themselves are not
Question: Srila Prabhupada said many times in his books that while dreaming the soul in his subtle body “goes places”. At least that is what I understood from what he said. Mystical writers in the West also maintained at all times that the soul – when hovering in the subtle body (in dreams or in
Continuation of a discussion following a seminar in Terre de Ciel: Every morning, Krishna’s mother Yashoda used to make butter from milk. She heated the milk and added some yogurt to it. She let the mixture sit overnight and by the next morning, it had become yogurt. Yashoda then churned the yogurt with a wooden
