Srimad Bhagavatam
Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa

The Ontology of the Jīva – Part 3

 Verse Six evaṁ parābhidhyānena kartṛtvaṁ prakṛteḥ pumān karmasu kriyamāṇeṣu guṇair ātmāni manyate Prakṛti is the entity that carries out material activities, but the ātmā thinks that the deeds done by prakṛti’s guṇas are his own deeds, because he completely absorbs his self identification in her. Evam (“in this way”) refers to ātmā’s condition, described in

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Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa Philosophy

The Ontology of the Jīva – Part 1

By Satyanarayana Dasa: This article describes the nature of the individual living being (jīva). It is based on a commentary on verses three through seven of the 26th Chapter of the Third Canto of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam by Śri Vīrarāghava Ācārya of the Śrī-sampradāya. I have included my own explanatory statements where required.

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Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa Philosophy

Reality & the Transcendental Body of a Vaiṣṇava – Part 3

Viśvanāth Cakravārtī Ṭhākura further elaborates on this as follows: Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself has explained how a mortal being can attain Him (SB 11.29.34):  martyo yadā tyakta-samasta-karmā    niveditātmā vicikīrṣito me tadāmṛtatvaṁ pratipadyamāno    mayātma-bhūyāya ca kalpate vai “When a mortal being has renounced all material activities and is totally surrendered to Me, then by My

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Questions & Answers Shastra

The Essence of Philosophy

Question:  I heard that Sukadeva Gosvami was in his last life the parrot of Krishna, and in this life first he was a Brahman-realized person. How to understand this, if he’s an eternal associate of the Lord? Is this lila? Answer: Try to understand the essence of the philosophy. These stories are there to explain the

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Questions & Answers

Universal Form, Animal Killing, Bhagavata Commentaries

Question: Usually we hear that on the battlefield of Kuruksetra, only Arjuna saw the virata-rupa. But sometimes it is said that others saw it as well. Do you know where this alternate idea is stated specifically? I found a reference from Sridhara Maharaja's disciple, Govinda Maharaja.

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Philosophy Questions & Answers

Bhakti Is More Powerful

Question: In Bhakti Sandarbha (173) it is said: “The ananya bhak-ness (exclusive devotion) which is mentioned in the Gita (9.30) verse: ‘Even if one commits very bad acts but is exclusively devoted to Me he is considered a saint’ refers to popular faith which is attained through hearsay, as is referred to in the Gita

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Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa

Adhikara – Eligibility for Understanding Scriptures

By Satyanarayana Dasa: Everybody in this world has certain qualifications to perform specific duties or activities and, in so doing, gains satisfaction, happiness and success. If a person tries to perform duties or activities that he is not qualified to perform, then, in all probability, dissatisfaction, frustration and misery for himself, and possibly others, will

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