Archive for the ‘Sanga 2005’ Category
Srila Prabhupada said that after his departure one could approach his Godbrother B. R. Sridhara Maharaja for philosophical enquiries. This was his final instruction regarding Srila Sridhara Maharaja, which I followed, and as philosophical instruction constitutes siksa, Srila Sridhara Maharaja became my siksa guru.
Read MoreDiksa mantras in general retire at the stage of svarupa siddhi, whereas Krishna nama does not. At this stage mantra-mayi upasana, meditation on a still picture of the lila, turns to svarasika, absorption in the continuous flow of the lila.
Read MoreSaraswati Thakura strongly objected to the idea of a guru pranali in which the guru was determined solely by connection through initiation or by birthright while spiritually unqualified. He considered this an example of a broken disciplic successions, hardly an unbroken one.
Read MoreThe maha-mantra contains sixteen holy names of the Lord and is composed of thirty-two syllables. If you continually chant this maha-mantra, the seed of love of God will sprout in your heart. Then you will understand the goal of life and the process for achieving it. (Caitanya Bhagavata 1.14.145-147)
Read MorePhysical omniscience pertains to God alone. What could be called metaphysical omniscience, or knowing the self and God, is what is meant when it is said that the liberated soul is all-knowing (sarvajna).
Read MoreThose involved in Gaudiya Vaisnavism, regardless of sect, should understand that they are indebted to Thakura Bhaktivinoda, who saw the need to interface our tradition with modernity to keep it alive in the world.
Read MoreWhen the one comes under the influence of Krishna’s svarupa-sakti, bhava dawns in one’s heart, and one’s life becomes meaningful in the fullest sense of the term.
Read MoreNo eternal associate of Mahaprabhu has taught any spiritual practice (sadhana) corresponding with Gaura-nagara bhava. Sadhana is not to be manufactured. It descends from above and corresponds with a particular spiritual goal (sadhya). Without the sadhana, how can there be such a sadhya?
Read MoreOne’s record of service does not override the need to take initiation from a bona fide spiritual master. Even Krishna himself took initiation, as did Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Being incarnations of God, they did not need initiation but accepted it nonetheless to set an example for others.
Read MorePriyanarma sakhas like Subala taste mahabhava in a way similar to the gopis. Thus their development of prema exceeds that of devotees in vatsalya rasa.
Read More
