Krishna Talk

Hita Harivamsa and the Radha-Vallabha Sect

Swami B.V. Giri
Oct 21 2003 - Krishna Talk 44
There is a famous temple (Radha Vallabha Mandira) in Vrndavana where the Deities of Radha Vallabha are worshipped and which is visited by many western devotees when they come to Vraja. What is the background of this temple and does it have any link with the Gaudiya sampradaya and it's philosophy? » more

The Vision of Guru

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Jun 24 2003 - Krishna Talk 43
It has been said that the disciple should see his guru as a direct manifestation of Srimati Radharani. Is such actually appropriate? » more

The Sarasvata Parampara and the Caste-Brahmana Guru

Swami B.V. Giri
Jan 8 2003 - Krishna Talk 42
Recently our attention was drawn to a small pamphlet entitled 'Guru Nirnaya Dipika' written by Mahant Krsna Balarama Svami, who considers himself to be a disciple of His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Svami Prabhupada. In 'Guru Nirnaya Dipika' the author has strongly advocated that only a... » more

Scholarship vs Divine Revelation

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Dec 3 2002 - Krishna Talk 41
I have read an article by a scholar (Mr. Jan Brzezinski, aka. Jagadananda Dasa/ Jagat) in which he suggests that Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has counterfeited three books; Caitanya-upanisad, Prema-vivarta and Navadvipa-satakam. My question is: How much attention or credit should a practicing devotee... » more

The True Spirit of Separation

Swami B.P. Puri
Nov 17 2002 - Krishna Talk 40
After Gaura Hari, who descended to purify this age of Kali, made Himself invisible to the eyes of the world, the preaching of His religion of love carried on more or less uninterruptedly up until the time of Baladeva Vidyabhushan. In the time that followed, though there were still many advanced... » more

Babaji Sannyasa

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Dec 2 2002 - Krishna Talk 39
On this past Radhastami you gave Babaji Sannyasa (initiation) to a disciple of one of your Godbrothers (Srila Turya dasa Prabhu Mahasaya). But as per my understanding the Babaji Sannyasa is not authorized in the disciplic succession of your Guru Maharaja (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Svami Prabhupada). So... » more

How Great is Srila Prabhupada?

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Nov 21 2002 - Krishna Talk 38
Sri Guru may be compared to the Pole Star because with the help of the guru we can derive great benefit from the Vedic knowledge. But without the help of the guru we will be bewildered in our attempt to understand the Vedic knowledge. » more

‘Advaita Prakasa’ Reviewed

Swami B.V. Giri
Oct 19 2002 - Krishna Talk 37
A book called Advaita Prakasa was recently translated from Bengali into English. I was very inspired by it and it seemed to be bona-fide, but I recently heard that it is an unauthorized literature. Can you explain? » more

Paratma-nistha

Swami B.V. Giri
Sep 19 2002 - Krishna Talk 36
In the eleventh Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam, we find the instructive story of the brahmana of Avantipura who had previously been a miserly businessman. He was so cantankerous and prone to anger that his wife, children, relatives and servants all despised him. In due course, the avariciousness of... » more

More on prasadam

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Sep 19 2002 - Krishna Talk 35
In a recent Krsna Talk you mentioned that we should appreciate prasadam more deeply, but I have also heard you say that everything called 'prasadam' may not actually be prasadam. This seems to be inconsistent, so can you please explain this more clearly? » more

Is Sannyasa Forbidden in Kali Yuga?

Swami B.V. Giri
Nov 27 2002 - Krishna Talk 34
Some time ago, a sannyasi who could not maintain his vows of renunciation wrote an apologetic letter on the internet addressed to his disciples and friends wherein he explained the numerous reasons why he could not continue in the renounced order of life. In order to excuse his weakness, the... » more

The disciples mentality (Art of Sadhana - Ch XV)

Swami B.P. Puri
Aug 17 2002 - Krishna Talk 33
The primary characteristic of a disciple who has received initiation and direction in the practice of worship from his spiritual master is visrambha, an honest desire for faithful and loving service to the spiritual master, the Vaishnavas and the Supreme Lord. The secondary characteristic is... » more

Ativadi Apa-sampradaya

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Jul 8 2002 - Krishna Talk 32
Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura has written that there were thirteen apa-sampradayas that developed after the time of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. One of these apa-sampradayas is called ativadi, which means too great. Can you please explain how those who are ‘too great’ have become an apa-sampradaya? » more

The internal meaning of rathayatra and nama-bhajana: Part 2

Swami B.P. Puri
Jul 19 2002 - Krishna Talk 31
One has to first engage in hearing the Names of the Lord so that the mind and intelligence are purified. After this one can begin hearing about Krsna's form through which one's qualifications to visualize it becomes possible. » more

The internal meaning of rathayatra and nama-bhajana: Part 1

Swami B.P. Puri
Jul 19 2002 - Krishna Talk 30
Now today, after so long, there is a solar-eclipse here in Kuruksetra. It is as though a great holiday is taking place in our country. It has been so long since there has been a solar-eclipse. All this royalty has come to Kuruksetra on this occasion looking to fulfill their innumerable material... » more

Nityananda Avadhuta

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Jun 24 2002 - Krishna Talk 29
It has been stated by some persons who claim to follow the pure line of devotion presented by Srila Prabhupada Sarasvati Thakura, that Sri Nityananda Prabhu was a sannyasi who later gave up His sannyasa and married the two daughters of Surya Vipra. Is this a fact? » more

Go Deeper

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Jun 6 2002 - Krishna Talk 28
There is a lot of history to our parampara. We cannot simply speak substantially on topics of Krsna Consciousness according to our whim, because it is always under lock and key. The keeper of the key is above us. According to His wish, a dumb man can eloquently speak the Vedas, or a blind... » more

Love of God is Dormant in the Heart of the Jiva

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Apr 20 2002 - Krishna Talk 27
I have some doubt about Bhaktivinoda Thakura's explanation of the jiva. I would be very grateful if you could please enlighten me on this subject. » more

Sridhara Deva Gosvami

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Apr 9 2002 - Krishna Talk 26
There has been some discussion on the use of the honorific title 'Deva' as in the name of Srila B.R. Sridhara Deva Gosvami Maharaja, to the extent that some parties say that it is appropriate, while others say that it is not. Could you please say something that would shed some light on this... » more

Bhaktivedanta

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Mar 30 2002 - Krishna Talk 25
We have heard it said that Srila Prabhupada (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja) received the name "Bhaktivedanta" from his guru, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. Others have said that he received the name "Bhaktivedanta" from Srila Sridhara Maharaja and yet others... » more

To Be a Servant

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Mar 30 2002 - Krishna Talk 24
The truth should be spoken in a straightforward way, so that it will benefit others. I have heard that, in the greater Krsna consciousness movement, certain women clamor to be called Prabhu. Actually, all devotees are called Prabhu, but a real devotee clamors, "Call me your servant, call... » more

This Sankirtana Movement Is the Lila of Mahaprabhu

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Mar 30 2002 - Krishna Talk 23
If you were to examine the list of personalities in the Caitanya Sarasvata Parampara, our Parampara, who would you find? Who is in the sankirtana movement? Who is Mahaprabhu? Who is Gadadhara; who are all these personalities? Then you would come to the six Goswamis; who are they? » more

We Are Suddha Saktas

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Aug 20 2001 - Krishna Talk 22
Once we counted Raghunatha Dasa Goswami’s gurus, and we found that he had nine gurus. So then the question is, “Which one of his gurus is most important?” » more

Anartha-nivrtti

Swami B.G. Narasingha
May 22 2001 - Krishna Talk 19
Several months ago we wrote an article called, "Hearing from A Rasika Acarya" wherein we put great emphasis on the qualifications of the person who hears Hari-katha of a confidential nature. Our emphasis was on anartha-nivrtti, overcoming mundane impediments in the heart: first deserve, then desire... » more

The Standard for Higher Lila

Swami B.B. Vishnu, Swami B.V. Giri
May 3 2001 - Krishna Talk 18
In the recent controversies amongst some of the Gaudiya Vaisnavas, those who present isolated and unusual examples of preaching as the rule, rather than as the exception to the proper Gaudiya conception, have simply increased the level of confusion. In particular the subject of the necessity of... » more

Vraja Bhava

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Apr 6 2001 - Krishna Talk 17
I was recently invited to a program in Eugene, Oregon where it was said that the program would be in "vraja-bhava" so I was wondering how special is vraja-bhava and how does one actually attain it? When I went to the program there were various Hindi bhajans that I had never heard before and also... » more

Sri Gaura Purnima Celebrations at Govindaji Gardens

Mar 15 2001 - Krishna Talk 16
Sri Gaura Jayanti, the holy appearance of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu was celebrated at Govindaji Gardens, Sri Narasingha Caitanya Matha on Friday 8th March. The program began quietly in the morning with a class on the advent of Mahaprabhu given by Srila Narasingha Maharaja. » more

Nityananda Avirbhava Maha-mahotsava

Feb 11 2001 - Krishna Talk 15
The devotees began preparations for the festival a day before. Many of the devotees were busily engaged in cooking, while other devotees decorated the temple and yajnasala. » more

Krsna Talk: Web Site Updates

Feb 10 2001 - Krishna Talk 14
Many new additions have been added to our Sri Narasingha Caitanya Matha Web Site: New ashrama photo tour, Ashrama Events (updated regularly) and Krsna Talk Article Archives... » more

My Guru is Radharani

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Jan 11 2001 - Krishna Talk 13
Being an admirer of Srila Sridhara Maharaja, how do you harmonize your opinion about the rasa of your Guru Maharaja with that indicated by Srila Sridhara Maharaja? » more