Krishna Talk

Inconceivable Topics

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Feb 3 2005 - Krishna Talk 54
I have heard it said recently by some devotees that the origin of the jiva (regarding the soul's falling or not falling from the lila of Krsna) is inconceivable and that we cannot imagine or understand how or from where the soul has come into this material world. Can you please comment on this... » more

Jivas and the marginal plane

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Jan 31 2005 - Krishna Talk 53
I have read the book "Our Original Position" (OOP) published by the Iskcon GBC Press in which it is stated that the jivas (living entities) come to this material world after falling from grace in the spiritual world. Is this 'fall philosophy' correct according to sastra and previous acaryas? » more

Mayapura and the Adbhuta-mandira

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Jul 23 2004 - Krishna Talk 52
There is a doubt circulating among some devotees about the authentic location of 'Mayapura,' the birth site of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. There is also a controversy among some devotees about the Adbhuta-mandira. Will you please say something to clarify these issues? » more

The Worship of Lord Narasimha

Swami B.G. Narasingha
May 1 2004 - Krishna Talk 51
I have seen on your website that you have installed and worship Deities of Lord Narasimha in your ashram. When Gaudiya Vaisnavas are devotees of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna why do you worship Lord Narasimha? » more

Parampara

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Mar 17 2004 - Krishna Talk 50
I have heard it said that there are some gaps in the list of names in the Gaudiya parampara and that some of the names given there are actually fictitious names of personalities that never really existed. Do you think this could be true? » more

Temple of Understanding

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Jan 15 2004 - Krishna Talk 49
I have heard whispers that the temple being built in Mayapura, called the "Temple of Understanding," in some ways falls short of the proper conception of Gaudiya Vaisnavism. I have also heard that this Temple of Understanding is thought by some devotees to be the Adbhuta Mandira predicted by Sri... » more

The Proof of Your Devotion

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Dec 31 2003 - Krishna Talk 48
I once heard a devotee say that the proof of when your devotion has become real bhakti is when you can take the betel-nut prasadam from the mouth of Krsna and place it in the mouth of Radharani. Is this the actual standard by which we are to measure or understand when we have real bhakti? » more

Gayatri as Radharani

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Oct 12 2003 - Krishna Talk 47
I have read in an article that brahma-gayatri worships Srimati Radharani. Where does this conception have its origin? » more

Worship of Govardhan

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Oct 27 2003 - Krishna Talk 46
Some devotees worship Govardhana as Krsna or Balarama and others worship Him as the best devotee of Krsna (Srimati Radharani). How should we worship Govardhana? » more

Chanting the Holy Name

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Oct 21 2003 - Krishna Talk 45
How should we chant the Holy Name of Krsna? What should be our mood and what should be our meditation? » more

Hita Harivamsa and the Radha-Vallabha Sect

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

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

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.G. Narasingha
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?

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

Любовь к Богу дремлет в сердце Дживы

Swami B.G. Narasingha
Apr 20 2002 - Krishna Talk 27
Я немного сомневаюсь в объяснении дживы данном Бхактивинодой Тхакуром. Пожалуйста, я буду очень признателен, если Вы просветите меня по этому поводу. » 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