Swami B.R. Sridhara

In this talk from February 19th 1982, Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja is asked if devotees should worship Gaṇeśa to remove obstacles in their service. Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja then discusses how Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas remove obstacles to bhakti.

In this talk from February 23rd 1982, Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja is asked what is the conception of chastity for a disciple. In response, Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja explains how chastity ultimately means one’s adherence to the truth of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. He also discusses the concept of ‘Śrī Gurun.’

In this talk from 23rd February 1982, Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahāraja warns of the dangers of exploiting the guru, and how Māyā can appear in different forms. He makes the point, “God save me from my enemies, and God save me from my friends!” and explains how ultimately, the responsibility of spiritual life lies with the individual.

In this talk from February 23rd 1982, Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja explains how knowledge must be adjusted and is systematic. A senior may fall back, and a junior may become elevated. However, he goes on to warn how Vaiṣṇavas do not follow Darwin’s line of thinking concerning “survival of the fittest.”

In this talk from March 4th 1982, Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja explains the three levels of consciousness experienced by a human being - wakefulness (jāgrata), sleep (svapna) and deep sleep (suṣupti) to a limited extent, and how only Kṛṣṇa is aware of all three planes in full.

In this talk from Feb.22nd 1982, Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja explains a surprising statement of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura concerning Vṛndāvana-dhāma, and how Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura decided to pass his last days in Kurukṣetra.

In this talk from March 5th 1982, Śrīla Śrīdhara Deva Gosvāmī Mahārāja answers the question, "In the absence of one's guru, how does one know if it’s not Kṛṣṇa’s plan, or it’s a mistake?"

In this talk given on February 21st 1982, Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja explains the unique nature of the area in Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāma known as Aparādha Bhañjana Pāṭa, where Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu forgives great offenders. Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja also explains how even the guru always considers himself to be a student.

In this talk from 1982, Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja discusses the inevitability of a mission fracturing after the disappearance of the ācārya, and explains how the sincere disciple will continue the legacy of his guru, despite all adverse circumstances.

In this discussion, Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja is asked the question, "Why are there sometimes differences between pure devotees?" Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja explains how due to differences in rasa and līlā, sometimes differences may occur. He also talks about the differences amongst the general devotees in this world and how those differences should not be brought to the attention of the kaniṣḥta devotees.

In this talk from 21st February 1982, Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja answers the question that if the worship of Govardhana is more important for Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas, why do we find the worship of śālagrāṁa-śilā in Gauḍīya temples?

Filmed on February 21st 1982, in Sri Caitanya Saraswat Math, Navadvīpa, West Bengal, India. In this talk by Śrīla Śridhara Deva Gosvāmī Mahārāja, he explains the difference in worshipping śālagrāma-śilā and govardhana-śilā, and how the Gauḍīyas prefer the worship of Govardhana in the mood of rāga-mārga.