Recent Articles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘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

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

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

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