The first, pratyaksa-pramana, is the knowledge that can be obtained from the perception of the senses and of which we have already spoken; simply put, a thing is true to the extent that we can … Read More
The First Day Taking up his arms with great determination, Arjuna got back into his war chariot. An expectant silence fell between the soldiers. Then the two armies moved at first slowly, then gradually increasing their … Read More
One day, along the path that skirted Rama’s hut, Surpanakha, Ravana’s sister, the king of the Raksasas, happened to pass by chance. Surpanakha was a monstrous and evil being, a worthy sister of Ravana. Her features … Read More
Fifteenth Theme: Neither matter nor jivas are one with the Supreme tatra jivasya tradrsacidrupatve ‘pi paramesvarato vailaksanyam iti yaya sammohita iti ca darsayati Here, the phrases “Maya is outside Him” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.4) and “deceived by … Read More
Rankini Devi suspending her service After taking initiation from Syamananda Prabhu, Rankini Devi did not go back to the kingdom of King Navina Kishora Dhal. She went to Sripat Gopiballabhpur with Sri Rasikananda Prabhu and started … Read More
Shantanu was not at all happy with his son’s oath, but Devavrata made him understand that this decision would prove to be good for both of them. Thankfully, the monarch blessed his son to die only … Read More
The following is a quote from Thakura Bhaktivinoda: “When a devotee following the path of vaidhi-bhakti abandons his various material desires and executes bhajana according to the instructions of the scriptures, the spiritual master and the … Read More
Despite serving the lotus feet of his Guru, performing worship with devotion, regularly chanting Sri Hari Nama on beads, singing and listening to the pastimes of Lord Sri Krishna, etc., Duhkhi Krishna Dasa felt that something … Read More
Fourteenth Theme: Material Nature Has the Function of Educating Souls Bhagavan does not want to withdraw His favor from Maya who, by making creation possible, has been His devotee since time immemorial. The work … Read More
The Devas pondered a little, then responded: “We certainly have to perform our duty to give relief to those who suffer, but we doubt that we will be able to win unless Lord Krishna accompany us. … Read More
Thirteenth Theme: Material Nature and Individual Souls In section thirty-one, Jiva Gosvami points out (always referring to verse 1.7.4) that Maya is not an essential sakti of Bhagavan, so much so, that she is called … Read More
Whenever it comes to the oldest warrior in the war of Mahabharata, the name of Bhishma Pitamah comes to the mind of the people. While the fact is that it was not Bhishma Pitamah, but his … Read More
The Perfection of all Bhajana By Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura Bhaktivinode Thakur discusses the glories of Sri Radha Kunda in his piyusha-varshini commentary on the last verse of Srila Rupa Gosvami’s Upadesamrita. sri-radha-krishnera svabhavika mahatmya … Read More
Twelfth Theme: Liberated Souls Also Study Bhagavatam Sri Jiva begins section thirty by introducing the principle of jiva, pointing out that even liberated souls prefer to listen to Srimad-Bhagavatam. We will give a summary of … Read More
Being on Purpose When I think that I’m veering from the strict no-nonsense, single pointed endeavor to be exclusively fixed upon the highest spiritual goal, namely becoming a manjari of Smt. Vrinda devi, I become very … Read More
