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Audio Icon | Featured Content | Practical Krishna Consciousness | Practical Spirituality | QA Audio : 2015 | QA: Audio | Transcriptions
How can we distribute our time between hearing and chanting?
Answer Podcast: Download by “right-click and save content” Transcription : Transcriber: Suresh Gupta Editor: Raji Nachiappan Question: How can we distribute our time between hearing and chanting? Answer: The essence of bhakti is neither hearing nor chanting. Rather, it is remembering Krishna. smartavyaḥ satataṁ viṣṇur vismartavyo na jātucit sarve vidhi-niṣedhāḥ syur etayor eva kiṅkarāḥ (CC…
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Audio Icon | Featured Content | Practical Krishna Consciousness | Practical Spirituality | QA Audio : 2014 | QA: Audio | Transcriptions
How can we increase our determination for waking up in the morning?
Answer Podcast Transcription : Transcriber: Suresh Gupta Editor: Raji Nachiappan Question: How can we increase our determination for waking up in the morning? Answer: Firstly, denying the body’s needs should not be mistaken as a sign of determination. If the body has a habit of sleeping for six-seven hours, suddenly expecting one to manage with…
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Audio Icon | Bhagavad Gita | Featured Content | QA Audio : 2015 | QA: Audio | Transcriptions | Vedic Scriptures
When an eye for an eye will make everyone blind, why does the Gita teach that?
Answer Podcast: Transcription : Transcription: Suresh Gupta Editing: Sharan Shetty Question: When an eye for an eye will make everyone blind, why does the Gita teach that? Answer: Bhagavad-gita does not teach the philosophy of “an eye for an eye”. Rather, it teaches that we should act out of spiritual love and do whatever that…
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Audio Icon | Featured Content | Practical Krishna Consciousness | Practical Spirituality | QA Audio : 2015 | QA: Audio | Transcriptions
How do we give up bad habits?
Answer Podcast Transcription : Transcription: Suresh Gupta Editing: Sharan Shetty bQuestion: How do we give up bad habits? Answer: There are two aspects about changing habits – (i) rejection (ii) replacement. Rejection of a habit is usually difficult whereas replacement is much easier. In general, the process of bhakti, focuses, not so much on rejection…
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Audio Icon | Featured Content | Practical Krishna Consciousness | Practical Spirituality | QA Audio : 2014 | QA Video | QA: Audio | Transcriptions
How can an introvert practice bhakti when it is so social and public?
I can’t think when I am with too many people. And I find public harinam kirtan distracting. But when I try to be alone, devotees say that I will go into Maya. But I feel more disoriented when I am with many people and more focused on Krishna when I am alone. How can I practice…
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Audio Icon | Featured Content | QA Audio : 2020 | QA: Audio | Transcriptions | Vedic Philosophy | Vedic Wisdom
What does simply living really mean?
Answer Podcast: Download by “right-click and save content” Transcriber: Dr Suresh Gupta Edited by: Sharan Shetty Question: What does simple living really mean? Answer: Simple living primarily means living which does not agitate our minds. Simple living does not mean that everybody has to live without material conveniences or latest gadgets. To understand the point,…
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Can you explain Brahman and Paramatma realizations in detail?
Answer Podcast Transcriber: Sharan Shetty Edited by: Keshavgopal Das Question: Can you explain brahman and paramatma realizations in detail? Answer: There are different ways in which these realisations can be understood like the sac-cit-ananda progression perspective given by Srila Prabhupada in Sri Isopanisad and another perspective is -Energies of the Absolute given by Srila Jiva…
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Is ISKCON’s institutionalized structure an import from Christianity?
Audio Podcast: Transcribed by: Bhabesh Mishra Edited by: Keshavgopal Das Question: Is ISKCON’s institutionalized structure an import from Christianity? Answer: This is a very simplistic way of analysing how tradition works. Institutionalization is a necessary part of every culture and it was there within the Indian traditions long before the Britishers came to India. Shankaracharya…
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When everything is destined how can we have free will?
Answer Podcast Transcriber: Dr Suresh Gupta Edited by: Sharan Shetty Question: When everything is destined how can we have free will? Answer: It is wrong to assume that everything is destined. Baldeva Vidya Bhushan who is a prominent acharya in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition mentions in his Govind-bhashya as well as Bhagavad-gita commentary that if…
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How can we know that the Deity accepts the bhoga when it remains as it is?
Answer Podcast: Transcriber: Dr Suresh Gupta Edited by: Sharan Shetty Question: How can we know that the Deity accepts the bhoga when it remains as it is? Answer: It is a valid question. To understand, we must know that Krishna is bhaava-graahi (one who accepts the devotional emotion in the service). When we offer bhoga…
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Audio Icon | Featured Content | Practical Krishna Consciousness | Practical Spirituality | QA Audio : 2020 | QA: Audio
Why do some bad habits stay on despite our devotional practice – how to deal with them?
Answer Podcast: Transcriber: Dr Suresh Gupta Edited by: Sharan Shetty Question: Why do some bad habits stay on despite our devotional practice – how to deal with them? Answer: Bad habits are a result of certain anarthas which are deep rooted and which may have come from our past life. By the initial practice of…
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Why does India have such a lofty philosophy and a filthy living conditions?
Answer Podcast: Transcriber: Dr Suresh Gupta Edited by: Sharan Shetty Question: Why does India have such a lofty philosophy and filthy living conditions? Answer: There are two main reasons for the decline of India’s prosperity – (i) Fall of the kshatriyas. (ii) brahmanas becoming too self-righteous. Repeated attacks on India by foreigners led to collapse…
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Remembering Srinathji Prabhu – an intellectual, non-patronizing patron of intellectuals
My first striking encounter with Srinathji Prabhu highlighted his extraordinary attention to specifics. About a decade ago, when I was a fledgling author, I would feel encouraged whenever anyone appreciated my writings. Once after a Pune yatra, while everyone was taking prasadam and preparing to depart, I happened to meet Srinathji Prabhu. And he spontaneously…
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Criticized? Clarify, counter – or ignore? (Subhashita commentary)
he hema-kāra para-duḥkha-vicāra-mūḍha kiṁ māṁ muhuḥ kṣipasi vāra-śatāni vahnau sandīpyate mayi suvarṇa-guṇātireko lābhaḥ paraṁ tava mukhe khalu bhasma-pātaḥ he hema-kāra! — O goldsmith!; para-duḥkha-vicāra-mūḍha — who is oblivious to others’ suffering; kim — why; mām — me; muhuḥ — constantly; kṣipasi — do you throw; vāra-śatāni — hundreds of times; vahnau — in fire; sandīpyate…
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The Meaning of Vyasa Puja – “He came, he gave, he conquered”
(This article appeared at the beginning of the Srila Prabhupada Vyasa-puja book for 2016 ) Expression reflects and reinforces emotion. The celebration of Vyasa-puja is an expression of the gratitude that the disciple feels for the spiritual master. And that feeling becomes reinforced when a disciple expresses one’s own gratitude and hears other disciples’ express…
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Does the Bhagavad-gita teach that everything that happens is good?
How can we consider adversities such as diseases or death of loved ones as good? Brief answer: Nowhere does the Gita say that everything happens is good. Its teaching is that everything that happens can be for good – provided we make good choices in responding to it. Detailed answer: When terrible things happen, the…
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Avatar – Digital, Christian, monistic and bhakti conceptions
Central to the concept of avatar is the idea of crossing over from one realm to another. In its original Sanskrit philosophical context, avatar refers to the Absolute Truth descending from the spiritual world to the material world. The divine’s existence beyond this world is called transcendence, whereas his existence in this world is called…
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“Make me dance” – Meditation on Srila Prabhupada’s prayer on beholding the American coastline
In the world’s great wisdom-traditions, prayers are often acknowledged as means for accessing divine power. The prayers by saints often reveal the profound depths of their selfless devotion to God. One such exalted prayer is the song Markine Bhagavata-dharma (Teaching Krishna consciousness in America) that Srila Prabhupada composed in 1965 while he was aboard the…
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The dual dimensions of artha (Guest Column in Financial Chronicle)
(This article was published on Sunday 15-5-16 as a guest column in a special supplement in Financial Chronicle) Business has the potential to work for a purpose higher than profit. This higher imperative is latent in the Vedic term for wealth: “artha.” Artha refers to not just wealth but also meaning. To pursue artha means…
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Seek artha in both its senses – wealth and meaning
Talk at e-conference on business and spirituality
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God is not a means to an end – he is himself the highest end
ārtā devān namasyanti tapaḥ kurvanti rogiṇaḥ nirdhanā dānam icchanti vṛddhā nārī pati-vratā ārtāh — the distressed; devān — to the gods; namasyanti — pay obeisances; tapaḥ — austerities; kurvanti — perform; rogiṇaḥ — the diseased; nirdhanāh — the poverty-stricken; dānam — donations; icchanti — desire [to give]; vṛddhā — old; nārī — lady; pati-vratā — is devoted to her husband; “The distressed automatically start paying obeisances to the gods [for they have no other option]. The diseased naturally…
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Was Ravana revenging the dishonor of Shurapanakha by kidnapping Sita?
No; he was driven by lust for Sita, not love for Shurapankha. After Shurapanakha’s nose was cut and her brothers Khara and Dushaan were killed singlehandedly by Rama, Shurapanakha went temporarily mad with fury and frustration, and wandered about crazily in the forest before thinking of going to Ravana. Meanwhile, the only survivor from the…
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Sugriva: Comfort – Material and Transcendental
On the spiritual path, adversity is a well-known challenge, but paradoxically prosperity can be an even greater challenge. While misery can threaten our faith, pleasure can deaden our sense of purpose. Comfort breeds complacency The Ramayana illustrates this through the story of Sugriva, the simian-hero who had been unfairly exiled by his brother, Vali, due…
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Did Draupadi love Karna?
There is no statement to that effect in the Mahabharata. To gain a sense of Draupadi’s feelings towards Karna, let’s look at the relevant incidents. Svayamvara: The first interaction between Draupadi and Karna is during her svayamvara. When Karna tried to compete, she certainly didn’t favor him in any way. Irrespective of whether Karna was…
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Narada Muni – Not kalah-priya, but krishna-priya
Sunday feast at Radha Gopinatha temple on 17-1-16
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See criticism with a critical eye
jāḍyaṁ hrīmati gaṇyate vrata-rucau dambhaḥ śucau kaitavaṁ śūre nirghṛṇatā munau vimatitā dainyaṁ priyālāpini tejasviny avaliptatā mukharatā vaktary aśaktiḥ sthire tat ko nāma guṇo bhavet sa guṇināṁ yo durjanair nāṅkitaḥ jāḍyam — dullness; hrīmati — in a gentle person; gaṇyate — is perceived; vrata-rucau — in a strict follower of vows; dambhaḥ — pride; śucau —…
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Audio Icon | Featured Content | Practical Krishna Consciousness | Practical Spirituality | QA Audio : 2016 | QA: Audio
How can I go about writing in Krishna’s service?
Answer Podcast Contacts for writing forums: 1. Back to Godhead international (nagaraja.dasa@gmail.com) 2. BTG India (btgindia@gmail.com) 3. iskconnews.com (editor@news.iskcon.com) 4. dandavats.com (editor@dandavats.com)
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What are the various levels of bhakti Sri Vishvanatha analyzes in the Gita?
Answer Podcast Answer Outline: Kevala bhaktas: GV with prema Pradhani-bhuta b (Bhakti >50%): Vaikuntha in shanta-rati Guni-bhuta bhakti (Bhakti
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Unity – Within and Without (Ramayana Reflection 7)
The Ramayana features many intriguing group dynamics, among human groups, monkey groups, demon groups and even human-monkey groups. Divisive and cohesive forces are graphically evident in the group of monkeys that had gone south in search of Sita. The search and the schism The back-story is that Rama and Sugriva had formed an alliance:…
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Using jnana in bhakti
Talk to Bhagavata Vidyapeetha Students at Govardhana Eco-village, Wada
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How does the jiva fall to the material world?
Answer Podcast
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Sharing bhakti with a westernized audience
Talk at Govardhan Ecovillage, Wada
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Gita chp 13-18 overview – How jnana culminates in bhakti
Sunday feast lecture at Radha Gopinath temple Podcast
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Audio Icon | Audio Lectures | Featured Content | Lecture Series | Lectures | Positive Thinking | Practical Krishna Consciousness | Practical Spirituality
Positive Thinking 16 – Understanding willpower 3 – Sharpen and strengthen the intelligence
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Positive Thinking 15 – Understanding willpower 2 – Potential and actual
Previous talk: Positive Thinking 14 – Understanding willpower 1 – Beyond genes, upbringing and association Next talk: Positive Thinking 16 – Understanding willpower 3 – Sharpen and strengthen the intelligence List of all talks on Positive Thinking
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Audio Icon | Audio Lectures | Featured Content | Lecture Series | Lectures | Positive Thinking | Practical Krishna Consciousness | Practical Spirituality
Positive Thinking 14 – Understanding willpower 1 – Beyond genes, upbringing and association
Previous talk: Positive Thinking 13 – IDEA at work 2 – Facing reversal after reversal positively Next talk: Positive Thinking 15 – Understanding willpower 2 – Potential and actual List of all talks on Positive Thinking
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Were women always housewives in Vedic culture?
Answer Podcast Download by “right-click and save content”
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Audio Icon | Audio Lectures | Featured Content | Lecture Series | Lectures | Positive Thinking | Practical Krishna Consciousness | Practical Spirituality
Positive Thinking 13 – IDEA at work 2 – Facing reversal after reversal positively
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Positive Thinking 12 – IDEA at work 1 – Facing untimely death positively
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Positive Thinking 11 – A of Activity – Spiritual vision inspires positive action
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Positive Thinking 10 – E of IDEA – Eternal love provides inexhaustible positivity
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Audio Icon | Audio Lectures | Featured Content | Lecture Series | Lectures | Positive Thinking | Practical Krishna Consciousness | Practical Spirituality | Uncategorized
Positive Thinking 9 – D of IDEA – Divinity underlies the universes order
Previous talk: Positive Thinking 8 – I of IDEA – Understanding our identity boosts our positivity Next talk: Positive Thinking 10 – E of IDEA – Eternal love provides inexhaustible positivity List of all talks on Positive Thinking
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Positive Thinking 8 – I of IDEA – Understanding our identity boosts our positivity
Podcast Previous talk: Positive Thinking 7 Get the IDEA Identity, Divinity, Eternity, Activity Next talk: Positive Thinking 9 – D of IDEA – Divinity underlies the universes order List of all talks on Positive Thinking
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Positive Thinking 7 Get the IDEA Identity, Divinity, Eternity, Activity
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Audio Icon | Featured Content | Practical Krishna Consciousness | Practical Spirituality | QA Audio : 2015 | QA: Audio
How important is truthfulness in bhakti?
I humbly request you to help me understand the following matter in the proper perspective: a) I find that by talking only of the four regulative actions (no illicit sex, no meat eating, no gambling, no intoxication), we have subdued the importance of the principle of truthfulness(one of the four principles of religion/dharma). Gambling is…
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Audio Icon | Audio Lectures | Featured Content | Lecture Series | Lectures | Positive Thinking | Practical Krishna Consciousness | Practical Spirituality
Positive Thinking 6 – Don’t just see reality positively – see the positive reality
Previous talk: Positive Thinking 5 – Think positive – think spiritual Next talk: Positive Thinking 7 Get the IDEA Identity, Divinity, Eternity, Activity List of all talks on Positive Thinking
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Positive Thinking 5 – Think positive – think spiritual
Previous talk: Positive Thinking 4 – Thoughts lead to things – and are things Next talk: Positive Thinking 6 – Don’t just see reality positively – see the positive reality List of all talks on Positive Thinking
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Isn’t ISIS Islam? Why do we need to be politically correct and differentiate between the two?
I read your Gita-daily article about terrorism: Terrorism arises from ignorance, materialism and ego. Clearly, Islamic State is Islamic and Islam is the cause of the maximum terrorism in the world, Why can’t we call a spade? Why do we have to be politically correct and try to come up with roundabout explanations to avoid…
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Appreciating Prabhupada’s resourcefulness and sharing his legacy – Prabhupada Disappearance day class
Lecture at Radha Gopinath Temple, Mumbai
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Govardhan Dashakam Meditation – Ten appeals for residence at Govardhan
Lecture Podcast nija-pati-bhuja-dandac-chatra-bhavam prapadya pratihata-mada-dhrstoddanda-devendra-garva atula-prthula-saila-sreni-bhupa priyam me nija-nikata-nivasam dehi govardhana tvam (2) pramada-madana-lilah kandare kandare te racayati nava-yunor dvandvam asminn amandam iti kila kalanartham lagnakas tad-dvayor me nija-nikata-nivasam dehi govardhana tvam (3) anupama-mani-vedi-ratna-simhasanorvi- ruha-jhara-dara-sanu-droni-sanghesu rangaih saha bala-sakhibhih sankhelayan sva-priyam me nija-nikata-nivasam dehi govardhana tvam (4) rasa-nidhi-nava-yunoh saksinim dana-keler dyuti-parimala-viddham syama-vedim prakasya rasika-vara-kulanam modam asphalayan…
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Meditating on the Damodarashtakam: The supreme controller is controlled – and still remains in control (Part 2 – Verses 5 to 8)
(Continued from part 1 here) Verse 5: Devotion catapults us to the summit of yogic meditation The fifth verse moves from rejection of the negative to elucidation of the positive. It describes the beauty of the form on which the sage desires to constantly meditate. Comparing the Lord’s face to a lotus, he remembers how…
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Meditating on the Damodarashtakam: The supreme controller is controlled – and still remains in control (Part 1 – Verses 1 to 4)
Prayer is the universal language by which the human heart communes with the divine heart. Poetry is an artistic means to verbalize deep emotions. Singing is a popular method to express one’s emotions. The integration of these three – prayers composed poetically and sung individually or collectively – is a powerful and joyful way to…
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Damodarashtakam explained – The Controller is controlled and still remains in control
Bhagavatam class at Radha Gopinath Mandir, Mumbai
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Damodara Lila – Scientific, Philosophical, Theological and Devotional Analysis
Sunday feast class at Radha Gopinath Mandir, Mumbai
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Approach scripture as history described for spiritual elevation, not material precision
Bhagavatam class at Radha Govinda temple, Kolkata
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