Month: March 2025
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Eternality of Mathura and Vrindavan
Question: Why do Mathurā and Vṛndāvana change with the seasons if they are eternal? If “eternal” means no change, then why does Kṛṣṇa grow after being born? Does this mean that He is not eternal? Answer: He is eternal, His abode is eternal, and change in them is also eternal. Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī explains that Kṛṣṇa,…
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The Highest Form of Love
Question: We understand that in relation to Bhagavan Kṛṣṇa, everybody is female. He is the only male. How does this play out in the context of genders and the concept of masculine and feminine? Answer: This is a different concept and should not be mixed with our understanding of the words “male” and “female.” The difference between sex and gender is that sex is a…
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Kṛṣṇa – The Supreme Controller
We have heard often that Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Controller—iśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇa (Brahma-saṁhitā 5.1). He also proclaims this in Gītā (7.7)—mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñcid asti dhanañjaya, “There is nothing superior to Me, O Dhanañjaya”. As a controller, He manifests Himself in the form of Paramātmā. Paramātmā is Kṛṣṇa’s controlling manifestation. Kṛṣṇa says that He is situated…
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Bhakti, Sharanagati, and Varnashrama
Question: I have a question regarding bhakti-yoga and śaraṇāgati. In the Śrī-sampradāya, the bhakti-yoga and śaraṇāgati paths are separated. It is also said in Śrī-sampradāya that only brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, and vaiśyas, not śūdras, can perform bhakti-yoga. Śrī-sampradāya similarly says that women are ineligible to perform bhakti-yoga. Śaraṇāgati is the only path through which everyone can attain mokṣa, according to Śrī-sampradāya. But in the Gauḍīya-sampradāya, it is said that bhakti-mārga or bhakti-yoga is open to all. I have also never seen…
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What is Śāstra?
Question: What do we consider to be śāstra in our Gauḍīya sampradāya? An ācārya’s book is also śāstra, correct? Answer: For us, śāstra means bhakti–śāstra and anything that supports itand teaches it. The original source and core literature is the Bhāgavata. Then we have everything that is aligned with the message of the Bhāgavata, such asits commentaries, as well as Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Jīva Gosvāmī’s writings, and those of the other Gosvāmīs. One has to…