-
Aropa-siddha: Superimposition of Bhakti
In Bhakti Sandarbha (Anuccheda 217), Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī divides bhakti into three categories, namely āropa-siddhā,saṅga-siddhā and svarūpa-siddhā. It is easy to understand the last category but there is some confusion about the others, especially the first one. As human beings we have ability to act using our mind, body, and speech. These actions can be Vedic or laukika. The Vedic actions are those that are…
-
Śāstrīya Śraddhā and Material Śraddhā
Bhagavad Gīta contains eighteen chapters. Each chapter is named after a particular yoga. Therefore, there are eighteen different types of yoga described in Bhagavad Gītā. The word yoga, however, has many different meanings and to be understood, one must consider the context in which it is being used. Śri Kṛśṇa Himself refers to several different forms of yoga directly, such as karma-yoga, sāṅkhya-yoga, jñāna-yoga, yoga [in general] and bhakti-yoga.…
-
Janmashtami Celebration by JIVA USA
JIVA USA celebrated Janmashtami within the community on Aug 16th 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM at 11420 Matzke Rd Cypress, TX 77429, USA. Please find below some of the pictures from the celebration. Houston, TX Home celebration within community at Los Angeles, CA
-
Celebrate Sri Krishna Janmashtami 2025
Sri Krishna Janmashtami 2025 Time : Aug 16 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM Place : 11420 Matzke Rd Cypress, TX 77429, USA Welcome to the Sri Krishna Janmashtami 2025 Celebration! We are delighted to have you join us in this joyous celebration of the divine appearance of Sri Krishna on Earth. This event is more than a…
-
Tilaka
Question: The tilaka that Vaiṣṇavas wear represents Kṛṣṇa or Viṣṇu’s lotus feet. Why does the Lord Himself wear it? Answer: This is Bhagavan’s nara-līlā. He plays as a human being, like Śrī Caitanya, who acted as a devotee. He puts it on so that you can follow His example. Question: But what about His forms of Narāyaṇa, Narasiṁha, etc.? They too…
-
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,…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…