Category: QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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The Cause of Suffering
Question: Is it really true that others are not the cause of our suffering and that it is caused by our own mind? Should I even think about doing something about it, since the situation is unavoidable due to past karma? I am dealing with a toxic, selfish, and narcissistic boss. Accepting his unfair and unwarranted criticism will…
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Sages and Technology
Question: The Indian sages were very evolved people, highly intelligent, so why did they not invent modern technology, such as a car, a computer, a cellphone, or a vaccine to counter various diseases? Answer: There is a popular saying in Sanskrit, ātmavan manyate jagat – “Everyone sees the world with one’s own perspective”. It is natural. There is no other way…
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Annihilation of the Universe
Question: It is mentioned in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 12.4.4 and 1.6.29–30 that at the end of a day of Brahmā, there is naimittika-pralaya at which time the universe and Brahmā enter into Mahā-Viṣṇu. From Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 20.321–324, Adi 5.68–70, and Brahmā-saṁhitā 5.48, we understand that Brahmā lives for a hundred years, or the duration of an exhalation of Mahā-Viṣṇu. And when Mahā-Viṣṇu inhales, the universe enters into Mahā-Viṣṇu. There appears to be a contradiction. Śrīmad Bhāgavatam says the universe enters into Maha-Viṣṇu at the end of Brahmā’s day, and Caitanya-caritāmṛta says it enters Maha-Viṣṇu at…
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Observing Ekadashi Fast
Question: I understand that Ekādaśi vrata needs to be followed by every Vaiṣṇava. Answer: Yes. Question: Please can you give some advice for someone who finds it hard to do Ekādaśi, but has a strong desire to do it? Answer: I do not know what is your hardship. I can accept that it is hard to do complete fast. But you can also eat things…
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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…
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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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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…
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Dharma-shastras and Manu-smrti
Question: Do traditional Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas and our Gauḍīya ācāryas accept dharma-śāstra such as Manu-smṛti? How can verses like Manu-smṛti 8.270–8.272 be justified? They deny a śūdra’s right to Vedic knowledge from a guru, as in these statements: “One should not teach him sacred duties, nor sacred vows” (Manu 4.806; Vasiṣṭha-smṛti 18.12). “One should not impart knowledge to a śūdra” (Manu 4.80; Vasiṣṭha-smṛti 18.12). And there are verses that say brāhmaṇas should not accept food…
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Liberation or Rotating in Samsara?
Question: I am attracted to the philosophy of acintya-bheda-abheda and I regard Kṛṣṇa as my iṣṭa-deva. However, Śrī Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa’s interpretation of Bhagavad Gītā 16:19-20 bothers me because I cannot accept the idea that Kṛṣṇa keeps certain jīvās in constant suffering, devoid of any opportunity to attain Him. Śrī Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura takes a different view. Is it necessary to accept that certain jīvās will…