Upadesha

Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura at the Bhajana Kuṭīra of Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Bābāji

Jan 12, 2025 |

Should one constantly chant or just do service? This eternal question on the lips of every sādhaka is answered by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda in this instructive pastime concerning some errant disciples of Jagannātha Dāsa Bābāji and Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura. This article is extracted from the hari-kathā of Sarasvatī Ṭhākura originally spoken at Śrī Caitanya Maṭha on the evening of December 21st, 1927.

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Scientific Understanding of Ekādaśi

Jan 12, 2025 |

Fasting is called upavāsa. Upa means samipe [‘near’], to always remain [vāsa] by the side of Kṛṣṇa and supply whatever He wants. In doing so, servitors forget to take food and other things for themselves. They want to be more busily engaged in the service of Kṛṣṇa, because at this time of need, they will fetch more remuneration, more affinity for Kṛṣṇa, more grace. So, upavāsa [‘fasting’] means samipe vāsa [‘staying near’]. And, secondarily, by fasting, we can make our body dry so that our enjoying spirit will be lessened. These are the two general explanations of Ekādaśi.

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Neutrality (Nirapekṣatā)

Dec 26, 2024 |

True nirapekṣatā means refraining from supporting anyone out of self-interest. Often, we stand by those close to us even when they are at fault. By doing so, we unknowingly harm their spiritual welfare. Yet, we act in this manner out of selfish motives, driven by the hope of gaining some benefit from them.

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Pañca Saṁskāra (The Five Purificatory Processes)

Jul 30, 2024 |

I have explained the literal meaning and the fundamental explanation of pañca-saṁskāra. At this point a question may arise as to why nowadays disciples do not see this sort of teaching from their gurus. The answer is that due to the defects found at this present time, people’s discernment regarding gurus has become extremely corrupted. Today people accept instructions from kula-gurus (family gurus) or other such persons, thus they are unable to take refuge in a worshipable Gurudeva. Śāstra states that inquisitive persons seeking the ultimate good of the ātmā should approach and surrender to a Gurudeva who is devoted to and has taken shelter of śabda-brahma (transcendental sound) and the Supreme.

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The Gravity of the Post of Ācārya

Jul 29, 2024 |

I replied, ‘“I have never contemplated whether I would accept this responsibility or not. But one thing I can say with certainty is that I have not yet developed so much affection for the living entities, as Śrī Prahlāda Mahārāja or Śrī Vāsudeva Datta, such that I would be prepared to go to hell for the sake of delivering them. For this reason, I am not keen on carrying out this responsibility at present.”

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Observance of Cātur-māsya

Jul 21, 2024 |

Although for many years Śrīla Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupad had assiduously accepted many austerities during Cātur-māsya, after founding Śrī Caitanya Maṭha and focusing on preaching he ceased doing so. He then followed only minor rules of Cātur-māsya: refraining from food forbidden for that period, eating only once a day, and shaving only on Viśvarūpa Mahotsava, which falls exactly in the middle of the four-month observance. He continued to execute Ūrja-vrata each year, residing in one place during Kārtika and practicing the directions given in Hari-bhaktivilāsa. Yet some of his disciples, mostly maṭha-vāsīs less active in outside preaching, continued to perform Cātur-māsya in all details.

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What is the meaning of Vrata?

Jun 13, 2023 |

To observe Purushottam Vrata means to develop such a pure mind, which 24 hours continuously can get in touch with Guru-Vaiṣṇava-Bhagavan. Then and only then we can realise that our vrata is successful.

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Why this kind of unusual situation prevailing everywhere that one cannot recognize the actual honor of other devotees?

Dec 14, 2022 |

So long as we can protect and preserve the flame of saṅkīrtana-yajña agni enlightened by the saṅkīrtana pita Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu in Śrī Dham Mayapur- Śrīvas Angan, up to that point we can find some harmony among each other, otherwise we can start finding faults with each other or we can start competition with each other for ‘lābha’, ‘pūjā’, ‘pratiṣṭhā etc.

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Diksa is related to our atma not the body

Dec 14, 2022 |

This kind of result of Guru-Vaiṣṇava-Bhagavan sevā can never leave us, even after we leave our body we can get the result of that sevā. At least one is sure to have a chance in the next life of being born again as a human being, either in the family of a great cultured brahmaṇa or in a rich aristocratic family that will give one a further chance for the elevation of consciousness.

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Kunigunde

Sep 13, 2022 |

It is just nonsense if someone rattles off the Names of Krishna without knowing who Krishna really is. Only an avatara can bestow shakti upon a jiva to get immediate realization, i.e. to immediately understand the nature and the mutual relations between God, jiva and maya [sambandha-jnanam] and to repeat His Names without misunderstanding.

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Trap of Emotion

Sep 5, 2022 |

There is a simple self test; try to think like this: I, my mind, body, soul, house, husband, children are His property. I am like a trustee appointed by Him and obliged to see that His property is kept well and prospers. – We must stand with both legs in this world of bitter realities and try to make it fragrant with Krishna’s fragrance.

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The strict principle of an ācārya

Aug 26, 2022 |

Once Śrīla Bhakti Vedanta Vaman Gosvāmī Mahārāja went for a preaching tour to North-24 Parganas. There was one Brahmachari in the party who wanted to make a close relationship with a household wife by addressing her as boudi (wife of elder brother), which is surely...

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