Author Archives: Chaitanya Charan das

Why are the divisions of different scriptures called differently – skandha, kanda and parva
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Answer Podcast
(My thanks to Hari Parshad Prabhu for providing this answer)

How should we respond to classes that seem confusing and contradictory to the standard philosophical understanding
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Answer Podcast

Does ISKCON consider the English of the 1920s to be sacred?
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From Prof Rao: I am a Professor of English and am interested in Krishna consciousness. I find it strange that most ISKCON preachers use the English of the 1920s in the words they choose, the way they make sentences and convey their ideas. Does ISKCON’s philosophy consider that English to be sacred that you are […]

How should we counter when a respected ex-SC judge says that scripture contains poetic exaggerations?
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He said that there is no scientific evidence of any of the astras described in scripture.
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How can I surrender to Krishna?
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From Kunal Goyal P How can I fully surrender to Shri Krishna. Please give me authentic reason and proof also. Answer Podcast

When a mother stops a child from doing something harmful why does Krishna not stop the soul from wrongdoing?
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From Subash This (the problem of evil) is a profound topic that has got me deeply thinking. What we understand is that the soul has to make choice between spiritual, sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic actions (with the last two (Rajasic and Tamasic) causing maximum misery, but for the conditioned soul, perhaps the most happiness in […]

Can we realize our spiritual identity only by bhakti and not by intelligence?
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From Raj Comment on Our intelligence can be overcome by illusion, yet it is also the key to overcome illusion As intelligence being materially the superior-sense, some of them misidentify themselves with the intelligence. So I guess only through devotional-service, can one distinguish himself/herself from the intelligence, and be elevated to a spiritual platform where the […]

Is the insignificance of the duration of evil from an eternal perspective the only explanation for evil?
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From Subash P The problem of evil is a very difficult problem in theology for many religions. The answer is given in Gita by Nasato Vidyate and also by Prabhupada when Prabhupada gives the analogy of tiger in a dream. And when SP gives us glimpse into the absolute state by saying the released soul […]

Is the problem of evil inconceivable and beyond explaining through words?
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From Subash P Krishna being aware of the absolute state of the soul apparently makes a decision which we view as sanctioning evil but from Krishna’s perspective is actually sanctioning good because no evil qualities can exist in Krishna. Unless we get Krishna’s perspective which not even Brahmaji can, words such as Krishna sanctions evil […]

What is the actual difference between mind and intelligence?
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From Krishnanama P I would like to know the difference between mind and intelligence. During chanting many thoughts comes and series of background planning activities starts, do not know if this is fantasy or imagination or illusion, but whenever awareness comes back, i realize that thoughts are going on in back ground and chanting is […]

What does being free from all dualities mean wrt devotional service?
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From Pandurang Charan P
In verse 5.3 – what does free from all duality mean with respect to devotional service. Can there be some duality and some non duality since the verse mentions ALL dualities, what does ALL mean from devotional perspective and ho…

Do we need to endeavour to get what is in our quota?
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From Srivasa NitaiGaura P For things with in our quota, do we still need to endeavour? if not then how do a person get them with out endeavour? please clarify. Answer Podcast

If misery is caused by misidentification, then why is there not just mental pain but also physical pain?
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From Mohan Gaurachandra P
In example of soul compared to audience in a movie.
The emotional/mental pain when the body is damaged or lost is understandable. But why there is the physical pain. This pain is even seen in the lives of great saintly persons…

What is the difference between a jnani and jnani-yogi?
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From Anuj Agarwal
Is it mentioned somewhere in the Gita?
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Did the Pandavas go to heaven or the spiritual world?
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From Syama Vihari P
Did Pandavas go to the Svargaloka as you mentioned as 18th Parva? As they\’re pure devotees of the lord, why did not they go Vaikuntha (or) Goloka?
Answer Podcast

Is there any spiritual reference for the meaning of ‘Bharata’ as ‘the land absorbed in light’?
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From Syama Vihari P
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Why do the original Vedas give so little knowledge about the ultimate goal of bhakti?
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From Karuneshwari Mataji Based on the presentation of the Vedic literatures, it seems that the original 4 Vedas, the shruti,  contain only karma kanda and jnana kanda, and that bhakti is presented only in the smriti -for example,  in Srimad Bhagavatam,  and also in Bhagavad Gita.  I understand that Srila Vyasadeva compiled SB after being […]

When Krishna says that the knowledge in disciplic succession was lost, weren’t the four sampradayas available at that time?
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From Pandurang Charan P
Answer Podcast

A devotee is already righteous, so why does Krsna say that he becomes righteous in Gita 9.31?
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From Anuj Agarwal
Answer Podcast

What is the difference between nitya and shashvata in Gita 2.20?
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From Anuj Agarwal P Answer Podcast Gita 2.20 is a response to Yaksa’s enunciation of the six changes given in Nirukta (1.2) jaayate asti vardhate viparamanate apakshiyate vinashyati 

When the guru is mostly inaccessible to disciples, isn’t initiation just a rubber-stamp?
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It’s very difficult to get an appointment with the guru as he is so busy. And I have also heard that if we don’t take guidance, what is the use of taking initiation. Also, I don’t feel that associating with the guru’s disciples is the same as associating with guru – I don’t become attached to […]

How can we convert our work in office into yajna?
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From Pandurang Charan P
Could you please explain in detail how can I do yagna as grahasta working in office, where in we are so absorbed in our work. Also moment to moment where in I dont remember Krishna atall. How can we have the right consciousness …

What is the difference between karma yoga, buddhi yoga and bhakti yoga?
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From Pandurang Charan P
Could you please explain the difference in detail between karma yoga, buddhi yoga, bhakti yoga. Prabhupada interchangeably uses bhakti vs buddhi yoga are they the same.
Answer Podcast

To seek love in food is to relapse into emotional babyhood
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When we were infants, food signified not just nutrition but also affection. Our mother’s love came streaming to us through the milk from her breasts as she held us lovingly to her bosom. We may not remember that experience consciously now, but its effect lingers subconsciously, making us see food as not just sustenance for […]