Author Archives: Chaitanya Charan das

Mahabharata characters 63 Duryodhana 2 Krishna’s magnanimity vs Duryodhna’s obstinacy
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Listen audio… This talk is a part of the “Fascinating Mahabharata Characters” series. To know more about this course, please visit: bhakticourses.com

Mahabharata characters 62 Duryodhana 1 The humiliator is humiliated
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Listen audio… This talk is a part of the “Fascinating Mahabharata Characters” series. To know more about this course, please visit: bhakticourses.com

How contemplating controversy can take us towards Krishna
→ The Spiritual Scientist

“A sincere student should not neglect the discussion of such conclusions, considering them controversial, for such discussions strengthen the mind. Thus one’s mind becomes attached to Sri Krsna.”
(Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi 2.117)

Avoid criticism that creates enmity
→ The Spiritual Scientist

“Regarding Acyutananda’s preaching, what is the use of criticizing Sai Baba and creating some enemies? Do not do this in public meetings. It is different to do it in a private meeting.” SPL to Mahamsa Swami – 3 June, 1975.

Mahabharata characters 61 Draupadi 2 Exemplary devotion amidst tribulation
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Listen audio… This talk is a part of the “Fascinating Mahabharata Characters” series. To know more about this course, please visit: bhakticourses.com

Transcend anxiety by avoiding partisanship
→ The Spiritual Scientist

“A devotee never takes the part of a particular party; therefore he is carefree.”
(Srila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita purport 12.16)

The ocean of mercy is eminently worthy of mastery
→ The Spiritual Scientist

The Lord is always worthy to be the master of the surrendered soul, for He is the ocean of mercy. ( Srila, Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam 4.8.46 purport)

Mahabharata characters 60 Draupadi 1 Responding to vice with virtue
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Listen audio… This talk is a part of the “Fascinating Mahabharata Characters” series. To know more about this course, please visit: bhakticourses.com

Mahabharata characters 59 – Sahadeva – Using intelligence in the service of dharma
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Listen audio… This talk is a part of the “Fascinating Mahabharata Characters” series. To know more about this course, please visit: bhakticourses.com

Even offenders should chant
→ The Spiritual Scientist

The chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra is recommended even for persons who commit offenses, because if they continue chanting they will gradually chant offenselessly. (Srila, Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam 6.3.24 purport)

Scientism fosters not respect for science, but disrespect for humanity
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Scientism is the belief system that science alone is the source of all knowledge. If anyone points out the limitations of science, devotees of scientism misrepresent such criticism of scientism as criticism of science, and deride the critic as an “anti-scientific obscurantist.” The claims of scientism notwithstanding, science cannot encompass the subjective relishable aspects of […]

Mahabharata characters 58 – Nakula – Sustaining unity amidst individuality
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Listen audio… This talk is a part of the “Fascinating Mahabharata Characters” series. To know more about this course, please visit: bhakticourses.com

Association is like a crystal stone
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Association is very important. It acts just like a crystal stone, which will reflect anything which is put before it. (Srila Prabhupada, Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 12)

Mahabharata characters 57 – Arjun 20 – World conquest for Ashwamedha-yajna
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Listen audio… This talk is a part of the “Fascinating Mahabharata Characters” series. To know more about this course, please visit: bhakticourses.com

Simple process, supreme benefit
→ The Spiritual Scientist

To chant the holy name and dance in ecstasy is so easy and sublime that one can achieve all the benefits of spiritual life simply by following this process. ( Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam 6.2.11)

While writing articles should we write about topics connected with our personal lives or about unconnected topics?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

Mahabharata characters 56 – Arjuna 19 – The difficult disciplining of Ashvatthama
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Listen audio… This talk is a part of the “Fascinating Mahabharata Characters” series. To know more about this course, please visit: bhakticourses.com

Practice yoga by bringing the mind on Krishna repeatedly
→ The Spiritual Scientist

While chanting , our mind sometimes wanders far away, but when we become conscious of this, we should immediately bring the mind back to hear the sound vibration of hare krishna,  this is called yoga abyasa,  the practice of yoga. (Srila Prabhupada, Beyond illusion & doubt)

Devotion leads to virtue
→ The Spiritual Scientist

If one becomes Krishna conscious all good qualities are automatically developed in him. Automatically he leads a life of celibacy, controls his mind  & senses, & has a charitable disposition. (Srila Prabhupada, Beyond illusion & doubt)

Mahabharata characters 55 – Arjuna 18 – The final battle with Karna
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Listen audio… This talk is a part of the “Fascinating Mahabharata Characters” series. To know more about this course, please visit: bhakticourses.com

Scientism makes it impossible for us to be scientific
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Does science make it impossible for one to be spiritual? That is the misleading claim not of science, but of scientism, the belief system that science has a monopoly on knowledge. Ironically, scientism makes it impossible for us to be scientific. Let’s see how. The success of science, indeed its survival, is based on a […]

Four kinds of faith
→ The Spiritual Scientist

 “Faith directed toward spiritual life is in the mode of goodness, faith rooted in fruitive work is in the mode of passion, faith residing in irreligious activities is in the mode of ignorance, but faith in My devotional service is purely transcendental.” Srimad Bhagavatam 11.25.27

Elevate one’s mode by intelligence and guidance
→ The Spiritual Scientist

“One has to consider things carefully, with intelligence, in the association of a bona fide spiritual master. Thus one can change his position to a higher mode of nature” Srila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita As It Is,  17.2 purport

Mahabharata characters 54 – Arjun 17 – Devotional surrender amidst mixed feelings at Drona’s death M
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Listen audio… This talk is a part of the “Fascinating Mahabharata Characters” series. To know more about this course, please visit: bhakticourses.com

Does ISKCON have a phobia for the tenth canto? (Bhagavatam 10.47.28)
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Lecture Podcast Outline: 1. Krishna from Mathura sent message through Nanda to his loved one but not gopis – so sent special written message through Uddhava 2. Uddhava’s declaration “I am Krishna’s confidential servant” is not out of pride, but out of desire to reassure gopis – humility is not meant to detract from our […]

Why did Bhima kill Duryodhana unfairly by hitting him below the waist during their final battle in the Mahabharata war?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer: Let’s first consider how unfair the whole battle was for Bhima. Due to Gandhari’s blessing Duryodhana’s body had become invincible, no matter how expertly or forcefully Bhima hit it. What was he supposed to do? Just let himself get beaten to death for no fault of his – all because his opponent had got […]

Is scriptural knowledge needed only when devotion is dilute and not when devotion is pure?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From S Ramchandran Based on  the Gita daily article Chapter 15, Text 19  Knowledge of Krishna’s position stimulates submission and his disposition stimulates affection Why do you say in your reply that “But can we love Krishna steadily throughout our life? Is this not a doubt. If your heart is full like Mirabai’s, why resort to […]

Mahabharata characters 53 – Arjuna 16 – Racing against time with the Lord of time
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Listen audio… This talk is a part of the “Fascinating Mahabharata Characters” series. To know more about this course, please visit: bhakticourses.com

Doubting in the beginning is a sign of intelligence
→ The Spiritual Scientist

“Doubt is one of the important functions of intelligence; blind acceptance of something does not give evidence of intelligence. In order to cultivate intelligence, one should be doubtful in the beginning.” – Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam 3.26.30 purport

Not all piety is fortunate – strive for spiritual piety
→ The Spiritual Scientist

“Pious activities can be divided into three categories: pious activities that awaken one’s dormant Krishna consciousness, pious activities that bestow material opulence, and pious activities that enable the living entity to merge into the existence of the Supreme. These last two awards of pious activity are not actually fortunate. Pious activities are fortunate when they help […]

Mahabharata characters 52 – Arjuna 15 – Breaking through the wall of the Kaurava forces
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Listen audio… This talk is a part of the “Fascinating Mahabharata Characters” series. To know more about this course, please visit: bhakticourses.com

Mahabharata characters 51 – Arjuna 14 – Besting the fearsome elephant and the formidable elephant wa
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Listen audio… This talk is a part of the “Fascinating Mahabharata Characters” series. To know more about this course, please visit: bhakticourses.com