Author Archives: Chaitanya Charan

भगवद्गीता का द्वितीय अध्याय: एक विवेचन द्वितीय अध्याय निर्णय लेने में मार्गदर्शन करता है। इसमें कुल 72 श्लोक हैं, जिन्हें छह मुख्य भागों में बाँटा जा सकता है: मुख्य विषय: भगवान का उद्देश्य और शिक्षण पद्धति भगवान अर्जुन को तीरंदाजी की उपमा से शिक्षा देते हैं। जैसे कोई कुशल धनुर्धर लक्ष्य को हर दिशा से…

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Sorry I go late तो हम जो अभी यहाँ पर भगवद गीता का सार देख रहे हैं, वह कई प्रवचनों की एक सीरीज़ का हिस्सा है। इसका मूल विषय यह है कि अर्जुन को एक बहुत बड़ा फ़ैसला करना है। दो धर्म हैं उनके सामने: 1. कुल धर्म – जिसके अनुसार उन्हें युद्ध नहीं करना…

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शायद धृतराष्ट्र को यह आभास था कि उसका पुत्र (दुर्योधन) युद्ध में पराजित होगा, पर वह उस अपरिहार्य परिणाम से डर रहा था। वह जानता था कि जो होना है, उसे टाल नहीं सकता, फिर भी वह उसका सामना नहीं करना चाहता था। कमज़ोरी और क्रूरता में क्या अंतर है? कमज़ोरी में व्यक्ति जानता है…

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I can’t maintain bhakti standards amid family obligations—what can I do? If we are unable to steadily follow the standards of bhakti—such as chanting or reading—due to significant family obligations, we may feel disheartened. We want to serve Krishna earnestly and understand that He is the ultimate purpose of life, but we may struggle to…

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What is the relationship between spirituality and leadership? Are spirituality and leadership connected, or are they disconnected? At first glance, they may seem completely different, but the connection depends on how we define both terms. Let’s begin with the Bhagavad Gita, and then we can broaden the discussion to generic spirituality. The Bhagavad Gita is…

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Question:I have received an opportunity to take a franchise store that sells shoes, some of which are made of leather. As a devotee, should I go into such a business if it could help me become financially stable faster, allowing me to focus more on Krishna bhakti in the future? Answer:This is a personal decision,…

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How to Respond When Pre-devotional Outreach is Publicly Criticized by Senior Devotees When some highly respected or senior devotees publicly criticize those engaged in pre-devotional outreach, it often creates confusion—especially among newer or younger devotees. Once newcomers develop faith in Srila Prabhupada, they naturally want to be faithful to him. But when they see criticism…

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Let’s understand the glory of Ratha-yatra by contemplating four aspects, centered on the acronym RATH:  – R – Reach – A – Attractiveness – T – Transcendence – H – Happiness  R – Reach of the Festival  There are many festivals across the religious landscape of the world—and even across the landscape of Sanatana Dharma. But very few…

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As those engaged in outreach today, we often find ourselves working within contemporary frameworks — such as corporate outreach — where we may be constrained and unable to directly mention Krishna. However, Srila Prabhupada was very direct in speaking about Krishna and in exposing or critiquing thought systems that diverged from bhakti. This brings up…

The post While reaching out to contemporary audiences who may be receptive only to a pre-devotional message how can we stay faithful to Srila Prabhupada’s direct devotional approach to outreach? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

So I’m grateful to be here with all of you today. This section of the Bhagavatam is one of the most challenging—not just because of the complexity of what’s happening, but also because of how closely it relates to our own lives. Whenever I’m speaking at a new place and have limited time, I like…

The post Should we accept all misfortune as God s will Mayapur Bhagavatam class – Chaitanya Charan appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Host:Maharaj, my humble obeisances. Thank you so much for joining us on the Monks Podcast. It’s been a long-cherished aspiration for me to have you here. The blend of analytical rigor and devotional depth that you bring to your talks and writings is something I have deeply appreciated. Many devotees who find inspiration in my…

The post Bhakti Vijnana Maharaj Monks Podcast 209 – Healing prayers – Chaitanya Charan appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

हरे कृष्णा।आज हम भगवद्गीता के पाँचवें अध्याय पर चर्चा कर रहे हैं। अब तक की चर्चा को संक्षेप में देखें, तो भगवद्गीता की शुरुआत दूसरे अध्याय के सातवें श्लोक से होती है, जहाँ अर्जुन भगवान से एक मौलिक प्रश्न पूछते हैं — “मैं आपके शरणागत शिष्य के रूप में पूछ रहा हूँ, कृपया निश्चित रूप…

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Question: In our Gaudiya tradition, is perfection attained by Sadhana Siddhi or Kripa Siddhi? When it comes to technical questions like this, opinions often become strongly polarized, depending on which particular scriptural references are prioritized by which devotees. Broadly speaking, if a system of classification has not been repeatedly emphasized by our Acharyas, then—according to…

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The post Hindi – Chapter 4 Bhagavad Gita And Decision Making Bhagavad Gita Overview – Chaitanya Charan Das appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

When the goal matters more than the credit, creativity takes over. When Lakshmana was dying and the Sanjeevani herb was urgently needed, Hanuman didn’t waste time identifying the exact plant. He lifted the entire mountain. Not perfect. But effective. Leadership Lesson: Impact > Perfection. Action > Analysis. Sometimes, “done” is better than “just right.” Takeaway…

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While Vali faced the threat of likely dying, trapped in a cave where he had gone to kill a demon, he found the entrance blocked completely by a large boulder—one that couldn’t have sealed the cave so precisely by natural means. Still, he didn’t have to remain inside the cave for years, as Ram had…

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When provoked, how do you respond? With rage—or with resolve? Captured and humiliated by Ravana, Hanuman allowed the enemy to tie his tail and mock him. But once his tail was set ablaze, he didn’t lash out blindly. He turned the fire into a message. He burned Lanka strategically—not as revenge, but as a warning….

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Even mighty heroes sometimes forget their strength. Before the leap to Lanka, Hanuman stood unsure—doubting whether he could cross the ocean. It took the calm words of Jambavan to reignite his memory and awaken his power. “You can do this,” said Jambavan. And Hanuman soared—not just physically, but mentally and spiritually. Leadership Lesson: Self-doubt can…

The post Hanuman: Confidence Rekindled at the Shoreline appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

One of the biggest challenges we face is learning to deal with problems critically. What makes difficult situations even more complex is that we rarely look at them objectively — that is, we don’t ask, “What exactly happened?” Instead, we view them subjectively, focusing on two things: how the situation affected us, and what we…

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Sometimes, the greatest act of leadership… is leaving. Vibhishana was Ravana’s brother. A trusted advisor. A royal insider. But when Ravana refused to return Sita, Vibhishana spoke out. He was mocked, insulted, and finally exiled. And so, he walked away. From power. From comfort. From blood ties. Not because he was disloyal— But because he…

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Imagine waiting your whole life for someone you’re not even sure will come. That was Shabari. Every day, she cleaned her hermitage. Every day, she gathered berries. And every day, she waited for Rama. Years passed. No word. No sign. But she never gave up. When Rama finally arrived, her joy wasn’t in recognition—it was…

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So, how should we present the concept of Varna, and how much should we emphasize it—especially when teaching the Bhagavad Gita or introducing Krishna consciousness to newcomers, particularly in the West? There is always a tension in understanding which parts of the Gita are descriptive—that is, specific to the social and historical context of the…

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I’ve been traveling across the world for the last ten years, speaking to people from diverse traditions, cultural backgrounds, and even religious backgrounds. While there can be many differences of opinion on various issues, there’s one truth everyone can agree on, a truth that can be summarized in three words: Life is tough. Isn’t it?…

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Hare Krishna. Thank you for coming today. I’m delighted to be here with you. I’ll be speaking on the Bhagavad Gita, drawing from one of my latest books. You’ll receive physical copies of these books as soon as they arrive. We can read from them then, but until those arrive, I’ll discuss a common problem…

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भगवद गीता: प्रश्नों और उत्तरों का प्रवाह कल हमने एक सवाल पर चर्चा की थी, जिसका जवाब 2.50, 422, 0.72 था। हमने यह भी देखा कि भगवद गीता एक व्याख्यान नहीं है, बल्कि प्रश्नोत्तरों का संग्रह है। गीता के प्रवाह को समझने के लिए, हमें यह देखना होगा कि किस प्रकार का प्रश्न पूछा गया…

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Question:When the Bhagavad Gita appears to be talking about Karma Yoga, why do we suddenly find purports that emphasize Bhakti Yoga? How do we deal with this when trying to teach the Gita systematically? Answer:I’ll make three points to address this: Prabhupada’s strategy, his overall vision and purpose, and how we can align our approach…

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Mandodari: The Power of Unheard Wisdom Not all leaders wear crowns—and not all dissenters seek rebellion. Mandodari, the queen of Lanka and wife of Ravana, stands out in the Ramayana as one of the most tragically overlooked voices of reason. When Ravana abducted Sita, Mandodari repeatedly warned him: “Return her. This path will only bring…

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We all know Hanuman as the mighty hero who leapt across the ocean. But do you know who reminded him he could? Before that legendary leap, Hanuman was hesitant. Unsure of himself. It was Jambavan, the wise elder of the Vanaras, who stepped forward—not to fly himself, but to ignite belief in Hanuman. “You have…

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The context The world has recently been treated to the spectacle of the Elon Musk and Donald Trump spat—which has turned nasty very rapidly. What was initially promised to be a bromance for the ages has withered away and degenerated into a public spat with accusations being hurled at each other in public. Irrespective of…

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Can lack of time be an impediment to spiritual growth?Yes and no. Yes, in the sense that one of the factors that impedes bhakti is prayasa (over-endeavor). So we need to consider: What exactly is causing the shortage of time? At one level, time poverty is something almost everyone experiences. We all need to make…

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Any statement about a particular gender in Srila Prabhupada’s teachings is not meant to target or diminish any demographic. The overarching focus is on Krishna consciousness and spiritual elevation, and everything needs to be seen in that light. At times, such statements may appear anti-women or male chauvinistic. However, that was never the intention of…

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Understanding the Controversy Over Book Changes Regarding the issue of book changes, somehow that topic has not caught my interest deeply, and I’ve often wondered why people are so fixated on it. Still, I’ll share my quick understanding, based on whatever I’ve studied. The way Srila Prabhupada’s books have come into existence is quite an…

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Hare Krishna. So the question is, how can we see the current conflict that is going on from a Bhagavata perspective or spiritual perspective? Yes. This is currently raging in social media. And, I’ve been asked this question repeatedly. And over the last month or so I’ve been reflecting on this. And so I’ll talk…

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There yesterday? Yes, sir. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Zoom. How okay. How many of you okay. How many of you are not there yesterday? Two. Okay. Thank you. How many of you are not there today? Okay. So, I will just do a quick recap of what I have been discussing yesterday then we will…

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My dear Lord, please guide us all, so that we can understand the deep wisdom in your words and texts, and can align our lives accordingly. Hare Krishna. So today morning, we are discussing one of the most evocative sections from the Bhagavatam, which reflects a theme common in the Bhagavatam that is death. So,…

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Thank you very much for coming. So this is basically the second part of the class which I had yesterday but it can be understood separately also. But I’ll do a quick recap of what we discussed yesterday and then we’ll move on to what we find yesterday. Can all of you see this projector…

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That truth which everybody from any part of the world will agree with can be summarized in three words. That is life is tough. Whatever we do, whoever we will be, life is not evil. Life is difficult. And when we face the difficulties of life, if we are of a theistic bent of mind,…

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Hi, Ananga. How are you? Hi, Gayatri. Nice to see you again. Nice to see you too. The other day, I was having a conversation with one of the students from a UC university, and he’s a wonderful spiritual practitioner, very disciplined in his regular spiritual practice, has wonderful questions, thinks beyond himself, wants to…

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