The Perfect Society: Four Spiritual Classes
This chapter particularly describes the brahmacārī and the person in the vānaprastha stage, and it also gives a general description of the four āśramas — brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha and sannyāsa. In the previous chapter, the great saint Nārada Muni has described the varṇa institution of society, and now, in this chapter, he will describe the stages of spiritual advancement in the four āśramas, whichContinue Reading
Further thoughts on due diligence and due process
My most sincere obeisance. Kindly bless me to someday approach bhakti marg. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Being further requested to expand on my earlier appeal for ‘due diligence and due process’, I had already indicated that the history of our GBC dealing with important issues is not encouraging, toContinue Reading
Discussion On The Female Diksha Guru Issue: Amongst Godbrothers-6
Godbrother: Today, armchair observers may agree or disagree. But we who preach to Westerners every day know that what Srila Prabhupada did in America still works, and imposing Vedic social constructs does not. Outside studies affirm that today’s Western youth largely judge religious organizations by how they treat women. BasuContinue Reading
The Perfect Society: Four Social Classes
This chapter describes the general principles by following which a human being, and specifically one who is interested in advancing in the spiritual life, can become perfect. By hearing about the characteristics of Prahlāda Mahārāja, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira became extremely pleased. Now he inquired from Nārada Muni about the actual religionContinue Reading
3 Facts: One Becomes Peaceful And Happy
Prahlāda Mahārāja said: One who is sufficiently intelligent should use the human form of body from the very beginning of life — in other words, from the tender age of childhood — to practice the activities of devotional service, giving up all other engagements. The human body is most rarelyContinue Reading
Krsna’s Enmity And Friendship Are External Features
We should always remember the distinction between spiritual and material. That which is material is infected by material qualities, but these qualities cannot touch that which is spiritual, or transcendental. Kṛṣṇa is absolute, whether He is in the material world or the spiritual world. When we see partiality in Kṛṣṇa,Continue Reading
Mystery of initiation
The following is a thread of quotes and ideas which ties together several aspects of approaching a guru and taking initiation. It’s by no means complete, but if one insists on a different understanding it should be kept in mind that quotes given here should also be accommodated and notContinue Reading
A Little Discrepancy Will Cause One To Fall Down
The laws of nature work in subtle ways unknown to us. Mahārāja Bharata was a great king very advanced in devotional service. He had almost reached the point of loving service to the Supreme Lord, but even from that platform, he could fall down onto the material platform. In Bhagavad-gītā we areContinue Reading
One’s Real Interest Lies In Returning Home, Back To Godhead
When the mind is polluted by fruitive activity, the living entity wants to be elevated from one material position to another. Generally, everyone is involved in working hard day and night to improve his economic condition. Even when one understands the Vedic rituals, he becomes interested in promotion to heavenlyContinue Reading
The Woman’s Guru is the Husband
Haribol Prabhus! Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Yes, we are JIVAS, we are not the body. We are equal. But it would be better not to approach a tiger to explain this philosophical point! WE ARE EQUAL in the sense that both men and womenContinue Reading