The types of siddhas
In Bhakti Sandarbha Anuccheda 186, Śrī Jīva Goswami classifies perfected beings (siddhas) into two broad categories: Brahman-realized jñānīs and devotees established in prema. The jñānī-siddhas […]
The different definitions of dharma
The word dharma has a variety of meanings depending on the philosophical context. Below I reproduce several definitions of dharma discussed by Babaji in his […]
Causes in nyāya – nimitta kāraṇa
I continue discussing the types of causes or kāraṇas in nyāya based on Śrī Devadatta Pātil Śarmā’s excellent Sanskrit book, Vidyādharī, which is a commentary […]
Causes in nyāya – asamavāyi kāraṇa
I continue discussing the types of causes or kāraṇas in nyāya based on Śrī Devadatta Pātil Śarmā’s excellent Sanskrit book, Vidyādharī, which is a commentary […]
Causes in nyāya – samavāyi kāraṇa
It is common to hear the terms ‘samavāyi kāraṇa’, ‘asamvāyi kāraṇa’, and nimitta kāraṇa, which are the three types of causes in nyāya. In this […]
How bhakti arises through sat-saṅga
Uttamā bhakti is attained only through the association of devotees and not in any other way. This is because Bhagavān does not become moved to […]
The grace of bhakti is not invoked by suffering
Suffering in the world ultimately arises from beginningless ignorance and the karma that proceeds from it. Removal of suffering is a concomitant effect of bhakti, […]
If all names belong to Bhagavān, why can’t I chant any material name?
Q: It is said in the rig ved that all names ultimately belong to Bhagavan. So why can’t we just chant anything (like coca cola […]
The lakṣaṇa of a lakṣaṇa
The importance of definitions cannot be overstated in keeping concepts straight in our heads. In Indian philosophy, writers take great pains to define items and […]
Śrī Jīva Goswami on Bhagavad-Gītā Chapter 8: Three Ways of Realizing the Supreme
While the Sandarbhas emphasize the Bhāgavatam in their analysis, every now and then, Śrī Jīva Goswami cites the Bhagavad-Gītā to establish the same point as […]
What is the use of saying there is no free will?
Q: Do we have free will? A: No we do not. Most people resist this idea. It goes against how we experience ourselves. It feels […]
Don’t we need puṇya to go to candra-loka?
Q: The Americans sent a spacecraft that circled the moon. How is this possible? A: Why not? Q: According to my understanding it is not […]