Mapping of Bhāgavatam 1.1.1 onto Vedānta-sūtras, Part 2
We continue our examination of the mapping of the Vedānta-sūtras onto Bhāgavatam 1.1.1.
Q/A: Should I quit my profession for bhakti?
Many a young person becomes sucked up in the comfort of belonging to a religious organization or sect. They are eager to prove the degree of their surrender and conviction by quitting their profession and careers. Unfortunately, they don’t know what lies ahead, and gamble too much on […]
Mapping of Bhāgavatam 1.1.1 onto Vedānta-sūtras, Part 1
The first verse of a book is generally important in establishing its meaning. There are six criteria for establishing the meaning of a book, out of which upakrama or introductory statements is the first one. The first verse of the Bhāgavatam, therefore, is of prime importance to anyone […]
A summary of Paramātmā Sandarbha
This is a summary of the Paramatma Sandarbha.
The definition of śāstra
How is śāstra defined? Knowing its definition can help us understand its purpose and its nature.
The jīva’s doership is real and not illusory – Part II
We continue our discussion of Baladeva Vidyabhusana’s commentary on the Brahma sutras. As mentioned in a previous article, this commentary has been (mis)interpreted to support the jīva’s beginningless choice to enter the material world. I present the translation below along with notes. || 2.3.35 || atha prakṛti-kartṛtvāde doṣān […]
The jīva’s doership is real and not illusory – Part I
One of the pramāṇas propped up by some to support the novel concept that the jīva made an ‘anādi choice’ to enter the material world is Śrī Baladeva’s commentary on Vedanta-sūtras 2.3.31-40. Here we present a translation of Śrī Baladeva’s commentary. As will become clear, these proponents put […]
Q/A: How can Kṛṣṇa be the cause of anādi creation, when anādi means without cause?
I received a long reply from a proponent of the jiva-choice theory- but I did not publish it as it violates the rules for posting on this site. I will answer one question, which is worth answering: The writer quotes me from the previous article: Question: You yourself […]
anādi means beginningless, which means without a preceding cause
The word ‘anādi’ is a simple word. Yet, in recent decades, much confusion has surrounded it owing to novel interpretations offered for it by some modern sects of Caitanya Vaiṣṇavism. Here we examine what it means according to our ācāryas like Śrī Jīva Goswami and Śrī Viśvanātha Cakravarti. […]
Śrī Gadādhara Goswami
Śrī Gadādhara Goswami, respectfully known as Paṇḍita Goswami, is an enigmatic figure. He is considered the closest friend and follower of Śrī Caitanya. He is not known to have written scholarly works. Whatever is known about Him is through the poetry and writings of others and through the […]
FAQ on Caitanya Vaiṣṇavism
Inspired by an FAQ I came across on a Sri Vaiṣṇavism site, I have prepared a similar FAQ on Caitanya Vaiṣṇavism. Happy Reading!
The three types of meanings of Sanskrit words
Three types of meanings are typically accepted for Sanskrit words. Here we list a discussion of the three types of meanings by Sri Babaji in his commentary on Bhagavat Sandarbha, Anuccheda 98: “All literature, including the Veda, is composed of words. Every Sanskrit word (pada) has a meaning […]
