Swami B. V. Tripurari

Questions on today's Swami call:If I made a commitment to be patient and kind, would it be okay to detach from this commitment in extenuating circumstances?How can I avoid offering too ordinary prayers to Sri Krishna rather than dignified prayers?Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's associate Kalidas would accept maha-prasadam from everyone without considering their level of advancement. I myself find it difficult to accept maha-prasadam from anyone, even from advanced devotees. What principle is being taught through the story of Kalidas, and how can I overcome my mental block?Have you ever had to deal with devotees being jealous of you? How did you handle that? And if you were to praise a disciple, would it be okay for others to be jealous of them? Can jealousy be helpful in any way?Can you comment on the affection, anger and indifference of the guru towards a disciple? What do if one feels the guru is angry for no good reason? How can one avoid the guru becoming indifferent?Dear Maharaja, can you share something about your connection with Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja, as today is his appearance day?How do you understand the relationship between experiential realization and scriptural authority in the development of true knowledge (inana), and where do you see these two approaches converging?

Questions on today's Swami call:In Jaiva Dharma, the jiva-shakti is called incomplete. How could any of Bhagavan's shaktis be incomplete?Can you simplify the description from Jaiva Dharma of how Bhagavan manifests in relation to his different shaktis, such as cit-shakti, jiva-shakti, and maya-shakti?Are jivas manifest in the world through the jiva-shakti?What does it mean to be a "transformation" of a shakti? Because "transformation" implies change.Pranams, my dear Guru Maharaja. Could Ananta Sesa and Kaliya be seen as analogies to Yoga-maya and Maha-maya? And could the fact that Krishna does not kill Kaliya indicate that the ego is not to be destroyed but rather made purified and subservient to Sri Krishna?Is the point of Brad-aranyaka-upanisad 4.3.30 that knowledge would cause suffering for the liberated self and therefore it is unmanifest?How can there be several devotees in Krishna-lila with the same name?How can I get rid of the anartha of being disturbed by kirtan that is not to my liking?Is it okay not to always have questions, philosophical or practical, to ask the guru? And who do you turn to when you have questions yourself?Should we try to see Sri Krishna's hand in material situations?Why is Sri Krishna's quality of beauty particularly emphasized in our tradition?

Questions on today's Swami call:What is the difference between Lord Shiva and Maha-Sankarshana?Dandavat pranams, Guru Maharaja. What can we lear from experiences where we thought we were going to die but forget to pray?Should I eventually give up my habit of offering Sri Krishna ready-made cakes from the store?If Lord Shiva and Maha-Sankarshana are one, why is it listed among the ten offenses to the holy name to consider the demigods like Lord Shiva to be independent of or on the same level as Sri Krishna?Can you comment on the different levels of remembrance (smaranam)?I heard a story about Bhakti Saranga Goswami being warned that he was cheated by other Vaishnavas. His response was that he wished to keep his faith in those Vaishnavas even if they were cheating him. How can we understand this attitude?How can I know if Sri Krishna accepts my offerings?Do you believe that Sri Krishna's lilas continue on earth as long as someone remembers them with love?What is the difference between the separation from Sri Krishna felt by the sadhaka and that felt by the associates of Sri Krishna in the lila?Would you like to say something about Sri Jagadisha Pandit as it was his appearance day recently?Why is it that orthodox Gaudiya Vaishnavas disapprove of certain lineages that worship Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu while approving of traditions that are more removed, such as the abrahamic religions?Do you have any plans to go to India, and do you have any plans for 2026?In your book Joy of Self you say that a real guru has no disciples, but rather sees their disciples as being sent by Sri Krishna to engage the guru in service. At the same time, the guru honors the sentiments of the disciple as it is inspired by Sri Krishna. Can you explain

1. Follow-up from last week on consciousness: "If the difference between vishaya (object) and ashraya (subject/shelter) disappears at a certain point, then in terms of the subjective experience of the manjaris, does the difference between Radha and Krishna also disappear to them, and does service to one become service to the other?" [00:25]2. Object of consciousness: "Can consciousness also be the object of consciousness? On one hand, no, because consciousness belongs to subjective reality and is the experiencer, not the experienced. On the other hand, God, His form, name, and companions are all spiritual (sat-chit), which means they can be experienced with our consciousness. Does God as pure consciousness become the object of our consciousness?" [09:48]3. Nature of consciousness: "Can we say more properly that consciousness is the function or attribute of the jiva, or is it their very essence?" [26:54]4. Spiritual progress (Kanishta stage): "If the madhyama-kanishta stage corresponds to nistha, then how can we recognize our spiritual progress at the kanishta-kanishta stage? Does this initial stage also have any gradations or levels? Is there any place where one can read about this?" [30:16]5. Kardama Muni and Lord Kapila: "Why did Kardama Muni leave home to meditate on the Paramatma when the Lord Himself, Lord Kapila, was his son in his home? Secondly, was Kardama Muni in vatsalya-rasa?" [34:49]6. Qualities in disciples: "What are the most important qualities you would be pleased to see in your students?" [40:47]7. Process of Sharanagati (Surrender): "Does the process of sharanagati involve an inner aspect (releasing the tendency to control and placing trust in Krishna) and an outer aspect (taking practical steps to improve one's life, such as seeking guidance or reorganizing daily activities)? Is this understanding and approach correct?" [48:49]8. Sharanagati and Shradha: "I would like to understand more how sharanagati and shradha are not considered an anga (limb) of bhakti while being also the very base of it and one of the stages of bhakti development?" [50:40]9. Adversity and service: "If you accept your situation and understand it for what it really is, there stops being a problem—there are only service opportunities. How does this apply to everyday problems for someone at the kanishta stage? Is it through practicing tolerance and humility, or something else?" [01:00:00]

• [00:43]: I would appreciate your guidance regarding the Mridu stage of Anartha-nivritti as described in Madhurya Kadambini. When I am conscious of an anartha being triggered and there is emotional pain, I notice that remembering Krishna and taking shelter of philosophical understanding brings relief. Is this movement from being absorbed in the anartha to returning to remembrance a healthy sign of progress?• [09:02]: I understand that chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra is our bhajan. How important is archan (deity worship)? Could you please give some guidelines on how to do archan at home for busy householders?• [24:40]: My question relates to Gopa-swami and Jaiva Dharma, specifically about sakhas like the older surit-sakhas (Virabhadra and Mandalibhadra). Mother Yashoda gives them weapons to protect Krishna from demons. But in Vraja, there are no demons, only rumors. Does this mean drawing a sword to protect Krishna is only possible in the prakata-lila (manifest pastime), or does it also happen in the aprakata-lila?• [28:09]: I heard a devotee quoting that one cannot practice humility, and any attempt to do so is a symptom of pride, because real humility is a natural state that can only be bestowed upon us. Could you please say something about that?• [38:24]: If Shri Krishna is Vishaya (the object of love) and Radharani is Ashraya (the shelter of love), how does a manjari tread this path? Her love for Krishna is subtle, while her dasyam (service) for Shri Radha is her life air. How does her love for the Ashraya (Radha) exceed her love for the Vishaya (Krishna)?• [46:46]: (Follow-up) In the "Circle of Friends" you mention that Krishna is both Rasa and Rasika, being both the Vishaya and the Ashraya for his friends. You also mention that for intimate devotees, the distinction between Ashraya and Vishaya dissolves. Is this specific to sakhya-rasa due to equality among friends, or does it happen in other rasas as well?• [58:11]: Do the priya-narma-sakhas have equal love for Radha and Krishna, or are they a mirror of the manjaris, meaning they take Krishna's side and have more affection for him?• [59:24]: (Follow-up) Regarding the "no-self" concept in Advaita Vedanta—my experience is that, just as in Gaudiya Vaishnavism, there are different levels of understanding. Some say there is no individual self, while others (like Ramana Maharshi) say the Self is the only reality. How do we distinguish between these perspectives and the Gaudiya view?

• [00:00:21]: Is the fear justified that if someone sees Krishna personally while awake, they might be considered insane and unable to perform their service to the Guru?• [00:06:50]: Who is the Sri Guru who resides in the heart along with Paramatma, if Paramatma is a passive witness and Guru provides active guidance from within?• [00:09:40]: Could you explain the "Sphota" theory regarding the meaning of words and the idea that someone with wrong understanding or bad intentions can turn even a sacred mantra into a materialistic sound?• [00:16:01]: Does the statement that good spiritual instructions are only useful when they match the practitioner's stage of spiritual realization apply only to the topic of meditation?• [00:24:35]: Why does Balarama carry a plow and a mace? Is there a specific meaning behind these symbols?• [00:30:56]: Why does Radha ask Balarama to marry the Gopis who are in love with him?• [00:31:37]: Are there specific techniques or practices that help the heart retain and realize the supernatural sound vibrations of the Lord?• [00:36:12]: How can one control the desire for recognition, validation, and respect from others?• [00:47:08]: Are there "sakhi" (female friends) of Krishna in Vraja, and does sakhya-rasa (friendship) extend to the maidens, or is it exclusive to certain groups?• [00:50:31]: How should we approach an atheist who believes that if God exists, He must be evil because He allows suffering in the world?

Questions on today's Swami call:Obeisances, Srila Maharaja. How do the levels of kanistha, madhyama, and uttama relate to the nine stages of bhakti?Pranam, Guru Maharaja. Will our eternal identity and service upon attaining perfection be determined by qualities inherent one one's self or by the desires of Sri Sri Radha Krishna?Is sakhya-rasa an uddipana for other Vraja-vasis than the gopis?Dandavat pranam, do the disciples of a guru carry krishna-shakti to other people?Are there any disciples of Srila Prabhupada or Srila Sridhara Maharaja that have inspired you?What did Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati mean when he said he perceived his gurus, Srila Gaurakisora Das Babaji and Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura as Svarupa Damodara and Gadadhara Pandit?Dandavat pranam, Guru Maharaja. Can you tell us about the members of the catur-vyuha?Are Karanadakasayi-, Garbhodakasayi-, and Kirodakasayi-Vishnu three separate deities?If the vision of Goloka only descends on those engaged in Vraja-bhajana, why are descriptions of Goloka necessary?What does it mean that some of Sri Krishna's lilas are enacted in conjunction with the maya-sakti?What can we learn from the attitude of the bull of dharma speaking in the first canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam?Is there a connection between the pastimes of mother Yashoda tying Sri Krishna to the grinding mortar in the Damodara-lila and the cowherd boys tying him to a tree?How does the shift happen from material to spiritual personality?

Questions on today's Swami call:Dandavats, Maharaja. Pranama to you and all the devotees here. You mentioned in another session that one can make Krishna-bhakti a limb of one's guru-bhakti, rather than the other way around, and this will be pleasing to Sri Krishna. How does one do this? Could it, for example, be to pray to Krishna to bless us in fulfilling the desires of our spiritual master?Radhe Radhe! What did you mean when you said that your inner guide inspired you to wear gopi-candana tilaka?Why did Srila Krishnadas Kaviraja Goswami liken Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to a lion?Can you explain Srila Jiva Goswami's verse stating that one has to be identical with God in order to worship him?Pranama, dear Guru Maharaja. If the hladini- and sandhini-shaktis are presided over by Srimati Radharani and Lord Balarama, who presides over the samvit-shakti?Can you share your thoughts on the differing statements from our acharyas about whether or not we can attain the spiritual world immediately at the end of this life?Was it Mahaprabhu who also prayed to take birth among devotees wherever that might be?Can you say some warming words about Gita Jayanti and tell us what your plans are?Can you share some words of inspiration for the December book distribution marathon?

Questions on today's Swami Call:To what extent is Gaudiya Vaishnavism intertwined with Bengali culture? Is it necessary to adopt this culture to experience Gaudiya Vaishnavism fully?What does it mean that Sri Krishna's lilas are present in his name?Pranams, Maharaja. If someone is aspiring for madhurya-rasa and joints the lineage of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, will they join the group of Sri Nayana-mani Manjari upon attaining perfection?I have noticed you are now wearing gopi-candana instead of Syama-kunda tilaka. How come you changed tilaka?Is it true that by associating with devotees, rendering service, and practicing sadhana we will awake our desire serve Sri Sri Radha Syama in our eternal svarupa?Sometimes it is said that pure devotees have no enemies. Why does it look like they do, for example, in the cases of Srila Haridas Thakura and Prahlada Maharaja?Hello, Maharaja. What does it mean that karma is not eternal?What does Srila Jiva Goswami mean when he says that nama-kirtanam is more powerful than nama-smaranam?

Questions on today’s Swami call:Dear Guru Maharaja. My husband does not identify as a Vaishnava, but he is supportive of my practice and also approves of me teaching our children about bhakti. I think of him as a Vaishnava and serve him prasadam. However, he does not like food without onion, and according to deity worship standards, onions should not be offered to Sri Krishna. Can I still serve my husband food with onions, meditating that I am serving a Vaishnava according to his preferences?Why do demons appear in the lila of Sri Krishna? Is it to show what happens when we turn away from Sri Krishna?What is the significance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu worshipping Sri Advaita Acarya with the mantra "yo 'si so 'si namo 'stu te”, meaning "Whatever You are, You are — but I offer My respects unto You”?What happens with deities that get stolen and end up in a place where there are no devotees around?How can we dispose of mahaprasad items if we are in a country where such items cannot legally be disposed of in the way our scriptures prescribe, such as burning, burying or putting them a river?Does Bhagavad-Gita 5.16-17 refer to realizing one’s bhava and seva and entering the spiritual world?Are there any examples that illustrate Lord Balarama’s being the presiding deity of the rasa of laughter (hasya-rasa)?Can you explain the differences between eligibility for vaidhi-sadhana-bhakti and for raganuga-sadhana-bhakti?Pranams, Guru Maharaja. One devotee said that earlier in the history of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, when there were not many members, the small groups of practitioners made for an informal atmosphere suitable for the practice of raga-bhakti. But when it became bigger, things became more formal, and that is more suitable for spreading vaidhi-bhakti to the masses, and then there will be small pockets of people interested in raga-bhakti. What is your opinion on this view?

Questions on today’s Swami Call:Can you share some advice to encourage our children in Krishna consciousness, especially pre-teens?If we are not the actual doers of action (as per Bhagavad-Gita 3.27), do we have free will?Pranams, Guru Maharaja. Regarding the title and artwork of your upcoming book, ”Birds of the Same Feather”, using the analogy from the Upanishad’s of two birds in the tree, isn’t this usually referring to the atma and Paramatma whereas your book is about the atma and Bhagavan?Dandavats, Guru Maharaja. Is it appropriate to pray to Sri Radha, Sri Krishna’s primary shakti, to keep us away from the external shakti, the material energy?Hare Krsna, Gurudeva. I hope you are well. How does a falldown from a high level of bhakti to a lower level show itself?If the devotees in Vaikuntha look the same as Lord Narayana, how do you tell them from one another?Dandavats, Guru Maharaja. Could it be said that demons live inside us in this age in the form of anarthas?How would you describe humility? What books would you recommend to study Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy in a systematic way?In the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Svarupa Damodara says that even a highly advanced Vaishnava who has accepted Sri Krishna as the Lord will change their mind if they hear the Vedanta commentary of Sankaracarya. Why would that be?What is the connection between Sri Prabhodananda Saraswati and the Radha-Vallabhis?Pranams, dear Maharaja. Should I be critical of others for their own good, or just focus on my own practice?

Questions on today’s Swami Call:Did Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s teachings reach the whole world during his manifest lila on Earth?Good morning, Maharaja. Pranama. What is the difference between Sri Krishna and the sages’ glorification of him?What is the difference between the unmanifest and the manifest lilas of Sri Krishna?Dear Guru Maharaja, can you tell us something about the extraordinary devotee Sri Akincana Krishna Dasa Babaji?Pranama. At what point did it become a practice to offer a gheelamp to Srimati Yasoda Devi binding Lord Damodara?Why is Sri Gadadhara Pandit not mentioned in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta 3.1?Is there any separation in the unmanifest lila of Sri Krishna?Is the rope in Damodara lila conscious?Can you tell us something about the spiritual teacher Ramana Maharshi?Can you say something about the festival of Diwali?Where does transcendental faith (nirguna sraddha) reside?

Questions on today's Swami Call: In what ways could the Brahma-vimohan-lila be an entry point for those desiring servile (dasya-) or friendly love (sakhya-rati) for Sri Krishna?Dear Maharaja; in the Bhagavad-Gita, Sri Krishna says he spoke this knowledge to the sun god. How come there is no Surya vaishnava sampradaya?(Comments from Sajjan about the Kumara sampradaya, the sun god, and the upcoming appearance day of Srila B. R. Sridhara-Deva Goswami Maharaja)Besides the tenth canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam, are there any other biographies of Sri Krishna? Dandavats pranama, Guru Maharaja. Is the Srimad Bhagavatam itself sweet and deep, or do the commentaries add those dimensions?Is it correct to assume that the more advanced a devotee is the less he cares about the qualification (adhikara) of other devotees? Thank you, Maharaja.Could it be said that the beginner (kanistha) devotee is characterized by faulty discrimination?My loving obeisances, Guru Maharaja. Is it correct to see our human condition with all its weaknesses as an impetus for surrender to Sri Krishna?Dandavats, Maharaja. Thank you. What is the significance of the rope binding Sri Krishna's belly being praised in the Damodarastakam?How should we understand Srila Prabhupada's statement that the Srimad Bhagavatam should be received from representatives of Sukadeva Goswami in the renounced order?

Questions on today’s Swami Call:What do the terms chaya- and pratibimba-bhakti-abhasa mean?I fear death since I became a mother, as I wouldn’t be able to care for my children if I died. How can I turn fear into trust?Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura said both that attaining anartha-nivrtti will automatically awaken one’s svarupa and that one needs to focus on artha-pravrtti to attain perfection. How can these statements be harmonized?Pranama, Maharaja. Why is Sri Krishna’s Damodara-lila especially emphasized during the month of Kartika?Why is the Damodara month considered to be Srimati Radharani’s month?Is there a particular calling for each devotee to perform a certain service in their sadhaka-deha?Some devotees talk about a second wave of bhakti coming over the world. What do you think about this idea?

Questions on today’s Swami call:If jivas have different origins, such as Maha-Vishnu (for those in samsara) or Lord Balarama (for eternal associates of Sri Krishna), would a jiva going from the material world to Vaikuntha, could this be seen as changing nationality, or is it rather like becoming a world citizen?Throughout my life I have been attracted to both Gaudiya Vaishnavism and Advaita Vedanta. I am now 50 years old. What do you think I should do?Could a devotee both be bliss and taste bliss?Pranama Gurudeva; namaskar. I feel inspired to support Srimati Radharani in her yudha-vira bhava with Sri Krishna. Is that possible?Can you share something about Sri Jahnava Thakurani’s inner identity and her contribution to our sampradaya?Dandavats, Swami Maharaja. How could demons enter Vrindavan, which is a spiritual place?It seems that we can find examples of both spiritually responsible suicide as well as delusional suicide. What is your perspective on this?Why did Srila Prabhupada say that the stars reflect the light of the sun?

Questions on today’s Swami call:Sometimes it seems that even spiritually powerful devotees have gone astray theologically. How can this be?What constitutes sadhu sanga?Srila Sridhara Maharaja says that devotees need to prepare themselves for times when Sri Krishna will appear indifferent to them. Why are such experience necessary?Would Srila Haridas Thakura’s getting beaten up in different marketplaces be an example?How can we inspire faith in the Veda in others?How to deal with interfaith questions where there are important differences such as Hindus having deities while the Bible says one should not worship graven images?What are your thoughts on ahimsa?

Questions on today’s Swami call:Are there demigods in the unmanifest lilas in the spiritual world?What is the interrelation between Bhagavan, Brahman, and the jivas?It is said that chanting the holy name will purify us, but it is also said that we need to chant purely for the practice to be effective. Can you explain this seeming contradiction?Please, would you elaborate on the sixth verse of Gurvastakam by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, as much as time allows?

Questions on today’s Swami call:It appears that Gaura-lila is a meeting place for devotees from different spiritual realms. Is this so only in the pastimes manifest in the world (prakata-lila) or also in the spiritual world (aprakata-lila)?Are there devotees with the love of servitude (dasya-rati) as their dominant emotion (sthayi-bhava) in Vraja-lila?Do the pastimes of separation draw jivas into the lila as there is a need for their service there?Guru Maharaja, please accept my humble obeisances. What is the relationship between our actions and our inner states? On what should we base the latter?When we go on pilgrimage, for example to Vrindavan, is it enough to see the place as an excitant (uddipana) for our bhakti, or is it important to emphasize as a historical fact that Sri Krishna was physically there 5000 years ago?What would you answer to the argument that one could meditate on anything, such as a flame, and experience the same results as from meditating on Sri Sri Radha Krishna?What should I keep in mind as I serve Srimati Tulasi-devi?Do you have any thoughts or advice to share about today’s lunar eclipse?The description of the Gopala yantra in Gopala-tapani Upanisad is very complicated and technical. Can you explain it?The Vraja-vasis are not aware that Sri Krishna is God, but in times of calamity they take shelter of him. Why is that?

Questions on today's Swami call:Is it common to have stronger feelings for one's own guru than for Sri Krishna?Today being Sri Radhastami, is there anything you would like to share about Srimati Radharani or any recommendations for reading and chanting on this day? Also, if you have any particular recommendations for those aspiring for manjari-bhava or priya-narma-sakha-bhava, I would be interested to hear those.It is said that Lalita-sakhi recommends qualified newcomers to enter Sri Radha's group. How does it work for those aspiring for sakhya-rasa? Also, in Jaiva Dharma we hear that two disciples of the same guru can view the guru according to their own rasas. Could you explain this?How come Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu sometimes encouraged devotees along the lines of a bhava that was different from their own?What does the word 'sudhama' refer to in your pranama mantra?Could you say something in glorification of Sri Visakha sakhi?Can I worship a statue of Sri Sri Radha Krishna that I bought in a shop?

Questions on today’s Swami call:Dandavats pranama, Guru Maharaja. What keeps the vibhinnamsa-jiva separate from Sri Krishna in liberation?Would you like to share some verses that you like to meditate on?Where can I find the story about the hunter who was purified by Narada Muni’s association and chanting of the holy name?What verses do you like to meditate on for japa?Pranama, Maharaja. Can one worship Srimati Radharani as a baby, similar to Laddu Gopal?If the jiva is not a doer, who is performing the action of chanting the holy name?What is your understanding of Sri Radha’s age? Different sources give different accounts as to when she was born, some saying before Sri Krishna and others saying after Sri Krishna.How to develop and strengthen one's guru-nistha?What kind of liberation did the demons attain when they were killed by Sri Krishna?XXXWhat is the idea behind the teaching that one should keep one’s guru a secret?