Swami B. V. Tripurari

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?

Questions on today’s Swami Call:Would you like to say something about Srila Prabhupada on the occasion of his appearance day?I heard that Srila Sridhara Maharaja would not perform the Jhulan Yatra festival with his deities as it’s too elevated. What are your thoughts on this?What is the scriptural basis for referring to Lord Balarama as the original guru?Why are some deities of Sri Sri Krishna Balarama decorated with brahmin threads?Is the teaching of the Panihati festival that one cannot approach God without the blessing of the guru?As Lord Balarama is the presiding deity of the rasa of joking and laughter (hasya), what kind of sense of humor does he have?

Questions on today’s Swami call:Can we break free from our material confinement at once, or do we need to collect many moments of clarity to stay in clarity permanently?Have you always had the fortune to be in the association of devotees? Could you share any guidance on practicing sadhana in solitude?(comment from Bijaya Kumara about Trana Karta Dasa’s book “O’Hare Krishna Airport”)Could you say something about the significance of the numbers 8 and 18 in Sri Krishna’s magic creation and in our tradition?Does Sri Krishna feel separation from the baddha-jivas?If a jiva enters brahma-sayujya, would Sri Krishna be longing for that jiva forever?Hare Krishna, Maharaja. Dandavat pranams. Is there a possibility of attaining vatsalya-rati for Srimati Radharani, seeing her as a daughter?Dear Guru Maharaja, dandavat pranama. What is Srimati Radharani’s favorite name of Sri Krishna?Did you have the opportunity to meet Gour Govinda Maharaja? Can you 

Questions on today’s Swami call:Do circumstances like what kind of country we live in and where we live in that country make a difference for our spiritual practice? For example, I have heard that living in the countryside, especially in a Western developing country, may pose obstacles.It is said to be an offense to preach the glories of the holy name to the faithless. Does this also include simple recommendations to the general public like “chant the holy name and be happy”?You often say that the lila of Sri Krishna is humanlike, but in one article you wrote that Sri Krishna is both fully divine and fully human. Can you please explain?Hare Krsna, Gurudeva. Pranama. Could you please share about the significance and conception of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s deities, Sri Sri Gaura Gadadhara?Is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu experiencing the type of love with anyone in Gaura-lila that he had with Uddhava in Krishna-lila?Pranams, Guru Maharaja. Hare Krishna. Can you share something about the different kinds of bhakti in Garuda and Hanuman?I heard that you have met Srila Sridhara Maharaja. Can you tell us about your relationship with him?What would be the function of navels in Goloka?I would like to set a good example of Krishna consciousness for my child. How can I know whether I’m truly practicing bhakti? What would be a good book for me to read as a beginner?What is your opinion on the worship of Salagrama shilas?Pranams, dear Guru Maharaja. In Aesthetic Vedanta, commenting on the gopis feeling that they have no devotion, you describe how one feels further from Bhagavan the closer one gets, and also that his presence is both humbling and reassuring. Can you say something more about this?

Questions on today’s Swami Call:Dandavats, Guru Maharaja. What is your response to members from other sampradayas questioning the validity of ours?What is the difference between labeling a teaching as valid siddhanta for others although we do not follow it ourselves and labeling a teaching as apa-siddhanta?We have heard from you that the Kama-gayatri is a form of the Brahma-gayatri and that it is connected with the Gopala-mantra. Can you share something more about its meaning and the effects of chanting it?You explained in a recent lecture in Poland that Lord Jagannatha’s mercy became available in this world through a blessing of Narada Muni. Could you say something more about why Lord Jagannatha is so merciful?I feel like an outsider in the Vaishnava community, feeling like others have a relationship with Sri Krishna while I do not. I do, however, feel happy for these devotees. Is this normal or is it a mental problem? Is it best to avoid preaching to people who are likely to become inimical, as they may offend bhakti, or could we try to give them a chance?What is your instruction regarding deity worship during one’s menstrual period, and what is your reasoning behind it?What do you think are the best arguments for reincarnation ?

Questions on today’s Swami Call:Pranams dear Guru Maharaj. I am curious if Krishna’s words “think of me” in Bhagavad-Gita 9.34 can be also understood as “be with me”? Sometimes I have moments in japa when I feel I want to just stay and be more present, rather than continue chanting at that specific moment.Jay Guru Maharaja! I have a question regarding Vaishnava aparadha. Could someone’s difficulty in committing themselves to the practice be a result of Vaishnava aparadha in a previous life? If so, how can one become free from its effects? How to counteract it? How to make amends?In the second verse of his Prapanna Jivamritam, Srila Sridhar Maharaj offers his pranams to the deity called Gaura Sarasvati. I am wondering if he is speaking of his spiritual master in this verse or if there is indeed a deity of Lord Gauranga called Gaura Sarasvati. Could you explain the meaning of this verse, please? Thank you.Pranama. Hare Krsna. Does Srimati Radharani represent bhakti in our lives?Pranam Maharaj. I would like to know what in your perspective is the biggest change what happens when one gets Harinam initiation? What happens to practise? And as a follow up question, What kind of requirements you have if one would wish to become your disciple?What is the proper honorific title for a female sannyasi? Like when we call a male sannyasi simply ”Maharaja”.What does the word ”gopi” mean to you? I feel like something may have been lost in the translation into English as ”cowherd girl”.Could you share something about the mood and attitude one should have while trying to distribute devotional books to the public?Could you share something about your recent research on the different views on Sri Caitanya Caritamrta’s asirvada sloka?Can you explain the meaning of the statement ”kirtana prabhave smarana svabhave” from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s song Vaishnava ke?

Questions on today’s Swami Call:How can I improve my japa, considering that I do not have very much time for it every day?Hari bol. Pranams, Guru Maharaja. Are our fears rooted in the prospects of experiencing the opposites of the qualities of the self (sat cit ananda)?Jaya Gurudeva. Hari bol. What does the soul actually do if it takes the path of Arciradi after death?Should the jivas follow Lord Brahma’s example in purifying themselves as he represents the collective of jiva souls?How come some of the demons that Sri Krishna killed attained sayujya-mukti before they attained love of God?Is it true that if you don’t attain prema in this lifetime you will have to go through the 8 million types of species before getting a human form again?What were Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s teachings regarding Radha-dasyam?Is the festival of Ratha Yatra related with the pastime of the Vraja-vasis meeting Sri Krishna at Kuruksetra?

Questions on today’s Swami call:0:00 News.1:16 How can one control their anger?5:50 What does it mean that an ajata-ruci raganuga sadhaka can serve Sri Krishna directly?9:16 Can you give examples from the lila of how the stages of prema appear in different orders in sakhya- and madhurya-rasa respectively?20:32 Can a devotee enter the lila as a well-wisher of Sri Sri Radha Krishna in terms of their union without becoming directly involved in bringing about their union?23:56 On page 335 in Circle of Friends you mention vivarnagra-sakha. Who is that? 26:53 I would like to ask you some spiritual guidance in regards my inner self-doubting critic. I have tried to deal with it on the psychological level, but could you give some advice from the spiritual perspective?43:34 (Comment from Sajjan)48:59 Can our own aspiration to be a devotee be our teacher?52:00 What does it mean that an ajata-ruci raganuga sadhaka can serve Sri Krishna directly? (same question as earlier)53:26 We are all sorry and shocked to hear that Gopati the peacock passed away. Could you share something about this special mystical soul and his time at Audarya?56:55 Could you say something about the importance of the Gayatri mantra and how we can chant it properly?

Questions on today’s Swami call:0:00 Is there any benefit to practice of bhakti if the understanding of it is covered by any of the three modes of nature?5:49 To what extent do brahmavadis understand or accept the three aspects of the absolute (Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan), particularly the form of Bhagavan?12:26 Pranama, Maharaja. Have you had the occasion to advice devotee couples in situations where they have felt a sense of disconnect from one another with regards to practicing Krishna consciousness?20:31 How can a beginner devotee recognize and advanced devotee?25:45 How important is it to take shelter of a pure devotee?38:42 Can a devotee serve as a guru on the strength of the holy name although they may not be entirely pure?39:45 Is it appropriate for devotees to speak proudly of their guru’s purity although it appears that the guru’s qualification does not match the definition of a pure devotee?44:49 How should be deal with intermediaries between ourselves and our guru when we do not find them trustworthy although our guru trusts them?55:36 Are Sri Krishna’s friends helping him pass the painful time of separation from Sri Radha by entertaining him?56:54 What mood should a devotee imbibe in order to carry on happily with practice although they may have lingering philosophical doubts?

Questions on today’s Swami call:0:00 Pranama, Guru Maharaja. The Upadesamrta instructs that we should be both eager and patient. How can we keep up the eagerness when progress is slow?12:57 On the occasion of the Panihati festival, can you please share about your experience of visiting Panihati with Srila Prabhupada?18:40 Can we become free from the fear of death already as sadhakas?24:14 How are we to understand the idea that some jivas will remain forever in the material world?42:03 Could you please share some words about the meaning and significance of the song Jaya Radha Madhava?55:14 Speaking of the Panihati festival, something that stands out to me in that lila is Lord Nityananda’s spirit of inclusivity. Can you comment on this?