One of the most persistent misunderstandings about rāgānugā-bhakti is the idea that it begins only after one has completed or perfected vaidhi-bhakti. According to this conception, vaidhi-bhakti is something like “high school,” while rāgānugā-bhakti is “college.” First one follows rules and regulations for many years, becomes sufficiently purified and advanced, and only then becomes qualified … Continue reading Rāgānugā-Bhakti Is Not the “Advanced Stage” of Vaidhi-Bhakti

There is an increasingly common tendency to apply the values and structures of modern political life to spiritual life. One of the strangest results is the idea that spiritual truth should somehow be democratic—that everyone’s opinion should carry equal weight and that truth should emerge through consensus.But spiritual truth is not decided by majority vote.If … Continue reading Can Spiritual Truth Be Democratic?

From time to time, one encounters the idea that after Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism was represented primarily by the tradition that would later develop into the Gauḍīya Math.I think it is helpful here to take a somewhat broader look at history.Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu left this world in the 16th century. The Gauḍīya Math, particularly … Continue reading The Gauḍīya Math within the Greater Stream of the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava Tradition

My Gurudeva writes: In his kinkari svarupa Sripada Raghunatha is staying with Sri Radharani in Yavata as Syama suddenly plays His enchanting flute in a distant forest. When She hears this flute sound Srimati Radharani is stunned. This flute sound is called snigdha or ardra (pleasant) and is full of love and flavour. This flute … Continue reading The mystery of Krishna’s flute sound