SB 3.28.8-19: Teachings of Lord Kapila Compared to Teachings of Lord Caitanya

Hare Krsna, In Bhakti-Rasamrta Sindhu (BRS 1.2.4), Srila Rupa Goswami has summarized the whole essence of Krsna consciousness in the following verse – Yena kena prakarena manah Krsna nivesayet “Somehow or other just engage your mind in Krsna.” Also, in Padma Purana there is a famous verse, smartavyaḥ satataṁ viṣṇurvismartavyo na jātucitsarve vidhi-niṣedhāḥ syuretayor evaContinue reading “SB 3.28.8-19: Teachings of Lord Kapila Compared to Teachings of Lord Caitanya”

SB 3.27.26-30 & 3.28.1-7: Attaining Krsna’s Mercy for Perfection in Bhakti Yoga

Hare Krsna, Hearing Lord Kapila’s various yoga practices in SB 3.28 sounds overwhelming and makes me quite discouraged. Hearing Him speak about concentrating the mind, performing prescribed duties, being satisfied with gain achieved by the grace of the Lord, being frugal in eating, living a secluded life, practicing nonviolence and truthfulness, abstaining from sex life,Continue reading “SB 3.27.26-30 & 3.28.1-7: Attaining Krsna’s Mercy for Perfection in Bhakti Yoga”

SB 3.27.17-25: Being Serious and Dedicated in Our Devotional Activities

Hare Krsna, It is conclusively established in the scriptures that one can get liberation from the bondage of material nature ONLY by performing pure devotional service unto the Supreme Lord. BG 7.14: This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered untoContinue reading “SB 3.27.17-25: Being Serious and Dedicated in Our Devotional Activities”

SB 3.27.10-16: The Goal of Becoming a Liberated Soul

Hare Krsna, Studying Srimad Bhagavatam regularly removes our misconceptions about lot of things. I used to have some misunderstanding about the concept of liberation. I used to think that liberation is possible only when one is free from this material world. As long as one is in this material world, one is considered conditioned. OfContinue reading “SB 3.27.10-16: The Goal of Becoming a Liberated Soul”

SB 3.17.1-9: Implementing the Practice of Hearing & Chanting in One’s Life

Hare Krsna, So far, we have learned that all the material elements have originated from the Lord’s external energy and entangle the soul (jiva) who wishes to enjoy independent of the Lord. Lord Kapiladev explained the manifestation and the characteristics of the material elements such as earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence, ego, senses,Continue reading “SB 3.17.1-9: Implementing the Practice of Hearing & Chanting in One’s Life”

SB 3.26.50-72: Summary of the Sankhya Philosophical System

Hare Krsna, While considering what to write for this forum topic, I was trying to meditate on the difference between the sankhya philosophy and bhakti yoga philosophy. My research led me to couple of wonderful sections in the 5th chapter of The Bhagavad Gita. Verses 4-5 states: “Only the ignorant speak of devotional service [karma-yoga] asContinue reading “SB 3.26.50-72: Summary of the Sankhya Philosophical System”

SB 3.26.35-49: How the Gross Elements and Senses Manifest

Hare Krsna, As we have studied so far, material consciousness is the cause of jiva’s conditional life, in which conditions are enforced upon the living entity by the material energy. Although the spirit soul does not do anything and is transcendental to such activities, he is affected by conditional life. Subsequently material nature (prakrti) isContinue reading “SB 3.26.35-49: How the Gross Elements and Senses Manifest”

SB 3.26.23-34: Meditations on False Ego As the First Covering of the Living Entities

Hare Krsna, After studying Srila Prabhupada’s books diligently in the association of devotees, it is pretty well established that we are suffering in this material world due to our false ego. False ego means accepting this body as oneself. The identity of false ego is also quite subtle. It basically means that “I am theContinue reading “SB 3.26.23-34: Meditations on False Ego As the First Covering of the Living Entities”

SB 3.26.16-22: Does Pure Consciousness Exist in Material Nature?

Hare Krsna, The question is whether pure consciousness exists in material nature. It has to. Otherwise, how would conditioned souls attain liberation from the material world! Just as impure consciousness binds us to this material world, similarly pure consciousness will free us from the material world. As Srila Prabhupada explained in the purport to SBContinue reading “SB 3.26.16-22: Does Pure Consciousness Exist in Material Nature?”