Author Archives: pritd

Hare Kṛṣṇa, This lesson offers a beautiful meditation on the various groups of gopīs and how each attained the supreme fortune of participating in Kṛṣṇa’s rāsa-līlā. It is especially inspiring to learn that some of these gopīs are sādhana-siddha, which gives hope to ordinary sādhakas like us — that through sincere practice, we too canContinue reading “SB 10.29.4-9: The Absorption of the Gopīs”

Hare Kṛṣṇa, Through the 29th chapter, The Rāsa Dance: Introduction, I am trying to correlate the Rāsa-related terms we studied in Lesson 1. I must admit that my understanding of these terms has deepened. In particular, I now have a clearer grasp of the concepts of vibhāva—ālambana and uddīpana. I was first introduced to theseContinue reading “SB 10.29.1-3: Although Self-satisfied (ātmārāmā) Kṛṣṇa Became Inspired to Enjoy with the Vraja-gopis”

Hare Kṛṣṇa, I find the concept of bhakti-rasa to be a difficult topic to understand. How can I understand something that I have not experienced directly? I think it is only Srila Rupa Goswami who, by the mercy and empowerment of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, has properly explained the science of bhakti-rasa. Other acaryas may haveContinue reading “SB 10.29.1: Sanskrit Terms Explaining Rasa”

Hare Kṛṣṇa, This is another sweet pastime of the Lord where He engaged Nanda Maharaja (just like the lifting of Govardhana Hill pastime) to reveal yet another feature of His abode. “Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is always anxious to give information to the conditioned soul that there is a spiritual sky far, farContinue reading “SB 10.28.9-17: The Sweetness of Earthly Vrndavana”

Hare Kṛṣṇa, There are some wonderful lessons from this chapter applicable to our devotional life. “Kṛṣṇa is called svanam-abhaya-dah, “relieving the fear of His associates” because by freeing Nanda from Varuna’s clutches, Kṛṣṇa relieved the fear of His relatives.” (Sārārtha-darśini, 10.28.3) Varuna said, “All the thousands of bodies which I have received till now haveContinue reading “SB 10.28.1-8: Releasing Nanda Maharaja from the Clutches of Varuna”

Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa has a sweet way of dealing with His devotees who ‘cross the line’ sometimes. We tend to think materially that Krsna is angry. But being a purely transcendental personality, Krsna has no anger. His dealing with Indra is sweet even though Indra has committed a great offense. Compared to Lord Brahma’s offense,Continue reading “SB 10.27.1-13: Indra’s Prayers to Kṛṣṇa”

Hare Kṛṣṇa, With Kṛṣṇa performing one powerful activity after another (atypical of a small boy), it is natural for the Vrajavasis to be astonished despite how much love and affection they have for Him. For devotees who are completely absorbed in prema for the Lord, does witnessing such activities decrease their prema and instead increaseContinue reading “SB 10.26.1-25: Taking Shelter of Govinda”

Hare Krsna, Both Kāliya-līlā and Govardhana-līlā both reveal Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s loving relationship with the residents of Vṛndāvana, yet in very different moods and layers. The comparison can be made at multiple levels. “The serpent Kāliya said: Our very birth as a snake has made us envious, ignorant and constantly angry. O my Lord, it isContinue reading “SB 10.25.24-33: Comparing Loving Sentiments Between Kāliya-līlā & Govardhana-līlā”

Hare Krsna, This pastime of Kṛṣṇa lifting Govardhana Hill has a profound lesson for humanity. The Vrajavasis faced the wrath of Indra for not offering the annual sacrifice to him. It was not an ordinary course of events that followed. “Ordered by King Indra, all the dangerous clouds appeared above Vṛndāvana and began to pourContinue reading “SB 10.25.8-23: Govardhandhari, The Lifter of Govardhana Hill”