Swami B. V. Tripurari
Swami B. V. Tripurari is a Western-born mystic who deeply understands and articulates the teachings of an ancient Eastern spiritual tradition. He met his guru, Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, in 1972 and has since dedicated his life to service and literary contributions. The podcast features his compelling talks and insights into spirituality.
Episodes
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; June 7, 2026: When Is the Right Time for Initiation?
Questions on today's Swami call:Dandavat Pranams Guru Maharaja! Recently I came across Guru Gita from the Skanda Purana, and it made me wonder if we have any such texts in our tradition that comprehensively speak of the Glories of Sri Guru and explain the Guru Tattva that practitioners can read and meditate upon.There is this discussion in Jaiva Dharma, chapter 9, that confuses me: Adwaita das
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; May 31, 2026: Assisted Dying in Gaudiya Vaishnavism
Questions on today's Swami call:My question is a bit strange: what should one do in case onebecomes a target of an "attack" by someone who can utilize spirits/ghost entities or some kind of energetic influence or spells? I remember Bhaktivinoda Thakur used to read the Bhagavatam when he was attacked by the mistik who pretended to be Bhagavan. But for one whois far less eligible than Bh
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; May 24, 2026: The Colors of Sri Krishna and His Feelings
Questions on today's Swami call:Jay Sri Radhe most respected dear Swamiji, deeply grateful to be able to reconnect with YOU like this. U might remember me under the NAME of MALATI. Much of the FAITH & STRENGH 4 BHAKTI YOU did implant into my SOUL - many years ago. I still remember WORD by WORD many of the Secrets & Divine treasures u told me 1993 in VRINDAVAN. My question please: HOW w
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; May 17, 2026: Overlapping Ideals in the Spiritual World
Dear Guru Maharaja, is it possibly an upset for Radharani to have Sri placed next to Krsna?Are interfaith relations ultimately not meant to last, since the practitioners will attain different goals?Where in Bhaktivinoda Thakura's writings are the theological points of Christianity and Vaishnavism you spoke of found in, Guru Maharaja?Guru Maharaja mentioned recently that he says special prayers
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; May 10, 2026: The Mother Is the First Guru
Questions on today’s Swami Call: Bhaktivedanta Swami in his purport says in his purport to Bhagavad Gita 10.38: "Among the confidential activities of hearing, thinking and meditating, silence is most important because by silence one can make progress very quickly." These words sound very inspiring, could you comment on this?Dandavats, dear Guru Maharaja. I have a question about the theodic
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; May 3, 2026: The Passing of Sriman Agnideva Prabhu
Can you share something about your relationship with Agnideva Prabhu who passed away recently?What is the role of reason in the life of faith?Dandavats Guru Maharaja. I want to know what how you felt after Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance. What did you think to be the right succession of leadership in Iskcon? Did the eleven zonal acharyas/gurus appoint themselves or were they chosen by Prabhupada
Swami B. V. Tripurari Q&A; April 26, 2026: The Gopis and Their Husbands All Belong to Sri Krishna
Questions on today’s Swami Call: If Krishna's marriage to Radha and the young gopis happens during the gopi vasta harana lila, and is a legitimate form of marriage, then it seems the gopis' subsequent marriages to their "husbands" would be parakiya and their relationships to Krishna would be svakiya. Jiva Goswami says so I believe. Is this correct? Is this another case of wonderful
Swami B. V. Tripurari Q&A; April, 19 2026: Sri Gadadhara, the Best Friend of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
Questions on today's Swami Call:Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja. Dandavat pranams. Is it okay to read the Sri Caitanya-Caritamta before completing the Srimad Bhagavatam? Also, what is your favorite book?As Sri Krishna's mercy flows downward reaches the lowest places, is the best way to attain his mercy to lower and humble ourselves?Does the topic of mercy and effort relate to the Bhagavad-gita
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; April 12, 2026: Sri Krishna's Mercy and Our Effort
Questions on today's Swami Call:When our mind is filled with bhakti, are we connecting directly with Sri Krishna?How do we figure out what seva to offer if we are not aware of our gifts? Or if we have an idea of what our gifts are, how can we overcome our fear that by expressing them we may be seen as not humble?How should we understand the phrase "Krishna will provide"?Does the form o
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; March 15, 2026: Not All Statements of Scripture Are Equal
Questions on today's Swami call:How to hear the caitya-guru before we have reached higher stages of bhakti?Are there any contemporary sadhus that you would recommend hearing from?What is the difference between Dvaraka bhava and Mathura bhava?If Sri Krishna is supposed to be humanlike, why did he mature faster than normal?Why do some devotees in the Brhad-Bhagavatamta say that they have not rec
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; March 8, 2026: How Can I Become Sincere?
Questions on today's Swami call:Dear Guru Maharaja, how can learn to see the good qualities in others like you do instead of getting stuck on bad qualities that I perceiveIf one does the heavy lifting of overcoming a bad tendency in this life, will one be reborn without that tendency in the next life?What is the role of constructive criticism in Gaudiya Vaishnavism?Dandavats Guru Maharaja. How
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; March 1, 2026: Having a Soul and Being a Soul (Vyasa Puja 2026)
Questions on today's Swami call:Is the limb of saranagati called atma-niksepa the same as the limb of bhakti called atma-nivedanam?Could the idea that bhakti is not inherent cause the problem of thinking that one has to go to a different guru if one does feel they are making progress?Is it correct that the svarupa-sakti in the jiva is minute and needs stronger
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; February 22, 2026: Varnasrama and Bhakti
Questions on today’s Swami call:The Narada Bhakti Sutra offers different definitions of bhakti. How would you define bhakti?Comment: It appears that Bhagavad-gita 10.10 goes well with the emphasis of the Bhaktivinoda parivara that everything will be revealed from within in due course of our practice.XXXWhat is the role of varnasrama in the practice of bhakti?What do you think of attempts among dev
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; February 15, 2026: Read Sequentially Until You Get Stuck
Questions on today’s Swami call:There is a song that is said to be written by Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura, the translation of which mentions Nityananda Prabhu dancing with sakhis. What should we make of this?Why did Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu show his sadbhuja form to Sri Nityananda Prabhu? Is there any worship of Sri Sadbhuja Gauranga in the Bhaktivinoda parivara?Pranams, dear Guru Maharaja. Is the va
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; February 1, 2026: Can Prayer Change the Fate of the World?
Questions on today's Swami call:Does Sri Krishna ever jokingly encourage his gopa friends to unite with gopis?Hare Krishna! Dandavats, Guru Maharaja. If calamity is predicted in scripture, is there any point in praying for the world?Why did Lord Krishna create the yugas?Are the secondary rasas more prominent in the material world?Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says that adept sadhakas can advance
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; January 25, 2026: Invest in the Timeless
Questions on today's Swami call:How can one carry the environment of the dhama with one when leaving after a visit?Are we practicing raganuga-bhakti before we attain ruci?Are the terms aparoksa/paroksa synonymous with jnana/vijnana?Could you share something about your experience in leaving Iskcon?When external circumstances keep me from doing my desired amount of book distribution seva, I feel
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; January 18, 2026: Experiential Realization and Scriptural Authority
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 fin
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; Jan 11, 2026: Why Is Sri Krishna's Beauty Particularly Emphasized?
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 "tran
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; January 4, 2026: How Do I Know If Sri Krishna Accepts My Offerings?
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
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; December 28, 2025: Qualities You Would Like to See in Your Disciples
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
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; Dec 21, 2025: Life Paid Attention to Is a Humbling Experience
• [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 o
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; Dec 14, 2025: The Guru Is as near as the Guru Is Dear
• [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
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; Dec 7, 2025: Why Are Descriptions of Goloka Necessary?
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
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; Nov 30, 2025: Who Can Estimate the Virtues of the Bhagavad-Gita?
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 mast
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; November 23, 2025: Gaudiya Vaishnavism and Bengali Culture
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 joi
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; November 16, 2025: The Gayatri Hymn Is a Raga-Marga Mantra
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
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; November 2, 2025: The True Meaning of Humility
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
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; October 19, 2025: The Manifest and Unmanifest Lilas of Sri Krishna
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 devote
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; October 12, 2025: The Effulgent Rope Binding Sri Krishna's Belly
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 upcom
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; October 5, 2025: The Tidal Wave of the Angelic Eagle
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 perfec
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; September 28' 2025: Among the starts I am the Moon
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 Vedant
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; September 21, 2025: What Constitutes Sadhu Sanga?
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 marketp
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; September 14, 2025: Get Purified by the Name; Then Chant Purely
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 Gurv
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; September 7, 2025: Grounding Your Faith in Objectivity
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
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; August 31, 2025: Sri Radha's Selfless Love
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 i
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; August 24, 2025: Developing and Strengthening Guru-Nistha
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 wo
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; August 17, 2025: Srila Prabhupada's Example of Punya
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 Bal
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; August 10, 2025: What Does It Mean to "Boil the Milk"?
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 s
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; August 3, 2025: Worshipping All Who Ever Helped Us
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 simpl
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; July 27, 2025: Why Is Lord Jagannatha So Merciful?
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
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; July 20, 2025: Guru-Disciple Chemistry
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
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; Jun 29, 2025: Meeting Death in Thoughts of Sri Krishna
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
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; Jun 22, 2025: The Passing of Gopati the Peacock
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
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; Jun 15, 2025: Time Flies When You're Having Fun
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 situat
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; Jun 8, 2025: Be Eager to Endeavor and Patient with Results
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
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; Jun 1, 2025: One Couple, Two Gurus
Questions on today’s Swami call:0:00 News2:59 It is described that Sri Krishna and Lord Balarama changed into Vasudeva and Sankarsana when they left Vrindavan for Mathura. Did the cowherd boys also change when they went to attend the wrestling match in Mathura?11:30 Is the change from Sridama sakha to Garuda a change in tattva?17:00 Good morning, Maharaja. How should we understand the teaching tha
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; May 25, '25: More Important Are the Commentaries on the Commentaries
Questions on today’s Swami call:0:00 Pranama, Guru Maharaja and assembled devotees. How does a neophyte devotee cultivate steady detachment from the material world?13:00 Why did Lord Vishnu ask Lord Shiva to spread the mayavada doctrine?21:09 Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura is identified with both Srila Vyasadeva and the cowherd boy Kusumapida. How does that work?32:48 Is the Brahma-Vimohan-Lila happeni
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; May 18, 2025: Bridging the Insurmauntable
Questions on today's Swami Call:0:00 Dandavats, Gurudeva. What is the best prayer to Lord Narasimhadeva?6:04 Can you elaborate on how Giriraja Govardhana appears in different ways to different devotees?20:29 Do chapters 82-84 in the tenth canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam correspond with the Ramananda Samvad and Brhad-Bhagavatamrta with regards to bhakti-tattva?28:38 Can you explain Srila Jiva Go
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A, May 11, 2025: We Want to Dress Up Non-duality
Questions on today’s Swami call:0:00 News.0:38 What’s the difference between sastra-yukti and sastra-nipuna?10:05 Can you expand on the teaching that most jivas in the spiritual world are nitya-siddha tatastha-sakti-jivas?35:37 How can we speak our truth to worshippers of the devas and devis without offending or discouraging them?51:59 It is said that we should not disturb people with jnana if the
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; May 4, 2025: Visualization for the Wandering Mind During Japa
Questions on today’s Swami call:Is it correct that one should only attend to the sound of the holy names during japa, or could one also engage in visualization?Do priya-narma-sakhas engage in play fighting with Sri Krishna?How do the stages of bhakti from sraddha to prema correspond to the levels of adhikara from kanistha to uttama?Dandavat pranams and good morning, Guru Maharaja. In Bhakti Rasamr
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; April 27, 2025: Shedding Light Into the Shadows
Questions on today’s Swami call:0:00 In Circle of Friends, you wrote that the devotees never cease to be amazed at seeing demons in the disguise of devotees. Can you explain this?13:44 Why is the relationship between Sri Gadadhara Pandit and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu described in terms of friendship rather than romantic love?21:52 Dandavats Maharaja. Do you think we can dissipate our shadow sides si
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; April 20, 2025: Are We Suffering From Boredom Phobia?
Questions on today’s Swami call:0:00 News.0:20 Bhakti is ever-fresh and will naturally express itself in newer and newer ways through acaryas. At the same time, the desire to share bhakti in new ways could be an anartha, and so could the desire to hear about bhakti in new ways. Can you help me understand the distinction?5:09 Srila Rupa Goswami writes that an uttama-adhikari is sastra-nipuna, a scr
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; April 6, 2025: 50th Anniversary of Krishna Balarama Temple Opening
Questions on today's Swami Call:Dandavat pranama, dear Guru Maharaj. In circle of friends, during the first meeting of Sri Radha and Sri Krishna, Subal Sakha instructs Rupa Manjari to fan Krishna. Kindly reveal more about how Krishna’s sakhas also act as leaders to manjaris.Is the fact that the manjaris have dasya for Srimati Radharani the reason that dasya is so prominent in Gaura-lila?It app
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; March 30, 2025: Trading Curd for Gold
Questions on today's Swami call:0:00 News.2:29 Dandavats, Maharaja. A friend from a traditional Vaishnava lineage shared with me one of their teachings, saying that a devotee will keep reincarnating in this tradition due to the particular contributions it provides to the development of bhakti. What is your opinion on this?19:40 My dandavats, Maharaja. Is an aspiring devotee obligated to believ
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; March 9, 2025: Lord Shiva's Role in Krishna-Lila and Gaura-Lila
Questions on today’s Swami call:0:00 News.1:16 Why did Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu show himself as Lord Vishnu to Sri Raghava Pandit?4:27 What is the difference between prema-bhakti and vishrambha-bhakti?11:48 What is the role of Lord Shiva in Krishna-lila and Gaura-lila?17:32 Is mount Nandisvara related to Lord Shiva?21:03 There is an ashtakam dedicated to Lord Shiva attributed to Sri Caitanya Mahapr
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; March 2, 2025: What Counts as Being on the Path of Bhakti?
Questions on today’s Swami call:It is said that if we have the right intention, our bhakti practice will please Sri Krishna even if we happen to make technical mistakes?Pranama, Guru Maharaja and the assembled devotees. Is there any scope within Gaudiya Vaishnavism to see God as one’s father, like in Christianity and other faith traditions?How does the moods cultivated in saranagati, seeing God as
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; February 23, 2025: Comparing Apples to Grains
Questions on today’s Swami call:0:00 It is said that the role of the guru is to correct us, but a guru should also be free from the propensity to criticize. Is this a contradiction?35:06 (Comment from Sajjan das regarding affection and criticism)37:36 Do you think that it should be specified at initiation what the format will be for further instruction from the guru?40:27 (Comment from Gokulacandr
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; February 16, 2025: Honor the Hand That Feeds You
Questions on today’s Swami call:0:00 What’s the difference between when sthayi-bhavas are mixed and when they are bundled?7:30 Dear Guru Maharaja; some pure devotees set the example of not speaking or hearing negative things about other devotees even when those things are true. Others set the example of criticizing the misbehavior of other devotees to show the correct path. Which example are we to
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; February 9, 2025: The Gentle Light of Nityananda Prabhu
Questions on today’s Swami call:0:00 Nityananda Trayodashi12:43 Is a vrtti something like a samskara?14:09 Dandavats pranama, Guru Maharaja. How did Subala-sakha manage to save Srimati Radharani from being caught by Jatila?17:36 Pranama, Gurudeva. On this special day of Sri Nityananda Trayodasi, can you speak something about how Lord Nityananda reflects the light of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu? Do we
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; February 2, 2025: Honoring Sri Krishna's Friendship
0:00 With regards to Srimad Bhagavatam11.19.3, who does it mean that the perfect knowledge of the transcendentalist maintains God in happiness?3:50 In text 38 of the same chapter, it says that truthfulness means to speak the truth in a pleasing way. I have also heard that the truth should be spoken whether it's pleasing or not.Can you comment on this?16:38 Guru Maharaja, how can we see our wor
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; January 26, 2025: Is It Okay to Not Become a Guru?
Questions on today's Swami call:0:00 News.1:06 There are scriptural statements that can be taken to mean that everyone is encouraged to become gurus. But it seems that many people are unqualified for that task. Is it then okay to not become a guru?35:49 What does it mean when it is said that in the stage of ruci one is more attached to bhakti than to Sri Krishna, whereas in a sakti one becomes
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; January 19, 2025: Is It Enough to Surrender?
Questions on today’s Swami call:0:00 News.1:34 Sometimes it is said that one can simply practice surrender (saranagati) if one is not able to practice the limbs of bhakti. Other times it is said that surrender is practiced by practicing the limbs of bhakti. Can you resolve this apparent contradiction?11:02 What does Sri Krishna wear in the winter season?17:44 Hare Krishna, Maharaja. My cat passed
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; January 12, 2025: Valuing Krishna Consciousness
Questions on today’s Swami call:0:00 Among the nine processes of bhakti listed by Sri Prahlad Maharaja, what does ‘sakhyam’ refer to?0:05:40 Can you comment on the position of Madhumangala, as he is curiously both a brahmana and a priya-narma sakha?0:10:33 Would failure to follow the regulative principles and chant 16 rounds of japan prevent one from delving into deeper topics of Krishna conscious
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; January 5, 2025: Bitterness Has Its Place
Questions on today’s Swami call:0:00 News.0:00:28 It appears that narrations of Sri Krishna’s sakhya-rasa pastimes are easier to digest for beginners than the madhurya-rasa pastimes. Is this true?0:12:13 Is the belief that one has to be psychologically balanced to enter Krishna-lila tantamount to karma-misra bhakti or the belief that one has to be accomplished in karma and jnana before practicing
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; December 29, 2024: Crying Over Understanding Our Predicament
0:00 News.00:40 Guru Maharaja, I’m wondering why Srila Prabhupada chose Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura’s Gurvastakam for mandala arati. I also wonder why in Iskcon the last verse of the song is not sung. And why is there a song for Sri Guru during the morning arati and a song for Sri Gauranga during the evening arati?09:10 Who’s song is Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Gaura-arati based on?11:05 Do
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; December 22, 2024: The Source and Direction of Our Prayers
0:00 Could you recommend poetic works dealing with Krishna lila?04:15 Should we direct our prayers to Sri Krishna or to Lord Caitanya, or Sri Radha or to different appearances of the absolute according to the circumstance or level of advancement?27:57 Do you have any advice for dealing with stress and anxiety in the moment as it is affecting one?34:00 Is Yoga-maya present in Vraja-lila?36:06 In wh
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; December 15, 2024: Balarama's Reflection on the Brahma Vimohana Lila
0:00 News.00:00:59 You sometimes make the point that 'I' is the smallest, most used, and least understood word in the English language. Have you read that somewhere?00:01:30 Was Lord Brahma really able to overpower the cowherd boys in the Brahma vimohana lila?00:07:11 Did Sri Krishna experience sakhya-rasa during the year that he took the form of the other cowherd boys?00:09:15 Is selfless
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; December 8, 2024: Is Nama-Kirtana a Form of Service?
0:00 News.00:02:56 Is chanting Sri Krishna’s names a service to Krishna?00:33:52 What is lila-kirtana?00:40:39 Do other angas of bhakti depend on kirtan?00:45:46 Is Sri Haridas Thakura’s threefold practice of kirtan something that can be followed by anyone?00:54:18 Why does Sri Krishna not speak directly about bhakti in the Vedas?
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; December 1, 2024: Loving and Serving the Guru and Their Knowledge
0:00 News.00:00:25 Can you say something about the elaborations on the maha-mantra by our acaryas?00:10:12 I have heard about one way of seeing the maha-mantra as being names of Sri Krishna chanted for the pleasure of Sri Radha. Is this bona fide?00:18:48 One of the offenses to the holy name is to give interpretations. How should we understand this offense, given that our acaryas have given elabor
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; November 24, 2024: Revelation Through the Holy Name
0:00 News.00:01:44 Jaya, Maharaja. You speak very naturally about higher topics. Have your insights come from your own practice or through the guidance of a particular sadhu?00:11:49 What is the significance of Kuruksetra with regards to madhurya rasa? As Radha and Krishna could not have full union in that setting because of the social circumstances, is it also that sadhakas in lower stages get in
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; November 17, 2024: Bridging the Dichotomy Between Spirit and Matter
uestions on today's Swami call:In Gaudiya Vaishnavism it is taught that devotees embody five types of love. How is the type of love chosen?How do the attributes of the soul play a part in our lives or reflect into our everyday lives if in any way?Can you explain how a samskara that happens in time can have an effect on an eternal svabhava?Can you explain the analogy of the gold box and the gol
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; October 27, 2024: Stay in the Boat and Count Your Lucky Stars
0:00 News.01:19 How come we cannot shorten the realization gap between disciple and guru faster? Why does it need to take several lifetimes?14:38 On this long path, how do we make sure to not go astray?21:11 In the Uddhava-Gita it is said that there are three ways to worship: Vedic, Tantric, and mixed. Can you elaborate on this?24:51 Some devotees are of the opinion that the book distribution in t
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; October 20, 2024: Recommendations for the Month of Kartika
0:00 If one prays to Sri Krishna for a material boon before one learned that it is more wise to simply ask for devotional service to Sri Krishna, and the boon was granted, should one keep the boon or return it?04:35 What would your opinion be of a devotee giving harinama initiation to others after having distanced themselves from their own guru who was engaged in bad conduct?09:16 Dandavat pranama
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; October 13, 2024: Thoughts on Charging Money for Kirtan Sessions
0:00 Technicals details.0:46 Is the division of Vishnu into Karanadakasayi, Garbhodakasayi, and Ksirodakasayi unique to the teachings of the Gaudiya sampradaya?6:06 Dandavats, Maharaja. Thank you for maintaining your association with us every Sunday. Can you please share an explanation of the term ‘aesthetic rapture’ that you often use?25:56 When did Sri Sukadeva Goswami study the Srimad Bhagavata
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; October 6, 2024 Harinama-Initiation in Gaudiya Vaishnavism
0:00 News.00:01:37 What is the origin of harinama-initiation in Gaudiya Vaishnavism? Who is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's harinama-guru? Is someone with only harinama-initiation a full member of the tradition? 00:13:47 Can you share something about the pastime of Srila Jiva Goswami appearing to Srila Prabhupada at Radha Damodara mandir?00:18:42 It is common for religious groups to consider themsel
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; September 15, 2024: The Infinite Gift of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Questions on today's Swami call:0:00 Appearance day of Bhaktivinoda Thakura00:20:38 Working as a counsellor, I sometimes feel depleted when having to deal with the grief of many people. What can I do in my Krishna consciousness to handle situations like this?00:28:37 How should we think about the details of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s inner life, given that his relationship to his diksa-guru,
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; September 8, 2024: Deity Worship in Gaudiya Vaishnavism
Questions on today's Swami call:0:00 How should we understand arcana? Regardless of the different standards of worship found in different temples and homes, what are your general guidelines regarding arcana?00:21:52 How should we understand the statement of Sri Krishna, “ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān”?00:36:00 In Brhad-Bhagavatamrta, Srimati Radharani refers to Janasharma as her devotee as he is worsh
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; September 1, 2024: Desperate Need for Sadhu Sanga
Questions/topics on today's Swami call:Lord Balarama and the sandhini-saktiIt appears that Nityananda Prabhu does not manifest vatsalya-bhava as much as he does as Lord Balarama. What could be the reason for that?What can I do when I desperately need sadhu sanga, but my immediate situation does not allow it?What are the fundamental teachings that you impart to your married and unmarried studen
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; August 25, 2024: Gratitude and Separate Interest
Questions on today's Swami call:0:00 Dandavat pranams, Maharaja. My question is, why did Srila Sridhara Maharaja not like the phrase “thank you”?00:13:23 What does it mean that some rasas are incompatible?00:25:11 Does Bhagavad-gita 9.14 explain how we can worship Sri Krishna with love despite our western unfavorable upbringing?00:31:39 What is bhajana? How does one progress from anisthita bha
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; August 18, 2024: Is Vraja-Bhakti Transcendental Paganism?
Questions on today’s Swami call:0:00 Does the stage of unsteady devotional practice (anisthita bhajana kriya) manifest differently in eastern and western practitioners?00:09:20 In my understanding, true bliss can only be experienced in love, and love requires a lover and a beloved (asraya and visaya). Still it is said that there is ananda in Brahman. Can you explain this?00:34:15 With the simplici
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