Articles by Swami B.V. Giri
Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad Text 1
In this commentary on Text 1 of the Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad, the praṇava-svarūpa, or intrinsic nature of oṁkāra, is described. It is explained how ultimately, oṁkāra denotes a Supreme Person and not an abstract impersonal concept, as propagated by the Advaitins.
Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad – From Consciousness to Super-Consciousness (Introduction and Invocation)
This introductory installment serves as the prelude to a commentary on the Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad by Swami Bhaktivijñāna Giri. While the Advaitins have primarily interpreted this text to uphold their monistic philosophical viewpoint, this commentary seeks to present a different perspective: that the transcendental sound vibration of 'oṁkāra' signifies the Supreme Person, rather than merely an abstract, impersonal consciousness. Furthermore, this Supreme Person regulates the three states of consciousness experienced by the jīvātmā.
Śrīdhara Mahārāja Will Save Our Bhakti! (Colonial Cataracts and Societal Selectivity)
After our recent post on Youtube of Sarasvatī Ṭhākura’s revelatory words concerning Śrīla Śridhara Mahārāja as reported by Śrīla A.C. Bhaktivedānta Swami Prabhupāda, Bhaktivijñāna Giri Mahārāja discusses why the Bengali and Hindi talks of Śrīla Prabhupāda are given little to no importance in Iskcon, suggesting that the reason may be due to a subconscious colonial mindset amongst many of the leaders.
Prema Dhāma Deva Stotram with the Narasiṅgha Sevaka Commentary – Verses 66-72
In this concluding section of Prema Dhāma Deva Stotram covering verses 66 to 72, Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja encapsulates gaura-tattva in a single verse, gives a brief chronology of Mahāprabhu's life, briefly discusses the Śikṣāṣṭaka, and gives the phala-śruti (benediction) to those who read the Prema Dhāma Deva Stotram.
Prema Dhāma Deva Stotram with the Narasiṅgha Sevaka Commentary – Verses 61-65
In verses 61 to 65 of 'Prema Dhāma Deva Stotram', Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja narrates the pastime of Śrī Caitanya at Caṭaka Parvata In Purī and explains how the scriptures produced by Brahmā and Śiva are ultimately searching for the personality of Mahāprabhu who is merciful too all jīvas, no matter what their social position.
Prema Dhāma Deva Stotram with the Narasiṅgha Sevaka Commentary – Verses 56-60
In verses 56 to 60 of 'Prema Dhāma Deva Stotram', Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja describes the various remarkable ecstatic transformations of Śrīman Mahāprabhu such as his kūrma-dharma (becoming like a turtle), as well as His pastime of running into the ocean at Cakra-tīrtha, mistaking it to be the Yamunā River.
Prema Dhāma Deva Stotram with the Narasiṅgha Sevaka Commentary – Verses 51-55
In verses 51 to 55 of Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja's Prema Dhāma Deva Stotram, Rūpa, Sanātana, Rāmānanda and other associates of Mahāprabhu are glorified. The Lord's pastimes with Vallabha Bhaṭṭa are briefly narrated, and His mood while residing in the Gambhīra is described.
Prema Dhāma Deva Stotram with the Narasiṅgha Sevaka Commentary – Verses 46-50
Verses 46 to 50 of Prema Dhāma Deva Stotram by Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja deals with Mahāprabhu's preaching against māyāvāda, and in particular His interpretation of the famous ātmarāma verse of the Bhāgavatam. In his commentary, Swami B.V. Giri expands on these verses with explanations on the Catuh-ślokī Bhāgavata and the Daśa-mūlā of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura.
Prema Dhāma Deva Stotram with the Narasiṅgha Sevaka Commentary – Verses 41-45
In verses 41 to 45 of Prema Dhāma Deva Stotram by Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja, Swami B.V. Giri explains the significance of Mahāprabhu's discovery of Śrī Rādhā-kuṇḍa and His visit to the sacred Imlitalā. The Lord's teachings to Rūpa-Sanātana as well as the conversion of Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī are also described in detail.
Prema Dhāma Deva Stotram with the Narasiṅgha Sevaka Commentary – Verses 37-40
In verses 37 to 40 of Prema Dhāma Deva Stotram by Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's travels to Prayāga and Vraja are described. In particular, His feelings of separation and the famous verse of Śri Mādhavendra Purīpāda are explained in detail by Swami B.V. Giri.
