From Śraddhā to Prema
The following article is adapted from a class on Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 4.68, given by Śrīla B.G. Narasiṅgha Mahārāja on Rādhāṣṭamī, September 10th 1997. Mahārāja systematically explains the process of bhakti starting with śraddhā and culminating in prema, which is personified as Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.
Kīrtana is Not Simply Music!
Are all kīrtanas the same or are there gradations? In "Kīrtana is Not Simply Music!" Mañjarī Devī Dāsī, a professional musician, explores this point and explains the emotional impact that mundane music has on us, as compared to the transcendental nature of the Holy Name.
“Can I Dovetail It?”
In 'Can I Dovetail It?' Kalki Dāsa explores the common notion amongst devotees of 'dovetailing' - using everything in Kṛṣṇa's service, and asks "Are such things really pure devotion, or are we simply attached to fulfilling our desires and using Kṛṣṇa as an excuse?"
Hari-kathā in Puruṣottama-kṣetra
In 'Hari-kathā in Puruṣottama-kṣetra' Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura speaks in Jagannātha Purī about the necessity for hari-kātha (topics of Kṛṣṇa) and the constant chanting of the Lord's Name. He also explains what is actual kīrtana and what is not. This article was first published in The Gauḍīya, Volume 14, issue 37, and translated from Bengali by Swami B.V. Giri and Sanātana Dāsa.
Conquering Anarthas
In 'Conquering Anarthas' Dhīra Lalitā Dāsī answers the question 'what are anarthas and how do we rid ourselves of them?'. This article explains the nature of anarthas, the erratic mind, and how to remove unwanted desires from the heart.
Gānera adhikārī ke? (Who is Qualified to Sing?)
Who is actually qualified to lead kīrtana? In this article from 1916, Śrīla Sarasvatī Ṭhākura clearly explains the adhikāra (qualification) for one to lead kīrtana and states that it is not all about melody etc. This article has been translated from Bengali by Swami B.V. Giri.
Āgun Jvālbe (Light the Fire!)
In the essay, "Āgun Jvālbe", Śrīla Śrīdhara Mahārāja writes about how even an imperfect sādhaka must preach about the glories of the Holy Name according to his capacity, and in this way he will accrue the greatest benefit. This article was translated into English by Sanātana Dāsa and Swami B.V. Giri.
Vaiṣṇava Nindā
In Vaiṣṇava Nindā (Offences to Devotees) which was first printed in the May-July issues of the 5th Volume of Sajjana-toṣaṇī in 1893, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura describes the different categories of jīvas and Vaiṣṇavas and explains the dangers of committing offences to them. This Bengali article was translated into English by Swami B.V. Giri and Sanātana Dāsa.
Gṛha Praveśa (Entering a House)
In this transcript which first appeared in Bengali in the 9th Volume of The Gauḍīya, published on 18th April 1931, Śrīla Sarasvatī Ṭhākura explains the duty of a Vaiṣṇava householder in relation to hari-bhajana. This article was translated into English by Swami B.V. Giri and Sanātana Dāsa.
Envy
In this article "Envy” from Sajjana Toṣaṇi Vol.4, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura deliberates upon envy according to the Vaiṣṇava perspective as a direct competitor to divine love (prema) and the harm it does to a practicing devotee. This article was translated by Swami B.V. Giri and Sanātana Dāsa.