Nārada Bhakti Sūtras – Chapter 1, Verses 3-6
Continuing with the commentary on the Nārada Bhakti Sūtras, in Sūtras 3-6, we explore why bhakti alone grants true immortality, perfection, and lasting fulfilment—and how a genuine devotee rises above desire, fear, hatred, and even the temptation to imitate advanced spiritual states.
Śrīla Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda – The Modern-Day Vyāsa
To mark the upcoming 112th disappearance anniversary of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, we present an article examining the scope and significance of his literary contributions, and why Śrīla Narasiṅgha Mahārāja's praise of him as the ‘modern-day Vyāsa’ is so appropriate.
Did Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura Advocate Caste Brahmanism?
Did Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura champion caste-Brahmanism? We recently received a letter from a concerned devotee who, while reading Jaiva Dharma, became extremely troubled by passages concerning varṇāśrama, social identity, and the eligibility of devotees born outside brāhmaṇa families. Finding these statements seemingly at odds with the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda Sarasvatī Ṭhākura and Śrīla A.C. Bhaktivedānta Swami Prabhupāda, he sought clarification on whether Bhaktivinoda advocates hereditary caste distinctions or whether these passages should be understood in a different historical and theological context. Gaura Gopāla Dāsa responds.
Kena Upaniṣad – Chapter One, Text 3-5
Brahmā explains that the Supreme Lord cannot be fully perceived by the material senses, mind, or intellect, and can only be known when He reveals Himself through bhakti. Thus, realisation comes through surrender and purified spiritual perception – not speculation or scholarship. He further teaches that although the Lord cannot be completely fully described by words, He is not impersonal or unknowable.
Sarasvatī Ṭhākura’s Introduction to Bhagavad-gītā
The following is Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura’s introduction to the Bhagavad-gītā with the Gītā Bhūṣaṇa commentary of Śrī Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa, published by Śrī Gauḍīya Maṭha in 1931. Sarasvatī Ṭhākura gives a brief biography of Baladeva, and explains how the sahajiyās and smārtas oppose the true path of bhakti.
Nārada Bhakti Sūtras – Chapter 1, Verses 1&2
In this first section of the Nārada Bhakti Sūtras, Śrī Nārada Muni defines bhakti and how pure bhakti leads to prema. The commentary further explains the various stages of bhakti in connection with the three modes of nature, and describes the unfortunate disease of tribalism amongst devotees.
Kena Upaniṣad – Chapter One, Text 1-2
In this first section of the Kena Upaniṣad, Lord Śiva asks Brahmā four specific questions - “Who sets the mind in motion? Who controls the life airs? Who impels us to speak, and which deity directs the senses?"
Nārada Bhakti Sūtras (Introduction)
This week, we begin the serialisation of the Nārada Bhakti Sūtras accompanied by the Śrī Bhakti-gaurava-smaraṇa Commentary by Swami Bhaktivijñāna Giri. Here in the introduction, Mahārāja gives a synopsis of this famous text, a brief history of the author, Śrī Nārada Ṛṣi, and shares with the reader the inspiration behind writing this commentary.
When is the Real Gītā Jayantī?
Gītā Jayantī, which is said to fall on Mokṣadā Ekādaśī, is celebrated as the appearance day of Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītā. In this article, Swami Giri ask the timely question, “When is the real Gītā Jayantī?” The answer may be somewhat surprising.
Kena Upaniṣad – Knowing the Unknowable (Introduction and Invocation)
Among the ten principal Upaniṣads, the Kena Upaniṣad holds a place of great importance. It discusses three central themes — that the Supreme is the controller of all, that He is superior to all, and that He is ultimately unknowable. This commentary by Swami Bhaktivijñāna Giri, drawing upon the Vaiṣṇava interpretations of Madhva, Raṅga Rāmānuja, and the writings of the Gauḍīya ācāryas, seeks to reclaim the Kena Upaniṣad from the grasp of the monists, demonstrating that the Brahman of the Upaniṣads is ultimately a theistic, personal Reality endowed with distinctive transcendental qualities.
