Founded by Swami B.G. Narasiṅgha Mahārāja in 2000, Krishna-Talk is a series of articles by our ācāryas and contemporary authors on Gauḍiya Vaiṣṇava siddhānta, history, and culture which is updated weekly.
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.
Thirty-Two Prayers to Śrī Yoga-Vīra Narasiṁha
This year is the 25th appearance anniversary of Śrī Yoga-Vīra Narasiṁha, the personal Deity of Swami B.G, Narasiṅgha. To commemorate this occasion, a 32 verse prayer - Śrī Śrī Yoga-Vīra-Narasiṁhā Dvātrimśat Stavakam - has been composed in His praise and offered to the lotus hands of Narasiṅgha Mahārāja. Many thanks to Paṇḍita Śrī Gautam Prasad Tiwari for editing.
Pilgrimage with Swami Narasiṅgha – Part 11: Prayāga-rāja
In the eleventh instalment of ‘Pilgrimage with Swami Narasiṅgha,’ Mahārāja talks about Prayāga-rāja (Allahabad) - the ‘king of holy places’, its significance, and the Kumbha Melā. This article is based on a number of classes and informal talks given by Śrīla Narasiṅgha Mahārāja.
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.
A Devotee is Desireless (Sajjana-Akāma)
Continuing Śrīla Sarasvatī Ṭhākura’s teachings on the twenty-six qualities of a devotee, this article – originally published in Sajjana Toṣaṇī (Vol. 21, Issue 4, 1918) – explains that only a pure devotee is truly free from all desire. Those whose devotion is mixed remain filled with various aspirations and can never properly be described as akāma (desireless).
The Gauḍīya’s Gift to the World (Viśva-majhe Gauḍīyera Dāna)
Does the word ‘Gauḍīya’ simply mean ‘Bengali’? In this article, originally published in Dainik Nadīyā Prakāśa (Vol. 10, Issue 18) on March 22, 1935, Śrīla Śrīdhara Deva Gosvāmī Mahārāja elucidates the true meaning of the term ‘Gauḍīya’ and highlights the profound gift that the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas have bestowed upon the world.
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?"
Appeasing Critics or Honouring the Ācāryas?
Recently, we received a letter from a gentleman sincerely expressing concern over an early English article written by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura. In “Our Wants,” written in 1863, the Ṭhākura acknowledges and appreciates the work of Christian missionaries in India. The gentleman requested that the article be removed from the Bhaktivinoda Institute website, apprehensive that its presence might invite criticism of the Ṭhākura from certain Hindutva sections in India. Gaura Gopāla Dāsa responded as follows.
Along The Silk Road
In this article Kalki Dāsa examines how the ancient Silk Road and Indian Ocean trade networks facilitated the spread of Vedic ideas, sciences, and cultural practices across Asia. It highlights parallels between Indian and Chinese philosophy, the transmission of meditation traditions and astronomy, and the lasting influence of Vedic culture in China and Southeast Asia through trade, scholarship, and religious exchange.
Śrī Gaura-līlāmṛta-sāra (The Essence of the Nectar of Śrī Gaura-Līlā)
This article by Śrīla Bhakti Pramoda Purī Gosvāmī was first published in Śrī Caitanya Vāṇī magazine (Vol. 4, Issues 1–2) in February 1964. In it, Śrīla Purī Mahārāja presents a detailed synopsis of the opening section of the Ādi-līlā of Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, covering the narrative up to the divine appearance of Mahāprabhu. From the introduction, it appears that the work was intended to continue as a series; however, only two installments were ever published.