The president and acarya of the Gopinath Gaudiya Math offers his insights into in the teachings of Gaudiya Vaishnavism in this enlightening book. Who am I? Who is God? What is Guru? How do I relate to other gurus and their disciples? What is the dharma that we follow? What are the impediments to service? What is our shelter? What should we meditate on while chanting? These and many other important questions are answered conclusively and authoritatively by Swami B. B. Bodhayan, current acarya of the Gopinath Gaudiya Math. Born into a Vaishnava family, the author served his guru, Srila B. P. Puri Goswami Thakur, with unwavering faith for decades. He studied and realized the essential teachings of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. In Essential Vaishnava Teachings, he shares his illuminating insights on the path of bhakti.
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhup?da (1896-1977), founder of the Hare Krishna Movement, traced his lineage to the fifteenth-century Indian saint Sri Chaitanya. He authored more than fifty volumes of English translation and commentaries on Sanskrit and Bengali texts, serving as a medium between these distant authorities and his modern Western readership and using his writings as blueprints for spiritual change and a revolution in consciousness. He had to speak the language of a people vastly disparate from the original recipients of his tradition's scriptures without compromising fidelity to the tradition. Tamal Krishna Goswami claims that the social scientific, philosophical, and 'insider' forms of investigation previously applied have failed to explain the presence of a powerful interpretative device-a mahavakya or 'great utterance'-that governs and pervades Prabhupada's 'living theology' of devotion on bhakti. For Prabhupada, the wide range of 'vedic' subject matter is governed by the axiomatic truth: Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Goswami's academic training at the University of Cambridge, his thirty years' experience as a practitioner and teacher, and his extensive interactions with Prabhupada as both personal secretary and managerial representative, afforded him a unique opportunity to understand and illuminate the theological contribution of Prabhupada. In this work, Goswami proves that the voice of the scholar-practitioner can be intimately connected with his tradition while sustaining a mature critical stance relative to his subject. A Living Theology of Krishna Bhakti includes a critical introduction and conclusion by Graham M. Schweig.
This is a scholarly book on one of the oldest living religions of India. Tracing the basic tenets of Vaisnavism to the hymns of Rgveda the earliest religious literature of the world, the author has shown how an ancient cult has developed itself by successive stages into a well-formulated monotheistic system in the hands of Ramanuja and his illustrious followers. In the second part of the book the fundamental philosophical theories of Visistadvaita Vedanta are presented to prove that Vaisnavism is not a mere religious cult, but has a credible philosophic foundation.
As a world religion, Hinduism remains one of the most elusive for many. Its teachings, beliefs, practices, and history are reviewed here by an expert hoping to introduce readers to the world of Hinduism. While there are many forms of Hinduism, and offshoots as well, the complex nature of this faith makes it elusive to many. This straightforward overview, focusing on Vaishnavism-the most common form of Hinduism—is ideal for those who wish to learn more about this ancient tradition.. Beginning with chapters about the foundations of Hinduism, Rosen clearly lays out what is otherwise a complicated history. Providing Hindu terms alongside English translations, he is able to bring the faith alive for readers unacquainted with its varieties and its tenets. Moving on to chapters about practices, including festivals, teachings, chanting, eating habits and more, Rosen brings Hinduism to life in vivid detail.
Tritiya-Prakriti: People of the Third Sex is a collection of years of research into a topic seldom discussed or easily found within the Hindu/Vedic scriptural canon. Based entirely upon authentic Sanskrit references and modern concurring facts, the book guides us through the original Hindu concept of a "third sex" (defined as homosexuals, transgenders and the intersexed), how such people were constructively incorporated into ancient Indian society, and how foreign influences eventually eroded away that noble system. It discusses how this concept can be practically applied in today’s modern world, the importance of all-inclusiveness in human society, and the spiritual principle of learning to transcend material designations altogether. Tritiya-Prakriti: People of the Third Sex will be a valuable source of reference for anyone interested in Hindu/LGBTI studies whether they are newcomers to the field or seasoned veterans of Vedic knowledge. It offers a veritable treasure trove of fresh information and ideas that will likely challenge the reader to rediscover and rethink Hinduism’s traditional understanding and treatment of gay, lesbian, and other gender-variant people within its culture. "The recognition of a third sex in ancient India and Hinduism is highly relevant in many ways. Our own modern-day society has only recently begun to understand sexual orientation, transgender identity, and intersex conditions, and our legal and social systems are just beginning to catch up with and accommodate such people in a fair and realistic way . . . yet ancient India had already addressed and previously resolved this issue many thousands of years ago in the course of its own civilization ́s development. Indeed, there is much we can learn from ancient India ́s knowledge regarding the recognition and accommodation of a 'third sex' within society." -Amara Das Wilhelm "In India there is a system where such people (the third sex) have their own society, and whenever there is some good occasion like marriage or childbirth, they go there and pray to God that this child may be very long living." -A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada "Gay and lesbian people have always been a part of society from Vedic times to our postmodern times. They should be accepted for what they are in terms of their sexual orientation and encouraged like everyone else to pursue spiritual life." -B.V. Tripurari Swami "Initially, I did not really allow myself to go deep in trying to understand the third sex. I figured that this was necessary only for those who are insensitive, arrogant and fundamentalist . . . who think that they are compassionate and tolerant while basically being superficial and even condescending. It is quite amazing how most of us can be so prejudiced about so many things and not even know it . . . .I thank you and several others for your compassion and for your tolerance in making efforts to educate your Godfamily, so that we can be more authentic servants of the servant." -H.H. Bhakti Tirtha Swami
A free ebook version of this title is available through Luminos, University of California Press’s new open access publishing program for monographs. Visit www.luminosoa.org to learn more. Hindu devotional traditions have long been recognized for their sacred geographies as well as the sensuous aspects of their devotees' experiences. Largely overlooked, however, are the subtle links between these religious expressions. Based on intensive fieldwork conducted among worshippers in Bengal’s Navadvip-Mayapur sacred complex, this book discusses the diverse and contrasting ways in which Bengal-Vaishnava devotees experience sacred geography and divinity. Sukanya Sarbadhikary documents an extensive range of practices, which draw on the interactions of mind, body, and viscera. She shows how perspectives on religion, embodiment, affect, and space are enriched when sacred spatialities of internal and external forms are studied at once.
A book that glorifies sadhu sanga—the association of devotees—and carries aloft the banner of pure devotional service in the modern world. The Heart of a Vaishnava reminds us of Krishna’s words, “The worship of My devotee is greater than even the worship of Me.” To the uninitiated, this is a puzzle, for Krishna also says, “The devotee is My heart and I am His.” But here Swami B. P. Puri shows that without the association of devotees there is no Krishna. The Lord is present in this world through his devotees. If we want to find Krishna, we must look for him in the midst of Vaishnava association. This book glorifies the Vaishnava: it tells us of the necessity of Vaishnava association, how to recognize the Vaishnava, and how to serve the Vaishnava.
Shri Vallabhacharya (1479-1531) is the beloved founder and teacher (acharya) of the path of grace (pushtimarg) and proponent of the philosophy of pure non-dualism, Shuddhadvaita Vedanta. Shri Vallabhacharya's Sixteen Works (Ṣoḍaśa Granthāḥ) are presented here in Sanskrit devanagari and Roman transliteration, alongside original English translations by the American-born devotee and scholar Shyamdas. These sixteen essential doctrines provide a comprehensive study of grace-filled devotion (pushti bhakti) from deeply philosophical and intimate devotional perspectives. To read and recite these works is the most direct approach to comprehend Shri Vallabhacharya's path of grace. Shri Vallabhacharya, also affectionately referred to by his disciples as Shri Mahaprabhuji, was born in South India in 1479 CE as a Telugu Brahmin. He established a Vaishnava philosophy and lineage that is followed around the world even today by faithful devotees of Lord Krishna. Shri Mahaprabhuji not only embodies the inner beauty of the divine lovers Radha and Krishna, but he is also a perfect witness to their lilas, or loving plays. His devotional teachings continue to transmit refined empowerments. Vallabhacharya taught that devotion is perfected by offering one's body, wealth, mind and heart to the blessed lord. Shri Mahaprabhuji's pushtimarg is a purely non-dual bhakti path that embraces a positive worldview. He fashioned his teachings to fit into this world, which is Shri Krishna's perfect creation. Everything is Krishna and nothing but Krishna. All objects in the world-and the world itself-are flawless. Maya, illusion, is simply a matter of false perception. Devotees are not preoccupied with liberation or any form of yogic practice; they are obsessed with seva-loving, pleasing service offered to the beloved. Shri Krishna responds to devotion, and that is why Shri Vallabhacharya has said, "He is the lord of sweetness."
Bhakti Schools of Vedānta’, of which this volume is a part, is a work intended to bring to the notice of the general reader that it is not correct to equate Vedānta exclusively with Advaita Vedānta, associated with Śrī Śaṅkarācārya. There are several other Ācāryas who have expounded the Vedānta in quite a different way and whose status as teachers of Vedānta requires recognition. The personages treated in the above book are Sri Rāmānuja, Śrī Nimbārka, Śrī Vallabha, Śrī Madhva and Śrī Caitanya. Besides their theo-philosophies, detailed accounts of their lives are given. For it is the support of their lives that gives more authority to their teachings than the philosophical writings of mere armchair philosophers. The frame-work of their lives is mainly historical, but most of the miraculous and extraordinary incidents mentioned in them may largely be projections of the pious imaginations of their followers. These too are to be respectfully received and not pooh-poohed as mere cock and bull stories. It is the way of the Indian mind to convey the idea that these Ācāryas are endowed with extraordinary powers. But for this, their teachings could not have survived through so many centuries influencing the lives of innumerable generations of men.
