raga

In glass houses, one'd better not throw too many stones around.

He told me, "Elvis". He told me, "Who cares?"

So in other words you have no idea. Thanks for bragging, anyhow. In another thread, there was someone who declared himself a pure devotee of Krishna, and who spoke of the duty of establishing dharma whenever adharma is in sight. Perhaps you would come along well. However, among scholars who dispassionately study topics of religion and culture, fundamentalism is not much welcome.

Please tell me the history of Brahma Vaivarta Purana. How old is it, how authentic is it, how interpolated is it?

Actually "amaniya" is the exact word used when referring tp that which is to be offered. Bhoga is also sometimes used when referring to prasadi items, such as "raja-bhoga" or "phal-bhoga". It is not uncommon to hear about receiving the raja-bhoga (midday meal) of the Deities.

Actually "amaniya" is the exact word used when referring tp that which is to be offered. Bhoga is also sometimes used when referring to prasadi items, such as "raja-bhoga" or "phal-bhoga". It is not uncommon to hear about receiving the raja-bhoga (midday meal) of the Deities.

Apparently you lost track of the point altogether. Nobody here is advocating any particular view, especially not adultery. Jagat is examining the concepts found in the classical Sanskrit texts to gloss the way in which the extramarital love of Radha and Krishna is understood in the light of rasa-shastra. Why be so passionate.

Reference? I think you said, "puranas", which purana, which chapter and verse?

Tone down that voice. Oh yes, and if you do wish to go on with the raised voice, come out with your name.

Oh yes, Hindu dharma! Praise, praise. I guess it has to be there to facilitate the scenario of secret love in Vraja.

Hold on, did you understand the context at all? http://www.granthamandira.org/~jagat/articles/showarticle.php?id=20 According to your conclusion, then, the loving affairs of Sri Krishna and the maidens of Vraja are filthy. The point of the stanza is degrees of intensity of love. The wedded love (svakiya) is socially acceptable and tends to become routine-some, while the unwedded love unapproved of by the society is of a different nature. Do not be so hasty, my friend, in your incautious judgement.

I don't think anyone's going to step forth stating, "Yes, serve me, I am qualified." However, you could check out this dude. Otherwise, you'll have to study the topic of guru-tattva and yourself examine who is qualified. You cannot rely on others in such an important matter. Of course anyone who can answer a question is guru to an extent, but not someone to whom you dedicate your life to.

Here's how it'd look like as Jagat put it above. Kh is indeed closer to the actual pronounciation than ch.

According to whom? Please clarify the premises of your question first.

Samskara Dipika, though sometimes attributed to Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, is very likely the work of another Gopala Bhatta or someone who wrote his work in the name of GBG. I would be very curious to see the Sanskrit of the passage you refer to, along with the context. However, my guess is it refers to Vaishnavas whom we might not regard orthodox in their doctrines. It is not very likely that it refers to uninitiated persons who are following the sat-sampradaya.

Here you go. This is the exact equivalent of the letters "chris", however the pronounciation of the corresponding Devanagari combination is a bit different with the "ch". There are two ways to do the "ri", I have included both. See which one looks nicer to you. In the second one, the "hook" (for ri) can also be joint with the "ch" letter and be a bit more left, however this is the way my font put it.

Remember, before I left for India I tried getting it done with one eccentric musician hippy friend of mine. It got delayed and delayed until a few days before my departure he finally got to his studio, but then he couldn't figure out how to do it after all. I didn't have the time to pick up the tape from him prior to my departure. Now I should find his phone number and track him down from wherever he is floating around the cosmos right now. Stay tuned. I haven't had much time for that yet.

My Giridhari eats lots of chocolate. If someone has an issue with that they'll have to take it up with Him. I think he's a bit addicted.

My Giridhari eats lots of chocolate. If someone has an issue with that they'll have to take it up with Him. I think he's a bit addicted.

You could begin with checking out the very helpful articles here: http://www.granthamandira.org/~jagat/articles/showcatpicks.php?thiscat=9

Indeed, I second the words of Guruvani. Be patient. In waiting for an appropriate circumstances to arise, associate with Vaishnavas and learn the devotional conclusions through and through. Study the scriptures and inquire from learned Vaishnavas when in doubt. Your time will not be wasted.

jive zAksAt nahe tate guru caitya-rUpa zikSa-guru haya kRSNa mahanta-svarUpa "The jiva cannot directly perceive the inner guru, therefore Krishna manifests as siksa-guru, in the form of a great devotee." Unfortunately the baddha-jiva is not exactly pure enough to just tune himself up with the Paramatma and go with the flow. In independently reading the scriptures, so many misconceptions will arise. Svarupa told to the brahmin who had made his own faulty poetry, yAha bhAgavata . vaiSNavera sthAne "If you wish to study the Bhagavata, stay with the Vaishnavas." caitanyera bhakta-gaNer nitya kara saGga tabeta jAnibA siddhAnta-samudra-taraGga "Always associate with the devotees of Caitanya. Only then you will come to know the waves of the ocean of conclusions." tabeta pANDitya tomAra haibe saphala kRSNera svarUpa-lIlA varNibA nirmala "Only then your learning will be successful, and you will be able to spotlessly narrate about the nature and pastimes of Krishna." Without following the process recommended by Sri Svarupa Damodara, misconceptions are bound to arise. Such poor conclusions, which are then vigorously presented as unique devotional realizations, will only inflict grief in the hearts of Sri Caitanya's devotees.

I guess the question is, do you want to have one? "When there is a will there is a way", they say. No will - no way. Well, you cannot possibly depend on the opinions of each and every individual. Why don't you rather get your hands on some of the writings of the acaryas which describe the theology of guru.

Why not? How can you reach Him if you don't have faith in Him? Why is it so difficult for Him to arrange for a nice guru for you? His plenary portion breathes in and out and countless universes are created and destroyed. How strange if He cannot figure out how to send you to a proper guru -- if you so desire.

Baladeva studied the Sandarbhas etc. under the tutelage of his diksa-guru Radha Damodar Gosvami, it was only later in his life when he met Visvanatha. Visvanatha was certainly not the first prominent Gaudiya influence on him.