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  1. Prayag Das

    My experience in Vrindavan

    Dear Asha: Yes, I agree, what do many of these comments have to do with the original post? Nayana did bring up the subject that some consider their guru infallible in all respects. And even though Srila Prabhupada had some opinions that most find harsh and hard to believe, this should not be...
  2. Prayag Das

    For Gaudiya Vaishnavas Only

    Dear Acintya_Ash: Yes, the Gita was meant for all of us, not just Arjuna. Prabhupada does say in the introduction that the Gita is enough, one does not need any other book. He did instruct his disciples to also read the Srimad Bhagavatam, the Caitanya Caritamrta and The Nectar of Devotion at...
  3. Prayag Das

    My experience in Vrindavan

    Nayana: You bring up a very important point. Many people consider the guru omniscient. They concoct that whatever the acarya (guru) says is the absolute truth, because a bona-fide guru is said to know Krishna and since Krishna knows everything they incorrectly reason that the guru also knows...
  4. Prayag Das

    For Gaudiya Vaishnavas Only

    I am interested in various topis about Gaudiya Vaishvana (GV) philosophy. If you are not a practicing Gaudiya Vaishnava, wish to present opposing views or start a debate, kindly go elsewhere. While respectful questions regarding anyone's guru, beliefs or organization are appropriate, keep in...
  5. Prayag Das

    Question for Gaudiya Vaishnava's

    It is my understanding that a Gaudiya Vaishnava strictly follows the teachings of Lord Caitanya, but followers of many contradictory philosophies consider themselves Gaudiya Vaishnavas. I won't argue which is the true path. I have chosen one and follow it with determination. In the Brahma...
  6. Prayag Das

    Question for Gaudiya Vaishnava's

    Dear Shantanu: I read your article on Brahman. Your conception is a bit different than the standard Vaishnava beliefs but shares some similarity. Prabhupada's teachings are that Brahman is the effulgence emanating from the body of Krishna. Brahma, I think you know, is the first created...
  7. Prayag Das

    Question for Gaudiya Vaishnava's

    Dandavats Makaranda Perhaps it is best to clear up one misconception right away. Atma is translated in the Bhagavad-Gita as soul. There are many atmas, only one param atma. Krishna very clearly distinguishes between the atma and param atma in His teachings to Arjuna. Your opinion of only...
  8. Prayag Das

    Question for Gaudiya Vaishnava's

    It appears from your response that I am understanding your Advaita monist philosophy perfectly. You don’t believe in a personality of God, but that the individual living entity is God covered by a dream (maya). So a follower of Advaita is an atheist, correct? If the atma is God and is not...
  9. Prayag Das

    Question for Gaudiya Vaishnava's

    It is my understanding from reading Prahupada's books that the Mayavadis believe we are all God and do not know it because we are covered by maya. Vaishnavas, on the other hand believe we are all separate parts and parcels of God and once maya is overcome we realize that our eternal...
  10. Prayag Das

    Is Initiation Necessary for Gaudiya Vaishnavas?

    If this is a serious invitation, please tell me a bit more. I am not very interested in debates, but would be honored to defend devotional service by quoting the sastras I believe are bona-fide such as the Bhagavad-Gita, the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Caitanya Caritamrta translations by Srila...
  11. Prayag Das

    Question for gaudiya vaishnavas

    Haribol Shakta: There are many GV scriptures that contradict each other. How can we know who wrote the Puranas, the Srimad Bhagavatan, etc. and if they were altered throughout the years? The belief is that they were passed down orally before writing was invented. As far as the sun and moon...
  12. Prayag Das

    Is Initiation Necessary for Gaudiya Vaishnavas?

    Yes, I agree, but many Gaudiya Vaishnava teachings state that we cannot approach Krishna directly, we need the blessings of the guru, who is the outward manifestation of the caitya guru within the heart. Even though Krishna was personally teaching Arjuna on the battlefield He advises in verse...
  13. Prayag Das

    Is Initiation Necessary for Gaudiya Vaishnavas?

    Dear Prabhuji: Thank you for your kind responses. The point I was trying to make is that, according to the Vaishnava conclusion, an acarya never teaches anything that deviates from shastra. If some guru is, then he must be rejected. Yes, I admire that you don’t want to get involved in...
  14. Prayag Das

    Is Initiation Necessary for Gaudiya Vaishnavas?

    Haribol! Well, a very long response. Perhaps I have more experience with ISKCON than you. Prabhupada required his householder disciples to donate 50% of their income to ISKCON. You can research the Vedabase on-line, if you haven't already. All Prabhupada's books, conversations and letters...
  15. Prayag Das

    Question for Gaudiya Vaishnava's

    Mayavadi philosophy believes that each of us is God and we do not realize this because we are covered by maya (illusion). The Gaudiya Vaishnavas do not accept this because it would mean that maya is stronger than God, which is an impossibility. God, by nature has to be the strongest, most...
  16. Prayag Das

    Is Initiation Necessary for Gaudiya Vaishnavas?

    In Gaudiya initiation the spiritual master chants one round of Hare Krishna on the disciples beads and gives them a spiritual name. The disciple vows to chant a minimum of 16 rounds per day (takes about 2.5 hours) and refrain from meat-eating (including onions and garlic), no illicit sex ( sex...
  17. Prayag Das

    Is Initiation Necessary for Gaudiya Vaishnavas?

    Some devotees claim that without Hari-nama initiation, the mahamantra has no effect. I am not of that opinion. There is also a second initiation where one receives the sacred thread and gayatri mantra. In ISKCON, one cannot perform Deity worship or cook for the Deity unless they are second...
  18. Prayag Das

    Is Initiation Necessary for Gaudiya Vaishnavas?

    Well, I can't argue that initiation isn't needed for any school of Hinduism, since I am not conversant with each sects various scriptures. I just have some familiarity with Gaudiya texts since I have been studying them almost all of my life. I am not an expert by any means. There are...
  19. Prayag Das

    Is Initiation Necessary for Gaudiya Vaishnavas?

    In my opinion, no. For those unacquainted with Gaudiya Vaishnavism, this term is used to define the followers of the spiritual path propagated by Lord Caitanya (1486-1534). He was accepted as an avatar that appeared to teach how to love God purely during the present age of Kali yuga. His...
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