Author: Chaitanya Charan

​If lust is present in our own senses, why does proximity to sense objects make us lusty?

When the mind beats us for doing wrong, how is that different from repentance?

​When the mind simply does sankalpa and vikalpa, what does the mind understanding something mean?

​Bhagavatam study 65 1.13.19-23 Vidura’s words hit Dhritarashtra where it hurts the most

​Bhagavatam study 64 1.13.9-18 Fulfilling purpose is more important than just sharing information

​Bhagavatam study 63 1.13.1-8 Periods of distress can forge the deepest bonds

Bhagavatam study 62 1.12.30-36 The Bhagavatam’s lens focuses on separation from Krishna

​Bhagavatam study 61 1.12.21-29 The prophecy of a glorious death is not inauspicious

“Relishing Shikshashtakam” – Course in New Raman Reti, Alachua, Florida

​How do we invest emotions in whatever we do?

​Why do we feel enthusiastic initially in bhakti, but later that enthusiasm goes away?

How can we increase our commitment to Krishna?

Shikshashtakam 7 – Go beyond sentimentality to spiritual sentiments

Bhagavatam study 60 1.12.12-20 The carrier of the dynasty was to the glory of the dynasty

​Why did Drona ask for Ekalavya’s thumb?

​Why did Draupadi not protest when she was told to marry five husbands instead of one?

Why did Krishna’s protecting Draupadi’s honor not change the Kauravas’s evil intention?

What is the best thing a mother can do for her deceased son?

Bhagavatam study 59 1.12.1-11 Parikshit had magnificent darshan even before birth

​Why did the Pandavas tolerate poisoning and arson, but not Draupadi’s dishonoring?

​Why did Duryodhana put the clause of incognito stay in the Pandavas’ exile?

​Why was Duryodhana so envious of the Pandavas?

Did Draupadi dishonor Duryodhana, thereby causing him to dishonor her?

Was Draupadi the cause of the Kurukshetra war?

Were the Pandavas not legitimate heirs to the Kuru kingdom?

​Was the Kurukshetra war fought over a property dispute?

Why did Krishna break his vow by attacking Bhishma?

​Why did Drona fight against the Pandavas?

Why did Bhishma fight against the Pandavas?

Bhagavatam study 58 1.11.32-39 Krishna seemed attached but remained detached

​After Bhishma, why was Drona, not Karna, made the Kauravas’ commander?

​Wasn’t Krishna’s covering the sun to deceive Jayadratha wrong?

​Why did Arjuna target Jayadratha when Abhimanyu was killed by Durjaya?

​Why did Bhima kill Duryodhana unfairly?

​How could Bhima drink Dusshasana’s blood?

​Why did the Pandavas conspire to kill Drona?

​Why did Arjuna kill Bhishma from behind Shikhandi?

​Why did Bhishma not stop the disrobing of Draupadi?

Despite being virtuous, why did Yudhishthira gamble?

Bhagavatam study 57 1.11.25-32 Krishna’s beauty is exquisite and exquisitely described

​Bhagavatam study 56 1.11.14-24 The spiritual qualification of bhakti unites the materially​ ​qualified and unqualified

​Was destiny against Karna?

​When Karna was virtuous, why did he suggest that Draupadi be disrobed?

​Did Kunti do the right thing by abandoning Karna?

​Why did Krishna say that Karna is equal, or even superior, to Arjuna in archery?

​Did Kunti emotionally weaken Karna by revealing that the Pandavas were his brothers?

​Why did Draupadi dishonor Karna by rejecting him as a suitor?

​Bhagavatam study 55 1.11.8-13 Prosperity without Krishna is like beautiful things for the blind

​Was Karna not discriminated against by being labeled a charioteer’s son?

​Was Karna unfairly disadvantaged by the curses of Parashurama and the brahmana?

​Was Karna a glorious example of faithful friendship to Duryodhana?

​Was Karna a virtuous hero?

​Did Indra unfairly weaken Karna by taking away his armor?

​Was Karna the second best archer after Arjuna?

Did Karna conquer the world, but Arjuna couldn’t?

Was Karna a better archer than Arjuna?

​Why did Arjuna kill Karna unfairly?

​Bhagavatam study 54 1.11.1-7 Krishna’s arrival brings ecstasy

​Bhagavatam study 53 1.10.28-36 Krishna’s departure and travel are celebrations of love

Avatar – Digital, Christian, monistic and bhakti conceptions

​Bhagavatam study 52 1.10.21-27 The Supreme appears human – and still remains Supreme

How can infinity minus infinity give infinite results?

​Does Krishna go through childhood, boyhood and youth stages in the spiritual world?

Bhagavatam study 51 1.10.9-20 Imminent separation from Krishna triggers intense emotion

​Can the sadhya become the sadhana and the sadhana the sadhya?

​Why did Krishna close his eyes on seeing Putana?

As a householder what rules did Krishna follow?

How do reconcile the contradiction between Gita 14.20 – we can transcend the modes – and 18.40 – everyone is under the modes?

When the Gita talks about karma, jnana and bhakti equally, why emphasize bhakti unduly?

Metaphorical understanding in bhakti philosophy and in Krishna’s killing of Putana

Bhagavatam study 50 1.10.1-8 Yudhishtira’s dharmic reign harmonizes the natural order with the human order

If Dharmaraja could expand as Vidura and Yudhisthira, why did Aryama need to officiate in his place?

​Why do some people get facilities for bhakti practice and some don’t?

​Is mercy proportionate to our endeavor?

​Bhagavatam study 49 1.9.43-48 Departure of great souls is a victory worthy of celebration

​How can we overcome undesirable emotions?

​How can we be confident about our ability to do a service without becoming proud?

​Is brahmanas’ feeling hurt at just a harsh glance due to their sensitivity or their ego?

​Did Uttama die because of his mother’s offense to Dhruva?

Can slowing down help in developing clarity of thought?

​Are there many Gitas other than the Bhagavad-gita?

​How can we overcome the tendency to over-analyze?

Is worshipping some devata while practicing bhakti a dilution of bhakti?

​What to do if our conviction doesn’t increase after studying scripture?

​Bhagavatam study 48 1.9.36-42 Bhishma’s memories go beyond the personal to the Krishna-centered

Bhagavatam study 47 1.9.31-35 Bhishma identifies and adores the ultimate cause of his death

​How can we reconcile the Vedic geocentric and scientific heliocentric models of the universe?

​How can we develop faith in the acharyas’ commentaries on scripture?

​Why do we need to read purports while reading scripture?

​How can we balance between understanding God as a principle and loving him as a person?

How can we avoid becoming distracted by the uncontrolled mind?

How can we present scripture without compromising its truth?

“Make me dance” – Meditation on Srila Prabhupada’s prayer on beholding the American coastline

​Prahlad sees his glory as bhakti’s glory

​Is truth different for people in different modes?

​How is Vaishnava classification of scripture different from Advaitic classification of paramarthika and vyavaharika?

Cultivating absorption through conviction

In scriptural study, be not just faithful but also purposeful

​Can we pray to get the ecstatic symptoms of bhakti?

​When Krishna married so many queens, why is his marriage with Tulsi alone celebrated?