Gaudiya Vaisnava Tattva

For each section:

- 10 important points + answers from key slokas
- 10 Frequently asked questions

Guru-tattva

10 important points + answers from key slokas

What is the necessity of accepting a guru in discipline succession and what are
the benefits?

yasya deve parä bhaktir

yathä-deve tathä gurau
tasyaite kathitä hy arthäù
prakäsante mahätmanaù

Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the
imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed. (Svetasvatara Upanisad)

What is Guru and what are his qualities and qualifications?

kåpä-sindhuù su-saàpürnaù
sarva-sattvopakärakaù
nispåhaù sarvataù siddhaù
sarva-vidyä-viçäradaù
sarva-saàçaya-saàchettä
'nalaso gurur äùåtah

One who is an ocean of mercy, who is fulfilled in all respects, who has all good qualities, who works
for the benefit of all souls, who is free from lust, who is perfect in all respects, who is well-versed in
the scriptures, who knows the science of Kåñëa, who can remove all the doubts of his disciples, and
who is always alert in the service of Kåñëa is known as a genuine guru. (Hari-bhakti-viläsa 1.45,46
quoted from Viñëu-çmåti Vacana)

Who is the best guru?

äpane äcare keha, nä kare pracära

pracära karena keha, nä karena äcära
'äcära' 'pracära' nämera karaha 'dui' kärya
tumi sarva-guru, tumi jagatera ärya

Some practice but do not preach, others preach but do not practice, but one who is perfect in both
preaching and practice is the guru of the entire universe. You are a real jagad-guru, for you practice
what you preach. (Cc. Antya 4.102,103)
Is there any prerequisite for who can be guru?

vipra kñatriya vaiçyäs ca guravaù çüdra janmanäm

çüdräç ca guravas teñäà trayäëäà bhagavat-priyäù

A brähmaëa, kñatriya or vaiçya can be guru for the çüdra class, but a Vaiñëava, even if born a çüdra,
because he is dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can be the guru of these higher orders.
(Pädma Puräëa)

kibä vipra, kibä nyäsé , çüdra kene naya

yei kåñëa-tattva-vettä, sei 'guru' haya

Whether a brähmaëa, a sannyäsé, or a çüdra, one who knows the science of Kåñëa is to be accepted as
guru. (Cc. Madhya 8.128)

By the mercy of guru, does one get Krsna, or does one get guru by the mercy of
Krsna?

brahmäëòa bhramite kona bhägyavän jéva

guru-kåñëa-prasäde päya bhakti-latä-béja

”According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of
them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower
planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets
an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kåñëa. By the mercy of
both Kåñëa and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional
service. (CC Madhya 19.151)

What is Diksa?

divyaà jïänaà yato dadyät

kuryät päpasya saìkñayam
tasmäd dékñeti sä proktä
deçikais tattva-kovidaiù

”Dékñä is the process by which one can awaken his transcendental knowledge and vanquish all
reactions caused by sinful activity. A person expert in the study of the revealed scriptures knows this
process as dékñä.” (Bhakti-sandarbha 283)

How should one relate to guru?

tad viddhi praëipätena paripraçnena sevayä

upadekñyanti te jïänaà jïäninas tattva-darçinaù

Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Surrender to him and inquire from him
and render service at his lotus feet. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you, for he has
seen the truth. (Bhagavad-gétä 4.34)

What mercy is available from guru?

mükaà karoti väcälaà paìgum laìghayate girim
yät kåpä täm ahaà vande paramänanda mädhavam

I offer my respectful obeisances unto transcendental bliss personified, Lord Mädhava, by whose
mercy a dumb man can speak eloquently, a blind man can see the stars, and a lame man can cross
mountains. (Bhavärtha Dipikä, Maìgala Stotram 1)

List the items you receive from guru.

näma-çreñöhaà manum api çacé-putram atra svarüpaà

rüpaà tasyägrajam uru-puréà mäthuréà goñöhavätém
rädhä-kuëòaà giri-varam aho rädhikä-mädhaväçäà
präpto yasya prathita-kåpayä çré-guruà taà nato ’smi

"I bow down to the beautiful lotus feet of my spiritual master by whose causeless mercy I have
received the supreme holy name, the divine mantra, the service of the son of Çacémätä, the
association of Svarüpa Dämodara, Rüpa Gosvämé, and his older brother Sanätana Gosvämé, the
supreme abode of Mathurä, the blissful abode of Våndävana, the divine Rädhä Kuëòa and
Govardhana Hill and the desire within my heart for the loving service of Çré Rädhikä and Mädhava in
Våndävana"

Can guru be given up?

guror apy avaliptasya käryäkäryam ajänataù

utpatha-pratipannasya parityägo vidhéyate

A guru addicted to sensual pleasure and polluted by vice, who is ignorant and has no power to
discriminate between right and wrong, or who is not on the path of çuddha-bhakti must be abandoned.
(Mahäbhäräta, Udyoga-parva, 179.25)

What are Qualifications, Proper Attitude & Duties of a Disciple?

amäny amatsaro dakño

nirmamo dåòha-sauhådaù
asatvaro 'rtha-jijïäsur
anasüyur amogha-väk

The servant or disciple of the spiritual master should be free from false prestige, never considering
himself to be the doer. He should feel enmity toward no one, should be active and never lazy, and
should give up all sense of proprietorship over the objects of the senses, including his wife, children,
home and society. He should be endowed with feelings of loving friendship toward the spiritual
master and should never become deviated or bewildered. The servant or disciple should always desire
advancement in spiritual understanding, should not envy anyone and should always avoid useless
conversation. (SB 11.10.6)

What is the inconceivable Oneness and Difference of Guru, Vaisnava, and Krsna

10 Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why do we need a living guru – isn’t Srila Prabhupada our guru?

Q. Should women become gurus according to Vaisnava Siddhanta?

Q. Can Guru be elected by a committee or is he self-effulgent?

Q. Should we take initiation even if we never have personal interaction with the Guru?

Q. How do I know who is my guru?

Q. Can you go back to godhead without being initiated?

Q. Does the guru have to be a pure devotee?

Q. Does the Guru know everything, and are all of his instructions absolute?

Q. Can we listen to Guru’s outside of ISKCON?

Q. How can I develop a deeper relationship with my Guru?

Bhägavat-tattva
Why should we read Srimad-Bhagavatam?

dharmaù projjhita-kaitavo 'tra paramo nirmatsaräëäà satäà

vedyaà västavam atra vastu-çivadaà täpa-trayonmülanam
çrémad-bhägavate mahä-muni-kåte kià vä parair éçvaraù
sadyo hådy avarudhyate 'tra kåtibhiù çuçrüñubhis tat-kñaëät

Completely rejecting all religious principles that are materially motivated, Bhägavata-Puräëa
propounds the highest truth, which is understandable by those devotees who are fully pure in heart.
The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the
threefold miseries. This beautiful Bhägavatam, compiled by the great sage Vyäsa in the maturity of
his spiritual realization, is sufficient in itself for God-realization. What is the need for any other
scripture? As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhägavatam, by this
culture of knowledge, the Supreme Lord is established within his heart. (Bhäg. 1.1.2)

Why does Srimad-Bhagavatam exist?

kåñëe sva-dhämopagate dharma-jïänädibhiù saha

kalau nañöa-dåçäm eña puräëärko' dhunoditaù

Çrémad-Bhägavatam is as brilliant as the sun. After Lord Kåñëa has left for His abode, accompanied
by dharma and knowledge, it has arisen to save us from the darkness of the age of Kalé. (Bhäg.
1.3.43)

Why is Srimad-Bhagavatam so special amongst all Vedic literatures?

cäri-veda-upaniñade yata kichu haya

tära artha laïä vyäsa karilä saïcaya
yei sutre yei åk viñaya vacana
bhägavate sei åk çloke nibandhana
ataeva brahma-sütrera bhäñya çré bhägavata
bhägavata-çloka, upaniñat kahe 'eka' mata

Vyäsadeva collected whatever conclusions were in the four Vedas and 108 Upaniñads, and composed
them in the form of codes as the Vedänta-sütras. In Vedänta-sütra the purpose of all Vedic knowledge
is explained, and in Çrémad-Bhägavatam, it is elaborated upon in 18,000 verses. What is explained in
Çrémad-Bhägavatam and in the Upaniñads serves the same purpose. (Cc. Madhya 25.98-100)

What are the two Bhagavatas?

eka bhägavata baòa bhägavata-çästra

ära bhägavata bhakta bhakti-rasa-pätra

One of the bhägavatas is the great scripture, Çrémad-Bhägavatam. The other is the pure devotee
bhägavatam, who is absorbed in bhakti-rasa. (Cc. Ädi 1.99)

What is the process of understanding Bhagavatam?

"yäha, bhägavata paòa vaiñëavera sthäne
ekänta äçraya kara caitanya-caraëe

If you want to understand Çrémad-Bhägavatam you must approach a self-realized Vaiñëava and study
it under his guidance while at the same time taking exclusive shelter of the lotus feet of Lord
Caitanya. (Cc. Antya 5.131)

What are the 18 Puranas?

brähmaà pädmaà vaiçëaväàca çaivaà laiogaà sagäruòam

näradéyaà bhägavatam ägneyaà skända-saàjïitam
bhaviñyaà brahmavaivarttaà märkaëòeyaà savämanam
värähaà mätsyaà kaurmaà ca brahmäëòäkhyamiti triñaö

There are eighteen Puräëas: Brahma, Padma, Viñëu, Çiva, Lioga, Garuòa, Näradéya, Bhägavata,
Agni, Bhaviñya, Skandha, Brahma-Vaivarta, Markaëòeya, Vämana, Varäha, Matsya, Kürma-and
Brahmäëòa. (Bhäg. 12.7.23-24)

How can we develop taste for the messages of Bhagavatam?

çuçrüñoù çraddadhänasya
väsudeva-kathä-ruciù
syän mahat-sevayä vipräù
puëya-tértha-niñevaëät

O twice-born sages, by serving those devotees who are completely freed from all vice, great service is
done. By such service, one gains affinity for hearing the messages of Väsudeva. (SB 1.2.19)

How does Bhagavatam cleanse the heart?

SB 1.2.17-21

10 Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How can you establish that Srimad-Bhagavatam is the ultimate pramana?

Q. How do we reconcile difference between the Bhagavata version and modern science?

Q. What are the stages of learning?

Q. Why do devotees struggle in developing the taste for Bhagavatam?

Q. When was Srimad-Bhagavatam written?

Q. Do we have to go progressively through Srimad-Bhagavatam? Can we read CC before

Bhagavatam? Do you have any study tips?

Q. What should I do if Bhagavatam is too difficult for me to understand?

Q. Is hearing classes on Bhagavatam as good as reading Bhagavatam?

Q. What is the qualification to speak on Bhagavatam?

Q. Why is Srila Prabhupada’s translation of the Bhagavatam special?

Srimad Bhagavatam is considered to be beyond our material understanding, so neither reading nor
deep study can I grasp the transcendental message. Scripture says I need a guru to help me understand
and I also need bhakti otherwise my reading is futile.
What is the specialty of the relationship between srimad bhagavatam, bhagavata (guru), and bhakti
that allows a disciple to receive the transcendental message held within Srimad Bhagavatam?
Practically speaking, sometimes as devotees we walk away from hearing a lecture or aren’t as
attentive as we should be when hearing Srimad Bhagavatam. There is some desire within me that still
predominates over my affection for hearing about the Lord.
Is it important to understand that predominating desire thats pulling me away from hearing Srimad
Bhagavtam?
What are some examples of how I can trace that desire back to Krsna that might encourage my desire
to hear?
Tarkapratisthanat (Vedanta Sutra: 2.1.11) states that logic is not the basis for understanding anything
transcendental yet we are encouraged to contemplate which is a thought process that requires
reflection.
Why is it that the process of reflection is superior to the process of reasoning when it comes to
understanding transcendental subject matters?
Vaiñëava-tattva

10 Frequently Asked Questions

In Vaisnava Ke, composed by His Grace Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura he writes: “O mind, you are the
servant of the Vaisnavas, and you should always hope for attaining devotion. Why then do you make
such a loud commotion by calling to me and trying to prove the supposed supremacy of your practice
of solitary worship?”
Why is it that spiritual practice is more fruitful and beneficial when practiced among the vaishnavas
than by oneself?
Is the result different between spiritual practice done alone and done in association with Vaishnavas?
There are so many wonderful Vaishnava saints spoken about in Srimad Bhagavatam.
Which Vaishnava saints’ lives do you consider to be compulsory and essential to hearing about?
How are their lives a guide for my own spiritual development?
It is characteristic of advanced Vaiṣṇ avas following the principles of bhakti that they think
themselves ordinary human beings. This is not an artificial exhibition of humility; a Vaiṣṇ ava
sincerely thinks this way and therefore never admits his exalted position.
As new practitioners we sometimes want to embody these exalted vaishnava qualities, so it becomes
quite easy to practice false humility. We are also taught to bow down, practice bowing down, fake it
until you make it so to speak, so how is this different?
What does false humility look and feel like? What is the consciousness behind it?
What does true humility look and feel like? What is the consciousness behind it?
On the three kinds of devotees:
What does it mean to have faith that is soft and pliable? What are the opportunities that kanistha
devotees must focus on to develop a stronger foundation? What are circumstances, associations, or
thought processes that can be detrimental to a kanistha devotee?
What does it mean to have firm faith as a second-class devotee? What kinds of activities are they
engaged in and what kind of activities are they no longer engaged in? How is their consciousness
different from the kanistha devotee? What are circumstances, associations, or thought processes that
can be detrimental to a second-class devotee?
Why is it that being an expert on logic, argument, and the revealed scriptures are considered
symptoms of a first-class devotee when logic nor scholarly study helps one understand transcendental
matter? Is there a difference in the expertise logic and argument posed by a first-class in comparison
to others? How is the firm faith of a first-class devotee the same and different from the firm faith of a
second-class devotee? Are there circumstances, associations, or thought process that can be
detrimental to a first-class devotee?
Śrī Caitanya Mahā prabhu has said that by offending a Vaiṣṇ ava, one finishes all his spiritual
activities. Offending a Vaiṣṇ ava is considered the mad elephant offense. A mad elephant can destroy
an entire garden which has been developed with great labor. One may attain the topmost platform of
devotional service, but somehow or other if he offends a Vaiṣṇ ava, the whole structure collapses.
If we feel as though we have committed an offense what are some steps to take in correcting this
matter?
Why is offending a Vaishnava more dangerous to our spiritual progress than offending the Lord
Himself?
Sometimes we hear among friends or see on social media or in person devotees criticizing spiritual
teachers or devotees.
How can as a community we help each other to minimize such behavior?
If we ignore this behavior and do nothing are we encouraging improper vaishnava etiquette and
ignoring Mahaprabhu’s words?
Gaura-tattva

NITYANANDA TATTVA

ADVAITAA. TATTVA

KRSHA TATTVA

SAKTI TATTVA

RADHA TATTVA

JIVA TATTVA

ACINTA VEDABHEDA TATTVA

ABHIDEYA TATTVA
@:-SaranaGati is the Dress to do Bhakti whereas -5-
Avidya is the Dress to be in Maya’s Prison.

SADHANA BHAKTI TATTVA

VARNASRAMA-DHARMA TATTVA

ASRAM -DHARMA TATTVA

SRADDHA =ANTESTY=FINAL RITE

SRINAM TATTVA
@i:-Suddha Nama
@ii:-Namaabhasa Tattva
@iii:-Nama Aparadha tattva
SIVA TATTVA

RASA TATTVA

SRI VIGRAHA TATTVA

PRASADAM TATTVA

PRAYUJANA TATTVA =GOAL OF LIFE