I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge
Romapada Swami has a vast collection of audio recordings, videos, and articles exploring bhakti and spirituality. He also hosts several retreats and seminars throughout the year which are open to the public. Subscribe to Romapada Swami’s bi-monthly newsletter for updates.
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Question: How to understand the strong negative emotions of Lord Caitanya and his associates – like Gadadhar Pandit, Raghunatha das Gosvami, King Prataparudra, Sanatana Gosvami when he was being ‘examined’ by Caitanya Mahaprabhu, etc.? It all seems very painful! Answer by Romapada Swami: Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu||2.5.109|| Translation: In separation, this rati develops its full form of The post Digest 00791: How to understand the strong negative emotions of Lord Caitanya and his associates which seems painful? first appeared on Questions and Answers with Romapada Swami.
Question: Below is a passage from Uttara Khanda of Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. Please explain the propriety of Rama’s cutting off the head of Shambuka. It sounds so brutal! Is there not a fault of discrimination against sudras? Answer by Romapada Swami: We can examine the appropriateness of Sri Rama’s act of killing Shambuka on the foundation of The post Digest 00795: Please explain Lord Rama’s cutting off head of Shambuka. Is there not a fault of discrimination against sudras? first appeared on Questions and Answers with Romapada Swami.
Question: How to identify the Truth and the process to attain it, despite hearing so many versions of Higher Truth which differ from one another, yet each one seems to have merit? Answer by Romapada Swami: The following verse was spoken by Yudhiñöhira Mahäräja in the Mahäbhärata, Vana-pärva (313.117), in response to a question presented The post Digest 00794: How to identify the Truth and the process to attain it, despite hearing so many versions of Higher Truth? first appeared on Questions and Answers with Romapada Swami.
Question 1: Those who merge into Brahman do not lose their identity; will they have a particular type of body, or will they remain there without a body? Answer by Romapada Swami: Identity of each soul is not to be understood in relation to the body. True identity has everything to do with a spirit The post Digest 00793: Please help me by clearing doubts around merging into Brahman? first appeared on Questions and Answers with Romapada Swami.
Question: After recognizing my inbred conditioning of competitiveness, how to overcome it? Answer by Romapada Swami: BG 13.11 mayi cananya-yogena bhaktir avyabhicarini “Constant and unalloyed devotion to Me” is the sole quality specifically for the devotee. All other qualities come to a devotee who exclusively endeavors for constant, unalloyed devotion. (VCT) The post Digest 00792: How to overcome my inbred conditioning of competitiveness? first appeared on Questions and Answers with Romapada Swami.
Question: It is very easy to respect seniors and deal with Juniors; in a way, most of the problems come when dealing with equals or peer devotees. Could you please advise some guidelines or principles so that I can start somewhere? Answer by Romapada Swami: Srila Prabhupada has established in ISKCON a culture of relationships, The post Digest 00790: Could you please advise some guidelines when dealing with equals or peer devotees? first appeared on Questions and Answers with Romapada Swami.
SoundCloud
SB 2.3.12, Mar 26 2024, AM, VA lecture by HH Romapada Swami Maharaj
Gaura Lila: Mahaprabhu's mercy upon King Prataprudra, Mar 24 2024, PM, MD lecture by HH Romapada Swami Maharaj
Gaura Lila: Loving exchange with Sanatana Goswami, Mar 23 2024, PM, MD lecture by HH Romapada Swami Maharaj
SB 2.3.11, Mar 22 2024, AM, VA lecture by HH Romapada Swami Maharaj
Talks on Gaura Lila Day 4, Mar 18 2024, PM, FL lecture by HH Romapada Swami Maharaj
Talks on Gaura Lila Day 3, Mar 17 2024, AM, FL lecture by HH Romapada Swami Maharaj
Talks on Gaura Lila Day 2 Part 2, Mar 16 2024, PM, FL lecture by HH Romapada Swami Maharaj
Talks on Gaura Lila Day 2 Part 1, Mar 16 2024, AM, FL lecture by HH Romapada Swami Maharaj
Talks on Gaura Lila Day 1, Mar 15 2024, PM, FL lecture by HH Romapada Swami Maharaj
Lecture on Shiv Ratri, Part 1, Mar 13 2024, PM, FL lecture by HH Romapada Swami Maharaj
Philosophy Points
Some philosophers say that because of the first living entity’s sin all the other living entities are imprisoned in the material world. Later, punishing Himself for their sins, God delivers the living entities. Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura “Thinking about the virtues and faults of this world, some moralistic monotheists concluded that this material world is not a place of unalloyed pleasures. Indeed, the sufferings outweigh the pleasures. They decided that the material world
Sri Caitanya-candrodaya by Kavi KarnapurChapter 10, Texts 279-284 Advaita: What more may You do to please Me? Lord, You have revealed the most confidential pastimes of Lord Krishna. You have crushed the age of Kali, and You have described the secret meaning of devotional service in pure love of Krishna. You have brought all auspiciousness to the devotees expert at relishing the mellows of transcendental
Krsna-teaches-a-parrot-to-recite-a-mantraDownload
Caitanya_Mahaprabhu_is_the_SPG_-_IntroDownload Caitanya_Mahaprabhu_is_the_SPG_-_scriptural_referencesDownload
BG-1.10Download
Spiritual Quotes
Always endeavour to not depart from the position of being the humble servant. This is my responsibility. Striving to be a humble servant unto Krishna and the Vaisnavas, is my responsibility. The post Romapada Swami on Building Character first appeared on Romapada Swami Quotes.
There must be proper knowledge, not just the intention. Good intention, if misdirected is going to make a mess. The post Romapada Swami on Knowledge first appeared on Romapada Swami Quotes.
Real love is otherworldly – Its happiness of Supreme Lord only, always, in all circumstances. The post Romapada Swami on Real Love first appeared on Romapada Swami Quotes.
Bhakti has the power to crush the seed of being that independent enjoyer. The post Romapada Swami on Bhakti first appeared on Romapada Swami Quotes.
Set your GPS for the right purpose, right destination & then apply yourself. The post Romapada Swami on Goal setting first appeared on Romapada Swami Quotes.
Romapada Swami has been a teacher, a guide, a father, a mentor and so much more, but most of all, a friend and someone who I can count on in even the hardest times of my life
- Sundari Radha Dasi, Chicago
I appreciate Romapada Swami's deep insights in the Vedic truths and how he conveys them with alacrity and humor.
- Nachi Lolla, Chicago
Before I met Romapada Swami, my idea of a swami was a person fixed in meditative serenity, free from any disease and apparent emotion. By coming in touch with the practicing master, along with his sharing of his invaluable time and energy, enthusiasm, and determination, prepared me for the good fortune of understanding and living the true spiritual life, which cannot be achieved by any amount of effort on my own.
- Wang, Yanying 王妍莺, Ph.D.
The topic of Gratitude has helped me to appreciate each person who helped me to become the person I am today. I have started recognizing that Krishna has always been merciful to me, though I am without any qualification. The talk on "Your Ever Well-wisher" helped me to prioritize my devotional life as the most important part of my life.
- Vidhyasaran Pothnedi, New York
In 1989, Romapada Swami wrote to me: Taking responsibility means taking headaches for Krsna. One can try to avoid such headaches and live a sublime life of ease and peaceful tranquility. However, both sastras [scriptures] and realized personalities tell us that the real position of happiness is to see Krsna’s happiness first.
- Subala Das, Chicago
Romapada Swami, Guru Maharaja, is tirelessly traveling all over to pass on the legacy of “gratitude rooted in the gift of Nama Prabhu, Srimad Bhagavatam, and the Guru Parampara,” without which ISKCON would not survive let alone thrive. This strategic empowerment especially enables the youth to make wise decisions in life so that they can practice and pass on Krishna consciousness to future generations.
- Hrsta Devi Dasi, New Jersey