Inquiry Type: Practical

Q. In recent Bhakti Vriksha meetings, some of my previous understandings of the Trimurthy Concept and Dasa-avataras has been changed significantly and this has prompted me to study the structure of Indian Philosophies and inquire into the various schools of thought to understand objectively the different philosophical traditions or sampradayas and their teachings. Is this inquiry wrong?

Q. While practicing Krishna consciousness, sometimes I am very enthusiastic and sometimes I feel very morose. The cause for being morose is not being able to see any change in my attitude. Please help me.

Q. As a householder we do not have to give up our job, but change our consciousness in doing it. One way of doing it is to donate a portion of the income coming from the job for Lord Shri Krishna's service and use the rest to maintain and raise the family in Krishna consciousness.

Q. It was also said that "What we think about ourselves (aham) is a measure of how humble we are". Is it correct to extrapolate it a little by thinking that "What/how much we know about Krishna determines our humbleness"? The more we know/feel the all-merciful, all-loving, all-attractive, all- beautiful and compassionate nature of Krishna, the more we are humbled?

Q. 1. How to recognize a self-realized spiritual master and how to approach for spiritual initiation? It is said in Baghavad-gita that we must approach a bonafide spiritual master who has seen the truth. Now how is it possible for a candidate to identify the person who has seen the truth?

One of the primary characteristics of a bona fide spiritual master is that such a guru himself belongs to a bona fide disciplic succession, beginning from the Supreme Lord Himself, and is authorized to perform the service of a spiritual master.

Q. Can somebody act like a guru without actually initiating somebody. In the sense I accept somebody as my guru and follow his instructions. And when I am able to fully follow all his instructions take initiation?

Q. What is praying? Why do we have to pray? When should we pray? How should we pray?

Prayer is an address to a superior in supplication. Of all those who are worshipable, the Personality of Godhead is the most worthy object of one's prayers, and so are His pure devotees who are His direct and confidential representatives.

Q. What qualifies one for devotional service and what are the practical means by which perfection in devotion may be achieved?

Nectar of Devotion describes that even if one is not in a perfectly purified condition, contact with a pure devotee, and an unflinching attraction for Krishna are preliminary qualifications that make one eligible for devotional service.

Q. My question is very simple, yet very much related to my progress in devotional service. Everyday I get up at 4 a.m., chant my rounds and hear lecture. But in the day time I cannot resist my tendency to sleep. Every time I make a commitment but fail. How can I avoid sleeping in the day time?

Q. I am getting married and I would like to know how to control my sexual feelings as a vaishnava. Will Krishna be angry with me if I chant and my wife does not want to chant?

For a vaishnava, married life is an opportunity for cultivation of spiritual values. Take up the responsibility of marriage in a mood of service to another soul, a devotee of Krishna, a vaishnava. This quality, when cultivated over some time, will lift you above rajo-guna, and the mood of being the enjoyer.