Q. I recently received a transcription of the Q/A portion of a lecture you had given on the teachings Bhismadeva from Chapter 9 of Canto 1. After posting that text (below), I would like to present to you a follow-up question on this subject.

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From a lecture by HH Romapada Swami on 'Srimad Bhagavatam 1.9.12-24' titled 'Teaching of Bhismadeva Part 3'

Q. In his purport to BG 2.27 Srila Prabhupada discusses that Arjuna had no reason to lament the results of discharging his Ksatriya duties because the Battle of Kuruksetra was inevitable and duties must be properly discharged even in such unfortunate circumstances. 

Q. 1. As advised by you I read BG 2.56 and 4.10. I now understand how attachment, fear and anger can prevent us from moving forward on this path. In my own case I have great fear of losing what I have if I take this path. I feel that I have worked hard for getting whatever I have and I will lose it all on this path. I guess I have taken shelter of whatever fruits I have obtained through my hardwork.  I did not have this fear earlier, I feel it only now.

Q. According to Achintya Bheda Abheda Tattva we are qualitatively one but quantitatively different. At the same time we say Lord Krishna has 64 qualities, Lord Narayana has 60 qualities and Jivas have 55. These two statements seems to be contradictory. If we are qualitatively one, why we don’t we have 64 qualities?

These 64 "qualities" are not the qualities that are being referred to in acintya bhedabheda tattva. The qualities being referred to are knowledge and bliss from the sat cit ananda features of both the soul and Krishna.

These 64 "qualities" are quite different, in that they are His personal characteristics.

Q. 1. Since free will is operating with every soul's choices, how is Paramatma's guidance operative in relationship to this free will?

Q. 2. Another dimension is this: Sri Isopanisad says every other choice other than Krishna's will, is degrading. So how can we exercise a free will choice that is within the realm of non-maya, or the spiritual realm -- that may not be a predetermined choice?

Q. Does Krishna have a very specific plan for each living entity, and deviating from this plan causes one to be in maya?  I'm wondering mainly whether it's a very specific plan, all mapped out, with every other path being maya, and we do best by trying to discern it and adhere to it, or are there a few options?

Q. What is the gait/qualities of true humbleness in a devotee? I am told to be careful not to be pretending to be humble, but be truly humble. (I am told) not to act until then but to be myself. I struggle with this because unless I start being humble in my mind and action how can I really achieve true humbleness?

Is my behavior/attempt to learn to be humble a pretension? How would one cultivate the true nature of being humble at heart?

Q. From the beginning on, I have been completely unable to fit in with the devotees. The major issue seems to be my lack of faith or confidence in the process, and the devotees do not seem to tolerate that. For the most part at the nama-hatta, nobody speaks to me at all, and if they do, it is usually in a patronizing, condescending tone. Unless I initiate a conversation, barely anyone ever talks to me. I therefore feel like I am merely an impostor and that they would rather see I wouldn't be there at all.

Q. My daughter who is in 9th grade has fear of exams. As her mother, how can I help her relax?

The best and most long-lasting help you can give your daughter is to help create a God-centered loving atmosphere at home which is founded on a lifestyle in the mode-of-goodness (sattva guna). This will not only address her fear of exams, but help her form strong character that will enable her to face any situation in life.

Q. I have always appreciated the morality in the four regulative principles, but I have not always kept them. I like the scriptures and I like studying them. I like the idea of chanting and devotional service. But for me, the chanting itself is often an absurd exercise in futility. Some days, I chant 16 rounds, some days none.

I like the idea of offering food before eating it. But for me, when I do it, it usually feels like a silly game, as if I would be playing with a children's toy tea set. I don't mean to be disrespectful when I am saying this, this is just how it feels for me.