Sampradaya or Disciplic Succession: Hearing in Disciplic Succession

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. Why is Krishna's body (Krishna) bluish-blackish?

We often get these sorts of questions and the answer generally given is "Well, He's God, therefore He can be any color He wants to be." But this isn't so satisfying. With the same logic, the question "Why does Krishna descend to the material world?" could be answered "Well, He's God, therefore He can go anywhere He wants to go." I doubt that answer is going to take us back to Godhead since Krishna gives us the promise that one who understands His appearance and activities will never take birth again. (BG 4.9)

Q. Based on the story of Vyasadeva running after his son, Sukadeva Goswami, some people I know argue that Vyasadeva is not perfect and hence the Vedas composed by Him may not be perfect. Please shed some light on this story and how it relates to Vyasadeva's qualification for writing the Vedas.

Q. 1. How do we know if God is real?

One way we can come to understand or verify the existence of God is simply by studying the meticulous organization of this universe and all the things happening around us. There is such precise design, order and control in the way everything in nature functions, from the gigantic planetary movements down to the intricate workings of a cell. Is it not illogical to propose that this vast universe is conducted so meticulously just by chance and for no purpose?

Q. I am a confused man, with lots of worries. I always hear Shri Ramesh Oza, and Pujya Morari Bapu, on cassettes. The time I hear I get emotional and happy. Next day I forget everything I heard, and the same routine continues.

Please help me and tell me what I should do. I want to get deeper in to this. Your reply (in simple English) will be a utmost help to my soul.

Q. I'd like to know something about Vedic knowledge: specifically about categories of Sabda, Pratyaksha and Anumana. Can you tell me what do they mean?

Srila Prabhupada explains these three methods of acquiring knowledge in his Sri Isopanishad, Introduction:

Q. 1. There are still people (at least in India) who believe God is impersonal and say that devotion is just a stepping stone for realizing the Supreme Truth which they say is actually impersonal.

Q. 1. I have a question regarding a statement I heard in the past and remembered recently:

Q. Lord Vishnu incarnated as Buddha and preached voidism. Lord Siva appeared as Sankaracarya and preached impersonalism. Why are there different and deliberate attempts to confuse people by preaching false beliefs when they are already struggling with Maya?

Whatever the Supreme Lord does is all-merciful, even if we may not initially understand how it is so. By hearing from His authorized representatives we can begin to understand His mercy.

Q. 1. How do I make sure that my gratitude for my spiritual master and those guiding me day-by-day in my spiritual life keeps on increasing, and does not become interrupted?

Below is an answer I gave to a similar question asked by someone else about hearing from a single source.

Digest 227