An Historical Account
A detailed and nectarean account of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's long-standing relationship with both his sannyasa-guru, Srila Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami, and Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja.

We trust various persons of authority to infrom us about material subject matters, but whom shall we trust in regard to transcendental subject matters and the transcendental world? We cannot experience transcendence with any of our material senses. How then, can we have an idea of that pure reality? We can see the body, but not the soul. How can we verify that there is a soul beyond matter? Though God is everywhere, we don’t see Him. How then, can we determine who is God? Although it is evident that we cannot control the world, how can we trust that there is a God from whom this creation has come, and how can we be confident that it is He who controls it? Millions of people are born daily, and millions also die. Who controls this overwhelming tide of birth and death? Sea waves come on schedule, the sun appears on schedule, and new days come with continuous regularity. We do not control those rhythms, yet somehow, everything is maintained.

Gopi-gita is part of rasa-panca-adhyayi, the five chapters of Srimand Bhagavatam that relate rasa-lila. The body has five kinds of life-airs (panca-prana) residing in the heart, and among these five, one is most vital. The twelve cantos of  Srimad-Bhägavatam are likened to twelve parts of a body. The tenth canto is the heart of that body. Within that heart, the five chapters that constitute räsa-panca-adhyäyi  are its five life-airs, and among them, Gopi-gita is the foremost.
We begin our discussion of Gopi-gita by remembering the chapter in Srimad- Bhägavatam that describes the gopis' worship of the goddess Kätyäyani-devi to attain Krsna as their husband...

Sri Raya Ramananda Samvada (the conversation between Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Raya Ramananda) is one of the most shining treasures within the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, written by Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja. Indeed, it is like the Kaustubha-mani, the most brilliant jewel adorning the neck of Sri Krsna Himself. Sri Caitanya-caritamrta is a most unprecedented, gem-like literature containing the siddhanta (trancendental conclusions) of pure devotion. With regards to this, the most repected Srila Narottama dasa Thakura has written the following:

"Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja is an exceptionally high-calss devotional poet. He is also bhavuka, one who is immersed in experiencing the more elevated expressions of divine love. He has composed the unprecedented sacred texts, Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, which describes the pastimes of Sri Gauranga, and Sri Govinda-lilamrta, which depticts the pastimes of Sri Govinda. Both of these books, being cron jewels of trancendental literature, are the best of all contributions."

In this book Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura, describes the secret glories of Sri  Navadvipa-dhama that had been hidden by Maya-devi during Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu manifest pastimes.

"Although I am lowly and insignificant, I have described Sri Navadvipa-dhama, only on the order of Sri Nityananda Prabhu and Sri Jahnava-devi."

"It is the verdict of the scriptures that by deliberating on this book at the time of doing parikrama, the benefit one receives increases a hundred-fold."

This book is unique and very significant. It presents for the Western readers the life, teachings, activities, and interactions of a deeply realized recent acarya in a Gaudiya Vaisnava culture.  We are privileged to witness through this book the guru-disciple relationship in a line of empowered acaryas, and to see a variety of expressions of guru-nistha.

This is the 1st edition in pdf format. The table of contents is missing.  The 2nd edition should be availalbe after Kartik 2010, so please check back.

From the ancient Vedic scriptures of India comes the famous epic of Prince Prahlad.

In a previous era - long, long ago - there was an evil monarch named Hiranya-kashipu, who succeeded in seizing control of the entire universe. He was extremely cruel, and due to his darkened heart he made life impossible for everyone - from animals to demigods. Only his son Prahlad, who was always absorbed in meditating on the Lord, remained undisturbed by his father's reign of terror. Seeing the boy's natural predilection for spiritual life, and thus taking him as an archenemy, he tried to kill his own child, but was unsuccessful every time.

Through his resolute faith and constant meditation, the young prince conquered fear and remained untouched by death. By following Prahlads's teachings, one can become fearless pure devotee of the Lord.