Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; February 23, 2025: Comparing Apples to Grains

Questions on today’s Swami call:

0:00 It is said that the role of the guru is to correct us, but a guru should also be free from the propensity to criticize. Is this a contradiction?

35:06 (Comment from Sajjan das regarding affection and criticism)

37:36 Do you think that it should be specified at initiation what the format will be for further instruction from the guru?

40:27 (Comment from Gokulacandra das regarding sweet and bitter medicine)

43:38 Is the story of Srila Rupa Goswami chastising Srila Jiva Goswami relevant to us as sadhakas?

50:50 If we do not understand the instruction of the guru, would you recommend to sit with the unknown and discomfort and have trust that acceptance will eventually come by practice?

56:10 I have heard that one can take birth on Sri Krishna’s planet, Goloka, by accumulating good karma. What happens there?

1:00:29 What is the relation of the rasa of fear (bhayanaka-rasa) to madhura-rasa?

1:02:45 Dandavat pranams, Guru Maharaja. Can you explain the concept of eligibility (adhikara) for study and practice of Gaudiya Vaishnavism?

1:09:03 Jaya, Guru Maharaja. I hope you are well. I have a concern about associating with devotees. Sometimes I experience that associating with other devotees simply turns into gossip and criticism. Is it better to try and find just a few like-minded devotees to associate with rather than a big community?