The nature of God

Is God Selfish for Demanding Worship?

Is God selfish for demanding worship? Learn why His call to surrender is not ego, but a merciful invitation to the only true source of bliss in a dry world.

Essentials

How to Practice Daily Devotion

Discover a gentle guide to Sadhana. Learn how to practice Roopadhyana and Karm Yoga to stay connected to Shri Radha Krishna throughout your busy day.

Forms of God and Descensions

Is God One or Many? The Great Hindu Mystery Solved

Is God one or many? Discover why Ram, Krishna, and Vishnu are all called Bhagavan. Learn about the 3 aspects of Truth: Brahma, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān.

Forms of God and Descensions

Demystifying the Diverse Roop of God

One Actor, Infinite Roles Have you ever wondered why the Supreme Lord appears in so many different ways? Sometimes He is the playful cowherd in Vrindavan, other times the majestic King of Dwarika, or even the white-complexioned Balarama. Are these different Gods, or just different "costumes" of the

Forms of God and Descensions

Infinite Forms, One Purpose

Vedic scriptures reveal Avatars are infinite. From Aveshavatar to Purnatam, discover how God descends to Earth to facilitate the deepest Divine Love.

The nature of God

Bhaktvashya Shri Krishna

What is Krishna's greatest quality? Discover "Bhaktvashya"—the divine attribute where the Supreme Lord allows Himself to be enslaved by the selfless love of His devotees.

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

parinamvaad | परिणामवाद

Parinamavada (Devanagari: परिणामवाद; ISO 15919: pariṇāmavāda) refers to the doctrine of Actual Transformation. Often discussed in Vedantic philosophy alongside Advaita Vedanta, this theory proposes that Brahm (God) literally transformed Himself to become the material world. The Milk Analogy This concept is illustrated using the example of milk

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

Chaturyuga | चतुर्युग

Chaturyuga (Devanagari: चतुर्युग; ISO 15919: caturyuga) refers to the Cycle of Four Ages. It represents one cycle of cosmic time, comprising four distinct eras that rotate in a specific order. The duration and virtue of each age decline in a mathematical ratio of 4:3:2:1,

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

Akshaypatra | अक्षयपात्र

Akshaypatra (Devanagari: अक्षयपात्र; ISO 15919: akṣayapātra) refers to the inexhaustible vessel or divine bowl. The term is derived from Akshaya (undecaying/inexhaustible) and Patra (vessel). In the Mahabharata, this vessel was gifted by the Sun God (Surya) to the Pandavas during their exile. It provided an unlimited

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

saam sangeet | साम संगीत

This Samaveda Veda defines the samsangeet (Devanagari: साम संगीत ISO15919: sāma saṁgīta). Each Veda mantra it set to precise tonal accents called svara (Devanagari: स्वर ISO15919: svara). These are used to preserve the correct pronunciation and intonation. These are crucial in Vedic chanting to maintain the

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Sanyasi—Renunciate

Sannyasi (Devanagari: संन्यासी; ISO 15919: saṁnyāsī) refers to a renunciant or monk who has completely abandoned material attachments to pursue God-realization, typically living a life of celibacy. Eligibility and Warning Scriptural law states that anyone, regardless of age or caste, may renounce their worldly duties the moment

In Depth - Bhakti Vocabulary

Shmashan Vairagya — Temporary Detachment

Shmashana Vairagya (cremation-ground renunciation) is a temporary detachment witnessed at funerals. This fleeting realization of impermanence vanishes, continuing the cycle of material attachment.

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

dinata | दीनता

Dinata (Devanagari: दीनता; ISO 15919: dīnatā) signifies extreme humility or a sense of spiritual destitution. The Reality of Dependence The jiva (soul) derives its consciousness entirely from God. It is through His power that the soul thinks, decides, acts, and even breathes. The very food essential for survival is

svakiya bhav | स्वकीया भाव

See parakiya bhav

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

Yogakshem | योगक्षेम

Yogakshem (Devanagari: योगक्षेम, ISO 15919: yōgakṣēma) is a compound Sanskrit term for comprehensive welfare, encompassing two responsibilities: ComponentMeaningYoga (योग, yōga)Granting: To give what has not yet been given.Kṣema (क्षेम, kṣēma)Protection: To protect what has already been given. The Two Tiers of

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

Manasi Murti | मानसी मूर्ति​​

Manasi Murti (मानसी मूर्ति): Mental visualization of God's form. This superior practice attaches the mind directly to the Divine—the fastest path to God-realization!

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

gandharva | गंधर्व

gandharva (Devanagari: गंधर्व ; ISO 15919: gandharva) are celestial musicians who entertain the devatas (gods) with their music. Their primary abodes are known as Manushya Gandharva Loka and Deva Gandharva Loka. Further Reading and Reference * Related Concepts: Worldly Bliss, Tritaap — Three Sufferings, Types of life forms, Pancha Mahabhoot -

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

mriga | मृग​

The mriga (Devanagari: मृग ; ISO 15919: mr̥ga), or deer, is an animal celebrated in Indian poetry for its large and gentle eyes. Further Reading and Reference * Related Concepts: papiha, charkvak, chakor * Reference: Prema Rasa Madira - The Intoxicating Bliss of Divine Love, Vol. 1, Ch. 7

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

deviloka | देवीलोक

deviloka (Devanagari: देवीलोक; ISO 15919: dēvīlōka) is divine abode of Mother Durga, located in Paravyom. Further Reading and Reference * Related Concepts: devalok

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

anjan | अंजन

In Ayurveda anjan (Devanagari: अंजन ; ISO 15919: añjana) are eye ointments or salves used for treating eye diseases, such as cataracts. It is also a powerful metaphor for the Divine, especially in Bhakti poetry. Shri Krishna is referred to as anjan of gopis eyes. This means He has eternally

Surrender

bhakt | भक्त

One who has attained the power of bhakti is called a bhakt (Devanagari: भक्त; ISO 15919: bhakta). This term is also used more broadly for anyone who intensely adores something or someone, e.g., one who loves money is often referred to as a "bhakt of wealth."

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

chandrika | चंद्रिका

chandrika (Devanagari: चंद्रिका; ISO 15919: candrikā) is the crescent-shaped decorations on a crown. Further Reading and Reference * Related Concepts: besar, pattika, karnaphool, Uniqueness of Shri Krishna's divine form * Reference: Prema Rasa Madira - The Intoxicating Bliss of Divine Love, Vol. 2 Ch. 10

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

abira |अबीर

abir (Devanagari: अबीर; ISO15919: abīra) is a fine texture coloured powder used for playing Holi festival. Also written as: abir, abeer REFERENCE Prema Rasa Madira - The Intoxicating Bliss of Divine Love, Ch. 18

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

Pranipaat | प्रणिपात

Pranipaat is superlative spiritual form of the initial act of paat, representing a distinct hierarcy in humility and surrender to your Guru. 1. Paat (Devanagari: पात ISO15919: pāta) - a sign of physical humility, but the mind lacks true feeling of submission. 2. Nipaat (Devanagari: निपात ISO15919:

Bhakti Siddhant Glossary

Puranas | पुराण

Like the Vedas, Puranas (Devanagari: पुराण ISO15919: purāṇa ) are also eternal scriptures. They convey the knowledge of the Vedas through stories that highlight universal values, such as non-violence, charity, penance, compassions, and so on. Puranas have 1 Billion hymns. In Kaliyug people don't have a vast