Podcast · Devotional & Spiritual

Swami B. V. Tripurari

by Swami B. V. Tripurari · English · Devotional & Spiritual

It is difficult to find someone from the West that both understands and can elegantly express the theory behind an Eastern mystical tradition. It is even more difficult to find a modern mystic. In Swami Tripurari we have both: a traditional mystic who can articulate the teachings of an ancient spiri

Typical length: 1 hr 2 min
Language: English

Latest episode

57 min

Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; September 20, 2026: The Kama-Gayatri Mantra Is About Passing Out

What should be our focus when we chant? How should we as Gaudiya Vaishnavas understand puranic stories that make it seem that forms of Sri Krishna and his associates are not eternal, and that some other form than Krishna's is his origin? Sometimes it is said that we must meditate on Sri Sri Radha Krishna embracing and kissing when we recite the Kama-gayatri. This makes me uncomfortable. What is your take on this? What is the significance of the fact that some guru-mantras start with the bija 'srim' and others with 'aim'? Did I understand you correctly that the puranic stories about Sri…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

1 hr 6 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; September 13, 2026: Spiritually Empowered Disciplic Succession
Do we need to understand the adhikara of others in order to relate to them properly? Is there a risk involved in assessing the adhikara of others, as we may make mistakes? Is it possible that Sri Krishna may put one in a position where one has to stand up for oneself, and that would be the humble thing to do? Do self-realized souls never make mistakes about material knowledge? Could self-realized souls be omniscient if they wanted to? Can you give some advice on what to tell my friends who have heard criticism from the Nityananda parivara about our lineage? In speaking how non-inherance…
1 hr 5 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; September 6, 2026: A Narrow Perspective Makes for a Narrow Path
In a recent lecture, you mentioned that for a devotee, the spiritual path is initially narrow and curved, but later becomes straight and broad. Could you kindly elaborate on this realisation and reveal the deeper meaning behind these stages of devotion? I've been greatly appreciative of the Q&A sessions and other classes of yours on YouTube and I am inspired to hear more and take shiksa from you. I am a member of ISKCON but I have a very broad minded Guru. I am interested in Raganuga Bhajan and feel especially attracted to Gaura Lila and Vraja Lila. Please let me know what you advise for…
1 hr 7 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; August 30, 2026: What's in a Name?
Pranama to Sri Sri Guru Gauranga and the devotees The questions in this session are the following: Does one have realize one's guru's siddha-deha before one can realize one's own, or vice versa? A couple weeks ago you mentioned that Srila Prabhupada once translated the Maha Mantra as "O my friend! O my friend!" I find this translation so sweet and charming and was wondering if there are any other lesser known translations that resonate with you that you could share? Also wondering what translations you find most effective when sharing with a diverse group of people with different faith…
1 hr 21 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; August 23, 2026: From Material Body to Practitioner's Body
Pranama to Sri Sri Guru Gauranga and the Vaishnavas The questions in this Swami call are the following: I heard you mentioning that at the time of initiation one's body is transformed in sadhaka-deha and is no longer material to a degree to which one is engaged in Bhakti. Is this statement actually about a theological aspect of initiation, or rather about a transformative nature of devotional service, or both? Dandavat Pranama Guru Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada said, initiation is a formality when one accepts a spiritual master. In that case at which moment does the transformation to sadhaka…
57 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; August 16, 2026: Connecting with the Sacredness of the World
Pranama to Sri Guru Gauranga and the Vaishnavas 🙏 The questions in this Swami call are the following: Should we make offerings to the deities according to the timings of Gaura- and Krishna-lila? What is the relationship between lust and envy? What readings do you recommend for studying what lilas Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Sri Radha Krishna are engaged in throughout the day? Do you have a favorite flower as they are described in the lila? Do you have any advice for those of us who feel disconnected from the sacredness of the natural world? Why did Srila Prabhupada choose to ride in…
57 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; August 9, 2026: The Maha Mantra and Patanjali's Meditation Practice
Question on today's Swami call: At the end of last Saturday's class, you spoke about the simplicity of Srila Bhaktikavi Atulananda Acarya Maharaj and about how this beautiful quality was so favorable to his devotional life, although it could sometimes be misunderstood by others. You also mentioned that perhaps you might speak a little more about this topic in today's class. If you consider it appropriate, we would be very grateful to hear more about it. Can we change our character traits through sadhana? Can nondevotees go to Vaikuntha? Is it possible to enter Goloka Vrindavan before one has…
1 hr 5 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; August 2, 2026: Life After the Guru's Departure
Questions on today's Swami call: Some time ago, I asked Srila Gurudeva Atulananda: "If you are no longer physically present, in whom may I take refuge?" He had previously told me that Srila Tripurari Maharaja was a vast source from which bhakti flowed; he reminded me of that conversation and repeated that I could take refuge in you. What must I do so you accept me? Pranams Guru Maharaj. When Raghunath Das Goswami's Gurudev left, he expressed how much separation he felt to say in his sloka, "I have come to Vrindavan, but in separation from my Guru I see Govardhan is like a tiger coming to eat…
1 hr 3 min
The departurte of the spiritual master - Special Q&A session August 1st, 2026
During this special Q&A session on the departure of the spiritual master, the following questions were asked: After the passing of our guru, what do we need to feel to completely accept a shiksha-guru as the same with our gurudeva? Is the relationship one of complete surrender or rather distant? Will we be ready someday? "Could you guide us on how to understand the spiritual perfection and eternal service of our gurudeva after his departure? Is it right for his disciples to try to know his eternal spiritual identity, or is it better to focus on serving his teachings and following his…
58 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; July 26, 2026: The Sanskrit Names of Bhagavan and His Associates
Questions on today's Swami call: In Circle of Friends, on page 301, Krsna is absent from Vraja, appearing as if a *sphurti - a hallucination. it is written that Yasoda’s experience of Krsna in dreams while separated was actual. “Indeed, he said he was eating her cooking daily” meaning that in the dreams he was eating it. Is this the same way a Murti of Sri Krsna eats Mahaprasadam? What does the 'Sri' in 'Sri Guru' refer to? I have recently translated the Sanga "Santa -Rasa in Vraja" (from April 2nd 2006). In the last paragraph of the text, you write: "Great devotees view the world through…
1 hr 2 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; July 12, 2026: The Passing of Srila Bhaktikavi Atulananda Maharaja
Questions on today's Swami call: Dear Maharaj, please accept my most humble obeisances. As you know our dearest Sripad Gurudeva Atulananda left this world for the eternal past times in Goloka Vrindavan, leaving his disciples heartbroken by the separation. I am trying to navigate this situation where I feel completely lonely and lost without my beloved spiritual master. I turn to you with humility and sincerity since I know how deeply Gurudeva loved you and your instructions are the most valuable jewels we can receive. Please instruct us how to move on with the physical absence by our Guru,…
47 min
Swami Tripurari Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; June 21, 2026: The Pastimes of Sri Nimai Pandit
Questions on today's Swami call: In one of your classes, you mentioned that Bhaktivinoda Thakur sent letters to Western scholars in an effort to draw their attention to his ideas. You also said that finding those letters would be a real gem. Were those letters ever found? If so, could you share a little about them? Gurumaharaj, during the years I lived in Mayapur, a question repeatedly arose in my heart. I have always been fascinated by how the spiritual atmosphere of Vṛndāvana, centered on Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, came to take root and flourish so deeply in Bengal, a land with such a distinct…
1 hr 1 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; June 14, 2026: The Awakening of Bhakti
Questions on today’s Swami call: Dandavats, Guru Maharaja. Please accept my humble obeisances. I have a question that has been on my mind. If Mahāprabhu spent much of His early life as Nimāi Paṇḍita, deeply engaged in nyāya, grammar, and scholarship in Navadvīpa, what was the transformative element in His meeting with Īśvara Purī that brought forth such profound ecstatic devotion? More specifically, what was present in Īśvara Purī—and in the line of Śrī Mādhavendra Purī—that revealed and nourished the intimate mood of Vraja within Mahāprabhu's līlā? I would be very grateful to hear your…
1 hr 3 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; June 7, 2026: When Is the Right Time for Initiation?
Questions on today's Swami call: Dandavat Pranams Guru Maharaja! Recently I came across Guru Gita from the Skanda Purana, and it made me wonder if we have any such texts in our tradition that comprehensively speak of the Glories of Sri Guru and explain the Guru Tattva that practitioners can read and meditate upon. There is this discussion in Jaiva Dharma, chapter 9, that confuses me: Adwaita dasa says: " You have said that śakti is the embodiment of consciousness, that it possesses will, and that it is beyond the influence of the three qualities of material nature. This is correct, but only…
1 hr 9 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; May 31, 2026: Assisted Dying in Gaudiya Vaishnavism
Questions on today's Swami call: My question is a bit strange: what should one do in case onebecomes a target of an "attack" by someone who can utilize spirits/ghost entities or some kind of energetic influence or spells? I remember Bhaktivinoda Thakur used to read the Bhagavatam when he was attacked by the mistik who pretended to be Bhagavan. But for one whois far less eligible than Bhaktivinoda Thakur, what should one do? I recently listened to a devotee podcast called „Nectar Talks“ (from Alachua) where mother Vegavati dasi mentioned that, back in the day, a Mexican-born devotee named…
1 hr 4 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; May 24, 2026: The Colors of Sri Krishna and His Feelings
Questions on today's Swami call: Jay Sri Radhe most respected dear Swamiji, deeply grateful to be able to reconnect with YOU like this. U might remember me under the NAME of MALATI. Much of the FAITH & STRENGH 4 BHAKTI YOU did implant into my SOUL - many years ago. I still remember WORD by WORD many of the Secrets & Divine treasures u told me 1993 in VRINDAVAN. My question please: HOW would u explain/ combine / see the DIFFERENT ASPECTS of the DIVINE FEMALE like DEVI LAKSMI, DEVI SARASVATI, DEVI DURGA, PARVATI, MAHA KALI DEVI in contest with SRI RADHA in terms of TATTVA & RASA please???…
58 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; May 17, 2026: Overlapping Ideals in the Spiritual World
Dear Guru Maharaja, is it possibly an upset for Radharani to have Sri placed next to Krsna? Are interfaith relations ultimately not meant to last, since the practitioners will attain different goals? Where in Bhaktivinoda Thakura's writings are the theological points of Christianity and Vaishnavism you spoke of found in, Guru Maharaja? Guru Maharaja mentioned recently that he says special prayers after waking up. If they are not something secret, could he share them with us, please? Are lilas that constitute the goal of different traditions sometimes overlapping? Maybe I'm not remembering…
1 hr
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; May 10, 2026: The Mother Is the First Guru
Questions on today’s Swami Call: Bhaktivedanta Swami in his purport says in his purport to Bhagavad Gita 10.38: "Among the confidential activities of hearing, thinking and meditating, silence is most important because by silence one can make progress very quickly." These words sound very inspiring, could you comment on this? Dandavats, dear Guru Maharaja. I have a question about the theodicy problem: Can the suffering of this world be justified by Krishna's need to engage maya shakti if the very existence of maya shakti is itself an expression of His will? Good morning, Guru Maharaja. If…
1 hr 2 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; May 3, 2026: The Passing of Sriman Agnideva Prabhu
Can you share something about your relationship with Agnideva Prabhu who passed away recently? What is the role of reason in the life of faith? Dandavats Guru Maharaja. I want to know what how you felt after Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance. What did you think to be the right succession of leadership in Iskcon? Did the eleven zonal acharyas/gurus appoint themselves or were they chosen by Prabhupada or the GBC? And have you had the opportunity to read the room conversation from may 28and the July 9 letter about the appointment of the 11 ritviks by Prabhupada? Radhe Radhe! Please accept my…
1 hr 1 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Q&A; April 26, 2026: The Gopis and Their Husbands All Belong to Sri Krishna
Questions on today’s Swami Call: If Krishna's marriage to Radha and the young gopis happens during the gopi vasta harana lila, and is a legitimate form of marriage, then it seems the gopis' subsequent marriages to their "husbands" would be parakiya and their relationships to Krishna would be svakiya. Jiva Goswami says so I believe. Is this correct? Is this another case of wonderful inconceivable simultaneous difference and non-difference? Also, if all the young gopis are expansions of Srimati Radharani and all their "husbands" expansions of Krishna, or at least his parshads, may we think (as…
1 hr
Swami B. V. Tripurari Q&A; April, 19 2026: Sri Gadadhara, the Best Friend of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
Questions on today's Swami Call: Hare Krishna, Guru Maharaja. Dandavat pranams. Is it okay to read the Sri Caitanya-Caritamta before completing the Srimad Bhagavatam? Also, what is your favorite book? As Sri Krishna's mercy flows downward reaches the lowest places, is the best way to attain his mercy to lower and humble ourselves? Does the topic of mercy and effort relate to the Bhagavad-gita verse where Sri Krishna says he is the source of both remembrance and forgetfulness? Srila Sridhara Maharaja said, "Gadadhar Das represents the halo of Radharani, but Gadadhar Pandit represents Her…
47 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; April 12, 2026: Sri Krishna's Mercy and Our Effort
Questions on today's Swami Call: When our mind is filled with bhakti, are we connecting directly with Sri Krishna? How do we figure out what seva to offer if we are not aware of our gifts? Or if we have an idea of what our gifts are, how can we overcome our fear that by expressing them we may be seen as not humble? How should we understand the phrase "Krishna will provide"? Does the form of Lord Jagannatha correspond with Sri Krishna meeting Srimati Radharani at Kurukshetra? What does it mean that goptrtve-varanam is the angi of saranagati? How can we honor all that bhakti has done for us…
1 hr 22 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; March 15, 2026: Not All Statements of Scripture Are Equal
Questions on today's Swami call: How to hear the caitya-guru before we have reached higher stages of bhakti? Are there any contemporary sadhus that you would recommend hearing from? What is the difference between Dvaraka bhava and Mathura bhava? If Sri Krishna is supposed to be humanlike, why did he mature faster than normal? Why do some devotees in the Brhad-Bhagavatamta say that they have not received any mercy? Is there evil according to Gaudiya Vaishnavism? Will sincere engagement in karma- or jnana-yoga lead to bhakti? Can you explain the sruti smrti puranadi verse in relation to…
1 hr 9 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; March 8, 2026: How Can I Become Sincere?
Questions on today's Swami call: Dear Guru Maharaja, how can learn to see the good qualities in others like you do instead of getting stuck on bad qualities that I perceive If one does the heavy lifting of overcoming a bad tendency in this life, will one be reborn without that tendency in the next life? What is the role of constructive criticism in Gaudiya Vaishnavism? Dandavats Guru Maharaja. How can a person leave the plane of tama-guna? What are your thoughts on focusing on sastra and not look elsewhere for answers in our spiritual development? Is gratitude part of bhakti-rasa? Dear Swami…
1 hr 10 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; March 1, 2026: Having a Soul and Being a Soul (Vyasa Puja 2026)
Questions on today's Swami call: Is the limb of saranagati called atma-niksepa the same as the limb of bhakti called atma-nivedanam? Could the idea that bhakti is not inherent cause the problem of thinking that one has to go to a different guru if one does feel they are making progress? Is it correct that the svarupa-sakti in the jiva is minute and needs stronger
1 hr 9 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; February 22, 2026: Varnasrama and Bhakti
Questions on today’s Swami call: The Narada Bhakti Sutra offers different definitions of bhakti. How would you define bhakti? Comment: It appears that Bhagavad-gita 10.10 goes well with the emphasis of the Bhaktivinoda parivara that everything will be revealed from within in due course of our practice.XXX What is the role of varnasrama in the practice of bhakti? What do you think of attempts among devotees to modernize varnasrama dharma? Comment: Alex O’Connor, a famous atheist, is becoming interested in advaita vedanta. What is the difference between buddhi yoga and bhakti yoga? What is the…
1 hr 2 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; February 15, 2026: Read Sequentially Until You Get Stuck
Questions on today’s Swami call: There is a song that is said to be written by Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura, the translation of which mentions Nityananda Prabhu dancing with sakhis. What should we make of this? Why did Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu show his sadbhuja form to Sri Nityananda Prabhu? Is there any worship of Sri Sadbhuja Gauranga in the Bhaktivinoda parivara? Pranams, dear Guru Maharaja. Is the vanaprastha ashram a part of our lineage? What are your thoughts on lab-produced meat? What role do stories from the oral tradition play in our lineage? As tomorrow is Siva-ratri, could you share…
47 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; February 1, 2026: Can Prayer Change the Fate of the World?
Questions on today's Swami call: Does Sri Krishna ever jokingly encourage his gopa friends to unite with gopis? Hare Krishna! Dandavats, Guru Maharaja. If calamity is predicted in scripture, is there any point in praying for the world? Why did Lord Krishna create the yugas? Are the secondary rasas more prominent in the material world? Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says that adept sadhakas can advance faster. What is the crucial difference between an adept and a non-adept sadhaka? If one has rejected one's guru and entire devotional life and later wants to come back to the path, can one keep…
1 hr 2 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; January 25, 2026: Invest in the Timeless
Questions on today's Swami call: How can one carry the environment of the dhama with one when leaving after a visit? Are we practicing raganuga-bhakti before we attain ruci? Are the terms aparoksa/paroksa synonymous with jnana/vijnana? Could you share something about your experience in leaving Iskcon? When external circumstances keep me from doing my desired amount of book distribution seva, I feel unproductive and depressed. Is that a bad or a good thing? Also, could you share any advice on distributing books in 2026? Could you share something about Sri Advaita Acarya today on his…
1 hr 1 min
Swami B. V. Tripurari Live Q&A; January 18, 2026: Experiential Realization and Scriptural Authority
Questions on today's Swami call: If I made a commitment to be patient and kind, would it be okay to detach from this commitment in extenuating circumstances? How can I avoid offering too ordinary prayers to Sri Krishna rather than dignified prayers? Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's associate Kalidas would accept maha-prasadam from everyone without considering their level of advancement. I myself find it difficult to accept maha-prasadam from anyone, even from advanced devotees. What principle is being taught through the story of Kalidas, and how can I overcome my mental block? Have you ever had to…

About Swami B. V. Tripurari

Swami B. V. Tripurari is a English devotional & spiritual podcast from Swami B. V. Tripurari. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Swami B. V. Tripurari
Language: English
Category: Devotional & Spiritual
Typical length: 1 hr 2 min
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