Question: Often youths who are cultivated and brought up in bhakti life, have to move to other places for jobs and stay there. It not only increases the physical distance from the counsellor, but also dilutes the relationship to some extent since it is not possible for him to come and associate regularly with his devotee family. Also, he may face difficulties in accepting a new authority at a new place. In such situations how can he feel spiritually connected to his counsellor?

Jayapataka Swami: You see, this is the difficulty with working in the material world. And one chooses to work in the material world, or to be part of the ashram, few devotes join the ashram, many people work outside. So working outside, then these are the problems. I...

Question: What is the difference between detachment and renunciation?

Jayapataka Swami: Wonder why this question was asked? How will this help someone in advancement in bhakti yoga? A grihasta may be detached. He can be detached from different things. But we recommend yukta vairagya. That we engage all the things in Krsna’s service. But...

Question: Guru Maharaj, Prabhupada and sastra say women should dedicate their lives to husband and children, and always engage in their service. But goal of life is to attain Krishna prema and for that a lot of bhajana, Harinama, and seva is required. So I am always anxious that the asrama duties would hinder me in attaining the ultimate goal. Is it possible for a woman to attain Krishna prema in one lifetime Guru Maharaj? If yes, kindly guide what we should do?

Guru Maharaj: Lord Caitanya advised that we should do yukta vairagya. Everything we do, we do as an offering to Krishna. So, ideally the wife can marry a devotee of Krishna. Just by assisting him, she is directly doing devotional service. If she is not so fortunate to...

Question: Which is more important, karma or dharma?

Guru Maharaj: Bhakti. You see in the Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna says that svadharma asraya We shouldn’t follow para dharma. So for a devotee the dharma is to serve Krishna and naturally, we see our family as extension of our service to Krishna. So that way it is called...