Saṅkalpa-kaumudī - A Moonbeam on Determination

Inspired by Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī’s Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta and the tireless efforts of its central character, Gopa-kumāra, to perfect his devotional service, Saṅkalpa-kaumudī casts a unique light on four aspects of sādhana-bhakti that arise from the pages of Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta: saṅkalpa, the determination that enables progress through the stages of devotional service; ekāgratā, the careful attention needed for each successful saṅkalpa; bhāva-sevā, the underlying mood of a saṅkalpa corresponding to the mood of vraja-bhakti; and kṛpā, the divine grace by which practice finally transforms to ecstasy.

After years of practice, it is observed in many devotees’ lives that acts of devotion, or sādhana, can become mechanical, and thus genuine progress through the stages of devotion, from śraddhā to prema, may be slow, if not stunted. When equipped with a clear understanding of one’s current level of attainment, and through the medium of saṅkalpas, or determinations, one can gain a new found enthusiasm to move forward in bhakti. We hear much about the individual stages of devotion, but Saṅkalpa-kaumudī sheds light on how to move from one stage to the next. We find that the fundamental means of our progress is rooted in the attentive chanting of the Holy Names, and all other endeavours in life should be carried out with a goal to nourish that one activity.

Extracting the philosophical essence from the writings of Śrīla Prabhupāda and the previous ācāryas, Śivarāma Swami brings together their teachings with a unique analysis of bhakti in a most practical and digestible style that everyone—from aspiring sādhakas to pure devotees—will find inspiring, revealing, and life-changing.

980 pages
Hardbound
Gilt-edged
150x230mm / 5.9x9in

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Sample chapter from the book: