NECTAR OF DEVOTION QUESTION BANK

Preface
1. How is the Nectar of Devotion an authoritative literature?
2. What is the universal principle presented by Lord Caitanya?
3. Explain the meaning of the name: Bhakti-rasa-amrta-sindhu.
Introduction
4. How does Rupa Goswami define the objective of the Nectar of Devotion in his invocation?
5. Explain the analogy of the volcanoes in the ocean.
6. Explain the analogy of the sharks.
7. What should be the mood of a preacher?
8. What are the different parts of Rupa Goswami’s book “Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu?” What are the
sub-sections of the first part of the book? How do these relate to the first 19 chapters of the
Nectar of Devotion?
9. What are the contents of the four sides of the ocean of the Nectar of Devotion?
10. Explain in detail the definition of pure devotional service, giving the meaning of each of the
Sanskrt words used by Srila Rupa Goswami in the Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu verse
1.1.11[anyabhilasita sunyam…].

Chapter 1
11. List in Sanskrt and English the six characteristics of pure devotional service.
12. How are the six characteristics of pure devotional service related to the three types of devotional
service?
13. How are the three types of devotional service related to the stages of practice and perfection of
devotional service?
14. What are the causes of suffering in our life, beginning from the root cause?
15. Explain the cycle of sin and define each of its stages.
16. What example does Srila Prabhupada give to explain prarabdha and aprarabdha karma?
17. How does bhakti destroy each of the stages of the cycle of sin? What is the most important part of
the cycle of sin that Bhakti destroys?
18. How karma does not fully destroy the cycle of sin? What reference from Srimad Bhagavatam is
quoted in the Nectar of Devotion? Furnish the analogy given in this regard?
19. How does jnana not fully destroy the cycle of sin? What analogy is given in this regard in the
Nectar of Devotion?
20. What are some manifestations of prarabdha karma?
21. Knowing that bhakti destroys all sins, how does a devotee behave?
22. List and explain the four qualities of the second characteristic of pure devotional service.
23. List and explain the two qualities of the fourth characteristic of pure devotional service.
24. Name and explain the third characteristic of pure devotional service.
25. Name and explain the fifth characteristic of pure devotional service.
26. Name and explain the sixth characteristic of pure devotional service.
Chapter 2
27. Hoes does one become eligible to take up devotional service?
28. What is the definition of sadhana-bhakti? How is it related to bhava-bhakti?
29. Cite two analogies Rupa Goswami gives in regards to the aim of sadhana-bhakti.
30. What are the two divisions of sadhana-bhakti? Define each.
31. What is the essence of all the rules and regulations of devotional service?
Chapter 3
32. What are further components of the eligibility to take up devotional service?
33. List the three levels of qualification for pure devotional service and describe the characteristics
of each.
34. What are four kinds of persons who come to devotional service and how are they qualified to
take up pure devotional service?
Chapter 4
35. How is this chapter related to the definition of pure devotional service?
36. Describe the two enemies of pure devotional service.
37. What are the five types of liberation?
38. Why is Krsna-bhakti topmost?
Chapter 5
39. How is this chapter related to the definition of pure devotional service?
40. How is pure devotional service not dependent on birth?
41. How is pure devotional service not dependent on varnasrama?
42. What is the role of initiation in the development of pure devotional service?
43. In what context does Rupa Goswami write about the Nityananda-vamsis? Who are they?
44. Explain how Çréla Prabhupäda is following in the footsteps of Srila Rupa Gosvami in
establishing the Kåñëa consciousness movement all over the world.
Chapter 6
45. How is this chapter related to the definition of pure devotional service?
46. What is a principle and what is a detail? How are they related to each other? Give an example
based on one of the angas of sadhana-bhakti.
47. What are the first ten angas of sadhana-bhakti? What is their purpose?
48. What are the second ten angas of sadhana-bhakti? What is their purpose?
49. What are the three most important angas of sadhana-bhakti?
50. What are the five most potent angas of sadhana-bhakti? Why are they so?
Chapter 7
51. What is the prerequisite for accepting the shelter of a spiritual master?
52. Describe the different symptoms of bona fide and bogus spiritual masters. Explain the
status of spiritual master in relation to a) Kåñëa and b) his disciples.
53. What is the meaning of accepting the spiritual master as God?
54. What should be the attitude of the disciple towards the spiritual master?
55. Summarize the first three angas of sadhana-bhakti.
56. Describe the anga “Following in the footsteps of Saintly persons”
57. In what context does Rupa Goswami write about Lord Buddha? What was the purpose of his
advent?
58. Describe the anga “Accepting only what is necessary”
59. What is the purpose of fasting on Ekadasi?
60. Explain the analogy of embracing a snake, a tiger or an alligator.
61. Explain the analogy of living within an iron cage.
62. Describe the angas “Not accepting unfit disciples,” “Not constructing many temples” and “Not
reading many books.” What is the essence of all the three?
63. What should be the attitude of a vaisnava regarding demigods?
Chapter 8
64. What are the two kinds of offences? What is their relative importance and why?
65. Cite ten offences to the arca-vigraha. In general, how can they be counteracted?
66. Should you begin the worship of Ganapati? Why or why not?
Chapter 9
67. Explain the anga “Blasphemy”
68. What should be our attitude in accepting maha-prasada garlands, ornaments, etc.?
69. What is the benefit of the anga “Arcana”
70. For a humble Vaiçëava what is the principle of not tolerating blasphemy?
71. Explain the three aspects of offering prayers in “Submission”
Chapter 10
72. Why should a devotee not expect immediate relief from misery and how should he deal with
suffering in his life?
73. In what context does Rupa Goswami quote the pastime of a South-Indian brahma who burnt his
finger while in meditation?
Chapter 11
74. Explain what is meant by “Dasyam”
75. What are two kinds of devotional service in friendship?
76. Explain the anga “Atmanivedanam”
77. What is the difference between the devotees defined in Skanda Purana and pure devotees
(bhagavatas)?
Chapter 12
78. What is the importance of rendering service to devotees? What sastric references does Rupa
Goswami give in this regard?
79. What is the benefit of performing devotional service in Kartik in Vrindavana?
80. Explain the analogy of the crystal stone.
81. What will help us chant without offence?
82. What is the actual definition of liberation and how is it different from freedom from material
contamination?
Chapter 13
83. What are the respective benefits of performing the five most potent forms of devotional service?
84. How do you explain high benefits of practicing the various angas of devotional service such as
“one will get liberation immediately” or “one will get all one’s desires fulfilled” or “one will attain
Krsna-prema without effort”? What examples of attaining such benefits does Rupa Goswami give?
85. Why has Rupa Goswami sometimes promised material benefits as a reward for practicing some of
the angas of devotional service?
86. Explain the connection between the principles of pure devotional service and those of
varnasrama?
87. Why is Deity worship especially important for a grhastha?
Chapter 14
88. What is phalgu-vairagya?
89. Define yukta-vairagya.
90. Thoroughly explain the role of renunciation in coming to Krsna consciousness and making further
advancement.
Chapter 15
91. Define ragatmika-bhakti. What are its qualities?
92. What are two kinds of ragatmika-bhakti? What personalities’ devotion does Rupa Goswami give as
example for each kind?
93. What is raga and what is its role in achieving perfection?
Chapter 16
94. Define raganuga-bhakti. What are the practices of a raganuga bhakta?
95. What is the eligibility for taking up the practice of raganuga-bhakti?
96. How does Srila Prabhupada explain the following statement by Rupa Goswami: "Raganuga
devotees do not follow the regulative principles of devotional service very strictly, but by
spontaneous nature they become attracted to some of the eternal devotees such as Nanda or
Yasoda, and they try to spontaneously follow in their footsteps."
97. Impersonalists are spiritually inclined, but they have been compared with materialistic
demons like Kamsa or Sisupala. Why?
98. What is siddha-pranali? Why did Srila Prabhupada speak against its practice?
99. What is a sahajiya?
Chapter 17
100. Define bhava-bhakti.
101. What symptoms does one who is on the platform of bhava-bhakti manifest?
102. Explain the two ways by which a devotee may reach the stage of bhava-bhakti. Cite three
examples of persons who achieved bhava-bhakti and explain how they did so.
Chapter 18
103. What are the reliable symptoms of one who is on the stage of bhava-bhakti?
104. In what circumstances may someone who is either not a devotee or not an advanced devotee
manifest symptoms of ecstasy such as crying, trembling of the body, rolling on the ground, etc.
105. Define perseverance, pridelessness and äçä-bandha.
106. What invokes attachment to Kåñëa and what extinguishes such attachment?
Chapter 19
107. Define Prema-bhakti
108. What gradual path does Rupa Goswami recommend to develop Krsna-prema? .
109. What is the difference between love for Kåñëa and love in the material world?