Vaisnava Kantha-Hara, the Guidebook for the Spiritually Inclined, by His Holiness Krsna Balaram Swami, presents an interesting and informative study of Gaudiya Vaisnava spirituality in its many facets, upon which that of the Hare Krsna movement is based. To a very large extent the work relies on original texts and the translations or other rare but authentic sources for this tradition. Although the book has a purpose to strengthen the spiritual discipline of devotees in the Hare Krsna movement it should also be of importance to all interested in Gaudiya Vaisnavism, one of India’s important religions.

Mahant Sri Krsna Balaram Swami has captured the essence of Srimad Bhagavatam. The author’s comprehensive and deeply religious approach to the mysteries of Krsna must surely rank among the most impressive commentaries and purports ever written in the subject. This work is highly readable and worth every moment of the reader’s time.

Srimad Bhagavatam is not merely a great book, it is also a continuous traditional of understanding the ways of the full manifestation of the Universal being Lord Sri Krsna. Whatever I have learnt from this commentary, I can confidently say that this is not only erudite in its expression, but it is also emotionally evocative and fulfilling in a very special way. It fulfils, but first, it washes away all the stains and all clingings: it does, not leave and iota of space for any other felling or desire at the same time it generates an unquenchable thirst, even in those who have reached a level of cessation of all things. That is why Srimad Bhagavatam is called a work meant for Paramahansas, the liberated soul. Sukadeva Goswami and his traditions together are a chain of unfulfilled quest for the fulfilment incarnate: Lord Sri Krsna. The commentator Mahant Krsna Balaram Swami is the latest Link in this unbroken chain.

Mahant Srila Krsna Balaram Swami has continued his worthy endeavor to make the Vrajavasi insights and interpretations of the divine text available to the Western readers and devotees in the English language. This volume covers chapters four through seven of the Tenth Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam. In his elucidations, the author brings into relief the idea that bliss is the deepest essence of Good and that devotion is the paramount means to realize the Divine. The author’s insightful comments on divine love and human devotion in this volume have successfully addressed the doubts frequently raised by skeptics. He has focused on the redeeming knowledge from the perspective of the scriptual tradition. I am delighted that this task has been ably accomplished in this volume.

I do have the highest regards for His Holiness Krsna Balaram Swami’s devotion, scholarship and deep spirituality. His book Vaisnava Kantha-Hara emerges from a lifetime of devotion and study within Vaisnavism. I had the great good fortune of having His Divine Grace Krsna Balaram Swami as a host in his extraordinary city of Vrindaban, India. Meeting with him in the sacred city of his birth was quite special, for it allowed me insight into the authenticity, depth, and praxis of his spiritual path. Vaisnava Kantha-Hara, like his other works, embodies those qualities and that commitment. Both practitioners and scholars will undoubtedly benefit from an encounter with the book.

I deam it a great pleasure to go through the Vrjavasi commentary on Srimad Bhagvad Gita by Krsna Balaram Swami. It is recorded in Srimad Bhagavatam that Lord Krsna took oath before Nanda Maharaja stating, "I will never forget the Vrjavasis." Krsna Himself also appeared in Vrjabhumi, therefore the commentary is rightly titled the Vrjavasi Purports. Many great scholars and Acãryas have given commentaries on the Gita among which Vaisnava scholars have proven Bhakti to be the best. By studying such commentaries and deeply meditating on them, Swamiji Maharaj has lucidly explained the proper theme of the Gita in sweet feelingful language. By studying this Gaudiya Vaisnava commentary all the people of the world will be greatly benefited.

H.H. Krsna Balaram Swami presents a Vrjavasi Commentary on a central Scripture of Vedic Literature in His Srimad Bhagavad Gita, The Song of God. in his exposition he follows the Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition, which sees the culmination of all spiritual path in the Bhakti yoga, the path of devotional service to the Lord. The author’s purpose, professedly, is to inspire seekers of transcendental knowledge and to help them through the problems of life in this materialistic world. In this connection, the theme of Krsna Consciousness and the significance of the chanting of Hare-Krsna maha-mantra are highlighted. The translation of the Sanskrit text is precise and sparkling and the elucidation of the meaning is cogent and clear. This work deserves the attention of seekers as well as scholars.

The critical study of Indian religious thought has established one absolute statement that can also be made about this book, Vaisnava Kantha-Hara. It is capable of deepening, and on occasion transforming, our moral sensibility. One thing this book certainly does is to bring one closer to some new intuition of man and the world he lives in. It restores the prestige of devotion over prosaic, logical argumentation-a prestige which unfortunately has been lost in our modern world of senseless endeavors and destinies. Every man and woman needs to believe that the acts of meditation on, understanding of, and devotion to a supreme being are the only acts that give any sensible meaning to life. It answers the haunting question of modern man of what he can do to free himself from the chain which binds not only his sensuous body but also his restless soul to the suffocating, gravity-ridden, rusty rocks of materialism. It is here in this book all the questions, including what is human nature, what is the role of a human being, and what is the function of our existence, are answered. This book truly sheds light on troubled humanity. Sri Krsna Balaram Swami’s Vaisnava Kantha-Hara belongs to this great tradition and must be welcomed with open arms.

Vaisnava Kantha-Hara of Krsna Balaram Swami is a faithful guide to vaisnava life and literature as revealed in the works of his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Keeping himself in the background, the author lucidly and ably presents the devotional philosophy and practice of Chitanya Vaisnavism. The work deserves attention both from scholars and devotees.