Question: As a manager, how to solve disputes between devotees?

Jayapataka Swami:  I was thinking that to be a manager, one should learn how to counsel and resolve disputes. In a nutshell, the secret is to see have each person see the thing from the other’s point of view. So in this way, they can understand the solution...

Question: It was a revelation to hear the Sivastakam as recited by Lord Caitanya. But we don’t seem to recite in our temples nor do we celebrate Śiva Rātri in our temples, highlighting this. Please correct me if I am wrong Guru Maharaj, and enlighten us.

Jayapataka Swami: Here in Māyāpur, we celebrate the Śiva Rātri, at the Jagannātha temple. I pray to Lord Śiva every day, since he is the protector of the holy dhāma of Navadvīpa. Without His mercy we cannot enter into Navadvīpa dhāma. But I don’t think that temples...

Question: Many girls in our group are chanting 16 rounds and reading Bhagavad-gītā, vegetarians and attending regular classes,and are aspiring to take initiation from you, Gurudeva! But when it comes to śikṣā papers, they get stuck in the 8 rounds paper, because it has no onion and garlic. Most of the girls want to leave onion and garlic because of staying with parents and pressure that they get from them; they are not able to leave. Gurudeva, what can we do under such situations?

Jayapataka Swami: This is a big problem in India that although people are vegetarian, they eat onion and garlic. Actually, the onion and garlic, we can’t offer to any – what to speak of Viṣṇu – even Śiva or Durgā, anyone. Because, the śāstra says that...