Reaching a conclusion based on a proposition, cause, and precedent, and perception. For example: Proposition: there is fire on the mountain. Cause: there is smoke. Precedent: wherever there is smoke, there is fire, as in a kitchen. Perception: there is smoke on the mountain. Conclusion: there is fire on the mountain.

Revelation is testimony from a trustworthy source. In the scriptures, it is called sabda, lit. ‘that which is heard’. There are two types of sabda: pauruseya: testimony from human beings This is subject to the four defects mentioned above apauruseya: testimony from a non-human, that is, divine source This is not subject to the four defects.

I am an eternal soul and servant of Krishna.

One who understands the purport of the revealed scriptures, teaches it to others, and personally practises it.

Devotion to the Supreme Being, Sri Guru , and the Vaisnavas , specifically endeavouring to satisfy them without any selfish motivation. Bhakti is the natural function of the soul and path to the soul’s ultimate potential and eternal joy.

That which sustains and leads to the ultimate welfare of the world and every living being within it. In the absolute sense, dharma is the eternal service of the Supreme Lord.

The word guru literally means ‘heavy’ and is also parsed to mean dispeller ( ru ) of darkness ( gu ). Generally, a guru is a master teacher of a discipline. On the spiritual path, a guru is a special form the Supreme Lord assumes out of divine compassion to distribute spiritual understanding to sincere seekers.

Kirtan is praise of the Divine, specifically devotional chanting of the Supreme Lord’s Name, Qualities, and Pastimes.

A hymn composed in concise, metric Sanskrit. Literally, man means ‘thought’ and tra means ‘instrument’. So, a mantra is traditionally defined as “that which liberates by being meditated upon ( mananat trayate ).”

The mercy of the Supreme Lord, Sri Guru, or the Vaisnavas; the remnants of offerings made to them, such as fragrances, flowers, and especially foods.

Prema is divine love, love that is selfless and dedicated to the Supreme Lord. Prema is the goal of life, the highest attainment of the soul that gives entrance into an eternal and dynamic life of wholehearted service to the Supreme Lord, His devotees, and all that is dear to Him.

One who is devoted to truth, specifically, eternal spiritual truth.

Veda literally means ‘knowledge’, specifically, knowledge revealed mainly at the beginning of creation by the Supreme Lord through Lord Brahma and the rishis that explains the proper way for all souls to live and serve the Lord. This body of eternal knowledge was preserved through hearing and memorisation until the beginning of Kali-yuga (about 5,000 years ago) when Krishna Dvaipayan Vedavyas recorded it in written form as the Rg-veda, Sama-veda, Yajur-veda, Atharva-veda, the Upanisads, and other texts.

Yoga is a Sanskrit word derived from the root yuj , which means to connect or to unite. The word yoga is used in many different fields and thus has numerous definitions and translations, but in relation to bhakti, yoga means ‘path’ or ‘practice’, and in relation to the Divine, means connection.

FAQs Archive • Prema Dharma

Q: What is true knowledge?

True knowledge is knowledge of eternal truth. All knowledge of the temporary is false knowledge.

Q: What constitutes true knowledge?

Four elements: Pramata: the knower Prameya: that which is to be known Pramana: the means of knowing Pramiti: the acquired knowledge

Q: How can we acquire true knowledge?

By three means: Sense perception (pratyaksa) Inference (anuman) Revelation (sabda)

Q: What is sense perception?

Awareness of the senses contacting an object. There are two types of perceptions: external and internal. External perception is awareness of a sense contacting a gross material object, e.g. the ear hears a call or the eye sees a flame. Internal perception is awareness of thoughts, emotions, reasons, and so forth, e.g. musing on a distant place, a trill of excitement, a contradiction in logic

Q: Does sense perception have any defects?

Yes, perception is subject to four defects: Misperception: mistaking one thing for another, e.g. a rope for a snake Inattentiveness: being unaware of something when it happens, e.g. not hearing a bird singing while at work Deceitfulness: the tendency to cheat others, e.g. withholding information known to be relevant or showing someone anything other than what is known to be true Limitedness: the limited capacity of the senses, e.g. inability to identify an object at a long distance

Q: Can we attain true knowledge through revelation?

Yes, divine revelation (apauruseya-sabda) is the one and only means to attain true knowledge (all other means being subject to defects). As only light can dispel darkness, so only revelation of true knowledge can dispel ignorance. As no form of darkness can dispel another form of darkness, so by no perception of or inference based on the temporary material world can we attain true knowledge.

What is true knowledge?

What constitutes true knowledge?

How can we acquire true knowledge?

What is sense perception?

Does sense perception have any defects?

Can we attain true knowledge through sense perception?

What is inference?

Can we attain true knowledge through inference?

What is revelation?

Can we attain true knowledge through revelation?

Why are perception and inference accepted as means to true knowledge if they are unable to access it?

What are the properties of eternal truth?

Where can we find divine revelation?

How is it that ‘seers’ perceive eternal truth?

Why does the Supreme Lord choose to reveal eternal truth?

How do we know that the Vedas and the Supreme Lord are actually eternal and truth, and are not just a fantasy?

How do we begin to follow the prescribed path?

What is the goal of life?

How do I reach the goal of life?

Who am I?

What is an acharya?

What is Bhagavad-gita?

What is bhakti?

What is dharma?

What is a guru?

What is kirtan?

What is the Holy Name?

What is a mantra?

What is the mahamantra?

What is prasadam?

What is prema?

What is a sadhu?

What are the Vedas?

What is yoga?