Common questions on the path.

We are focused on internal development towards the goal of self-realization and the awakening of Pure Love in a relationship with the highest forms of the Divine Source, the eternally youthful lovers Sri Sri Radha-Krishna.

We carefully balance the path of developing spontaneous love with the regulative practice of bhakti-yoga, with an emphasis on the process of hearing and kirtana in Satsang, Japa and meditation, and love expressed through service.

While we are open to all seekers in the Bhakti path, the teachers in our tradition are expertly trained in helping seekers realize their unique loving relationships with Sri Krishna, with a special focus and expertise guiding those who aspire to serve as the beloved manjaris of Sri Radha.

We are students of the realized master, Srila BV Narayan Gosvami (1921–2010), who was bestowed the titles Bhakta Bandhav – the friend of all devotees (in 1947); and Yuga-acarya – the preceptor of the modern age (in 2003). He taught and exemplified Pure Bhakti in his life, traveling the world 32 times, publishing over 100 books, and initiating approximately 100,000 students in India and around the world.

He is the latest in a line of perfected Bhakti masters coming in the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya-Sampradaya, and is a spiritual successor of Srila Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the worldwide Hare Krishna Movement.

Before Srila BV Narayana Gosvami left this world, Srimati Radhika sent Her special mercy to him from Seva Kunj in Vrindavan, telling Her priest: 'Take My prasada to My dear sakhi.' Signifying She was calling Her dear sakhi back to Her service in transcendental Vrindavan.

Our Bhakta Bandhav Parivar is directed by the most senior disciple of Srila BV Narayan Gosvami, Sripad Sevaratna (the Jewel of Service) Prabhuji. He has served the mission of our Gurus for over 50 years, building and maintaining their temples, guiding and nurturing their disciples, and showing the practice of pure devotion by his own example, thus becoming known as the 'mother of the mission.'

One of his unique qualities is that he focuses on training and empowering the disciples of Bhakta Bandhav Srila Gurudeva to become teachers themselves, guiding them to plant the seeds of Bhakti in the world, as the fruits of the tree of our beloved Master.

The term Bhakta Bandhav comes from a verse in the Vedic scriptures, where Lord Krishna says to Arjuna: "asmakam bandhava bhakta bhaktanam bandhava vayam / sadhavo hrdayam mahyam sadhavo hrdayam tvaham" — I am the dearmost friend of the devotees, and the devotees (Bhaktas) are My dearmost friends (Bandhav). They are My heart, and I am Theirs.

Recognizing his compassionate nature and efforts to uplift others, Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami gave him the title Bhakta Bandhav in 1947.

Today Bhakta Bandhav is a society of bhakti-yogis, following in the footsteps of Srila BV Narayan Gosvami, who taught and showed the personal path of devotion to Sri Radha-Krishna, to realize the natural, blissful love between the Self and the Divine.

In bhakti, we choose the sweet, personal form of the Divine, where love flows naturally. Krishna is described as All Attractive. His sweet, enchanting form naturally draws the heart into loving meditation. He appears not as a distant ruler or opulent master, but as a playful friend, son, or beloved — approachable and full of charm.

Sri Radha is His counterwhole and described to be like the Sun of Divine Love, whose light of love for Sri Krishna reflects in the hearts of all souls. Sri Radha Krishna's love, glories, and pastimes are richly described in sacred texts, giving us not only inspiration but also clear guidance on how to awaken personal love for the Divine.

The sacred texts of India affirm that there is one absolute Divine Source, expressed in many sacred forms. While the formless aspect of God is intriguing to the mind, it is distant to the heart. Without a personal, emotional connection with God, meditation becomes a difficult task — a task that relies on discipline alone.

Krishna, however, is described in the sacred texts as the source of all the other forms of God. Rather than the emptiness of material qualities, Krishna is the fullness of transcendental qualities. Thus, while it may appear that we are choosing one form over all others arbitrarily, we are actually choosing the Avatari, or source of all the sacred forms.

Bhakti is unmotivated, causeless devotion to the Supreme Being. This is described to be the topmost dharma or spiritual purpose of humanity and the fruit of the blossoming of our consciousness.

Loving devotion to the Transcendent Source is said to be like watering the roots of the tree of all existence, thus nourishing every living being, which is part and parcel of the Divine. Genuine bhakti is loving service of the Divine with our purified spiritual senses performed once you are free of temporary material designations.

If you're interested in becoming involved or have any queries, you can connect with us through our team on WhatsApp at +1 845-633-1906 or by emailing us at bhaktabandhav@gmail.com.

You can also sign up for our newsletter and membership on the home page, and we will connect you to servant-leaders in your area who can guide you in your practice and loving service.