In 1929 Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati wrote an article for The Harmonist entitled "Putana". Therein he compared the demoness Putana to a false or cheating guru and Kamsa to the materialistic head of a religious organization. Building on these concepts, this issue of Sri Krishna Kathamrita provides an in-depth look at what sastra and the Gaudiya tradition has to say about pretentious devotion and the inherent faults in religious institutions. These subjects are analyzed in a refreshing, philosophical way, with frankness and no institutional gloss (or bashing), and conclude with some positive and surprising answers.

Includes over twenty rare paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Some of the articles therein:

1) SUGAR-COATED PILLS Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada speaks about Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati's purpose in creating institutions.

2) ODE TO THE FALSE RENUNCIATE Srila Thakur Bhaktivinode addresses materialistic persons who have adopted the dress of religious renunciates.

3) WHO SHOULD LIVE IN THE MATHA? Questions and answers with Prabhupada Srila Bhaktisiddhanta.

4) GURU-SEVA IS EVERYTHING Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja describes the standard of selfless service to guru.

5) MATH-VASI, RESIDENT OF THE TEMPLE This first-time English translation of an article from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta's Bengali newspaper "Nadia Prakash" describes the characteristics and behavior of a genuine resident of the temple.

6) KRISHNA'S PASTIME OF KILLING PUTANA An elaborate examination of this pastime that includes fresh translations from commentaries of the acaryas and different Puranas.

7) PUTANA Prabhupada Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati's analysis of the origin of false religion.

8) FALSE GURUS, INSTITUTIONS AND THE HOLY NAME Reflections on Srila Bhaktisiddhanta's "Putana".

9) SWALLOWING THE FOREST FIRE Another elaborate examination of a familiar pastime.

10) THE WONDER OF GAURA'S KIRTANA A first-time English translation of a song by Srila Narahari Chakravarti Thakur describing the nature of the kirtana of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

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