Krsna in Vrndavana (Volume Five): Sankalpa Kaumudi-A Moonbeam on Determination
Title: Krsna in Vrndavana (Volume Five): Sankalpa Kaumudi-A Moonbeam on Determination
Author: Sivarama Swami
Publisher: Lal Publishing
Publication Date:
Format: Hardback, Glit Edges
Pages: 980
A full-length study of sādhana itself—how determination (saṅkalpa), one-pointed attention (ekāgratā), devotion-coloured service (bhāva-sevā), and grace (kṛpā) move a devotee from faith toward feeling. Inspired by Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta and Gopa-kumāra’s relentless journey, Śivarāma Swami shows how resolve leads to transformation, and how this volume pairs with Śuddha-bhakti-cintāmaṇi as a philosophical foundation for the whole Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana series.
Across eight parts the book progresses from the nature, purpose, and definition of sādhana (with the principle that practice must align with its goal) into the Sāṅkhya of saṅkalpa—mind, intelligence, and false ego as the subtle engine of determination—then to practical types and examples of vows. It develops attentive nāma-bhajana, the five stages of smaraṇa and their sub-stages, and gives a clear, detailed account of trance (samādhi) and its perfection.
With clear sequences, checkpoints, and gentle course-corrections, sādhana becomes tangible rather than mechanical. As effort meets grace, steadiness develops and one becomes fixed on the path of devotion. The aim of Saṅkalpa-kaumudī is to help devotees move into genuine relish for Kṛṣṇa consciousness—no longer a constant struggle with the mind, but a deep, affectionate bond with one’s practice and its goal.
Derived from the inspiration of Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī's Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta and the relentless endeavors of its protagonist, Gopa-kumāra, to refine his devotional practice, Saṅkalpa-kaumudī illuminates four key aspects of sādhana-bhakti emerging from the pages of Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta: saṅkalpa, the resolute determination propelling progress in devotional stages; ekāgratā, the focused attention necessary for each saṅkalpa's success; bhāva-sevā, the underlying mood of a saṅkalpa aligned with vraja-bhakti sentiments; and kṛpā, the divine grace catalyzing the transformation of practice into ecstasy.
Over time, many devotees may find their acts of devotion, or sādhana, becoming mechanical, potentially hindering genuine advancement through the stages of devotion, from śraddhā to prema. By gaining a clear understanding of one's current level of spiritual attainment and employing saṅkalpas as determinations, individuals can rediscover enthusiasm to progress in their bhakti journey. While extensive literature exists on the individual stages of devotion, Saṅkalpa-kaumudī offers insights on transitioning from one stage to the next, emphasizing that the core mechanism of progress lies in attentive chanting of the Holy Names, with all other endeavors in life oriented towards nourishing this primary activity.
Drawing from the profound teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda and the previous ācāryas, Śivarāma Swami synthesizes their wisdom with a pragmatic and accessible analysis of bhakti, appealing to a broad audience—from aspiring practitioners to seasoned devotees—offering inspiration, enlightenment, and transformative insights for life's journey.
