Q. What is difference between Goloka and Vaikuntha? And on what basis is it decided that a soul will go to Vaikuntha or Goloka? A. These are two separate but related questions so we will answer them together. Go means cow and loka means abode. So Goloka is the spiritual abode of the cows where Shyamasundara Krishna …
Q. Why do you avoid smoking or drinking coffee, tea or alcohol? A. Caffeine, nicotine, alcohol—to varying degrees these are all intoxicants. That is, they all have a toxic effect on the body. Devotees of Krishna eat and drink only things that can first be offered to Him, and in the scriptures He requests pure, …
Q. Why do you avoid meat? A. The most important reason why we must refrain  from eating meat is: Krishna’s instruction to us in the Ninth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita. He requests us to offer Him everything we do, including our eating. He asks us to offer Him with love and devotion, “a leaf, a …
Q. Why are you Vegetarians? A. The Vedic scriptures establish nonviolence, called ahimsa, as the ethical foundation of vegetarianism and for a peaceful society. According to the Vedas, God is the Supreme Father of all creatures, not just humans. Therefore, slaughter of innocent animals is considered equivalent to killing one’s brother or sister. Krishna devotees …
Q. Some devotees insist that, while taking prasadam  only those who have not eaten can serve; they say that those who have just eaten are unclean. How can one be unclean while taking in prasadam? One added point is that if we were to be taking prasadam in a house where we would like to …
Q. If prasadam is spiritual why does it decay like normal food does in a day or so. A. Prasadam is spiritualized by virtue of its contact with the Supreme Lord. Prabhupada gives the example of iron rod and fire. The iron rod kept in fire acts like fire, but is not fire itself. Prasadam …
Q. I would appreciate if you can elaborate on why we should not consume or eat either onion or garlic. Is it stated in any Sastra? Please help me this question will be helpful for my preaching purpose. A. In Bhagavad Gita (17.9) Krishna states that ‘Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, hot, …
Q. If the Lord dislikes killing, why are animal sacrifices to God found in the scriptures? A. Although animal sacrifice to God is mentioned in the scriptures, it is ultimately forbidden there. Sometimes the scriptures recommend animal sacrifice for meat-eaters who can’t give up their habit all at once. They can offer the animal in …
Q. I have a question about milk. As a Vaisnava, I follow the path of ahimsa, the path of nonviolence and compassion toward all of God’s creatures. Srila Prabhupada taught us that milk and milk products are an acceptable food to use in the preparation of prasadam. But due to the ways of Western dairies, …
Q. People say egg is vegetarian. How to counteract it? A. All animal products are non-vegetarian. Since egg doesn’t grow on plants, it should be considered a non-vegetarian product. Even if procuring an egg may not involve animal killing, we don’t recommend eating it because it is after all the dead foetus of a chicken—a …