A complex and spiritually enlightening philosophical work called Jaiva Dharma examines the subtleties of Bhakti (devotion) and the timeless precepts governing the soul’s relationship with the Supreme Lord. This classic text, written by the revered Vaishnava saint Bhaktivinoda Thakura, provides profound insights into the route of devotion and the ultimate goal of existence.

Treatise on Vaishnavism of the Gaudiya Sampradaya; in the form of dialogue.

Jaiva Dharma is a summary of Gauḍīya tattva written in the form of story. The philosophical elements are explained through questions and answers between the various characters, set a generation after the disappearance of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. The first part concerns general questions, the second part consists of explanation of Daśā mūla tattva, the third part is a summary of Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, and the fourth part is a summary of Ujjvala-nīlamaṇi.

The word dharma, originally from the Sanskrit, refers to the inherent, unchanging nature of something – sugar’s dharma is to be sweet, water’s dharma is to be wet, and fire’s dharma is to emit heat and light. Dharma also refers to our natural duty. We humans have ordinary dharma and an ultimate dharma that relates to who we are at soul level. That dharma requires that we ask existential questions and then seek ultimate answers – questions such as Who am I? Why am I here? and What is my ultimate purpose? Dharma, the Way of Transcendence is a compilation of lectures on human dharma given by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1972 as he toured India. Here he teaches that the dharma of all humans and every other living embodied soul – is service. No one can exist for a moment without serving someone or something else, even if it’s only the mind and senses. So the question is, whom or what can we serve if we want to be truest to ourselves?