Perfect Questions Perfect Answers

by A.C. Bhaktivedanta

Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso

Genres: Spirituality, Religion, Hinduism, Philosophy, Metaphysics, Nonfiction

108 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 1983

About the author

His Divine Grace Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (अभय चरणारविन्द भक्तिवेदान्त स्वामी प्रभुपाद)was born as Abhay Charan De on 1 September 1896 in Calcutta, India.

He first met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, in Calcutta in 1922. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, a prominent devotional scholar and the founder of sixty-four branches of Gaudiya Mathas (Vedic institutes), liked this educated young man and convinced him to dedicate his life to teaching Vedic knowledge in the Western world. Srila Prabhupada became his student, and eleven years later (1933) at Allahabad, he became his formally initiated disciple.

At their first meeting, in 1922, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura requested Srila Prabhupada to broadcast Vedic knowledge through the English language. In the years that followed, Srila Prabhupada wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad-gita and in 1944, without assistance, started an English fortnightly magazine.

In the last ten years of his life, in spite of his advanced age, Srila Prabhupada circled the globe twelve times on lecture tours that have took him to six continents. In spite of such a vigorous schedule, Srila Prabhupada continued to write prolifically. His writings constitute a veritable library of Vedic philosophy, religion, literature and culture.

Reviews

[Ayushi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book contains all the questions that a general man would have. They are answered very well by shri prabhupaad. At some point you may feel that the thoughts are compulsive but if you feel that then you must read till the end. It has satisfactory answers. Whoever has the thirst of knowing those answers must read this book. It has something to give you. The answers are logical and has some meaning to be given. I am a person with thirst of knowing but I believe much in science still I find the book and answers satisfactory. It will enhance your thinking. It is upto you what to follow after reading the book.

[Fernando Javier Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way it lays out the thinking about being true to a believe it makes you think about the connection as a whole with something and how that will take you to another level. Whether you’re a believer of god or not, this book can give life lessons about the way we, humans, live today and will live.

[Kafkasfriend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much better than the film an account of some of the activities of the US security forces. This is why we should not trust those who claim to protect without checking that they are doing do rather than justifying their own perverse activities

[InspektoriusGagdzetas · Rating 1 out of 5]

shitty platonism and neo-platonism spinoff with a mixture of bad understanding of science and such thinkers as freud and darwin, they make good food though

[Sree Seelam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Retard stuff.

[Poonam Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indeed "Perfect Questions Perfect Answers"

[Prospero · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1972, a young American Peace Corps worker with an abiding interest in Indian culture and philosophy, and shaped by the 1960s Counterculture, made his way to India and found himself in conversation with A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of ISKCON, at the fledgling Hare Krishna colony of Mayapur.

Their ensuing conversation covered a range of topics - the nature of the divine, spirituality, a person's search for meaning, the yoga of devotion (Bhakti yoga), the purpose of life, conquering the fear of death, cultivating happiness, living a fulfilled life etc - and provides an exposition of the Hare Krishna outlook and its interpretations of Hindu philosophy.

As with everything to do with ISKCON (and religions in general), there are profound truths and insights in this book mixed with dubious and spurious claims, faulty logic and scientific contradiction. I'm always skeptical of claims made of perfection, especially with regard to religious teachings, and especially when made by clerics and other figures of authority, using arguments from authority.

In youth, I cultivated myself with the company of books and figures who were shaped by the ethos of George Orwell, Christopher Hitchens, Swami Vivekananda and other figures, and so remain committed to a freedom of the intellect that is tempered with tragic wisdom, cautious about large-scale "revolutionary" change, and distrustful of unbridled idealism. Moreover, I have little patience for scripture being proffered as a source of objective truth, for political and religious cant, and for wilful obscurantism and intellectual dishonesty.

To my knowledge, the only religion that accepts that it could be wrong, is Buddhism. And this attitude of humility was best expressed by the Dalai Lama, when he said that if there is a contradiction between science and scripture, then the scriptural interpretations must yield to scientific knowledge.

And yet, I still feel there might be a grain of truth to what I've experienced of the Krishna Consciousness movement that's kept me exploring its literature, and practicing its chanting.

Now back to this book: a little too much creationism, but I think there is a philosophical core to Vaishnava Hindu teachings that is worth deeper exploration. Prabhupada's style of argument, bold claims and dubious logic - argued from authority - may be hard to understand for those not familiar with Indian culture. But once you get past the zealousness, the ideas and insights being discussed here do become very meaningful.

So long as ISKCON continues to venerate Prabhupada as "perfect", as a "perfect messenger" or whatever, and place his interpretations of Hindu teachings as being infallible and more authoritative than any other interpretation before or since, and certainly above direct study of the texts themselves, it'll be discredited by his shortcomings. The man was human, a product of his time and place, limited by his knowledge, upbringing and senses, and so while his interpretations of Hindu philosophy can be profound and insightful, his life and teachings shouldn't necessarily be taken as infallible. ISKCON should always reinterpret and update its teachings for the age. Otherwise, it'll be no different from a narrow cult that is doomed to fail. We shall see if the next generation of ISKCON leadership is capable of the kind of imagination and wisdom that is needed to keep this organization going and growing.

Sidenote: there is something to be said that making claims of knowledge being perfect and infallible is what helps it spread. People like me may not buy into it, but the masses have, do and would. That's what they want: reassurance and guarantees. So marketing what you have with confidence and shameless sales aplomb is key to helping your message spread.

[Digvijay · Rating 1 out of 5]

“Perfect Questions Perfect Answers“ was one of the most frustrating reading experiences I’ve had in a long time. Instead of offering deep, thought-provoking discourse, it felt like a relentless promotional piece for ISKCON, squeezed into a small book. The questions barely scratch the surface of meaningful inquiry, and the answers seem more like predetermined doctrines rather than genuine engagement with the complexities of faith.

As someone who values Hindu philosophy and the concept of God, this book didn’t strengthen my beliefs—it made me question them. Srila Prabhupada’s responses feel directed at those already fully immersed in Krishna consciousness, leaving no room for intellectual curiosity or rational debate. More than that, the follow-up questions are astonishingly passive, never challenging or seeking clarification on the answers given. It’s as if the dialogue was designed to reinforce belief rather than inspire genuine understanding.

I wouldn’t recommend this to skeptics or to anyone searching for a logical, open-ended discussion. If you approach it hoping for balanced and insightful conversation, you’ll likely walk away disillusioned.

[Deyth Banger · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me time to finish this book, its specific type of book. But if we need to be honest at the end I can judge it as any other book.
Waste of time

The conversation is useless
Its one side of argument two believers...
God Administration in the sky!

[Viktor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Om man ska släppa en bok som ska få en att vilja konvertera till hare krishna så kunde man ju tro att man skulle skriva vettiga saker men så är inte fallet... Det känns som om de direkt ogillar och driver med icke-troende. De säger bland annat att de som inte är "krishna medvetna" eller som int har ambition att bli mer medveten om krishna är djur. En rolig bok på alla fel sätt. Undvik om du inte är en riktig lutigkurre, som jag.

[Parantap Saha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple yet powerful

This book is a great introduction to anyone who is interested in spiritual life the least bit. This books and the questions and answers contained in it provide solid guidelines for one to be elevated to the level of God-Consciousness. I highly recommend this book!

[Ernesto Herrera · Rating 1 out of 5]

It SUCKS !!! is bullshit and then more bullshit, after that a gigantic pile of shit and this is only the first chapter; Then it comes even more shit in a geometric progression.

[Sumit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its a great conversation between srila prabhupada and a peace corp person

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy hermoso y claro, como todo lo que ha escrito Srila Prabhupada.

[yoursbibliophilic · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book " Perfect Questions & Perfect Answers " presents itself as a dialogue between Bob Cohen, a US Teacher & Sri Prabhupada of ISKCON. However, rather than offering enlightening responses, the exchange often feels like an interplay of imperfect questions & less-than-useful answers. For example,

“ BOB: I am presently a science teacher.
SRI PRABHUPAIA: Yes, teaching. But, unless you have perfect knowledge, how can you teach? That is our question.
BOB: Without perfect knowledge, though, you can teach
SRI PRABHUPAIA: That is cheating; that is not teaching.” (pp 27)

“ BOB: What is the proper duty of the teacher in society? Let us say a science teacher What should he be doing in the classroom?
SRI PRABHUPADA: Classroom? You should simply teach about Krishna.
BOB: He should not teach about ...
SRI PRABHUPADA: No. That will include everything. His aim should be to know Krishna.
BOB: Can a scientist teach the science of combining acid and alkaline, and this kind of science, with Krishna as its object?
SRI PRABHUPAIA: How can it be?
BOB: If you-when one studies science, one finds general tendencies of nature, and these general tendencies of nature point to a controlling force
SRI PRABHUPADA: That I was explaining the other day. I asked one chemist whether, according to chemical formulas, hydrogen and oxygen linked together become water. Do they not?
BOB: It's true.
SRI PRABHUPADA: Now, there is a vast amount of water in the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean. What chemicals was required?
BOB: How much?
SRI PRABHUPAIA: Yes. How many tons?
BOB: Many!
SRI PRABHUPAIA: So who supplied it?
BOB: This was supplied by God.
SRI PRABHUPAIA: Somebody must have supplied it.
BOB: Yes.
SRI PRABHUPAIA: So that is science. You can teach like that” (pp 27-28 )

I was perplexed by such conversation due to lack of knowledge of how science works or evolved. This approach, reminiscent of claiming all knowledge is within a religious text, left me disheartened.

In essence, the book lacks the philosophical depth and thought-provoking insights one might expect. Instead of fostering a nuanced understanding this book is diminishing the potential for meaningful exploration.

[Yash Rathor · Rating 5 out of 5]

All glories to HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Ji - Founder Acharya of International Society of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness.
In this book Prabhupada Ji explains that the Supreme Personality of Godhead - Kṛṣṇa is all-attractive as the literal meaning of Kṛṣṇa. The Supreme God must have a personal form as I have, you have a personal form which comes from ours father. In the same way, Lord Kṛṣṇa says in Bhāgvata Gitā slokā [7.10] :-
बीजं मां सर्वभूतानां विद्धि पार्थ सनातनम् ।
बुद्धिर्बुद्धिमतामस्मि तेजस्तेजस्विनामहम् ||
"O son of Pṛthā, know that I am the original seed of all existences, the intelligence of the intelligent, and the courage of all powerful men."
we can very easily understand this through the process. That we need to learn through bona fide authorities.
Second, there are four āshrama of life - Brahmacāri, Gṛhastha, Vānaprastha, Sannyāsa. The first 25 years of a man is student life means he has to be trained Brahmacāri. Then, he enters Gṛhastha āshrama for restricted enjoyment of sex life and to maintain the sanctity of society without disseminate the social contamination. He cannot have sex life without being married. Therefore in human society there is marriage , not in animal society.
Third, the real Goal of life is to know who am I? , what is nature? and who is creator? and what are the relationship among it. Then, Go back to home, back to godhead.
This human form of life is meant for purification. How to purify ourselves? When we voluntarily engage in the service of God and their servants. When we perform austerities and penances then we gradually come to the stage of transcendental happiness.
Doing service we need to fill it with devotion otherwise it becomes business. The so-called advertisers outside are doing this. They serve their customers till the customer gives them money otherwise they don't serve it, this is business.
This book contains the right definition of Knowledge, liberation, entanglement, Honesty, charity, love and also helping others etc.
It must be read by our young generation.

[Lukasz Dygon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this book from proselytising ISKCON members and read that same day. It was an easy read which perhaps makes it more appealing in its message.

But what is the message? It is clearly a neatly packaged piece of propaganda attempting to convince the reader that even a scientist, Bob Cohen, eventually had to accept the guru's teachings. It is nit-picky to sneer at someone for misunderstanding basic scientific facts and using them in profound sounding metaphors; but when that same person claims that no science is true except if we know it comes from Krsna, also his teachings are the true teachings of Krsna and he is equivalent of the all-knowing Krsna on Earth, calling out their lack of understanding is fair game. I also found myself saying "Not really" to rhetorical questions to which the answer was "It is So".

Despite the arguments being unconvincing, the teachings sound attractive. We surrender ourselves completely to cultivating Krsna consciousness, eventually we rid ourselves of the material cravings and become enlightened, thus becoming one with the 'All-Attractive' God, from where nobody goes back to their previous life. Sounds idyllic. It also comes at a cost of becoming a servant to a guru (who claims his teachings are Krsna's teachings, therefore his teachings and commands are absolute). If you want to explore how that often turns out, feel free to peruse the internet. It is easy to find multiple cases of ISKCON leaders engaging in pretty unenlightened behaviour. These are the same people the book encourages we should listen to unquestionably.

Whether it serves as a warning or encouragement, this book is a quite digestible way of understanding some of the ISKCON teachings. They are interesting to a Westerner brought up in Christian theology, which I am now realising is what made ISKCON so attractive to the early Westerner followers at the time the book concerns.

[Palla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book; basically I am grateful to be able to get the chance to hold and read this book. Before reading this book I was a different person and now i am a different person. I have read the book not completed(because fully completing this book would need me to re-read this books several times which ofcourse i will do soon enough).
Can’t really give any spoilers because everyone’s understanding will vary so you need to emerge yourself in it to actually understand the knowledge this little yet not little book holds!
To all those who dont know or believe in Krishna must get a hold of this book and read it(read, re-read until they develop some changes in them). Its very easy to understand and the questions answers teach you about life and its problems in the best way possible. I can totally say that the name of the book is actually PERFECT💛
kindly give it a read if you haven’t(you won’t regret picking up this book)

[Rachana Verma · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book should be renamed to 'Perfect Questions, Imperfect Answers'. Had bought it out of curiosity at an ISCKON temple because I felt uncomfortable yet amused with the expansive commercialization of temple spaces. And after reading this I realise that it is not really commercialization that this group is doing, but a cult-ification of Krishna bhakti. Even if the book had potential answers to spiritual questions, the only thing I could read throughout was "JOIN OUR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT". It felt like I was reading through a very long advertisement.

[Lingui5t · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally some clarity, but only because of the insistent questioning of Bob Cohen (interviewer throughout, later to be initiated into ISKCON).

Prabhupada's petulant attitude shows through here considerably more than other places. For all his spiritual wisdom and ability, he shows a glaring incapacity to address doubts common to any thinking person. The frustration of anyone with critical thinking skills is likely to pervade all his work.

[Ary · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for an introduction to Krishna consciousness, this short book is what you need. In the form of a dialogue between Prabhupada, founder of the Krishna movement and Bob, interested to learn more about this philosophy, this book offers a different perspective on daily life and describes the steps to achieve the state of Krishna Consciousness.

[Hamza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a good insight about ISKCON-s core Belefes, although it seems that Prabhupada sometimes doesnt answer the question directly but uses his words to change the subjet or use strawman arguments.
Non the less there are eye opening analogies and quotes that will have great impact on my undertanding of the World around us.

[Jasmine Boywalla · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the name suggests, not only are the answers perfect but even the questions are perfect. Each time I read a question, I felt "Well, I had the same question!!!"
It had been arranged in a perfect flow that gradually moves from science to spirituality. It starts with the basics and the depth of the subject increases as you move ahead

6 Star rating!!! No exaggeration

[Nestor Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dentro del libro se responde a preguntas que casi todo ser humano se hace en el transcurso de su vida sobre su existencia y su entorno, haciéndote reflexionar sobre muchas cuestiones en las que pudieras estar o no estar de acuerdo.

[Bharat Narayan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's conversations as title describes, presents about Krishna consciousness and it's very essence directly from its founder Guru Swami Prabhupada pada
Recommended for Beginners who wish to move forward in Spiritual life (especially with iskcon,)

[Monipops🍭 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet but very informative. It’s added a lot to my knowledge on ISKON without having read any of the major works. Although I don’t agree and/or abide by many of Krishna’s teachings I found the whole concept fascinating and am keen to learn more on my journey.

[Juan Gallo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh, no se puede poner peor chicxs.

[Vipin Tyagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect book

This book has all answers to all questions that seem to have no answers!! Must read for anyone looking for answers in life...

[Rajesh Mirchandani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

[Pritam Aich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the answers were perfectly given by Prabhupada but the question were nowhere near to perfect . First half contains a lot of silly questions from bob .