Putana, Trnavarta, and Saktasura: Three obstacles in Krishna Bhakti | HG Radheshyam Prabhu | Iskcon Newtown Kolkata

In the Sunday Satsang program at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata on 7^th June 2026, HG Radheshyam Prabhu spoke about three main obstacles in Krishna Bhakti. More than 300 devotees particiapted in the class. Class started at 11:30 am and continued till 2 pm.

As Krishna appeared in Vrindavan, the demons and demoness started coming to Vrindavan to kill Krishna. Similarly, as soon as we begin practicing devotion to Krishna and become seriours in bhakti, different obstacles come in our way.

So, we have to be very cautious and carefully protect ourselves from these obstacles and protect our Krishna bhakti.

Different demons who come to Vrindavan represents different demons. HG Radheshyam Prabhu elaborately spoke about these demons and how we can protect ourselves from these demons.

Below is an excerpt from the class.

Three Main Obstacles in Krishna Bhakti & How to Overcome Them

1. Putana – The Bogus Guru

Putana took Krishna on her lap. Internally she was a demoness, but externally she looked beautiful. No one in Vrindavan knew that she was a demoness; only Krishna knew. When Krishna began taking away her life air, she started crying, saying, “Leave me.” But Krishna did not leave her. She ran for her life and fell on the ground.

The gopis and gopas put a ladder, climbed on Putana, took Krishna, and saw that nothing had happened to Him. Some may ask whether the Vrajavasis were not fearful, but their love for Krishna was so great that they did not fear anything.

Bhakti Vinod Thakura in Krishna Samhita says that our mind is also like Vrindavan. When we are not serious in bhakti, then the demons start attacking the mind.

Bhakti Vinod Thakura says our tender devotion is like little Krishna. In our garden also, when we grow some flowers or vegetables, we should barricade it.

In our spiritual life too, we should out barricade so that our bhakti is not destroyed. First is no illicit connection with man or woman and it also important that that we remain in the association of devotees.

What Putana Represents Spiritually

1. Fake spirituality
2. Bogus guru
3. Misleading teachers
4. People who appear spiritual but lack devotion.

The Danger

• Bogus gurus look saintly externally
• Speak spiritual language
• But do not genuinely lead people to Krishna

One famous spiritual guru in Vrindavan spoke about Advaita siddhanta.

Bhakti means a personal, reciprocal, loving relationship with God, Krishna.

A Vaishnava will never say that the jiva is Bhagavan. Srila Prabhupada says that if any guru says that he is God, then he is a dog.

In Vrindavan, more than 50 kathas happen like Srimad Bhagavatam jnana yajna. They all talk Mayavada philosophy. While speaking, they will say that ultimately, we will merge into God.

No one can merge into God and become God. For example, if a parrot goes inside a green tree, it does not mean that he becomes a tree.

Once Kamadeva and Rati wanted to agitate Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva opened his third eye and burnt Kamadeva. Kamadeva got sayujya mukti but later came as the son of Krishna, Pradyumna.

One cannot remain in Brahmajyoti forever. That is not a permanent place. In Pune, one person went to Vrindavan and took initiation from a guru.

But still, he would come to ISKCON. I asked, “You have already taken initiation from a different guru then why you come to Iskcon?” He said because in ISKCON we have many devotional activities like Bhagavatam and Gita class, kirtan, dance, and especially prasadam.

Fake Guru just seeks followers.

Modern Example

A teacher is more interested in fame than Krishna. One guru says, “I do not read scriptures; I just speak like that only.” But Krishna says we should speak from scriptures.

No one can give dharma except the Lord. The 12 mahajanas know about Bhagavad dharma. Guru gives Harinama to remove anarthas.

Walking ability is already there in everyone; similarly, love for Krishna is in the heart of all.

Sridhar Swami says a secret of Bhagavad-bhakti – anyone, even an illiterate person, can practice bhakti.

There was one brahmana and a cobbler who wanted to know from Narada when they would go to the spiritual world. Narada said that let me ask the Lord. When he came then the brahmana asked what was the Lord doing in Vaikuntha, Narada said, he was passing an elephant from the eye of the needle.

The Brahmana started laughing, he said how can it be possible. When Narada said the same thing to the cobbler then cobbler was excited, he said, “If my Lord can make a huge banyan tree grow from a tiny seed then why can’t he pass an elephant through a needle.” Narada said to the cobbler that you have faith in Lord, you will go back to the spiritual world.

For bhakti we need faith and simplicity.

How to Kill Putana

• Study guru, sadhu, and shastra
• Accept guidance from genuine Vaishnavas
• Develop discrimination
• Avoid blind following

One of the the first obstacles in Krishna bhakti is accepting the wrong guide.

In Bhagavad Gita 4.34, Krishna says we should approach a genuine guru and inquire from him submissively.

tad viddhi praṇipātena
paripraśnena sevayā
upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ
jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ

Blind following and absurd philosophy are condemned.

We should follow that person who practices bhakti throughout life.

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2. Trnavarta – The Demon of Endless Arguments

Represents

• Dry intellectualism
• Endless arguments
• Mental speculation
• Pride in logic

Such person, instead of developing love for Krishna, becomes absorbed in:

• Winning debates
• Proving others wrong
• Intellectual gymnastics
• Showing one’s knowledge

If one engages in mindless argument, the heart becomes dry. We should avoid indulging in such activities.

In Sri Rangam, once a hog who was recently married challenged an elephant who was going to the temple for a service.

The wife of the elephant asked, “Why did you not fight?” The elephant said, “Arati is going to start in the temple. My service is to welcome the Lord. If I fight with the hog, I will get dirty.”

Once Rupa Narayana came to debate with Rupa and Sanatana Goswami. He said, “Either sign on this patrika that I am defeated, or debate.” They both signed. But Jiva Goswami saw this.  He said you can’t even defeat me then how can you defeat these two great devotees. Jiva Goswami easily defeated Rupa Narayana. Later, Rupa Goswami scolded Jiva Goswami that he indulged in unnecessary activity.

Symptoms

• Always arguing
• Never surrendering
• Always analysing
• Never developing affection for Krishna

One person said, “If I see Krishna, then I will chant.” Srila Prabhupada says, “If you have to go to the USA, then first you buy a ticket, then you board the flight and then you reach USA.” You cannot reach USA without buying a ticket. Similarly, one cannot attain Krishna without chanting his names.

Such people are more interested in proving a point than serving Krishna.

How to Defeat Trnavarta

• Chant sincerely
• Associate with devotees who have realization
• Cultivate humility

Krishna is full of humility. Although he is the Lord but still, he drove the chariot of Arjuna and also during the rajasuya-yajna organized by Maharaja Yudhisthira, he took the service of washing the feet of the sadhus.

• Remember bhakti is ultimately a matter of the heart, not merely the brain

The second obstacle in Krishna Obstacle is allowing intelligence to replace devotion.

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3. Saktasura

Carrying the burden of rules without understanding their purpose.

The Danger

Saktasura is compared to laziness.

Laziness is very dangerous.

A devotee may chant, follow regulations, attend programs, and observe festivals, but internally think of it as a burden. There is no affection, appreciation, or attraction for Krishna.

Symptoms

 A devotee may think, “I have to chant, I have to attend class, I have to follow Ekadashi,” instead of “I want to remember Krishna.”

We should not think of jumping from vaidhi bhakti to raganuga bhakti.

The Goswamis were so close to the Lord but never said that they had seen Krishna.

We should follow BRS principle

• B: Beg for mercy
• R: Repent for past sins
• S: Seek shelter by surrender – ekona…

How to Break Sakata

• Understand the purpose behind rules
• Practice sadhana with meaning
• Develop genuine attraction through hearing and chanting
• Do not artificially jump to advanced topics
• Progress naturally under proper guidance

Lesson

The third obstacle in Krishna Bhakti is mechanical practice of devotion without affection or pride.

Conclusion

After the class, prabhuji answered questions of the devotees. At the end there was dancing kirtan followed by delicious lunch prasadam.