The True Nature and Function of the Living Entity - Paperback

by Kānupriya Goswāmī (Author), Neil Steinert (Editor), Jagadānanda Dāsa (Translator)

Discover a profound exploration of the soul, its purpose, and the path to true peace.

The True Nature and Function of the Living Entity (Jīvera Svarūpa O Svadharma) by Śrīmat Kānupriya Goswāmī is a deeply philosophical yet accessible guide to understanding the essence of human existence through the lens of traditional Caitanya Vaiṣṇava theology. This carefully edited and expanded English edition brings a classic 20th-century Bengali work to modern readers with clarity, accuracy, and rich supporting material.

What is the soul? Why do we suffer? What is real peace? This book answers these timeless questions by distinguishing between material happiness and spiritual fulfillment, presenting devotion (bhakti) as the essential means to lasting inner harmony. Through thoughtful analysis, scriptural references, and practical insight, the author challenges materialistic worldviews and offers a compelling vision of life centered on spiritual realization.

Readers will explore:

• The relationship between the self (jīva), the world, and the Divine
• The ultimate goal of life (prayojana) and how to attain it
• A critique of modern materialism and purely economic solutions to human suffering
• The transformative power of devotion, faith, and spiritual practice

Written with both philosophical depth and remarkable clarity, this work makes complex spiritual truths understandable and relevant for contemporary readers.

Ideal for students of Indian philosophy, practitioners of bhakti, and anyone seeking deeper meaning beyond material life, this edition includes annotations, glossary, appendices, and restored passages for a complete and enriched reading experience.

Keywords: bhakti, Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism, spiritual philosophy, self-realization, jīva, dharma, devotion, Kṛṣṇa, Vedantic thought, inner peace