Questions on today's Swami call: 0:00 When we encounter obstacles, it is often for us to learn something. We suffer when we cannot see the meaning behind the obstacles, end we get inspired to endure tribulations when we do see the meaning. Why does Sri Krishna sometimes keep that meaning hidden? 00:07:56 Does chanting the holy name purify the ego? 00:13:33 It is said that there are thee desires experienced in the stage of ruci: the desire to serve Krishna favorably (anukulya-abhilasa), the desire to attain a specific service to Krishna (prapty-abhilasa), and the desire to establish an affectionate relationship with Krishna (sauharda-abhilasa). If you think it would be favorable for us to hear, could you elaborate on this?  00:31:32 What is the significance of the name Aghabid being used for Sri Krishna in your pranama-mantra? 00:38:53 In the Brhad-Bhagavatamrta, there is an instance in Dvaraka dhama where Sri Krishna faints, and the inhabitants build a facsimile of Vrindavana dhama to alleviate his pain. Can you speak about the significance of this? There is also an instance in the same book where Uddhava’s grandmother is attracted to Sri Krishna’s madhurya-lila. Can you explain this as well? 00:51:34 In the Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Krishna tells Uddhava that he is more dear to him than his own brother. The name used for Sri Krishna’s brother in the original verse is Sankarsana. If Sankarsana would refer to Balarama in Vrindavana, how are we to understand this statement of Sri Krishna? 00:57:47 News.