Be Careful With Bhakti” Or, Why the Guru Withdraws: The Unconventional Life and Teachings of Svami Sadananda Dasa

Abstract

The article “Be Careful With Bhakti” by Katrin Stamm offers a rare glimpse into the life and teachings of Svami Sadananda Dasa, a German disciple of Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī and one of the earliest Western converts to Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism. Stamm presents a biographical and philosophical portrait of a guru who resisted institutional roles and emphasized introspective devotion, often cautioning disciples against superficial enthusiasm. The article explores Sadananda’s decision to withdraw from formal guruhood, his emphasis on theological integrity, and his critiques of spiritual commodification. Through archival material and student reflections, Stamm reconstructs a pedagogy rooted in humility, discernment, and fidelity to inner transformation.