Book excerpt: Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura (1874-1937) was the son of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, appearing in answer to his fathers prayer as the Thakura worked tirelessly to reform Gaudiya Vaisnavism and to prove its preeminence among world religions. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura took up his fathers mission and both preached the conclusive truths of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhus teachings and tasted the sweetness of pure devotion himself. During his lifetime, he initiated thousands of disciples and gave thousands of hours of careful and compassionate instructions. This book provides a compendium of those instructions. Like the Bhaktivinoda Vani Vaibhava volumes that have preceded it, Amrta Vani is presented in a question-and-answer format. It was compiled by Sri Bhakti Mayukha Bhagavata Maharaja, one of Sarasvati Thakuras disciples. Following the system designed by the compiler of Bhaktivinoda Vani Vaibhava, Bhagavata Maharaja posed questions, then found the responses amid Sarasvati Thakuras lectures, lectures, essays, and other writings. The Caitanya-caritamrta states, "Krsna is so merciful that simply by aiming His instructions at Arjuna, He has given protection to the whole world." When those same instructions come through Krsnas pure devotee, one cannot measure the benefit. It is said that by associating for even a moment with a pure devotee one can attain all success in spiritual life. This book provides yet another opportunity for such association.