We are not products of our situations; we are products of our decisions
When difficult situations come in our life, we often feel negative emotions such as anger, resentment or self-pity. Though such feelings may be natural, even [...]
To tune out the mind, tune in to Krishna
Suppose we are hearing a radio program that is transmitting unpleasant noise. We would naturally tune out from that station to some other station. We [...]
We may be battered, but we don’t have to be shattered
Suppose in a boxing match one boxer is attacked and battered by an opponent. But if the battered boxer just keeps fighting, the attacker tires [...]
Spirituality unleashes our purity and our potency
The Bhagavad-gita’s concluding verse (18.78) depicts an imagery that transcends its battlefield context and highlights the empowering nature of its message. The verse declares that [...]
Spiritual evolution is best energized by devotional elevation
We all are on a multi-lifetime journey of spiritual evolution. We are at our core spiritual beings. As our consciousness expands and evolves, we find [...]
What brings us to the world is not as defining as what we bring to the world
What brings us to the world refers to the channel through which we come to the world: our family and dynasty. In most traditional societies, [...]
Scriptural study helps us differentiate our authentic needs from our artificial needs
We often feel we need many material things. But when we work to get them and even when we get them, they don’t satisfy us. [...]
Time makes the imperishable inaccessible
Time has awesome power – physically, it can make attractive forms unattractive; psychologically, it can make cherished resolutions seem like burdens; spiritually, it can make [...]
The mind is a masterly telemarketer – don’t pick up the phone
Some telemarketers are dangerously expert at marketing their products. They can make unsuspecting customers who had no desire for that product feel that they need [...]
Gita 01.42 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 1.42 doṣair etaiḥ kula-ghnānāṁ [...]
Gita 01.41 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 1.41 saṅkaro narakāyaiva kula-ghnānāṁ [...]
Gita 01.40 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 1.40 adharmābhibhavāt kṛṣṇa praduṣyanti [...]
One drink is one too many
When recovering alcoholics have stayed sober for some time, they may feel tempted: “Let me take just one drink – what harm can it do?” [...]
Gita 04.33 explained
BG 4.33 These are all different kinds of Yajna, now Krishna will tell which kind of Yajna is better Bg 4.33 śreyān dravya-mayād yajñāj jñāna-yajñaḥ [...]
Gita 04.12 explained
Bg 4.12 kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇāṁ siddhiṁ yajanta iha devatāḥ kṣipraṁ hi mānuṣe loke siddhir bhavati karma-jā Synonyms: kāṅkṣantaḥ — desiring; karmaṇām — of fruitive activities; siddhim — perfection; yajante — they worship by [...]
Gita 04.16 explained
Bg 4.16 kiṁ karma kim akarmeti kavayo ’py atra mohitāḥ tat te karma pravakṣyāmi yaj jñātvā mokṣyase ’śubhāt Synonyms: kim — what is; karma — action; kim — what is; akarma — [...]
Gita 05.26 explained
Bg 5.26 kāma-krodha-vimuktānāṁ yatīnāṁ yata-cetasām abhito brahma-nirvāṇaṁ vartate viditātmanām Word for word: kāma — from desires; krodha — and anger; vimuktānām — of those who [...]
Gita 04.22 explained
Bg 4.22 yadṛcchā-lābha-santuṣṭo dvandvātīto vimatsaraḥ samaḥ siddhāv asiddhau ca kṛtvāpi na nibadhyate Synonyms: yadṛcchā — out of its own accord; lābha — with gain; santuṣṭaḥ — satisfied; dvandva — duality; atītaḥ — surpassed; vimatsaraḥ — free [...]
Gita 04.32 explained
BG 4.32 Now Shri Krishna explains further how this Yajna takes place, where this yajna originates from and where it takes us. Bg 4.32 [...]
Gita 04.14 explained
Bg 4.14 na māṁ karmāṇi limpanti na me karma-phale spṛhā iti māṁ yo ’bhijānāti karmabhir na sa badhyate Word for word: na — never; mām [...]
Gita 04.06 explained
Bg 4.6 ajo ’pi sann avyayātmā bhūtānām īśvaro ’pi san prakṛtiṁ svām adhiṣṭhāya sambhavāmy ātma-māyayā Word for word: ajaḥ — unborn; api — although; san [...]