From the specific to the universal (Why the Gita’s first chapter matters 3)
From the specific to the universal - We learn best by an expert combination of the specific and the universal. Specifics catch our attention as [...]
When our inner map fails (Why the Gita’s first chapter matters 2)
When our inner map fails - Suppose we are driving on an important journey using a digital map, but suddenly our map stops working. That [...]
The QUEST acronym (Why the Gita’s first chapter matters 1)
The QUEST acronym - The Bhagavad-gita is widely known as a book of profound philosophy. Why does such a book start with an entire chapter [...]
Gita 10.11 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Now Krishna said I will [...]
10.11 How knowledge relates with devotion (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 13)
10.11 How knowledge relates with devotion - The Chatur-Shloki Gita offers a nuanced understanding of the relationship between knowledge and devotion. Let’s try to understand [...]
10.11 How knowledge manifests in devotion (Chatur Shloki Gita analysis 12)
10.11 How knowledge manifests in devotion - Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya “Move from darkness to light.” This well-known saying from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad succinctly conveys [...]
Gita 10.10 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 10.10 teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ bhajatāṁ [...]
How devotion leads to dynamic intelligence (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 11)
How devotion leads to dynamic intelligence - Our destiny is determined by our decisions; the choices we make can radically alter our life’s trajectories. Unfortunately, [...]
Why our mood matters in our bhakti practice (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 10)
Why our mood matters in our bhakti practice - Suppose we meet someone whose words or gestures convey that they don’t want to be with [...]
How devotion encompasses our entire being (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 9)
How devotion encompasses our entire being - In the Chatur-shloki Gita, the second verse (10.09) describes the characteristics of the devoted in terms of their [...]
Chatur-Shloki Gita illustrated in the Krishna-Arjuna relationship (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 8)
Chatur-Shloki Gita illustrated in the Krishna-Arjuna relationship - The Chatur-Shloki Gita (10.08-11) can be analyzed in terms of what devotees do for Krishna (10.08-09) and [...]
Chatur-Shloki Summarized in terms of reciprocation (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 7)
Chatur-Shloki Summarized in terms of reciprocation - If we read the Bhagavad-gita’s Chatur-shloki (its four-verse summary:10.08-11), it becomes evident that its essential theme is bhakti-yoga. [...]
Why speech matters so much in devotion (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 6)
Why speech matters so much in devotion - In its second verse, the Chatur-Shloki Bhagavad-gita (10.08-11) states the characteristics of the devoted in terms of [...]
Devotion is seen through dedication (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 5)
Devotion is seen through dedication - Suppose someone claims that they are strong patriots. On observing them, if we find that they hardly do anything [...]
Devotion changes our inner home (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 4)
Devotion changes our inner home - The Bhagavad-gita’s Chatur-Shloki (10.08-11) begins by stating that Krishna is the ultimate reality, loved by the enlightened (10.08). The [...]
How devotion balances the head and the heart (Chatur-Shloki analysis 3)
The first verse of the Chatur-Shloki characterizes those devoted to Krishna as buddha (enlightened) and bhava-samanvitah (infused with emotion). These two describers point to a [...]
The impact of knowing about God (Chatur Shloki Gita analysis 2)
The impact of knowing about God - The second half of the first verse of the Chatur-Shloki (10.08) states the result of knowing about Krishna: [...]
Defining and identifying the ultimate reality (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 1)
Defining and identifying the ultimate reality - The first verse (10.08) of the Chatur-Shloki Gita (10.08-11) gives the definition and identification of God. In its [...]
Taking responsibility to help others choose wisely (Balancing independence and guidance series 7)
Taking responsibility to help others choose wisely - After Krishna concludes the Bhagavad-gita’s message, he asks Arjuna a two-part question: Has he heard attentively? Have [...]
Gita 06.40 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya 38-45: If the mind deviates the [...]
How Krishna precedes enlightenment with encouragement (Balancing independence and guidance 7)
How Krishna precedes enlightenment with encouragement - In the Bhagavad-gita’s sixth chapter, Arjuna enquires about the fate of the unsuccessful yogi. In a question that [...]