Gita 06.02 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya 1-9: From Arurukshato (beginning stage) [...]
Krishna’s change of emphasis from detachment to attachment
The Bhagavad-gita’s seventh chapter begins with a strikingly different emphasis from its previous six chapters. While those chapters focused on detachment as the foundation for [...]
How Krishna emphasizes the essence of renunciation for Arjuna
At the start of the Bhagavad-gita’s sixth chapter, Krishna continues revealing how opposites can be harmonized. Just as sankhya and yoga both are meant for [...]
Gita 18.16 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 18.16 tatraivaṁ sati kartāram [...]
Gita 06.18 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya In this chapter Sri Krishna gradually [...]
Why does Krishna stress equanimity of the mind as a prerequisite for renunciation?
In the Bhagavad-gita’s sixth chapter, Krishna stresses that renunciation of work (06.03-04: shamah) can lead to progress only for those who have situated their mind [...]
How Krishna helps Arjuna arrive at a desired conclusion
Krishna’s purpose in speaking the Bhagavad-gita is, at one level, to ensure that Arjuna plays his part in the divine mission to establish dharma in [...]
Gita 01.37-38 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan 27 - 46 Arjuna’s lamentation [...]
How Krishna describes the vision of the seers
Throughout the Gita, Krishna informs Arjuna of how the spiritually realized see reality differently. Here’s a quick overview of Krishna’s major statements about a higher [...]
How Arjuna’s vision evolves in the Gita
‘See’ can refer literally to a physical perception and non-literally to a mental conception. Literally, we might say on spotting someone in a crowd, “I [...]
Gita 02.23 explained
BG 2.23 nainam chindanti sastrani nainam dahati pavakah na cainam kledayanty apo na soshayati marutah SYNONYMS na -- never; enam -- this soul; chindanti [...]
What Arjuna’s fears of social breakdown reveal about him
In the Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter, Arjuna fears that the impending fratricidal war will precipitate dystopia in society (01.39-40). If the assembled leaders of various dynasties [...]
What the indestructibility of the soul implies — and what it doesn’t imply
Some people say, “Krishna tells Arjuna in the Gita that the soul is eternal — therefore, there’s nothing wrong in killing anyone.” That’s a distortion [...]
Why Krishna reproaches Arjuna in his first instructive verse
Krishna begins his instruction to Arjuna with a reproach: Though you speak learned words, you lament for that which is not worthy of lamentation (Bhagavad-gita [...]
Gita 01.08 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan das BG 8 to 14 [...]
What Arjuna knew about the soul — and what he didn’t
In the Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter, Arjuna expresses apprehension about going to hell (01.43). His mention of an afterlife indicates that he knows about the soul. [...]
What do Arjuna’s last three words in the Gita tell us about the Gita
Arjuna’s last words in the Bhagavad-gita are: “I will do your will.” (18.73: karishye vachanam tava). What do they tell us about Krishna’s message? That [...]
How Duryodhana’s speech reveals his mentality
The Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter describes how the sight of the Pandavas’ formidable military formation had Duryodhana unnerved (01.02). Given that his eleven divisions (akshahunis) far [...]
How the Gita’s first words point to its core theme
In the Bhagavad-gita’s first verse spoken by Dhritarashtra, the first words mean ‘at the place of dharma’ (dharma-kshetre). In this verse, the blind king asks [...]
Gita 01.28 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Now for the first time [...]
Gita 01.29 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Arjuna is describing further symptoms [...]