Faith is nourished by divine revelation, saintly reiteration and personal realization
Faith is a precious asset on the spiritual path. Our faith is nourished by the revelation coming from God, by the reiteration of that revelation [...]
God is the answer before all questions
Modern thinkers laud the questioning spirit as the engine of scientific progress. Because Newton questioned the falling of an apple, he came up with the [...]
The verdict comes from the judge but is not caused by the judge
Suppose a person robs a bank, and is apprehended by the police and convicted by a judge. In that robber’s going to the jail, all [...]
Gita 08.03 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan So now let us look [...]
The gods are facilitators of our devotion, not competitors for our devotion
Some people ask, “Is the Gita polytheistic?” No, as is seen in the understanding of the Gita’s original student, Arjuna. After hearing the Gita’s four-verse [...]
Gita 08.02 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 8.2 adhiyajñaḥ kathaṁ ko [...]
Krishna is the master before whom we stand truly erect
“Krishna is our master and we are his servants.” This scriptural tenet can evoke resentment within us: “Why should I bow down to God?” The [...]
Gita 08.01 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Now here we are discussing [...]
Detachment is foundational for emotional intelligence
Some people think that detachment sentences us to emotion-less living. Actually, the cause of an emotionally barren existence is not detachment per se, but the [...]
Bhakti theology goes beyond polytheism and monotheism to polymorphic bi-monotheism
Conventional Western thought divided the world’s religions into polytheistic and monotheistic. The monotheistic religions such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam viewed derisively the polytheistic religions [...]
The Gita is a dharmic book that asks us to give up dharma – or does it?
The Bhagavad-gita (18.66) concludes with an intriguing call: Give up all religions (sarva-dharman parityajya). This begs the question – why would a religious book ask [...]
Spiritual success depends on stamina, not speed
In a sprint, speed determines success, whereas in a marathon, stamina determines success. Spiritual growth is a marathon, not a sprint. To purify our consciousness [...]
Don’t let the stray lead you astray
Suppose we are walking, and someone approaches and asks us to come with them somewhere. We wouldn’t just go along nonchalantly – we would first [...]
A lot is happening when nothing seems to be happening
When people meet each other, they often ask, “What’s happening?” And one reply may be, “Not much.” When people talk about happenings, they usually refer [...]
Gita 09.27 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan But the question comes what [...]
Surrender is expressed through not just helplessness but also readiness
The quintessential image of surrender is the chaste Draupadi, raising her hands in utter helplessness while being disrobed and calling out to Krishna for protection. [...]
You are no stranger to God
If we need to approach an important person for some help, we will hesitate if we had no prior relationship with him. But if he [...]
Gita 09.25 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan So Krishna will give a [...]
Don’t uproot in doubt what was planted in faith
Suppose a person carefully plants saplings in a garden. But, on seeing no fruits forthcoming and thinking impatiently that no fruits will ever come, that [...]
Gita 09.24 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Krishna is Lord of all [...]
The best is not as important as the best for you
Suppose someone places a persimmon in competition with an apple and tries to make it the best apple. Not only will they fail, but also [...]