Familiarity is not understanding
The Bhagavad-gita (4.9) describes that the result of understanding Krishna – his divine birth and his sublime activities – is liberation and reinstatement in his [...]
Balance the here and the hereafter through bhakti-yoga
Gita wisdom declares the world we live in, the here, to be a place of ephemerality and misery. So, it deems the spiritual world, the [...]
See rituals as opportunities to spend quality time with Krishna
The various rituals that are a part of spiritual life – chanting, praying, worshipping and meditating – are opportunities for us to spend time with [...]
The Gita guarantees ultimate success
The Bhagavad-gita (18.78) concludes with the proclamation that success is guaranteed for those who harmonize their human will with the divine will. This proclamation is [...]
Ask not “Is God with me?” Ask “Am I with God?”
The Bhagavad-gita (18.73) expresses the summit of humanity’s faith in divinity when Arjuna declares to Krishna, “I will do your will.” Our faith in God [...]
My message of love, Will you ban?
Gita Banning: Krishna’s side of the story In the backdrop of the present sad controversy over the banning of the Bhagavad-gita in Russia, we present [...]
The Bhagavad-gita is open-minded, not empty-minded
The Bhagavad-gita presents an open-minded worldview that integrates all people, no matter how diverse their values, goals and paths. According to their level of spiritual [...]
Denying our blindfolds keeps us blind
The Bhagavad-gita (13.09) indicates that the wise contemplate seriously the inevitability of death in our present existence. The Gita integrates this pessimistic-seeming contemplation into an [...]
Value change, but don’t change values
Our present existence is bi-dimensional: we are spiritual beings residing in material bodies. Harmonizing the material and the spiritual dimensions of our existence is a [...]
Beyond lamentation to love
In the Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krishna’s instructions begin (2.11) and end (18.66) with a call to give up lamentation. Between these two calls is another call: [...]
Humility opens the door to wisdom
The Bhagavad-gita (13.8) mentions humility as the first among the twenty virtues that comprise wisdom. This indicates that humility is the doorway that enables us [...]
We Are Products But Not Prisoners Of Our Past
“Is this just the way I am? Am I a prisoner of my past?” Gloomy thoughts like these may haunt us when we fail in [...]
Love not just ideal people, but also real people
It’s relatively easy to love ideal people: those who have only virtues, no vices. And we do need to love them so that we develop [...]
The Gita centers on neither rituals nor doctrines but on a love affair
The Bhagavad-gita (18.66) concludes with the radical call to abandon all dharmas and just surrender to Krishna alone. What is the rationale for this call? [...]
Utilize impoverishment as an opportunity for enrichment
When faced with financial challenges, we often worry, “What do I live with?” This worry is, no doubt, valid and important. At the same time, [...]
Ever flowing, never flooding is the state of the serene consciousness
How can spiritual seekers stay peaceful amidst tempting circumstances? The Bhagavad-gita (2.70) shows the way with a metaphor from nature: just as rivers flow into [...]
How History is His-story
History, if seen from a purely materialistic perspective, seems to be nothing more than a list of names of dead successful people. Decade after decade, [...]
Don’t assume that faultfinding is an obligation – it may well be a temptation
The Bhagavad-gita (16.02) mentions that the godly are averse to faultfinding. Gita wisdom explains the rationale. All of us have a godly side and a [...]
Stop serving God as an advisor
Everyone wants to serve God, but as an advisor. This is true even, and especially, for atheists; their normally non-existent god pops into existence whenever [...]
Bhakti is not just about believing in God – it is about belonging to God
The Bhagavad-gita (04.35) explains that when we become illumined by spiritual knowledge, we understand that we are Krishna’s, that is, we belong to him. Many [...]
The Bhagavad-gita enthrones the path of love
Those familiar with the Gita sometimes raise the question: “When the Gita mentions various spiritual paths like karma-yoga, jnana-yoga and ashtanga-yoga, what is the need [...]