The two endings of the Gita point to the same end
The Bhagavad-gita has two endings based on the two nested conversations that comprise its narrative. The outer, framing conversation is at Hastinapura between Sanjaya and [...]
Don’t resolve what you will not fall for – resolve what you will stand for
When we succumb to a temptation, we may resolve, “Never again will I fall for that temptation.” While such a resolve is well-intentioned, it is [...]
Don’t let etiology distract from therapy
Suppose a person infected with malaria refuses to take any treatment without first seeing the mosquito that bit him, and knowing when, how and why [...]
Our impressions go with us, but they don’t have to grow with us
Suppose we change from an old computer to a new computer. Once we log in using our id, our browsing information – such as bookmarks, [...]
Our desires are not just linear, but also triangular
We usually think of our desires as linear, as connectors between us and our desired objects. The Bhagavad-gita (02.62) supports this linear view when it [...]
Freedom to do what we like is not necessarily freedom – freedom to do what we should is
Consider alcoholics who want to break free from their addiction. They often place themselves voluntarily in rehabilitation clinics whose monitored environment takes away their freedom [...]
Those who don’t hang together, hang separately
In a war, comrades watch each other’s backs. When we practice spiritual life, we engage in a war against illusion. In this war, our fellow-devotees [...]
Don’t blame ignorantly – blame ignorance
Suppose a person suddenly falls sick and starts looking to assign blame – blaming others for transmitting that infection, blaming the doctor for not prescribing [...]
Consciousness is recoverable, but time isn’t
Spiritual growth centers on purification and elevation of consciousness. And our consciousness is the asset that always stays with us. So, the evolved consciousness acquired [...]
Be not sentimental or judgmental – be transcendental
Sentimentality and judgmentality are two obstacles on the spiritual path. When we are sentimental, we become puppets of our feelings. While practicing bhakti, if we [...]
Rejection of all faith as blind faith is blind faith
Skeptics often deride all faith as blind faith – they hold that only by skepticism can one avoid being misled by false belief systems. Yes, [...]
Terrorism arises from ignorance, materialism and ego
To make sense of the senseless violence unleashed by terrorists, we can seek insight from the Bhagavad-gita’s analytical framework centered on the three modes of [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]