The inner war is the bigger war
People new to the Bhagavad-gita often ask: “Does it endorse war?” At one level, the Gita does indeed urge a virtuous warrior to fight against [...]
Meditation minimizes inner friction and maximizes outer contribution
“I have so many things to do. How can I spare time for meditation?” This apprehension often troubles aspiring spiritualists. Paradoxically, it is when we have [...]
A passion for fashion ends in dissatisfaction and delusion
Fashions allure us constantly in today’s world. New clothes, new cellphones, new cosmetics – such things often captivate our minds. Keeping up with fashions doesn’t [...]
Seek not scapegoats; seek not to become martyrs – seek to stay as servants
When we fail at something important, we often feel mortified that others will think of us as incompetent, bungling good-for-nothings. To counter this negative perception, [...]
There is no reason for reason without a transcendental source of reason
Materialists often portray themselves as champions of reason and deride religionists as peddlers of irrational beliefs. However, the very reason they claim to champion has [...]
Contemplating the gravity of our purpose exposes the frivolity of our pride
Suppose a doctor in an epidemic-hit area succeeds in saving a record number of patients. The feat is laudable, no doubt. But suppose the doctor [...]
Externals provide survival value, but internals provide value to survival
Struggle for survival is a fundamental characteristic of material existence. In this struggle, all living beings choose external things based on their survival value – [...]
The determination to serve Krishna doesn’t just herald victory – it is victory
The Bhagavad-gita concludes ((18.78) with a prophecy: when the devotee is one in will with the Lord, victory will ensue. This prophecy was fulfilled when [...]
Those who don’t see weakness as weakness degrade to meanness
We all have our weaknesses such as succumbing to temptations and compromising principles for expediency. Having weaknesses is a part of the package of being [...]
The fruit of meditation is taste for meditation
In worldly life, we usually do an action for some fruit other than that action – we may work not because we love the work [...]
The Gita is not just didactic but also therapeutic
Doctors give patients a didactic explanation centered on what is wrong (diagnosis). But the diagnosis is not the therapy, which involves taking some prescriptions. Thus [...]
The belief that what science can’t explain doesn’t need explaining is blind and blinding
Science has explained many mysteries about material nature. And it will explain more. Still because it focuses on matter, it can’t explain the non-material. However, [...]
Live for Krishna; live through Krishna; live in Krishna
“How can we live spiritually in the material world?” This question often confronts devotee-seekers. The Bhagavad-gita (12.08 - 12.12) outlines multiple descending levels at which we can [...]
Realizing our dispensability can be a prick for the ego or a balm for the heart
When we have many things to do and many people depending on us to do those things, we may think of ourselves as indispensable: “How [...]
Balanced bhakti brings bliss
Some people fear that becoming too spiritual will make them apathetic towards everything worldly. Apathy towards the world is not the defining characteristic of spirituality [...]
To understand God’s provision, first understand God’s vision
People sometimes ask, “If I devote myself to God, will he provide for my needs?” Yes, definitely; but to understand his provision, we need to [...]
The self-evident is not always evident to the self
The sun is self-luminous, yet those who are under a cloud can’t see it. The words of the Bhagavad-gita, especially its repeated proclamations of the [...]
The point of the world is to point beyond the world
When we see the distress, destruction and death that characterize this world, we may get the question: “What is the point of it all?” But [...]
When clarification causes confusion, the culprit is pre-conception
Krishna speaks the Bhagavad-gita to remove Arjuna’s confusion about the best course for him: action or renunciation. The Gita’s second chapter, eschewing these two polar [...]
Devotion blossoms in a personal culture, not a personality cult
Bhakti-yoga with its injunction that disciples serve the guru may seem to promote a personality cult. What bhakti actually endorses is a personal culture. This [...]
Spiritual culture raises humans from survival of the fittest to sacrifice by the fittest
Survival of the fittest may be a defining feature of nature, but it doesn’t inspire or bring meaning to life. Inspiring are the examples of [...]