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 [...]
The mind is a tormentor, not a mentor
The mind often pretends to be our mentor. It constantly comments about what is happening, suggests what we should be doing and promises happiness if [...]
Krishna is not just a portion of knowledge; he is its pre-condition and its perfection
The sun is one of the objects we see, but it is also the object by which we see all other objects. Without sunlight, we [...]
Casual ties make us casualties
We all have a lower side that induces shortsighted desires which end in misery. To resist this lower side, our higher ties – our connections [...]
Don’t divorce the head from the heart in the Gita symbiosis
Some people say, “The Gita recommends bhakti as the path of the heart and jnana as the path of the head.” But Gita wisdom [...]
Even if we can’t be ideal people, we can still be people with ideals
Living as we do in a confusing world, we are like seafarers adrift in an ocean that seems shorelessly vast. In such a world, ideals [...]
Go beyond sectarianism and non-sectarianism to trans-sectarianism
Thoughtful people often dislike sectarianism of any kind due to the divisiveness it fosters. As religions have been known to foster sectarian feelings (“the good [...]
Surrender to Krishna is not a pronouncement of defeat, but a precursor to victory
“I surrender.” These words are usually spoken when a combatant lays down arms and accepts defeat. Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita concludes his counsel (18.66) with [...]
The generosity of bhakti is in countering, not condoning, sin
“As I am a devotee, even if I sin, it doesn’t matter because Krishna will free me from all sins.” Some people argue thus while [...]
Our destiny is not sealed – as long as we don’t seal ourselves with it
“Is our destiny sealed?” This question may trouble us when, despite our best efforts, things go wrong. No, answers Gita wisdom unambiguously. Philosophical technicalities apart, [...]
Let others’ human failings not deny us our chance to overcome our human failings
As seekers, we get inspiration and guidance from our spiritual mentors. So if those mentors fall prey to temptations, our faith naturally gets jolted. To [...]
Don’t let desire delude with the Trojan Horse of doubt
Intelligence boosted by scriptural wisdom is our defense against self-centered desire – it helps us see through desire’s false promises. When desire can’t penetrate our [...]
Nectar is not a material thing to be ingested, but a spiritual truth to be relished
“It tastes like nectar,” people say when something tastes delicious. This usage, wherein nectar is compared to a thing, often makes people assume nectar to [...]
Lust is not just vicious but also voracious
“What makes a person do something as terrible as that?” This universal question about human behavior is echoed by Arjuna in the Bhagavad-gita (03.36). The [...]
By seeing God as a competitor, we devalue ourselves
Some people ask: “Why should I serve God? Why can’t I enjoy independently, as he does?” We can seek enjoyment independent of God, for he [...]
No one owns the truth table except God – and he has many invitees
“My way is the only way.” This is the exclusivist credo of some religionists. In disarming contrast, Krishna declares in the Bhagavad-gita (04.11): “All people [...]
Count your blessings – and make your blessings count
Suppose patients get the right medicine, but don’t value it. Or suppose they value it but don’t take it. Either way, they continue suffering. These [...]
What is natural is not always desirable; what is desirable is not always natural
Some people oppose regulation of sensual pleasure: “Material enjoyment is natural. Why should we unnaturally suppress that which is natural?” The vital question here is: [...]
What is beyond being dated is beyond becoming outdated
Some people ask, “The Bhagavad-gita was spoken thousands of years ago. Doesn’t that make it outdated?” Not at all. Gita wisdom cannot be tied down [...]
The sanctity of spirituality doesn’t erode but enhances the dignity of humanity
Some people ask: “If we stay equal and unaffected amidst happiness and distress, gain and loss, victory and defeat, as the Bhagavad-gita (02.38) recommends, won’t [...]