What Arjuna saw changed how he saw
In the Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter, when Arjuna wanted to see those on the opposite side, he referred to them as “allies of the evil-minded son [...]
How could Arjuna speak when he couldn’t even hold his bow?
In the Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter, when Arjuna saw his relatives in the opposite army, he was so emotionally overwhelmed that his bow started slipping out [...]
Why the Gita begins with Dhirtarashtra’s words
The Bhagavad-gita is, as its very name indicates, God’s message in the form of a song. Why does the Gita begin with the words of [...]
Why did Arjuna feel overwhelmed at Kurukshetra but not at Virata?
The Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter depicts how Arjuna was overwhelmed on seeing his relatives assembled on the battlefield of Kurukshetra (01.27). Why was Arjuna so overwhelmed? [...]
Krishna’s only words in the Gita’s first chapter
In the Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter, Krishna speaks only once (01.25): “O Partha, behold the Kurus assembled on the battlefield.” And he speaks these words after [...]
Why is the book called Bhagavad-gita when it contains words other than those of Bhagavan?
Among the Gita’s 700 verses, Krishna speaks 574 verses, Arjuna speaks 84, Sanjaya speaks 41 and Dhritarashtra 1. When the Gita contains words in addition [...]
Krishna’s remarkable first appearance in the Gita
In movies, the first appearance of the hero tells a lot about the hero’s character and about the movie’s caliber too. The first impression lasts. [...]
Arjuna’s eighth question: What if one can’t practice yoga till one attains perfection?
In the Bhagavad-gita’s sixth chapter, Krishna addresses Arjuna’s concerns about the mind’s restlessness (06.33-34) by assuring him that practice will bring perfection (06.35-36). Krishna’s answer [...]
Arjuna’s seventh question: The mind is unmanageable
In the Bhagavad-gita’s sixth chapter, Krishna outlines the process of dhyana-yoga, which centers largely on maintaining equanimity of mind. In fact, serious dhyana-yoga begins with [...]
Are we included in Krishna’s circle of love?
In the Bhagavad-gita’s conclusion, Krishna reveals his love for Arjuna (18.64-66). Krishna’s declaration is astonishing, riveting, inspiring. Yet it may raise a question, “Is such [...]
Gita 5.10 explained
In the next verse it is explained that devotee will work for Sri Krishna’s enjoyment not for enjoyment for himself. Bg 5.10 brahmaṇy ādhāya karmāṇi [...]
Krishna’s most emphatic declaration of love in the Gita
Toward the Bhagavad-gita’s conclusion, Krishna opens his heart in a stirring declaration of love. 18.65 and 18.66 are often celebrated as moving outpourings of Krishna’s [...]
How does detachment prevent entanglement?
Krishna states repeatedly in the Bhagavad-gita that if Arjuna works without attachment to the results of his work, he won’t be entangled. How exactly does [...]
How can Arjuna do his work as a worship?
In the Bhagavad-gita (18.46), Krishna urges Arjuna to worship the Lord through his work. What does this mean? For work to be worship, it needs [...]
Does Krishna consider Arjuna to be a doer or a non-doer?
In one of his oft-quoted statements, (03.27), Krishna tells Arjuna that the deluded think they are the doers of things that are actually done by [...]
How re-envisioning the Gita can help us relish it more
The Bhagavad-gita is often seen as a philosophical treatise that contains many profound truths. While the Gita is certainly philosophical, it is simultaneously conversational. And [...]
What the three endings of Krishna’s message tell us about Krishna
Let’s consider three possible endings of Krishna’s message to Arjuna. Analytical ending (18.63): Though Krishna speaks nine more verses after this verse, this verse sounds [...]
What Krishna’s analysis of determination in the three modes means for Arjuna
While guiding Arjuna to act wisely (18.19-40), Krishna analyzes various elements of action in succession. One such element is determination (18.33-35), which essentially refers to [...]
What Krishna’s assurance about bhakti-yoga means for Arjuna
Toward the end of the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna promises Arjuna of protection if he becomes devotionally conscious (18.58). What does this promise signify? To understand, let’s [...]
How working with devotion prevents entanglement
In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna addresses Arjuna’s concern: Won’t work entangle me in the world? After outlining various processes for spiritual growth, Krishna recommends bhakti-yoga, or [...]
Why we may misunderstand Krishna’s Gita message — and how the Mahabharata can help
At first glance, the Bhagavad-gita might seem like a philosophical justification for war; Krishna speaks when Arjuna refuses to fight (02.09). Because our modern psyche [...]