How Krishna is both impartial and reciprocal (Exploring the Gita chapter 9 series – 3)
How Krishna is both impartial and reciprocal - Suppose a cricket umpire constantly rules in favor of one side. That’s unfair, we will exclaim. We [...]
How Krishna is understanding not demanding
Some people think of God as demanding, but Krishna’s self-revelation in the Bhagavad-gita shows him to be a very understanding God. A demanding God expects, [...]
How Krishna is both universal and specific
In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna demonstrates a remarkable blend of both universality and specificity. Universality in analyzing for Arjuna a broad gamut of paths to choose [...]
How the thread of a loveable God links the Gita’s eleventh and twelfth chapters
How the thread of a loveable God links the Gita’s eleventh and twelfth chapters - After the revelation of the universal form in the Bhagavad-gita’s [...]
How Krishna addresses Arjuna’s apprehensions about the death of Bhishma
How Krishna addresses Arjuna’s apprehensions about the death of Bhishma - In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna describes the death of the assembled warriors using two metaphors: [...]
Which form of God is most special: universal form four-handed form or two-handed form?
Which form of God is most special: universal form, four-handed form or two-handed form? The universal form revealed by Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita’s eleventh chapter [...]
What is unprecedented about Krishna’s revelation of the universal form to Arjuna
In the Bhagavad-gita’s eleventh chapter, Krishna states twice that his revelation of the universal form is unprecedented (11.06: adrishta-purvani, 11.47: na drishta-purvam). Arjuna too confirms [...]
The remarkable conclusion to the Gita chapter on the universal form
The remarkable conclusion to the Gita chapter on the universal form - In the Bhagavad-gita, the eleventh chapter reveals the kala-rupa, the form of time [...]
Why Arjuna requests Krishna to stop the revelation of his universal form
Toward the end of the Bhagavad-gita’s eleventh chapter, when Krishna’s revelation of his universal form turns too fearsome for Arjuna to bear, Arjuna requests Krishna [...]
How a thrilling vision turns chilling
How a thrilling vision turns chilling - In the Bhagavad-gita’s eleventh chapter, Arjuna beholds the universal form. What he speaks while beholding that cosmic theophany [...]
The only prayers offered by Arjuna to Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita
Prayers are a natural and prominent feature amid human-divine interactions, yet they don’t occur much in the Bhagavad-gita, even though it is a human-divine interaction. [...]
How the Gita describes the universal form
The Bhagavad-gita uses a distinctive structure for introducing the universal form. First, Krishna explains to Arjuna what he will be showing; then, Sanjaya explains to [...]
How the universal form demonstrates the Gita’s teaching
The revelation of the universal form is the most dramatic event in the Bhagavad-gita’s narrative. Why is this dramatic revelation present in a philosophical book [...]
Why is the universal form so ghastly?
In the Bhagavad-gita’s eleventh chapter, the universal form is shown to be devouring the major warriors assembled on the battlefield. Why is the form so [...]
Why does Krishna reveal his form as time?
When Arjuna asks Krishna to display the universal form, Krishna obliges, but also displays something extra: his form as time. Why this bonus revelation? Because [...]
Why does Arjuna ask Krishna about the identity of the revelation of the Universal Form?
In the eleventh chapter of the Bhagavad-gita, Arjuna initially requests Krishna to show his universal form. When Krishna obliges, Arjuna responds by describing and glorifying [...]
Why does Krishna speak his own glories?
In the Bhagavad-gita’s tenth chapter, Krishna declares that everything attractive emanates from a spark of his own splendor (10.41). This declaration comes at the conclusion [...]
Why does Krishna call those who approach him charitable?
While describing four kinds of people who approach him, Krishna appreciates them as pious and large-hearted. They are large-hearted in the sense that they are [...]
How Krishna protects (Exploring the Gita chapter 9 series – 2)
One of the Bhagavad-gita’s most quoted verses (09.31) declares that Krishna always protects his devotees. While this verse is often used to support the idea [...]
Why can the envious not understand the Gita’s knowledge? (Exploring the Gita chapter 9 series – 1)
Why can the envious not understand the Gita’s knowledge? - When Krishna states that the Gita’s knowledge is not meant for the envious (09.01), why [...]
Gita 5.4 explained
Now Krishna will clarify this point further how one can stay free from bondage Bg 5.4 sāṅkhya-yogau pṛthag bālāḥ pravadanti na paṇḍitāḥ ekam apy [...]