Arjuna’s second question (Exploring Gita chapter 2 series – 6)
Arjuna’s second question - In the Bhagavad-gita’s second chapter, Krishna outlines the process of working with detachment (karma-yoga). He concludes by describing the state of [...]
Krishna’s first indirect self-revelation (Exploring Gita chapter 2 series – 5)
Krishna’s first indirect self-revelation - The Bhagavad-gita develops its message gradually and systematically. It starts by stressing our spiritual identity (02.13) and concludes by proclaiming [...]
Gita 02.06 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
So right now we are discussing 5th reason for Arjuna for not fighting the first four were: Compassion Enjoyment Sinful reactions Destruction of family [...]
Gita 02.03 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
BG 2.3 klaibyam ma sma gamah partha naitat tvayy upapadyate kshudram hridaya-daurbalyam tyaktvottishtha parantapa SYNONYMS klaibyam -- impotence; ma sma -- do not; gamah [...]
Krishna’s first words reveal the Gita’s purpose (Exploring Gita chapter 2 series – 4)
Krishna’s first words reveal the Gita’s purpose - Krishna’s first instructive words to Arjuna are: don’t lament for that which is not worthy of lamentation [...]
Arjuna’s heart-wrenching dilemma (Exploring Gita chapter 2 series – 3)
Arjuna’s heart-wrenching dilemma - At the Bhagavad-gita’s start, Arjuna faces a paralyzing dilemma (02.06). To better sense his agony, consider some parallels. Suppose something terrible [...]
Krishna’s verbal slaps to Arjuna (Exploring Gita chapter 2)
Krishna’s verbal slaps to Arjuna - The Gita’s second chapter begins with Arjuna in tears (02.01). Till this point, Arjuna has treated Krishna as a [...]
Krishna’s puzzling smile (Exploring Gita chapter 2)
Krishna’s puzzling smile - The Bhagavad-gita’s second chapter begins with Arjuna’s plight: he is emotionally afflicted (02.01) and ethically conflicted (02.06). Finally, he surrenders to [...]
From honor-culture to honorable action (Understanding Gita 02.34 – 6)
From honor-culture to honorable action - The Bhagavad-gita’s call for honorable action (02.34) reflects a characteristic of most traditional cultures: a concern for honor. People [...]
The difference between honor and pride (Understanding Gita 02.34 – 5)
The difference between honor and pride - Synonyms aren’t always interchangeable. They can have connotations that may lead to meanings that are differing or even [...]
Does how others perceive us matter? (Understanding Gita 02.34 – 4)
Does how others perceive us matter? - The Bhagavad-gita (01.34) states that for those who have been honored, dishonor is worse than death. This verse [...]
How fear of dishonor can motivate us (Understanding Gita 02.34 – 3)
How fear of dishonor can motivate us - Dishonor or shame can motivate us to desist from a wrong choice or persist in a right [...]
Is dishonor really worse than death? (Understanding Gita 02.34 – 2)
Is dishonor really worse than death? - The Bhagavad-gita (02.34) declares that for respectable people, dishonor is worse than death. This verse raises the question: [...]
Why be bothered by dishonor? (Understanding Gita 02.34 – 1)
Why be bothered by dishonor? - The Bhagavad-gita (02.34) declares that for those who have been honored, dishonor is worse than death. This verse raises [...]
Respecting others while refuting their misconceptions (Balancing independence and guidance 5)
Respecting others while refuting their misconceptions- When Arjuna surrenders to Krishna, seeking guidance about dharma, Krishna begins his response with words that can seem like [...]
Gita 02.08 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
BG 2.8 na hi prapasyami mamapanudyad yac chokam ucchoshanam indriyanam avapya bhumav asapatnam riddham rajyam suranam api cadhipatyam SYNONYMS na -- do not; hi [...]
How Krishna respects Arjuna’s independence before giving guidance (Balancing independence and guidance series 4)
How Krishna respects Arjuna's independence before giving guidance - Suppose we can give good advice to someone whom we are not officially or relationally obligated [...]
Three levels of answers to the Gita’s driving question (Appreciating the Gita’s flow 1)
Three levels of answers to the Gita’s driving question - The Bhagavad-gita (02.07) is spoken by Krishna to answer Arjuna’s question, “What is dharma, the [...]
Gita 02.62 explained
So after describing this Krishna describes if one doesn’t try to regulate his senses then one can fall down disastrously. So how one may [...]
Watch your mental input (Managing the mind series 1)
Watch your mental input - Suppose we are going on tour, riding a strong swift horse. Suppose the horse catches sight of a juicy vegetable [...]
Gita 02.44 explained
And after that Krishna describes give up that attachment. BG 2.44 bhogaisvarya-prasaktanam tayapahrita-cetasam vyavasayatmika buddhih samadhau na vidhiyate SYNONYMS bhoga -- to material enjoyment; [...]