Gita 02.17 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
2.11-2.30: counters first argument – compassion So Krishna is building up a flow of thought over here, and He is saying that there is [...]
Gita 02.13 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
2.11-2.30: counters first argument – compassion – by Jnana So after discussing the eternality of the individuals in the next verse, Sri Krishna will [...]
Elevating our self-image
Our self-image, our conception of who we are, is usually generated by others’ opinions of us, especially those opinions that we accept uncritically. Why do [...]
What is self-realization?
When we gain a realization, that essentially means we understand and accept as a reality that which is already a reality. By extension, when we [...]
Gita 02.61 explained
Now Krishna will describe in next verse how one can practice spiritual life, how can one get higher taste, till now He said that [...]
Why does Krishna glorify himself throughout the Gita?
Some readers of the Bhagavad-gita ask, “Why does Krishna speak of his own glories so much throughout the Gita?” Actually, Krishna does not glorify himself [...]
Is seeking social acceptance leading us to self-rejection?
As we are social creatures, we long to belong — we seek some group where we are welcomed, valued and respected. Unfortunately, this longing to [...]
Gita 02.59 explained
In next verse He says but this alone is not enough. BG 2.59 vishaya vinivartante niraharasya dehinah rasa-varjam raso 'py asya param drishtva nivartate [...]
Dealing with temptation — a positive approach
When dealing with temptation, we often focus on saying no to it; we may even define our self-worth by our success in resisting it. Thereafter, [...]
Gita 02.41 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
So first characteristic, Krishna describes is, results will be eternal. But then after describing the characteristics He describes the qualification, what one need to [...]
Why we fall to temptation — a deeper analysis
Suppose we resolve repeatedly to give up some temptation, but still succumb again and again. Becoming dejected, we may conclude, “This temptation is too strong; [...]
Gita 02.09 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
BG 2.9 sanjaya uvaca evam uktva hrishikesam gudakesah parantapah na yotsya iti govindam uktva tushnim babhuva ha SYNONYMS sanjayah uvaca -- Sanjaya said; evam [...]
Does Arjuna’s reluctance to fight show that he is irresponsible?
Some people, especially those of a martial orientation, think that by refusing to fight when his army depended on him, Arjuna was acting irresponsibly — [...]
Did Arjuna exhibit fight-or-flight response at the start of the Bhagavad-gita?
When we encounter something unfamiliar, we often try to make sense of it by placing it in some familiar conceptual framework. Using such an approach, [...]
How to raise the quality of our questions
Most of our questions arise from our circumstances — and therein, we usually find answers too. But some questions have no answers at the circumstantial [...]
Raising the quality of our questions
If we wish to improve the quality of our life, we need to begin by improving the quality of our questions. We may classify the [...]
Gita 02.60 explained
BG 2.60 yatato hy api kaunteya purushasya vipascitah indriyani pramathini haranti prasabham manah SYNONYMS yatatah -- while endeavoring; hi -- certainly; api -- in [...]
Four stages in self-transformation
How can we assess our progress toward self-transformation? By noting the process we go through before making choices, both healthy and unhealthy. If we identify [...]
Wanting our wants or valuing our values?
When we try to improve ourselves, we often need to fight against our wants, especially those that are unhealthy or disproportionate. Yet we seem to [...]
Gita 02.58 explained
Now Krishna starting to describe in next verse how such a person sits. Kim Asita (seating, how he restrain his senses 58 to 63) [...]
Creating safe zones in our war against temptation
Soldiers in a war zone can get burned out due to the stress of always being on high alert. To reduce such burnout, they need [...]