To bear the weight of freedom, we need big shoulders
Suppose someone has to carry a huge weight. If they don’t have shoulders big enough, they would get crushed and injured. The same applies to [...]
Liberty from responsibility is not liberty – it is slavery to irresponsibility
We all long for liberty. In today’s uncommitted age, we may conceive of liberty as freedom to do whatever we feel like doing, unencumbered by [...]
Sensuality erodes both our tendency and our capacity for spirituality
If we are to travel from place A to place B, we need the tendency and the capacity to make the journey. Tendency refers to [...]
The most damaging consequence of indulgence is nonchalance towards indulgence
Suppose a butcher’s child kills an animal for the first time. Initially, his hand and heart may tremble: “How can I kill?” However, if he [...]
Our conditionings need cautioning and cushioning
Suppose we are driving in a car that is prone to jerks and jolts. We have to drive cautiously, and our seats have to be [...]
If the truth makes us flee, it can’t make us free
Suppose we are diabetic, eat too many sweets and face a major health crisis. To be cured, we need to understand and accept the unpalatable [...]
Be vigilant to know when the mind becomes incoherent
Suppose while we are doing some important work, an acquaintance approaches us and starts mumbling and gesticulating wildly. We try to understand what they are [...]
Temptation talks and stalks, relentlessly
Suppose a salesperson tries forcefully to sell us their product and relentlessly follows us wherever we go. We may try their product, but if we [...]
Corruption of the intelligence needs correction by the intelligence
The Bhagavad-gita (03.40) states that selfish desire has occupied not just our senses and mind, but also our intelligence. This statement is intriguing because the [...]
Living the way our senses dictate is not living at all
Suppose a person is driving a car, but the car doesn’t move at all. Then whether what they are doing is driving is open to [...]
The enemy that is not recognized can’t be resisted
During a war, a spy who penetrates into a defending army can wreak havoc from within, for the defenders won’t even know whom to fight [...]
To succumb to temptation is not just immoral – it is also irresponsible
Suppose a pilot drinks, and drinks excessively, before flying a plane. Even if some people don’t consider drinking immoral, it is irresponsible, especially when doing [...]
Sculptors can change the shape of the stone, not its structure
Sculptors often seem to do magic, transforming a stone into a magnificent statue. Still, they have limits: they can’t make sandstone to marble. Our mind [...]
Addictive desires feed themselves through us and then they starve us
Suppose someone came to our house, ate our food, became strong, took over our house and started starving us. That would be outrageous. However, that’s [...]
Our inner vulnerability increases our outer vulnerability
Suppose an army guarding a fort has some potential turncoats who may covertly open the fort gates for aggressors. The army’s inner vulnerability – the [...]
In a war, to be casual is to be suicidal
In a war, fighters need to be alert and equipped, for one false move can spell disaster. Those who are casual on a battlefield are [...]
Gita 03.03 explained
Bg 3.3 śrī-bhagavān uvāca loke ’smin dvi-vidhā niṣṭhā purā proktā mayānagha jñāna-yogena sāṅkhyānāṁ karma-yogena yoginām Word for word: śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Personality of [...]
Gita 03.12 explained
Bg 3.12 ishtan bhogan hi vo deva dasyante yajna-bhavitah tair dattan apradayaibhyo yo bhunkte stena eva sah SYNONYMS ishtan -- desired; bhogan -- necessities of [...]
Gita 03.14 explained
Bg 3.14 annād bhavanti bhūtāni parjanyād anna-sambhavaḥ yajñād bhavati parjanyo yajñaḥ karma-samudbhavaḥ Word for word: annāt — from grains; bhavanti — grow; bhūtāni — the material bodies; parjanyāt — from rains; anna — of [...]
Gita 03.25 explained
Now Krishna will tell the difference between KK and KY. For example now Arjuna may say OK you said I should set example but if [...]
Gita 03.08 explained
Now Krishna will give one more reason why Arjuna should do his duty: Bg 3.8 niyataṁ kuru karma tvaṁ karma jyāyo hy akarmaṇaḥ śarīra-yātrāpi ca [...]