Gita 04.08 explained
Bg 4.8 paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yuge yuge Word for word: paritrāṇāya — for the deliverance; sādhūnām — of the devotees; vināśāya [...]
The two main meanings of dharma in the Gita — and how they synergize
In the Bhagavad-gita, the word ‘dharma’ is used repeatedly. Let’s consider its two main usages — main in the sense that these two meanings matter [...]
Gita 04.11 explained
Bg 4.11 ye yathā māṁ prapadyante tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ Word for word: ye — all who; yathā — as; [...]
How conceptions of the Divine affect religious tolerance (Religious tolerance series 5)
If the followers of a tradition have internalized an exclusivist conception of the Divine, then they will see those who don’t worship their God as [...]
Will all paths lead to the same goal when the goal is all-pervading?
In countering the all-paths-same-goal claim that is attributed to the Bhagavad-gita (04.11), Srila Prabhupada gives an example: Consider a railway station with many trains headed [...]
How is everyone on Krishna’s path?
In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna offers what might be best described as user-friendly spirituality. This is seen in his declaration that all people are on his [...]
Gita 04.09 explained
Bg 4.9 janma karma ca me divyam evaṁ yo vetti tattvataḥ tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti so ’rjuna Word for word: janma — [...]
How Krishna’s pastimes reveal him to be the ultimate hero
How Krishna catches our attention: While watching an action movie, our attention is often caught by the hero’s spectacular action sequences. When Krishna descends to [...]
Does Krishna teach Arjuna that all paths lead to the same goal? – part 2
As discussed in the first part of this series, the idea that all paths lead to the same goal doesn’t hold true for Arjuna’s different [...]
Does Krishna teach Arjuna that all paths lead to the same goal? – part 1
[This is now the first part of what was previously written as a single article. On the request of readers for greater elaboration of the [...]
Gita 04.18 explained
Bg 4.18 karmaṇy akarma yaḥ paśyed akarmaṇi ca karma yaḥ sa buddhimān manuṣyeṣu sa yuktaḥ kṛtsna-karma-kṛt Synonyms: karmaṇi — in action; akarma — inaction; yaḥ — one who; paśyet — observes; akarmaṇi — in [...]
Three distinct meanings of karma in the Gita (Gita concepts series: Karma 2)
Apart from several general meanings of the word ‘karma’, the Bhagavad-gita uses this word in certain specific senses. Action that give good results: In this [...]
Gita Chapter 4 summary – part 4
Specifying a critical element in the acquisition of wisdom, Krishna highlights the importance of learning from the wise. Arjuna should reverentially approach seers who have [...]
Gita chapter 4 summary – part 3
Continuing his description of how the wise act without being bound, Krishna states that they give up worldly desires, discipline their mind, step away from [...]
Gita chapter 4 summary – part 2
Explaining why everyone doesn’t know him and attain him, Krishna points to his reciprocal nature. He rewards people in proportion to their surrender — and [...]
Gita chapter 4 summary – part 1
Krishna begins the fourth chapter by describing the history of the knowledge he is sharing with Arjuna. At the dawn of creation, Krishna gave this [...]
Gita 04.35 explained
Bg 4.35 yaj jñātvā na punar moham evaṁ yāsyasi pāṇḍava yena bhūtāny aśeṣāṇi drakṣyasy ātmany atho mayi Word for word: yat — which; jñātvā — [...]
Gita 04.24 explained
Bg 4.24 brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma havir brahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutam brahmaiva tena gantavyaṁ brahma-karma-samādhinā Synonyms: brahma — spiritual in nature; arpaṇam — contribution; brahma — the Supreme; haviḥ — butter; brahma — spiritual; agnau — in the fire [...]
Krishna blends the metaphorical and literal wars (Exploring the Gita chapter 4 series – 7)
Krishna blends the metaphorical and literal wars - In the last verse of the Bhagavad-gita’s fourth chapter (04.42), Krishna urges Arjuna to fight. That is [...]
Krishna’s first assertion of his relationship with us (Exploring the Gita chaper 4 series – 6)
Krishna’s first assertion of his relationship with us - In the Bhagavad-gita (04.35), Krishna describes the fruit of acquiring spiritual knowledge. First, he assures [...]
Krishna’s inclusive explanation of sacrifice (Exploring the Gita chapter 4 series – 5)
Krishna’s inclusive explanation of sacrifice - In the Bhagavad-gita, Arjuna is apprehensive that he will be bound by bad karma if he fights in the [...]