From renouncing possession to renouncing illusion
Suppose we visit the house of a wealthy friend. During our stay, we get attached to the luxuries there. When we leave that house, suppose [...]
Dealing with the fog of emotions
Suppose we are driving full speed along a road and suddenly thick fog envelopes us. Even if we turn our car lights fully on, the [...]
From what’s on loan to what’s our own
Suppose we inherit a huge fortune: we may start splurging recklessly. But suppose we learn that the money we have is on loan: we will [...]
How to feel grateful when we are not successful
When our endeavors don’t lead to success, how can we cultivate gratitude? By contemplating what really matters for us. Aiding such contemplation, Gita wisdom offers [...]
Gita 5.23 explained
Now Arjuna gets a question at this point, yes I know, even if I agree that material enjoyment leads to misery but still by knowing [...]
When we can’t give up an unhealthy habit …
If an unhealthy habit keeps recurring despite our best efforts, how can we progress in self-transformation? By changing our attitude toward that habit: we can [...]
Why we may relapse into unhealthy behaviors
When we succeed in giving up some unhealthy behavior, we usually feel encouraged, even delighted. But then seemingly out of the blue, we relapse. When [...]
Gita 5.18 explained
In next verse Sri Krishna will describe when we fix our faculty on Sri Krishna how we will see this world? How we will see [...]
What does equal vision mean for Arjuna on the battlefield
In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna commends the spiritually realized who see everyone equally (05.18). Krishna is talking about the equality of all living beings as souls; [...]
Becoming emotionally sober
People who get intoxicated frequently act in ways that are short-sighted, stupid or even self-sabotaging. Consequently, we readily recognize the need to avoid such intoxication [...]
What temptation can do — and what it can’t
Whenever we resolve to discipline ourselves for some worthwhile purpose, we will, sooner or later, feel tempted. To deal with such temptation, we need to [...]
Gita Chapter 5 summary – part 1
Confused by Krishna’s emphasis on knowledge in the fourth chapter (04.34-42) and especially by his concluding call to fight with the metaphorical sword of knowledge [...]
Gita 5.10 explained
In the next verse it is explained that devotee will work for Sri Krishna’s enjoyment not for enjoyment for himself. Bg 5.10 brahmaṇy ādhāya karmāṇi [...]
How does detachment prevent entanglement?
Krishna states repeatedly in the Bhagavad-gita that if Arjuna works without attachment to the results of his work, he won’t be entangled. How exactly does [...]
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 [...]
How Krishna’s teachings reflect both unity and diversity (Exploring the Gita chapter 5 series – 4)
In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna deems as childish those who consider sankhya and yoga to be different (05.04). Here, sankhya refers to metaphysical analysis that entails [...]
Why a message of peace on a battlefield? (Exploring the Gita chapter 5 series – 3)
The Bhagavad-gita is spoken on the battlefield to a reluctant warrior urging him to fight. Then, why does it talk about peace? And that too [...]
How can Arjuna see everyone equally and still fight? (Exploring the Gita chapter 5 series – 2)
An often-quoted Bhagavad-gita verse recommends equality of vision (05.18): see everyone equally, because we all are souls. In the Gita’s immediate context, this verse raises [...]
Gita 5.1 explained
Let's try to understand what is happening till chapter 5 and further: In Arjun’s mind there were two options: action or renunciation, So Sri Krishna [...]
Arjuna’s repeated question (Exploring the Gita chapter 5 series – 1)
In the Bhagavad-gita’s fifth chapter, Arjuna asks essentially the same question that he asked at the start of the third chapter. “Should he work or [...]
What does remembering God mean practically?
The Bhagavad-gita’s injunction to remember God constantly can seem impossible or even irrelevant. While this directive can be understood at various levels, let’s consider one [...]