Why Arjuna requests Krishna to stop the revelation of his universal form
Toward the end of the Bhagavad-gita’s eleventh chapter, when Krishna’s revelation of his universal form turns too fearsome for Arjuna to bear, Arjuna requests Krishna [...]
How a thrilling vision turns chilling
In the Bhagavad-gita’s eleventh chapter, Arjuna beholds the universal form. What he speaks while beholding that cosmic theophany (11.15-31) gives us a sense of his [...]
The only prayers offered by Arjuna to Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita
Prayers are a natural and prominent feature amid human-divine interactions, yet they don’t occur much in the Bhagavad-gita, even though it is a human-divine interaction. [...]
Gita 11.05 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan In different religions sages got [...]
Gita 11.30 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 11.30 lelihyase grasamānaḥ samantāl [...]
How the Gita describes the universal form
The Bhagavad-gita uses a distinctive structure for introducing the universal form. First, Krishna explains to Arjuna what he will be showing; then, Sanjaya explains to [...]
How the universal form demonstrates the Gita’s teaching
The revelation of the universal form is the most dramatic event in the Bhagavad-gita’s narrative. Why is this dramatic revelation present in a philosophical book [...]
Gita 11.32 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 11.32 śrī-bhagavān uvāca kālo [...]
Why is the universal form so ghastly?
In the Bhagavad-gita’s eleventh chapter, the universal form is shown to be devouring the major warriors assembled on the battlefield. Why is the form so [...]
Gita 11.31 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 11.31 ākhyāhi me ko [...]
Why does Krishna reveal his form as time?
When Arjuna asks Krishna to display the universal form, Krishna obliges, but also displays something extra: his form as time. Why this bonus revelation? Because [...]
Why does Arjuna ask Krishna about the identity of the revelation of the Universal Form?
In the eleventh chapter of the Bhagavad-gita, Arjuna initially requests Krishna to show his universal form. When Krishna obliges, Arjuna responds by describing and glorifying [...]
What’s wrong with hating those who have wronged us (Beyond black and white conceptions series 3)
We may encounter some people who seem to have made it their life’s mission to make our life miserable. If what they have done haunts [...]
Are we devaluing our life by overvaluing our autonomy?
Sometimes, life puts us in situations that reduce our autonomy: a demanding job, a difficult relationship, a dreadful disease. If we overvalue autonomy, deeming it [...]
How to know if we are standing for God?
Many people want to or claim to stand for God. That means they want to represent God and to challenge those who malign [...]
Prayer is meant to act as a complement to prudent action, not as a replacement
Some people think of prayer as a magic wand to solve all problems or as a mystical shield against all problems. For example, amid a [...]
Forgiveness shouldn’t enable atrocity; it should end animosity
To know when to forgive, we need to recognize two different needs: ending atrocity and ending animosity. Ending atrocity: If someone is treating us hurtfully, [...]
To perceive God, we don’t need any instrument; we only need to become his instrument
On seeing impressive scientific instruments, we may wonder, “Can science develop an instrument sophisticated enough to perceive God?” That’s like asking: will a future telescope [...]
Just because it’s not up to you doesn’t mean that you are not up to it
When we are asked to do something challenging, especially something whose results depend on factors beyond our control, we may back off, saying, “It’s not [...]
What we achieve depends on not just how we strive but also on what we believe
Some people think, “If you just work hard, you can achieve anything.” However, many people work hard throughout their lives, but still don’t achieve their [...]
On some days, in some ways, we all can make a difference – provided we try
During our lives, we sometimes wonder, “Whatever I do, does it count? Does even my existence count?” Especially when we try to do something good [...]