The intention to serve makes the reproachable controlling mentality respectable
The controlling mentality is often an expression of the desire to be God. The Bhagavad-gita declares as demoniac people who imagine themselves to be controllers [...]
Spiritualization of emotions raises us from duality through equanimity to ecstasy
The Bhagavad-gita repeatedly urges us to view worldly dualities with equanimity. Why? Because our emotional attachments for worldly things bind us. When our emotions run [...]
Don’t get back at God – get God back
When people hurt us, we often want to get back at them, hurt them the way they have hurt us. When things go wrong in [...]
Surrender means to do what we can, with what we have – now
Many people think of surrender as passive acceptance. However, surrender involves not just acceptance but also action. The Bhagavad-gita’s conclusion demonstrates this active dimension of [...]
Life may push us into the company of problems, but it cannot force us into their control
While traveling, sometimes the people sitting next to us are less than pleasant. We may not be able to avoid their company, but we don’t [...]
Those who base their faith on miracles confuse the supernatural with the Supreme
Some people feel that their faith in God will be boosted if they see miracles performed by him. In fact, many people accept some godmen [...]
Scripture doesn’t take away our freedom of choice, but gives us choice of another freedom
People sometimes resent scriptural guidance: “If I am constantly told to do this and to not do that, won’t that take away my freedom of [...]
To understand Krishna, stand under Krishna
Can we finite beings ever understand infinite Krishna? By our capacity, no. By Krishna’s grace, yes. Let’s see how. Krishna is like the sun, whereas [...]
Truth doesn’t depend on history; history demonstrates truth
We live in an age of changing “truths” – theories are often propagated as established truths, but when some contrary information comes up, they are [...]
We may be unqualified, but we are never disqualified
To be unqualified for something means to not have the necessary qualifications to do it. To be disqualified means to not be allowed to do [...]
The determination to serve Krishna doesn’t just herald victory – it is victory
The Bhagavad-gita concludes ((18.78) with a prophecy: when the devotee is one in will with the Lord, victory will ensue. This prophecy was fulfilled when [...]
The Gita is not just didactic but also therapeutic
Doctors give patients a didactic explanation centered on what is wrong (diagnosis). But the diagnosis is not the therapy, which involves taking some prescriptions. Thus [...]
Casual ties make us casualties
We all have a lower side that induces shortsighted desires which end in misery. To resist this lower side, our higher ties – our connections [...]
Surrender to Krishna is not a pronouncement of defeat, but a precursor to victory
“I surrender.” These words are usually spoken when a combatant lays down arms and accepts defeat. Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita concludes his counsel (18.66) with [...]
The generosity of bhakti is in countering, not condoning, sin
“As I am a devotee, even if I sin, it doesn’t matter because Krishna will free me from all sins.” Some people argue thus while [...]
Our destiny is not sealed – as long as we don’t seal ourselves with it
“Is our destiny sealed?” This question may trouble us when, despite our best efforts, things go wrong. No, answers Gita wisdom unambiguously. Philosophical technicalities apart, [...]
Let others’ human failings not deny us our chance to overcome our human failings
As seekers, we get inspiration and guidance from our spiritual mentors. So if those mentors fall prey to temptations, our faith naturally gets jolted. To [...]
Count your blessings – and make your blessings count
Suppose patients get the right medicine, but don’t value it. Or suppose they value it but don’t take it. Either way, they continue suffering. These [...]
Poison kills on consumption, but passion kills on contemplation
Most people won’t take poison willingly. In the past, when hemlock was used to execute capital punishment, it had to be administered forcibly. Yet there [...]
Seek a happy ending that has no ending
Happy endings, as in movies and novels, attract us and evoke a longing for something similar in real life. Gita wisdom assures us that we [...]
Bhakti-yoga is not exclusive but is comprehensive
A spiritual path is exclusive when it claims sole rights over access to the Absolute Truth, that is, claims to be the only way to [...]