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 [...]
Scripture doesn’t deprive us of freedom; it protects us from depriving ourselves in the name of freedom
An intoxicated person with a million dollar check may squander it on something trivial, like a hundred bottles of booze. Naturally, a well-wishing friend will [...]
Krishna focuses on where we want to go, not where we have been
“My past has been so sinful. How can I possibly approach Krishna?” Such doubts may block us in our devotional journey. Gita wisdom reassures us [...]
Devotion is a passion that is beyond passion
The word ‘passion’ has both negative and positive connotations. Negatively, it refers to the mode of passion that induces worldly desires which bind us to [...]
Relief and release – the two fruits of purification
Purification is an oft-heard word in spiritual circles. What does it mean? And what is its benefit? Purification essentially has two aspects: decrease of attraction [...]
Seek shelter to wear the armor, use the armor to feel the shelter
People often ask: “What is the use of remembering Krishna?” It acts as a shelter and as armor. As a shelter, it helps us rest [...]
Life is not a fixed match, but Krishna can help us fix it
In a fixed match, things are orchestrated to produce a predetermined result. Is life a fixed match? Is everything destined? No, indicates the Bhagavad-gita (18.63) [...]
The words will change us – provided we don’t change the words
When a doctor writes a prescription, those words are meant to change the patient by curing the disease. But if the patient changes the words [...]
Complement spirit with spirituality for complete success
“I will never give up; I will keep fighting till I succeed.” Those with such spirit who succeed against insurmountable odds often become heroes. Fierce [...]
Whatever karma may get us to, Krishna will get us through
Accidents, diseases, atrocities – when we see such tragedies befall people around us, we may become fearful: “What if something like that happens to me? [...]
Empower your thoughts to break free from their tired and tiring avenues
Life is never easy; every day brings new obstacles and some days bring major reversals. We don’t have the power to make life problem-free, but [...]
Krishna is not doing things to us; he is doing things for us
“Why is Krishna doing this to me?” We may get this question when we are faced with problems and have some nominal faith in Krishna [...]
Tune in to yourself to best tune in to the world
Some people can't live without continuous external stimulation. Every few minutes, they check their cellphones for the latest stock prices or the breaking news or [...]
If we can’t ban sin from the heart, we can still banish it
“How could I have even thought of such a thing?” We may react thus in dismay on catching ourselves entertaining grievously sinful desires. How can [...]
Discover The Right Way to Enjoy our Right to Enjoyment
We all feel that enjoyment is our right. And Gita wisdom declares that we are right. But it cautions us against assuming that this right [...]
Preoccupation with occupation is not devotion
Some people claim, “Work is worship. So says the Bhagavad-gita.” Does it? The Gita verse that directly links work with worship is 18.46: sva-karmana tam abhyarca. “By [...]
Fretting is like overcooking a rotten vegetable in our head
Suppose a chef who found that a recently purchased vegetable was rotten, and, annoyed at the prospect of wasted time and money, decided to set [...]
Those who respect the command of God command the respect of the world
A feature of Vedic culture that often perplexes, even provokes, observers is the immense respect it offers to brahmanas: “Why should someone be respected so [...]
Life in goodness is not life in slow motion
As we live in a fast-paced, passionate culture, life in the mode of goodness can seem unappealing: “If I have to always think things through [...]