Live for Krishna; live through Krishna; live in Krishna
“How can we live spiritually in the material world?” This question often confronts devotee-seekers. The Bhagavad-gita (12.08 - 12.12) outlines multiple descending levels at which we can [...]
Realizing our dispensability can be a prick for the ego or a balm for the heart
When we have many things to do and many people depending on us to do those things, we may think of ourselves as indispensable: “How [...]
Balanced bhakti brings bliss
Some people fear that becoming too spiritual will make them apathetic towards everything worldly. Apathy towards the world is not the defining characteristic of spirituality [...]
To understand God’s provision, first understand God’s vision
People sometimes ask, “If I devote myself to God, will he provide for my needs?” Yes, definitely; but to understand his provision, we need to [...]
The self-evident is not always evident to the self
The sun is self-luminous, yet those who are under a cloud can’t see it. The words of the Bhagavad-gita, especially its repeated proclamations of the [...]
The point of the world is to point beyond the world
When we see the distress, destruction and death that characterize this world, we may get the question: “What is the point of it all?” But [...]
When clarification causes confusion, the culprit is pre-conception
Krishna speaks the Bhagavad-gita to remove Arjuna’s confusion about the best course for him: action or renunciation. The Gita’s second chapter, eschewing these two polar [...]
Devotion blossoms in a personal culture, not a personality cult
Bhakti-yoga with its injunction that disciples serve the guru may seem to promote a personality cult. What bhakti actually endorses is a personal culture. This [...]
Spiritual culture raises humans from survival of the fittest to sacrifice by the fittest
Survival of the fittest may be a defining feature of nature, but it doesn’t inspire or bring meaning to life. Inspiring are the examples of [...]
The mind is a tormentor, not a mentor
The mind often pretends to be our mentor. It constantly comments about what is happening, suggests what we should be doing and promises happiness if [...]
Krishna is not just a portion of knowledge; he is its pre-condition and its perfection
The sun is one of the objects we see, but it is also the object by which we see all other objects. Without sunlight, we [...]
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 [...]
Don’t divorce the head from the heart in the Gita symbiosis
Some people say, “The Gita recommends bhakti as the path of the heart and jnana as the path of the head.” But Gita wisdom [...]
Even if we can’t be ideal people, we can still be people with ideals
Living as we do in a confusing world, we are like seafarers adrift in an ocean that seems shorelessly vast. In such a world, ideals [...]
Go beyond sectarianism and non-sectarianism to trans-sectarianism
Thoughtful people often dislike sectarianism of any kind due to the divisiveness it fosters. As religions have been known to foster sectarian feelings (“the good [...]
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 [...]
Don’t let desire delude with the Trojan Horse of doubt
Intelligence boosted by scriptural wisdom is our defense against self-centered desire – it helps us see through desire’s false promises. When desire can’t penetrate our [...]
Nectar is not a material thing to be ingested, but a spiritual truth to be relished
“It tastes like nectar,” people say when something tastes delicious. This usage, wherein nectar is compared to a thing, often makes people assume nectar to [...]