Defining and identifying the ultimate reality (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 1)
Defining and identifying the ultimate reality - The first verse (10.08) of the Chatur-Shloki Gita (10.08-11) gives the definition and identification of God. In its [...]
Taking responsibility to help others choose wisely (Balancing independence and guidance series 7)
Taking responsibility to help others choose wisely - After Krishna concludes the Bhagavad-gita’s message, he asks Arjuna a two-part question: Has he heard attentively? Have [...]
Gita 06.40 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya 38-45: If the mind deviates the [...]
How Krishna precedes enlightenment with encouragement (Balancing independence and guidance 7)
How Krishna precedes enlightenment with encouragement - In the Bhagavad-gita’s sixth chapter, Arjuna enquires about the fate of the unsuccessful yogi. In a question that [...]
How Krishna addresses Arjuna’s concerns empathically (Balancing independence and guidance 6)
How Krishna addresses Arjuna’s concerns empathically - In the Bhagavad-gita’s sixth chapter, Krishna outlines the process of dhyana-yoga. This process for attaining self-realization centers primarily [...]
Respecting others while refuting their misconceptions (Balancing independence and guidance 5)
Respecting others while refuting their misconceptions- When Arjuna surrenders to Krishna, seeking guidance about dharma, Krishna begins his response with words that can seem like [...]
Gita 02.08 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
BG 2.8 na hi prapasyami mamapanudyad yac chokam ucchoshanam indriyanam avapya bhumav asapatnam riddham rajyam suranam api cadhipatyam SYNONYMS na -- do not; hi [...]
Does the Gita’s conclusion contain a self-contradiction? (Balancing independence and guidance series 5)
Does the Gita’s conclusion contain a self-contradiction? - When nearing the end of the Bhagavad-gita (18.63), Krishna shows respect for Arjuna’s independence by stating: “Deliberate [...]
Gita 15.07 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Chp15 Overview 1-6: Attain Liberation [...]
How Krishna respects Arjuna’s independence before giving guidance (Balancing independence and guidance series 4)
How Krishna respects Arjuna's independence before giving guidance - Suppose we can give good advice to someone whom we are not officially or relationally obligated [...]
How to give guidance while respecting people’s independence (Balancing independence and guidance series 3)
How to give guidance while respecting people’s independence - Suppose a student seeks career guidance from an older relative. If that relative has previously been [...]
Gita 03.35 explained
Bg 3.35 śreyān sva-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣṭhitāt sva-dharme nidhanaṁ śreyaḥ para-dharmo bhayāvahaḥ Word for word: śreyān — far better; sva-dharmaḥ — one’s prescribed duties; viguṇaḥ [...]
Why we may provide guidance without respecting independence (Balancing independence and guidance series 2)
Why we may provide guidance without respecting independence - Whenever we offer guidance, we act based on our implicit conceptions about what guidance is meant [...]
Why both independence and guidance matter (Balancing independence and guidance series 1)
Why both independence and guidance matter - When we are in relationships that involve instructing and inspiring others such as parenting or coaching, one of [...]
Gita 09.33 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Then Krishna encourages Arjuna by [...]
The necessity of bhakti (Appreciating bhakti-yoga 5)
The necessity of bhakti - Suppose someone is told about a powerful medicine. If they think they are not sick, they won’t care much about [...]
The Gita’s triple use of ‘Achyuta’ (Appreciating the Gita’s flow 4)
The Gita’s triple use of ‘Achyuta’ - The Bhagavad-gita uses various names for Krishna and Arjuna not just for literary variety or poetic symmetry, but [...]
Gita 07.04 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Bg 7.4 bhūmir āpo ’nalo vāyuḥ [...]
Gita 18.39 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Let us now go the [...]
Gita 14.13 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan After this Krishna describes mode [...]
Gita 07.28 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Now Sri Krishna is saying OK [...]