When we steer by stars that are in motion, our motion simply causes commotion
Just as ships steer by the pole star, we all during our journey through life steer by some guiding stars – ideas we have learnt [...]
Peace bought at the cost of justice can be the worst violence
Some people ask, “The Bhagavad-gita is said to be a spiritual book, yet it endorses violence. Isn’t that anti-spiritual?” No, because the Gita is a [...]
Envy and devotion are both levelers – envy levels downwards; devotion, upwards
We like to have a level playing field. Yet the world hardly ever offers a level playing field. Some people have more wealth, better looks [...]
Bhakti transforms our solitary struggle with the mind into a cooperative conquest
“What is the best way to control the mind?” To this universal question of all spiritual seekers, the Bhagavad-gita answers: bhakti-yoga. Let’s see how and [...]
The purpose of establishing dharma in the world is to establish us in dharma
One of the Gita’s most-quoted verses (04.08) describes how Krishna descends to establish dharma. Less quoted, but no less significant is the next verse declaring [...]
Contemplating the gravity of our purpose exposes the frivolity of our pride
Suppose a doctor in an epidemic-hit area succeeds in saving a record number of patients. The feat is laudable, no doubt. But suppose the doctor [...]
Externals provide survival value, but internals provide value to survival
Struggle for survival is a fundamental characteristic of material existence. In this struggle, all living beings choose external things based on their survival value – [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Bhakti is not a part of life; life is a part of bhakti
Many people treat bhakti as an optional part of life: “You like bhakti, you practice it. I don’t like it, so I won’t practice it.” [...]
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 [...]
Might we be protecting our heart from Krishna instead of for Krishna?
As aspiring devotees, we long to relish the spiritual emotions that the bhakti scriptures extol. Such devotional longing is natural and desirable. However, it comes [...]
Invest emotion to relish transformation
We live where our heart lives. When our heart lives in material things, we live in the material world. When our heart lives in Krishna, [...]
If we can’t offer our heart to Krishna, then we can offer what’s in our heart to Krishna
We all long for love. This longing attains lasting and complete fulfillment when we direct it towards Krishna, for he is eternal and all-attractive. And [...]
The summit that reaches down to the trenches
Love is the emotion that underlies all our emotions. When fulfilled, love can take us to the highest peaks of ecstasy. When frustrated, it can [...]
Is the body a playground for passion or a temple for devotion?
Our culture with its romantic movies and erotic pictures depicts the body as a playground for passion, especially sexual passion. But are such popular depictions [...]
Where is the glory in a backdoor victory over attachments?
In sports a backdoor victory is universally considered inglorious. If India deliberately schedulesa cricket seriesagainst Pakistan at a time when all the top Pakistaniplayers are [...]
Krishna is not just God; he is my God
The belief that God exists is good. But much higher is the recognition that Krishna is God in his highest manifestation. Still higher is Krishna’s [...]
The body, mind and soul are all best geared for meditation in the morning
Some people ask: “Krishna resides in our heart and is available at all times. Then why emphasize morning for connecting with him?” Because we are [...]