The Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter contains the words of primarily two characters: Duryodhana (01.03-11) and Arjuna (01.21-23; 01.28-45). Why does the Gita include Duryodhana’s speech, when [...]
In the Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter, Arjuna refuses to fight, giving several reasons for his unexpected choice. Arjuna’s actions may evoke a wide range of reactions [...]
When faced with the gravity and brutality of war, soldiers sometimes choke, being overwhelmed by the chilling fear of deadly injury or even death. They [...]
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan So in next statement we [...]
The Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter concludes with a confused Arjuna putting aside his bow in confusion and dejection (01.46). While addressing Arjuna’s concerns, the Gita focuses [...]
The Bhagavad-gita is God’s song as indicated in its very name. But it is a distinctive kind of song because its poetic verses answer Arjuna’s [...]
Bg 4.18 karmaṇy akarma yaḥ paśyed akarmaṇi ca karma yaḥ sa buddhimān manuṣyeṣu sa yuktaḥ kṛtsna-karma-kṛt Synonyms: karmaṇi — in action; akarma — inaction; yaḥ — one who; paśyet — observes; akarmaṇi — in [...]
Apart from several general meanings of the word ‘karma’, the Bhagavad-gita uses this word in certain specific senses. Action that give good results: In this [...]
Bg 3.5 na hi kaścit kṣaṇam api jātu tiṣṭhaty akarma-kṛt kāryate hy avaśaḥ karma sarvaḥ prakṛti-jair guṇaiḥ Word for word: na — nor; hi [...]
Karma is among several Sanskrit words that have entered into mainstream English vocabulary. It is used widely to convey some sense of causality: some kind [...]
Confused by Krishna’s emphasis on knowledge in the fourth chapter (04.34-42) and especially by his concluding call to fight with the metaphorical sword of knowledge [...]
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 12.18-19 samaḥ śatrau ca [...]
Specifying a critical element in the acquisition of wisdom, Krishna highlights the importance of learning from the wise. Arjuna should reverentially approach seers who have [...]
Continuing his description of how the wise act without being bound, Krishna states that they give up worldly desires, discipline their mind, step away from [...]
Explaining why everyone doesn’t know him and attain him, Krishna points to his reciprocal nature. He rewards people in proportion to their surrender — and [...]
Krishna begins the fourth chapter by describing the history of the knowledge he is sharing with Arjuna. At the dawn of creation, Krishna gave this [...]
All living beings, even those with knowledge, have to act according to their nature; what can anyone gain by repressing their nature? (03.33) That repression [...]
Sensing that Arjuna is thinking about exalted renunciates who have given up all actions and all sacrifices, Krishna discusses such people, highlighting their special characteristics: [...]
Arjuna is confused by two of Krishna’s statements from the previous chapter: first, use intelligence rather than just act; and second, fight, which seems to [...]
Raising Arjuna’s vision above material profit-loss considerations (02.38), Krishna explains that spiritual knowledge needs to be translated into a state of spiritual connectedness (02.39). The [...]
Though Arjuna has resolved to not fight, his situation still leaves him anguished (02.01). Wanting to relieve his agony, Krishna urges Arjuna to give up [...]
