Gita chapter 1 summary
The Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter usually has two titles: observing the armies or Arjuna’s lamentation. These titles broadly indicate the two main sections of the chapter. [...]
Why does Krishna analyze yajna dana and tapa in the three modes?
When analyzing faith in the three modes in the Bhagavad-gita’s seventeenth chapter, Krishna focuses on three particular activities: yajna (sacrifice), dana (charity) and tapa [...]
If everything happens by Krishna’s will was Duryodhana too doing Krishna’s will?
In the Bhagavad-gita’s tenth chapter, Krishna declares that material nature works under his supervision (09.10). Some may find this declaration similar to a common saying, [...]
The Gita’s seventeen questions at a glance
Out of the Bhagavad gita seventeen chapters, where Krishna is the main speaker, nine begin with a question: 2.7, 3.1-2, 5.1, 8.1-2, 11.1-4, 12.1, 13.1, [...]
How Krishna tests Arjuna in the Gita
When giving a class, good teachers want to know how well their students are hearing and understanding. To that end, they sometimes include in their [...]
How Krishna addresses Arjuna’s apprehensions about the death of Bhishma
How Krishna addresses Arjuna’s apprehensions about the death of Bhishma - In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna describes the death of the assembled warriors using two [...]
How the universal form demonstrates the Gita’s teaching
The revelation of the universal form is the most dramatic event in the Bhagavad-gita’s narrative. Why is this dramatic revelation present in a philosophical book [...]
Gita 5.4 explained
Now Krishna will clarify this point further how one can stay free from bondage Bg 5.4 sāṅkhya-yogau pṛthag bālāḥ pravadanti na paṇḍitāḥ ekam apy [...]
How Krishna’s teachings reflect both unity and diversity (Exploring the Gita chapter 5 series – 4)
How Krishna’s teachings reflect both unity and diversity - In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna deems as childish those who consider sankhya and yoga to be different [...]
Why a message of peace on a battlefield? (Exploring the Gita chapter 5 series – 3)
Why a message of peace on a battlefield? – The Bhagavad-gita is spoken on the battlefield to a reluctant warrior urging him to fight. Then, [...]
Gita 5.1 explained
Let's try to understand what is happening till chapter 5 and further: In Arjun’s mind there were two options: action or renunciation, So Sri Krishna [...]
Arjuna’s repeated question (Exploring the Gita chapter 5 series – 1)
In the Bhagavad-gita’s fifth chapter, Arjuna asks essentially the same question that he asked at the start of the third chapter. “Should he work or [...]
Does everyone who dies on a battlefield attain heaven?
Does everyone who dies on a battlefield attain heaven? - The Bhagavad-gita (02.32) declares that warriors who die while fighting a righteous war attain heaven. [...]
Do the epics glamorize violence?
Do the epics glamorize violence? - Many thoughtful people, especially including parents, are concerned about the glamorization of violence in today's media. When they read [...]
Justice or just is?
Suppose a ship with three hundred people is hit by an iceberg and starts sinking. Suppose further that it only has life-saving equipment for a [...]
Is God partial?
Some people ask, “In earthly conflicts, as depicted in the Mahabharata, why does God take sides? Is he being partial?” No, he is simply being [...]
Gita 02.02 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
BG 2.2 sri-bhagavan uvaca kutas tva kasmalam idam vishame samupasthitam anarya-jushtam asvargyam akirti-karam arjuna SYNONYMS sri-bhagavan uvaca -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; [...]
How purification can empower us all
Purification is often equated with being puritanical, which may evoke images of holier-than-thou people morally policing everyone else. Influenced by such images, we may not [...]
Compassionate action = compassionate disposition?
Suppose a doctor is treating a patient competently, but with the sole motive of earning money. Though the activity is compassionate, the mood isn’t compassionate. [...]
The power of being detached from fruits
Why does Krishna want us to be detached from the fruits of our work? (Bhagavad-gita 02.47) Because he wants to ensure that our care and [...]
What provides fulfillment and what doesn’t
When we seek to do something worthwhile, we often compare what we are able to do with what others are doing. And if others are [...]