How Arjuna’s vision evolves in the Gita
‘See’ can refer literally to a physical perception and non-literally to a mental conception. Literally, we might say on spotting someone in a crowd, “I [...]
What Arjuna’s fears of social breakdown reveal about him
In the Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter, Arjuna fears that the impending fratricidal war will precipitate dystopia in society (01.39-40). If the assembled leaders of various dynasties [...]
What the indestructibility of the soul implies — and what it doesn’t imply
Some people say, “Krishna tells Arjuna in the Gita that the soul is eternal — therefore, there’s nothing wrong in killing anyone.” That’s a distortion [...]
Why Krishna reproaches Arjuna in his first instructive verse
Krishna begins his instruction to Arjuna with a reproach: Though you speak learned words, you lament for that which is not worthy of lamentation (Bhagavad-gita [...]
Gita 01.08 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan das BG 8 to 14 [...]
What Arjuna knew about the soul — and what he didn’t
In the Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter, Arjuna expresses apprehension about going to hell (01.43). His mention of an afterlife indicates that he knows about the soul. [...]
What do Arjuna’s last three words in the Gita tell us about the Gita
Arjuna’s last words in the Bhagavad-gita are: “I will do your will.” (18.73: karishye vachanam tava). What do they tell us about Krishna’s message? That [...]
How Duryodhana’s speech reveals his mentality
The Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter describes how the sight of the Pandavas’ formidable military formation had Duryodhana unnerved (01.02). Given that his eleven divisions (akshahunis) far [...]
How the Gita’s first words point to its core theme
In the Bhagavad-gita’s first verse spoken by Dhritarashtra, the first words mean ‘at the place of dharma’ (dharma-kshetre). In this verse, the blind king asks [...]
Gita 01.28 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Now for the first time [...]
Gita 01.29 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Arjuna is describing further symptoms [...]
What Arjuna saw changed how he saw
In the Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter, when Arjuna wanted to see those on the opposite side, he referred to them as “allies of the evil-minded [...]
How could Arjuna speak when he couldn’t even hold his bow?
In the Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter, when Arjuna saw his relatives in the opposite army, he was so emotionally overwhelmed that his bow started slipping out [...]
Gita 01.27 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan In the middle of the [...]
Why the Gita begins with Dhirtarashtra’s words
The Bhagavad-gita is, as its very name indicates, God’s message in the form of a song. Why does the Gita begin with the words of [...]
Gita 01.25 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 1.25 bhīṣma-droṇa-pramukhataḥ sarveṣāṁ ca [...]
Why did Arjuna feel overwhelmed at Kurukshetra but not at Virata?
The Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter depicts how Arjuna was overwhelmed on seeing his relatives assembled on the battlefield of Kurukshetra (01.27). Why was Arjuna so [...]
Krishna’s only words in the Gita’s first chapter
In the Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter, Krishna speaks only once (01.25): “O Partha, behold the Kurus assembled on the battlefield.” And he speaks these [...]
Gita 01.14 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Now the scene shifts to [...]
Krishna’s remarkable first appearance in the Gita
In movies, the first appearance of the hero tells a lot about the hero’s character and about the movie’s caliber too. The first impression lasts. [...]
Gita 06.37 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya 33-37: Dealing with the mind, the [...]