What is Bhagavad-gita? — 1
Literally, the word Bhagavad-gita means the song (gita) of God (Bhagavan, changed to Bhagavat as an adjective). It is book-length wisdom about life and living [...]
Gita 02.09 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
BG 2.9 sanjaya uvaca evam uktva hrishikesam gudakesah parantapah na yotsya iti govindam uktva tushnim babhuva ha SYNONYMS sanjayah uvaca -- Sanjaya said; evam [...]
How the Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter spotlights the power of the Gita’s message
If a coach had given a good motivational talk to their team before a major match, we might be somewhat interested in what the [...]
Does Arjuna’s reluctance to fight show that he is irresponsible?
Some people, especially those of a martial orientation, think that by refusing to fight when his army depended on him, Arjuna was acting irresponsibly — [...]
How the Gita’s provocative setting tests the readiness of its readers
The Bhagavad-gita’s setting can seem provocative. A warrior, Arjuna, has second thoughts about fighting a fratricidal war. Arjuna seems so considerate, even compassionate. In disturbing [...]
How Krishna uses the same truth to prompt Arjuna to do opposite things
When Arjuna puts aside his bow (01.46) at the start of the Kurukshetra war, one way that Krishna urges Arjuna to pick up his bow [...]
Was Krishna a warmonger?
Some people allege that Krishna was a warmonger who goaded Arjuna into fighting. If Krishna had been a warmonger, why would he have personally gone [...]
How Krishna’s love is seen in his repetition — and in the variation in his repetition
As Krishna nears the conclusion of his message, he repeats a verse (18.65) that he has spoken earlier (09.34). Why does Krishna repeat himself? Let’s [...]
Gita 18.71 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan And if can’t study then [...]
Does Krishna contradict himself in the Gita’s conclusion?
As Krishna approaches the conclusion of his message (18.63-72), he respects Arjuna’s independence by leaving the final decision to him (18.63). Yet he soon makes [...]
How Krishna’s concluding words reveal his loving eagerness that everyone connect with the Gita
Toward the conclusion of the Gita, Krishna expresses his eagerness that everyone connect with the Gita’s overall message at some level or the other (18.68-71). [...]
Was Arjuna’s refusal to fight due to fear of his death?
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 [...]
Gita 18.72 explained
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 [...]
How Arjuna’s plight reflects a universal human predicament
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 [...]
How Krishna’s last verse reveals his loving concern for Arjuna
In the last verse that Krishna speaks in the Bhagavad-gita (18.72), Krishna asks Arjuna two questions: Has he heard attentively? And has his illusion been [...]
How the Gita’s initial plot twist increases the appeal of its central message
Good movies often use plot twists to captivate their audiences. When events are moving in a particular direction and suddenly something unexpected happens, that makes [...]
Why does the Gita begin with Dhritarashtra’s words not Krishna’s or Arjuna’s?
The Bhagavad-gita is the song of God, or more precisely, Krishna’s poetic words of philosophical wisdom to Arjuna. Yet it’s noteworthy that the Gita begins [...]
Arjuna’s first question in the Gita: What is the right thing to do?
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 [...]
Gita 04.18 explained
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 [...]
Three distinct meanings of karma in the Gita (Gita concepts series: Karma 2)
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 [...]
Gita 03.05 explained
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 [...]