How to be unaffected by temptation
In Bhagavad-gita (2.70), it is stated that when our consciousness becomes like an ocean, it remains unaffected by external stimuli. These stimuli are compared to [...]
The material realization that fosters spiritual immersion
Meditation requires us to turn our attention from the world’s promises of pleasure to a higher reality. Such turning away from the world requires a [...]
What the Gita’s questions tell us about Krishna as a teacher
Good teachers are concerned about knowing and delivering their lessons well. Great teachers are concerned about ensuring that their students understand the subject. To that [...]
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 [...]
What’s wrong with desirelessness? — Desire management series 6
What’s wrong with desirelessness? — Desire management series 6 - Desires often make us do things we regret. On understanding how desires sabotage us, we [...]
How can we develop both materially and spiritually?
How can we develop both materially and spiritually?- We may fear, “If we become too spiritually serious, that will undermine our material prospects. Conversely, if [...]
Gita 15.11 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Chp15 Overview 1-6: Attain Liberation [...]
Gita 02.07 explained
So right now we are discussing 5th reason for Arjuna for not fighting the first four were 1> Compassion 2> Enjoyment 3> Sinful reactions 4> [...]
Gita 16.06 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 16.6 dvau bhūta-sargau loke [...]
Imposing social equality or inspiring individual spirituality?
Suppose we are organizing an athletic competition. To be fair to all participants, we will want to make the playing field level; no one should [...]
Why the cause of illusion is not what we usually think it is
When people get captivated by an illusion, such as a bottle of alcohol or a good-looking person, what is the cause of their illusion? 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 elevating and expanding of consciousness are dissimilar and similar
How elevating and expanding of consciousness are dissimilar and similar Elevating our consciousness refers to our becoming conscious of higher realities beyond the material [...]
How to deal with feelings of inferiority?
While technology has shrunk the world, it has also expanded the world in the sense that we get constantly compared with the best from various [...]
How to go beyond the extremes of denial and despair?
We live constantly in that fleeting moment where the present gives way to the future. How we look at the present and at the future [...]
Gita 06.07 explained
In next verse Sri Krishna will describe the symptom of one who has conquered the mind, the mind will become friend when we have [...]
From applause to absorption
We live in a culture that makes us crave for external validation, all the more so with the advent of social media. Therein, every post [...]
Our choice: push up or be pulled down?
Suppose we hold an object such as a dumb bell in front of us. If we let go of it, it will fall down. If [...]
Faith in yourself vs faith in God
Confidence is essential for doing anything challenging. Those with confidence have an energy and a magnetism: energy that enables them to push beyond the boundaries [...]