How to see desire as a blessing not as a burden?
On the spiritual path, we often think of desire as a burden that needs to be shed. And yes, many of our desires do impede [...]
When matter and spirit need to be differentiated — and when not
The Bhagavad-gita begins with a rigid differentiation between matter and spirit (02.11-30), wherein the properties of the spiritual particle, the soul, are shown to be [...]
Gita 08.16 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Now here onwards Krishna will contrast [...]
How to use the material to reach the spiritual?
Suppose we received a large sum of money as inheritance. If we were prudent, we would invest it wisely to create something of sustainable value. [...]
What happens to our desires when we become enlightened?
Some people hold that the enlightened are free from all desires; they perceive that desire is often the cause of illusion, degradation and bondage. Because [...]
Gita 04.13 explained
Bg 4.13 cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ tasya kartāram api māṁ viddhy akartāram avyayam Synonyms: cātuḥ-varṇyam — the four divisions of human society; mayā — by Me; sṛṣṭam — created; guṇa — of [...]
When philosophy answers our questions — and when it doesn’t
When philosophy answers our questions — and when it doesn’t - Suppose we are driving and suddenly meet a deadend. That’s when we may turn [...]
Gita 03.34 explained
Bg 3.34 indriyasyendriyasyārthe rāga-dveṣau vyavasthitau tayor na vaśam āgacchet tau hy asya paripanthinau Word for word: indriyasya — of the senses; indriyasya arthe — in [...]
Gita 03.32 explained
And in next verse Krishna says what happens to those who are faithless Bg 3.32 ye tv etad abhyasūyanto nānutiṣṭhanti me matam sarva-jñāna-vimūḍhāṁs tān viddhi [...]
Gita 02.56 explained
So after that in next two verses Krishna will answer how such a person will speak: BG 2.56 duhkheshv anudvigna-manah sukheshu vigata-sprihah vita-raga-bhaya-krodhah sthita-dhir [...]
Gita 02.55 explained
BG 2.55 sri-bhagavan uvaca prajahati yada kaman sarvan partha mano-gatan atmany evatmana tushtah sthita-prajnas tadocyate SYNONYMS sri-bhagavan uvaca -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead [...]
Gita 02.15 explained
2.11-2.30: counters first argument – compassion – by Jayana Krishna takes it further and says that actually there are two natures. So we will [...]
Gita 02.29 explained
So now Sri Krishna will conclude this section in next two verses BG 2.29 ascarya-vat pasyati kascid enam ascarya-vad vadati tathaiva canyah ascarya-vac cainam [...]
Gita 01.03 – Explanation from Bhakti Shastri Class
paśyaitāṁ pāṇḍu-putrānām ācārya mahatīṁ camūm vyūḍhāṁ drupada-putreṇa tava śiṣyeṇa dhīmatā Word for word: paśya — behold; etām — this; pāṇḍu-putrānām — of the sons [...]
Does devotion result in renunciation?
Does devotion result in renunciation? - The bhakti tradition features sterling examples of great saints who became so devoted to Krishna as to completely renounce [...]
Is our body fast becoming an ego feast?
Is our body fast becoming an ego feast? - Suppose we fast strictly on sacred days, abstaining even from water. When we see others eating [...]
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 [...]