Krishna’s puzzling smile (Exploring Gita chapter 2)
The Bhagavad-gita’s second chapter begins with Arjuna’s plight: he is emotionally afflicted (02.01) and ethically conflicted (02.06). Finally, he surrenders to Krishna, seeking guidance (02.07). [...]
From honor-culture to honorable action (Understanding Gita 02.34 – 6)
The Bhagavad-gita’s call for honorable action (02.34) reflects a characteristic of most traditional cultures: a concern for honor. People were trained to value their ‘word [...]
The difference between honor and pride (Understanding Gita 02.34 – 5)
Synonyms aren’t always interchangeable. They can have connotations that may lead to meanings that are differing or even opposing. For example, consider the synonyms ‘slim’ [...]
Does how others perceive us matter? (Understanding Gita 02.34 – 4)
The Bhagavad-gita (01.34) states that for those who have been honored, dishonor is worse than death. This verse is meant to warn the hero Arjuna [...]
How fear of dishonor can motivate us (Understanding Gita 02.34 – 3)
Dishonor or shame can motivate us to desist from a wrong choice or persist in a right choice. While positive motivations centered on the benefits [...]
Is dishonor really worse than death? (Understanding Gita 02.34 – 2)
The Bhagavad-gita (02.34) declares that for respectable people, dishonor is worse than death. This verse raises the question: is dishonor really more painful than death? [...]
Why be bothered by dishonor? (Understanding Gita 02.34 – 1)
The Bhagavad-gita (02.34) declares that for those who have been honored, dishonor is worse than death. This verse raises the question: shouldn’t a wise person [...]
Thoughtfulness amid crisis (Why the Gita’s first chapter matters 6)
Suppose the CEO of a company loses their job because their company goes bankrupt due to a recession. The CEO will naturally worry, but what [...]
How sorrow points us toward spirituality (Why the Gita’s first chapter matters 5)
Loss and the resulting sorrow are unpalatable yet unavoidable experiences during our life-journey. When we lose something desirable, that’s distressing; when something we had desired [...]
No time to think? (Why the Gita’s first chapter matters 4)
The Bhagavad-gita’s first chapter describes its setting: a battlefield where two huge armies were assembled, ready to fight. Wars are graphic examples of emergency situations [...]
From the specific to the universal (Why the Gita’s first chapter matters 3)
We learn best by an expert combination of the specific and the universal. Specifics catch our attention as when novels paint a vivid picture of [...]
When our inner map fails (Why the Gita’s first chapter matters 2)
Suppose we are driving on an important journey using a digital map, but suddenly our map stops working. That will leave us disoriented. We all [...]
The QUEST acronym (Why the Gita’s first chapter matters 1)
The Bhagavad-gita is widely known as a book of profound philosophy. Why does such a book start with an entire chapter whose content is largely [...]
10.11 How knowledge relates with devotion (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 13)
The Chatur-Shloki Gita offers a nuanced understanding of the relationship between knowledge and devotion. Let’s try to understand that relationship by considering a metaphor of [...]
10.11 How knowledge manifests in devotion (Chatur Shloki Gita analysis 12)
Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya “Move from darkness to light.” This well-known saying from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad succinctly conveys the essential purpose of human existence. Drawing [...]
How devotion leads to dynamic intelligence (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 11)
Our destiny is determined by our decisions; the choices we make can radically alter our life’s trajectories. Unfortunately, the world can be so complex and [...]
Why our mood matters in our bhakti practice (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 10)
Suppose we meet someone whose words or gestures convey that they don’t want to be with us. Once we sense their feelings toward us, we [...]
How devotion encompasses our entire being (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 9)
In the Chatur-shloki Gita, the second verse (10.09) describes the characteristics of the devoted in terms of their thoughts, actions and words. These correspond to [...]
Chatur-Shloki Summarized in terms of reciprocation (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 7)
If we read the Bhagavad-gita’s Chatur-shloki (its four-verse summary:10.08-11), it becomes evident that its essential theme is bhakti-yoga. And this yoga of love centers on [...]
Why speech matters so much in devotion (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 6)
In its second verse, the Chatur-Shloki Bhagavad-gita (10.08-11) states the characteristics of the devoted in terms of their thinking, living and speaking. Significantly, while it [...]
Devotion is seen through dedication (Chatur-Shloki Gita analysis 5)
Suppose someone claims that they are strong patriots. On observing them, if we find that they hardly do anything practical for their country, we will [...]