How the third-person and first-person references point to an evolving understanding of divinity
A puzzling feature of the Bhagavad-gita is Krishna’s referring to himself sometimes in the third person. One way to make sense of such references is [...]
Krishna’s intriguing third-person references to himself
In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna sometimes refers to himself in the third person. Why? To better understand, let’s consider a specific example. In the eighteenth chapter, [...]
Why does Krishna discuss the modes so much?
Krishna mentions the modes throughout the Bhagavad-gita; devotes the entire fourteenth chapter to explaining what they are and how they function; and uses them to [...]
Why what we remember at the time of death matters so much
In the Bhagavad-gita’s eighth chapter, Krishna states that whatever we remember at the time of death, we will attain the corresponding state in our next [...]
Why does the Gita discuss the moment of death so much?
The Bhagavad-gita’s eighth chapter is centered on the theme of one’s consciousness at the moment of death. In fact, Krishna has referred to that theme [...]
How Krishna addresses Arjuna’s concerns about untimely death
In the Bhagavad-gita’s eight chapter, Krishna explains how dedicated yogis train themselves to depart at auspicious times, thereby attaining liberation (08.24). Those who depart at [...]
What does Krishna’s characterization of knowledge mean for Arjuna
In the Bhagavad-gita (13.08-12), Krishna characterizes knowledge in terms of twenty virtues that indicate the overall direction of one’s heart. Such characterization implies that the [...]
When Krishna demonstrates how to apply his Gita teachings
In the Bhagavad-gita’s thirteenth chapter, Krishna lists twenty characteristics of those in knowledge. And one characteristic is detachment, specifically detachment from children, wife, home and [...]
How Krishna offers a nuanced understanding of faith
In the Bhagavad-gita’s seventeenth chapter, Krishna indicates that faith isn’t just about something we believe; it is integral to our very existence, it’s about how [...]
Why Krishna gives an additional description of the demonic in the seventeenth chapter
When Arjuna seeks a nuanced understanding of the divine-demonic categorization (17.01), Krishna answers by providing several subtle and sophisticated parameters (17.09-22). But first Krishna continues [...]
Arjuna’s sixteenth question
Arjuna’s question at the start of the seventeenth chapter is among the few of his questions whose link with the last verses of the previous [...]
Why Krishna uses the word ‘soul’ non-literally
Few concepts are as foundational to Krishna’s Gita teachings as the soul. Many religions use the word ‘soul’ primarily in a non-literal sense: as a [...]
How Krishna’s angry words reflect his love
In the Bhagavadgita sixteenth chapter, as Krishna concludes his description of the ungodly people’s destructive and self-destructive activities, his tone changes from neutral to angry. [...]
Why Krishna speaks the sixteenth chapter without being prompted
In the Bhagavad Gita, there’s only one section where Krishna speaks three successive chapters on his own without any prompting question from Arjuna: the section [...]
What Krishna’s analysis of divine and demonic natures means for Arjuna
What Krishna’s analysis of divine and demonic natures means for Arjuna-Throughout the Bhagavad-gita, when Krishna makes any point, Arjuna thinks how that point applies to [...]
What the upside-down tree metaphor means for Arjuna
Krishna begins the Bhagavad-gita’s fifteenth chapter with the upside-down tree metaphor that conveys the topsy-turvy nature of material existence. The metaphor speaks to Arjuna’s personal [...]
What Krishna never mentions to Arjuna in the Gita
Some people think that Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-gita just to get Arjuna to fight. If that were so, Krishna chose a laboriously long-cut method for [...]
Why Krishna mentions Arjuna as his vibhuti among the Pandavas
In the Bhagavad-gita’s tenth chapter, Krishna lists his vibhutis (special manifestations) among various classes of beings. When he comes to the Pandavas as a class. [...]
What Krishna’s “I am …” declarations mean and don’t mean
In the Bhagavad-gita’s tenth chapter, Krishna equates himself with over fifty things in this world. Are these statements meant to be read literally? Let’s consider [...]
What Arjuna’s eagerness to hear about Krishna signifies
In the Bhagavad-gita’s tenth chapter, Arjuna asks to hear more about Krishna’s glories (10.16), for he never tires of hearing those glories (10.18). Though such [...]
Why Arjuna’s declaration of Krishna’s position is significant
In the Bhagavad-gita, Arjuna speaks metaphysical points the most in the tenth chapter (10.12-18). His speech in the eleventh chapter on seeing the universal form [...]