Gita 18.65 explained
Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan Bg 18.65 man-manā bhava mad-bhakto [...]
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 [...]
Do Krishna’s third-person references in the Gita point to some higher Divinity other than Krishna?
Some Gita interpreters claim that Krishna is just a medium for transmitting the wisdom coming from some higher, impersonal divinity. To support this, they point [...]
How Krishna’s relationship with us differs from our relationship with him
The Bhagavad-gita’s conclusion contains a disarming declaration: Krishna is determined to love us (18.64: ishto ‘si drdham iti). This is no empty claim — he [...]
How can we differentiate between lust and love?
Lust manifests grossly as the craving for sexual gratification. It also manifests in a subtler form as the craving to control others so that they [...]
Devotion needs to be expressed to be experienced and enriched
Some people say, “Devotion is a matter of the heart. Why exhibit it to the world?” Yes, devotion needn’t be exhibited, but it needs to [...]
God is present in our heart, but our consciousness is usually not present there
Some people ask, “Why do we need to go to a temple? God is there in our hearts; we can just remember and worship him [...]
Repetition emphasizes – and so does the emphasis in the repetition
In linguistic communication, repetition is a standard rhetorical device for conveying emphasis. The Bhagavad-gita repeats in 18.65 the same two and half lines as in [...]
The best way to fix the mind on Krishna is to take up responsibilities in his service
The Bhagavad-gita repeatedly urges us to fix the mind on Krishna. The specific phrase man-mana (“fix the mind on me”) occurs twice in the Gita [...]
Free love is a self-contradiction
Some people advocate sexual licentiousness by touting it as free love. As we cherish both freedom and love, their combination sounds irresistibly appealing. Consequently, we [...]
Realization comes by riveting to the relationship, not the ritual
Reciting mantras, worshiping the Deity, fasting on holy days – many such rituals characterize spiritual life. As these rituals are visible and tangible, it is [...]