Krishna is a coach, not a critic

The Bhagavad-gita (09.18) states that Krishna is present in the hearts of all of us as the witness. Fortunately for us, he is present there not to catch us doing wrong, but to coach us in doing right. He does indeed witness all our deeds – many of which, sadly,...

True to oneself or true tool to one’s self?

The Bhagavad-gita (18.58) indicates that all of us have essentially two choices in making our life's decisions: to act according to the voice of Krishna and be eternally liberated, or to act according to the voice of the ego and be endlessly entangled. ...

When ignorance seeks to fly with intellectual wings…

The Bhagavad-gita (16.09) indicates that the atheistic, being possessed by their meager intelligence, flourish in self-destructive and world-destructive activities. In these people, ignorance not only resides, but flies with the wings of the misdirected intellect To...

Conquer Provocative Mind with Evocative Mantra

We may sometimes doubt: “The mind is so wild. Will I ever be able to conquer it?” Surely we can, reassures the Bhagavad-gita (06.36), provided we strive by appropriate means. The mind provokes us by fantasizing about worldly pleasures. However, these...

Are we violating our own human rights?

The Bhagavad-gita (07.15) uses the word mudhas, meaning asses, to refer to those unfortunate people who violate their own human rights. Our society exalts as human rights those claims that nature automatically and adequately endows to animals: bodily protection and...

The mind can impel, but not compel

The Bhagavad-gita (06.06) points out the two opposite roles that the mind can play in shaping our destiny: if controlled, it can be our friend; if uncontrolled, it can be our enemy. This verse implies that we can control the mind if we decide to. This may seem...