Are you ready to choose Krishna in all circumstances?

Let us honestly ask ourselves, “If given an option to choose between Krishna and his material energy, what are we going to choose?” Are we going to select Krishna or are we going to opt for his energy so that we can enjoy disproportionately in this world.

Krishna has given us the free will to exercise our choice. He never interferes with our free will. But the Supreme Lord always test us to check if we really love him or we love to live without him.

For example, before the onset of Mahabharata war, Krishna gave opportunity to both Arjuna and Duryodhana to exercise their free will. Both had to choose either Krishna or Krishna’s Narayani sena (army). Not just this, Krishna had declared that he would not fight but his powerful army would fight during the war.

Arjuna made up his mind and Duryodhana was also not confused. At the end both were happy. Arjuna, without any hesitation, chose Krishna and Duryodhana was jubilant because he got the mighty Narayani Sena.

In our life too you and I get opportunities to exercise our free will. Whether we choose Krishna or Krishna’s material energy reflects our true character. Most of us often get enamored by material life. Externally we may demonstrate our longing for Krishna but within our heart what we long for is more important. Krishna does not see how we behave externally but he sees what is there in our heart.

Those who chose Krishna never regret but those who foolishly turn away from him always lament.

During the Mahabharata war Duryodhana was ultimately defeated and whoever was on his side also met with the same destiny. In fact, in this world everyone is always defeated.

Spiritual life is full of nectar

Only the Lord is always victorious and those who are with him too never face defeat. Arjuna was on the side of Krishna, so he too tasted victory.

At present material life attracts us and spiritual life seems to be boring and also difficult. It is because we have been disconnected with Krishna for several lifetimes. But if we connect with Krishna then we will begin seeing how pleasurable spiritual life is. In fact, in our current situation also if we can absorb ourselves in spiritual activities then our heart experiences deep joy.

For example, if we can sit in front of the Lord in temple and chant 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra which takes around 2 hours then after finishing our chanting we feel lots of happiness. But suppose that we spend 2 hours watching movies or YouTube videos then we do not feel that joy, in fact most of the time we feel frustrated after that.

This is why it is said that material life appears to be nectar in the beginning but becomes poisonous in the end whereas spiritual life may appear poisonous in the beginning but is nectar at the end.

If we continue choosing Krishna and practicing Krishna consciousness, then we will gradually start experiencing pleasure while doing devotion too.

But that is not true for material activities. No matter how much we try to seek happiness from material things we will not get it. Duryodhana, after getting Narayana sena thought he would be victorious and will become happy, but the result was just the opposite.

So, let us be like Arjuna and choose always Krishna – victory and happiness is guaranteed.

In our life whenever we get to choose, let us choose always Krishna.

Three Reflections

• Krishna always tests us to check if we really love him or we love to live without him.
• Only the Lord is always victorious and those who are with him too never face defeat; Arjuna was on the side of Krishna, so he too tasted victory.
• Let us be like Arjuna and choose always Krishna – victory and happiness is guaranteed.

Ask Yourself

• Given an option to attend a program in the temple or watch a movie or a cricket match or a soccer match what do I choose?

Action Item

• Once in every week go to temple and chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra in front of the Lord with full absorption.

Krishna’s devotees love Krishna katha not gramya katha (mundane gossip)

Subject matter about Krishna is Krishna katha and any other topic which is not related to Krishna is gramya katha.  Devotees of Krishna love Krishna katha not gramya katha.

Today we were listening to Srila Prabhupada’s lecture in the temple (Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata) and this is what Srila Prabhupada was explaining.

In the lecture Srila Prabhupada was saying emphatically that we all waste so much time in reading newspapers. This lecture was given by Srila Prabhupada in 1972 and today we are in 2025. In 1972 there was only print newspapers but now we have so many options. There is 24 hours TV and then we have internet from where we consume so much news. And we all have the experience that how much time we spend reading news.

Yes, it is true that we should be aware of what is going around us and for that at the most I think 15 – 20 minutes of news is sufficient. Most of the time, it is the same news which is repeated again and again and we just to kill our time keep hearing it or reading it again and again.

Just pick one week old newspaper and compare it with today’s news. You will hardly find much has changed. Some of the characters of the news may change but the news almost remains the same.

Many times, we also get obsessed with Bollywood news or news about movie actors, TV actors, singers, sports person and so on. We start taking interest in their personal lives like with whom he or she is meeting, dating, marrying and so on.  What are we going to get by reading such news?  It is just a wastage of time.

Develop taste in Krishna Katha

Instead of that we should take out time in reading those literatures which will help us to uplift our life.  We will benefit a lot if we read spiritual subject matters. Great personalities, like Ved Vyasa, Valmiki Muni, Srila Prabhupada has written volumes of literatures for you and me, so that we can absorb ourselves in reading these transcendental literatures.

When we read these holy books then we connect to the Supreme Lord. And this helps us to cleanse our hearts of impurities which becomes the cause of our great misfortune.

These words of God compiled by the devotees of God helps us to develop intelligence by which we can free ourselves from all the sufferings. When we read the pastimes of the Lord given in these books then it brings joy to our heart. But when we read about politicians lives or movie actors or actresses life then it agitates our heart and we do not feel any happiness also.

Srila Prabhupada says, “Fortunately, in our Society there is no newspaper…But you’ll find that these boys, these Americans boys who have come to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, they have kicked out newspaper. No more newspaper. Because there is no kṛṣṇa-kathā, they don’t like to read it.” Srila Prabhupada, Lecture: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.25.12, Nov. 12, 1974, Bombay

Once we develop taste in Krishna katha, we will automatically lose taste in reading subject matters which are not related to Krishna. Just like if one gets fresh natural mango juice to drink daily then why will he drink any carbonated drink which is harmful for health?

Surrender out of love to Krishna

My friend cringed when he heard that the final instruction of the Bhagavad-gita is to surrender to Krishna wholeheartedly. “Am I a criminal that I should surrender to Him? Better worship a God who is more humble and down-to-earth!”

The word surrender does not usually conjure good images in our mind. As the dictionary confirms, surrender is associated with defeat and despair, and loss of pride and prestige. When an army surrenders to the enemy, it brings disgrace to the nation.

A criminal or a terrorist is forced to surrender because he is a nuisance to the society. In this world we find that the winner becomes arrogant and want to humiliate the loser by forcing him to surrender, while the loser is seeking an opportunity to take revenge and settle scores.

But the surrender that Krishna demands in the Gita is far different from the forced surrender of a loser in life. Selective reading of the Bhagavad-Gita may make us think that Krishna is an egoistic God. Certain verses may sound like the speech of a politician, who while campaigning for election promises the voters to eradicate all sufferings of the people if voted to power.

But Krishna is not a political leader that He wants to increase His number of followers. His call for surrender is not driven by egoistic claims of supremacy; it is actually impelled by His supreme compassion for all living entities.

Panacea for all sufferings

Krishna’ s Godhood does not need our backing as proof. All the Vedic literatures unequivocally declare that Krishna is the supreme. Here are some examples: isvarahparamah Krishna – “Krishna who is known as Govinda is the Supreme Godhead” (Brahma-samhita 5.1); Krishna tubhagavansvayam – “Lord Sri Krishna is the original Personality of Godhead” (Bhagavatam 1.3.38).

“Devaki’s son [Krishna] is the Supreme Lord” [Narayana Upanisad (4)]. Even Krishna Himself declares explicitly about His supreme position: mattahparataramnanyatkincidastidhananjaya – “0 conqueror of wealth, there is no truth superior to Me” (Bhagavad-Gita 7.7).

 Surrender to Krishna is a beautiful experience and the most wonderful concept in all of creation. It means to genuinely offer our love to Him. Those who are unwilling to surrender to Krishna with love have to surrender to Him at the time of death. Old age, disease and death are the weapons by which powerful time strangulates us.

All great emperors of the world – Alexander, Napolean, Hitler, Aurangzeb – have been swept away into oblivion by the force of time. To the degree we consider ourselves the controller and proprietor of things of this world, to that degree we suffer when we face Krishna in the form of death. That surrender is too painful and immensely horrible.

 On the other hand, if we understand our eternal position as the servant of Krishna and humbly accept it, all our miseries will cease to exist. Krishna immediately takes the devotee under His tutelage.

If we take one step towards Krishna, He takes hundreds of steps towards us. Krishna wants us to be happy and is always ready to shower His love upon us. He promises: “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” Bhagavad-Gita (18.66)

Krishna the humblest waiting for us

I wish my friend understood how God, although the greatest person, is simultaneously the most humble. Imagine an employee who works for a multi-millionaire becomes inimical towards his boss and starts disobeying and demeaning him. Will the boss tolerate him?

Strangely Krishna does so; He allows the rebellious souls to rebel against Him, and creates the material world for them, so they can satisfy their gratuitous desires. Krishna tolerates all and patiently waits for the moment these souls will realize their folly and turn towards Him.

Krishna’ s pastimes with His devotees clearly reveal His humility. One time His childhood friend Sudama came to visit Him in Dvaraka, being very poor, Sudama was not dressed properly. His clothes were torn and dirty, and he was emaciated. When Lord Krishna came to know that his friend Sudama has arrived, He immediately rushed out of His palace to receive His friend. He embraced Sudama and made him sit on His own bedstead. He washed Sudama’s feet and personally offered him fruits and drinks.

 Although Krishna belonged to the royal Yadava family, He never forgot His poor brahmana friend. He treated Sudama as His equal.

Krishna is famous as the charioteer of Arjuna on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra, He didn’t mind taking such a humble position for His devotee although He was God Himself.

Thus, we see that the supreme proprietor, creator and master of the entire cosmic manifestation is eager to serve His devotees and take a secondary role. We rarely find such examples in the history of the world.

In spite of our brazenness Krishna is ready to accept us again and fervently hopes that one day we will return back to the spiritual world, our original home.

The Wonder of Surrender to Krishna

My friend abhors the word surrender because he thinks he is not a criminal. But as lawbreakers of the spiritual world, we too have acted criminally. Fortunately, Lord Krishna is merciful toward us and eagerly wants us to return back to Him.

Surrendering to Krishna, our original father, does not bring us any dishonor. Our surrender to Krishna is like a patient submitting himself to a doctor for treatment or a child taking shelter of his mother.

A patient agrees to abide by the prescription of the doctor for his own benefit; a child experiences love and care on the lap of his mother. Krishna’ s clarion call to surrender is for our salvation.

Not everyone surrenders; Krishna understands this: “After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” (Bhagavad-gita 7.19)

If we are not with Krishna, we are undoubtedly with maya, Krishna’ s material illusory energy. So either to Krishna or to His material energy, we must surrender. In fact, every day, knowingly or unknowingly, we surrender to the dictum of our mind and senses, to our insatiable desires, to the demands of our bodies, to our lower self, to so many people in our daily life.

My poor friend is a heavy smoker, smoking half a dozen cigarettes daily. He hardly realizes that he has surrendered his life to a life-threatening addiction.

Arjuna’s example

Arjuna was in acute anxiety before the Mahabharata war began, but after hearing Krishna’ s message he completely surrendered to Krishna and thus paved the way for his glorious victory.

Arjuna said: “My dear Krishna, 0 infallible one, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory by Your mercy. I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to Your instructions. (Bhagavad-Gita 18.73).

Like Arjuna, there are many examples in history who achieved incredible fame and glory just by following Krishna’ s instructions and the instructions of His devotees. By surrendering to Krishna success is certain in our life; there will be no room for anxieties and miseries.

Surrendering to Krishna opens the door for a blissful and eternal life. “For those who have accepted the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cosmic manifestation and is famous as Murari, the enemy of the Mura demon, the ocean of the material world is like the water contained in a calf’s hoof-print. Their goal is param padam, Vaikuntha, the place where there are no material miseries, not the place where there is danger at every step.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.14.58)”

Whether our heart longs for Krishna or wants something else? | Bhagavad Gita 10.10

Have you checked, if your heart longs for Krishna or is still attached to things of this world?

Externally we may dress perfectly, speak expertly, recite shlokas scholarly, sing melodiously but these qualities may not attract the attention of the Lord. Maybe we are doing it to seek people’s attention and self-glorification.

Krishna hardly bothers about our externals instead he directly peeps into our heart to see whether our heart longs for him or it hankers for something else.

When Duryodhana invited Krishna for lunch in his palace then Krishna was not interested because Duryodhana did not have a devotional heart. Duryodhana wanted to make a show of his opulence and gesture.

Krishna preferred to eat at Vidura’s house although Vidura did not offer him lavish food. It was because Vidura and his wife had deep love for Krishna. Lord Rama happily chewed the half – eaten berries offered by Sabari because it was being offered with love. So, we should try to cultivate a devotional heart and deep desire to serve Krishna. 

If we have a desire to genuinely serve Krishna then Krishna who always resides with us in our heart will give us intelligence by which we can swiftly come to him.

This is confirmed by Krishna Bhagavad Gia 10.10: “To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.”

Check your motive

So, while practicing devotion we should seriously introspect and find out with what motive we are doing any activity. We should see if we have offered our heart to Krishna or still our heart is attached to something else.

Because of our past conditionings it won’t be immediately possible to do everything for the pleasure of Krishna. But we should sincerely try for it and pray to Krishna to purify our heart, so that we always do anything for Krishna’s pleasure.

We need to endeavour hard to cultivate a devotional heart and subsequently give up material hankering. If we do so then gradually our heart will start longing for Krishna and then Krishna will immediately manifest his love within our heart.

Ask Yourself

1. Do you serve Krishna to please Krishna?
2. Or do you have some personal selfish interest while serving Krishna?
3. What steps you are taking to give up your selfish motives while serving Krishna?

Do you always look for glofication?|Bhagavad Gita 16.3

Although we would hesitate to admit it but it’s a fact that more than hunger for food most of us have hunger for glorification. Any activity we do we want to be appreciated for it. And if someone fails to oblige us then we immediately become morose and go to the extent of detesting that individual.

We like to be in the company of those who constantly massage our ego. And we try to orchestrate our life in a way so that we can attract other’s attention.

What they think about me? What will their reaction be if I do this? Is my importance intact or increasing or diminishing? These thoughts continuously occupy our mind. And instead of living for ourselves we become a dancing doll whose key is in other people’s hand.

But the world is such that we would never always continue to be the “centre of attraction.” Someone is going to eclipse us some day. And those who used to play an important role in making us feel important effortlessly shift their loyalty. Our heart cries and we moan in silence but we can do nothing about it.

This is why wise sages in the past have always warned us against running for name and fame. Lord Krishna says the same in Bhagavad Gita.

In Bhagavad Gita 16.3, the Supreme Lord says that one should be “free from passion for honour”, ati-mānitā. This is a divinue attribute, which we should try to cultivate. If we can do so, we can live peacefully. So, we should not be obsessed about what others think or feel about us. It’s a useless endeavour and return is mostly heart breaking.  Instead we should use this life for purification and not for proving our worth to others. In fact, we should not be concerned about our own glorification but instead we should always try to make sure that Krishna is always glorified.

Ask Yourself

1. Do you always think of impressing others?
2. If yes, then are you in control of your life or is your life in other’s control?

How to serve Lord Krishna even when you do not like to serve him?

Scriptures and pure devotees of Lord Krishna teaches us to always serve Krishna but in spite of that we are reluctant to serve him. Why is it so? Why we do not want to serve Krishna but always want to serve our senses?

These questions were beautifully answered by HG Jivananda Prabhu, a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada, in his Srimad Bhagavatam Class which he gave at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata temple on 16^th Dec 2023.

Below write up is completely based on the Srimad Bhagavatam 10.74.3 class which Prabhuji gave on 16^th Dec.

Krishna comes to teach us real purpose of life

When Krishna comes, he comes with his entourage. Most of them come before he arrives, some comes after. So, why does Krishna come? To take us back to the spiritual world. He wants us to go home. If he does not come then how we will figure out who we are, what is the purpose of life?

Some people have different purpose in this world – to become scientist, doctors, engineers, artists. Why? Because in this world we want to prove our worth.

In this world, we want to eat, sleep, mate and then defend ourselves from everything. I have to protect my mate, my business. Not only from people but even from animals like rats and insignificant ants.

So, where is the time to figure out my real purpose? We need help. Some who think about the purpose just speculate. They think after world is like that or like this.

So, Lord Krishna has to come to make us understand real purpose of life.

He comes when irreligion starts overtaking religion. When Krishna came religion was lost. So, he came to re-establish it. Why did he do? He did it for us. He came to save devotees and annihilate demons.

But while he is here, he has other things also to do. He likes to enjoy with his friends, with Radharani, with gopis, with Arjuna.

Why Krishna does prescribed duties when he is here in this world?

All prescribed duties come from Krishna. So, why he does the prescribed duties? He does it to tell us that we have to do our prescribed duties.

Krishna is the Supreme Lord. And he is also a dramatic actor. When Krishna was in this world then the kings of the earth were telling Krishna to do certain things and Krishna did it. He is acting like an ordinary human being to teach us how to do the prescribed duties.

Can we say that Krishna is the Supreme Lord and is acting as a naughty child? No. Krishna is the Supreme Lord, but he is a naughty child too.  Krishna wants to enjoy butter. He wants to have fun with Balaram, gopas, gopis and even monkeys. He performs Damodar lila.

Is Krishna’s form as Damodar temporary or just his acting? No. Damodar is Krishna’s form and is real. Whenever he acts, he is real. When sages ask him to act in one way then he does.

In this world, in movies one may act as a romantic hero or a superhero but in real life he may be a drug addict.  He is not real person. But when Krishna does something, he is real. Everything what Krishna does is real. Reality comes from Krishna. When he performs these activities, he demonstrates prescribed duties. And teaches us the importance of prescribed duties.

Why it is important to serve Krishna even when we do not like to do it?

In this world, we have to follow instructions. But many times, we do it reluctantly, we do not do it joyfully.  

But when we perform devotional service then it should be done joyfully. We should think that I am doing it to please guru, Krishna, assembled devotees and all living entities. I am not doing it for my own gratification. When we do something for guru and Krishna even if we do not like to do it then it gives pleasure.

For example, soldiers are given order to do something because they are part of nation. No soldier has personal mission. There mission is to serve the nation.

Our life’s mission

Similarly, we all have same mission – to please guru and Krishna. I may not really want to do it but this is part of mission, so I will do it.  If it was not part of the mission, I won’t be cutting sabji, cleaning floor because I do not want to do it. I am doing these to serve Gaur Nitai.

Sometimes our leader may need us to do something we may not want to do. We may not like it, but I should think that I will do it because I love guru, Krishna and fellow devotees.

I remember, I was given position of travelling sankirtana leader which I did not want to do it at first. But I did it and it was very rewarding. I thought that this was part of Lord Chaitanya’s mission, so I should do it.

In the beginning we may unwillingly do service but in due course we will start liking the service.  It wont give gratification if we do it for ourselves. We have been doing it for our gratification life after life.

How long we have been in this material world that we do not even know. We left spiritual world to come to this material world and here we are subjected to time.

Sweet Anxiety

Times fly when we are having fun. And when we are not having fun then time seems to go slow. We identify with this body, so we identify with this world. When we really get involved with guru and Krishna then we forget time.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Siksastakam, Text 7, says,

yugayitam nimeshena
chakshusha pravrishayitam
shunyayitam jagat sarvam
govinda-virahena me

“O Govinda! Feeling Your separation, I am considering a moment to be like twelve years or more. Tears are flowing from my eyes like torrents of rain, and I am feeling all vacant in the world in Your absence.”

When you really love someone then with him 12 years will be one moment.

When we add ingredient of love, it changes time.

When we think for our own gratification then it is always filled with anxiety. But when we are giving love, we think we should be giving more, we did not do it enough.

Wanting your beloved to be happy is a sweet anxiety.

Our eternal position & eternal duty

How can Krishna do such a good job of convincing so many people? How many times we see leaders doing a good job of convincing you? Have you witnessed it? No. But Krishna convinces ordinary people. Why? Because he does not have false ego.

He does not have to prove you that he is God. He does not think that you are not thinking me as God. He may walk with ordinary people, and no one knows he is God. Krishna never forgets who he is, but we forget who he is.

We should never forget our eternal position. If we remember this then it will solve all our problems, solve all relationship issues. We see everyone as part and parcel of Krishna. We see that even non devotees are part and parcel of Krishna.

And if you give proper respect to non-devotees and treat them part and parcel of Krishna, then it touches them, and they take to Krishna Consciousness. Gradually they too engage in the service of Krishna.

So, it is important to understand that our eternal position is that we are parts and parcel of Krishna and eternal duty is to always serve Krishna.

Why Krishna took birth on earth?

If Krishna is the Supreme Lord as per the Vedic scriptures then why he took birth on earth? What was the need for him to come on earth?  If you refer the Vedic scriptures then you will come to the conclusion that Krishna is the undisputed Supreme Lord.

For example, Brahma Samhita says, īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ/sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ, which means “Kṛṣṇa who is known as Govinda is the Supreme Godhead. He has an eternal blissful spiritual body.”

Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.28 says, kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam, but Krishna is the original personality of Godhead.

Understanding Krishna’s birth with the analogy of sun

So, now the question is, if Krishna is God and is eternal then why he has to appear or take birth on earth?  We can understand this by the analogy of the sun. When early in the morning we see sun in the eastern horizon we say that sun has appeared (or is born) and when it sets in the evening, we say the sun has disappeared.

But the sun is always there in the sky. Based on our seeing it or not seeing it, we say, it appeared or disappeared. Similarly, Krishna is eternal. When we see him on earth, we say that he has appeared and when he finishes his pastimes and returns to the spiritual world, we say he has disappeared because we cannot see him.

Janmashtami is the day when Krishna appeared in this world. He appeared on the eighth day of dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Bhadrapada (August–September).

Krishna tells us why he takes birth on earth

But why God, Krishna, takes birth in this world? What was the reason? Krishna answers this in Bhagavad Gita 4.7 & 4.8.

“Whenever and wherever, there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion – at that time I descend Myself.” Bhagavad Gita 4.7

“To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium.” Bhagavad Gita 4.8

So, Krishna is saying that he comes here to establish religious principles and to teach people like you and me how to live righteously.

Krishna does not just come to earth to kill the demons. He can kill them from his spiritual abode only. But he comes here because he cares for us, he loves us and he does not want to us to suffer here.

He comes to lead us from darkness to light – tamaso ma jyotirgamaya. And to tell us that as our eternal father, ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā, Bhagavad Gita 14.4, he is always with us and loves us unconditionally.

Krishna comes to invite us to his spiritual kingdom

The Supreme Lord Krishna, our father, personally comes from the spiritual abode to earth to invite us to return back to the spiritual kingdom which is our original home. Krishna assures that his abode is free of all the sufferings and once we go there then we do not have to come to this world where misery is at every step.

Our eternal father, Krishna explains about his supreme abode in Bhagavad Gita 8.21,

“That which the Vedāntists describe as unmanifest and infallible, that which is known as the supreme destination, that place from which, having attained it, one never returns – that is My supreme abode.” Bhagavad Gita 8.21

Krishna for our benefit informs us that this world is temporary, full of miseries, where everyone has to undergo the repeated cycle of birth and death. So, the Supreme Lord is advising us to return back to his kingdom in Bhagavad Gita.

“After attaining Me, the great souls, who are yogīs in devotion, never return to this temporary world, which is full of miseries, because they have attained the highest perfection.” Bhagavad Gita 8.15

“From the highest planet in the material world down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place. But one who attains to My abode, O son of Kuntī, never takes birth again.” Bhagavad Gita 8.16

And Krishna gives complete assurance that once we purify ourselves and return to the spiritual world then we do not have to come to this world again.

“That supreme abode of Mine is not illumined by the sun or moon, nor by fire or electricity. Those who reach it never return to this material world.” Bhagavad Gita 15.6

Krishna took birth on earth in a unique way

Krishna took birth in a unique way. He appeared in a pitched dark prison cell in the middle of the night to Devaki and Vasudeva who were bound by iron shackles and were living in constant fear of Kamsa. As soon as Krishna appeared, the dark prison cell got illumined.

Krishna did not take birth just like any ordinary child. But in the prison cell he manifested in the form of the Supreme Lord.

Krishna appears in four-handed form of Lord Vishnu

“Vasudeva then saw the newborn child, who had very wonderful lotuslike eyes and who bore in His four hands the four weapons śaṅkha, cakra, gadā and padma. On His chest was the mark of Śrīvatsa and on His neck the brilliant Kaustubha gem. Dressed in yellow, His body blackish like a dense cloud, His scattered hair fully grown, and His helmet and earrings sparkling uncommonly with the valuable gem Vaidūrya, the child, decorated with a brilliant belt, armlets, bangles and other ornaments, appeared very wonderful. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.3.9-10

As soon as Devaki and Vasudeva saw Krishna in his four handed form, their heart became free from all fear.

Srimad Bhagavatam explains that when Krishna was to appear in this world then all men and women who were suffering because of demons like Kamsa felt peace within the core of their hearts. The denizens of the higher planets like Kinnaras, Gandharvas and Apsaras began singing auspicious songs and they danced in jubilation.

Prayers by Devaki & Vasudeva and Krishna appears as human child

Devaki and Vasudeva offered their heartfelt prayers to Krishna.

Devaki said, “My Lord, because You dispel all the fear of Your devotees, I request You to save us and give us protection from the terrible fear of Kaṁsa. Your form as Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is appreciated by yogīs in meditation. Please make this form invisible to those who see with material eyes.”  Srimad Bhagavatam 10.3.28

Krishna gave the reason to Devaki and Vasudeva as why he appeared in his four handed form of Lord Vishnu.

“I have shown you this form of Viṣṇu just to remind you of My previous births. Otherwise, if I appeared like an ordinary human child, you would not believe that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, has indeed appeared.” Srimad Bhagavatam 10.3.44

After giving the reason,  the Supreme Lord transformed himself into a human baby so that Devaki and Vasudeva can experience vatsalya bhav, parental affection. Moreover Krishna also had to perform many wonderful childhood pastimes in Vrindavan.

Why Krishna took birth on earth as eighth son of Devaki & Vasudeva?

But before Krishna appeared, Kamsa had killed six sons of Devaki immediately after they were born. When Devaki and Vasudeva had just got married, a celestial voice had predicted that the eighth child of Devaki will be the cause of Kamsa’s death. 

Upon hearing this ominous voice, Kamsa wanted to kill Devaki, his own sister. To save his wife’s life, Vasudeva promised Kamsa that he will deliver all the child of Devaki to him. And then Kamsa can do whatever he wants to do with the child. So, one after another Kamsa mercilessly killed the six children.

The seventh child was mysteriously transferred to the womb of Rohini, Vasudeva’s another wife who was living in Vraj, from the womb of Devaki. That child was Balarama.

Krishna appeared as the eighth child and as predicted, he killed the atrocious demon, Kamsa.

The six sons of Devaki who were killed by Kamsa represents six rebellious proclivities of the mind – kama (lust), krodha (anger), lobha (greed), moha (envy), mada (pride), matsara (illusion). As long as we allow these six enemies to reside in our heart, Krishna will not appear in our heart.

If we analyse our life, we will find that we suffer in this world because of these six vices. Vices are called anarthas in sanskrit. In Bhagavad Gita 16.21, Krishna says, lust, greed and anger are gateway to hell. So, the Supreme Lord says, “every sane man should give these up for they lead to the degradation of the soul.” As soon as we succumb to these lower nature trouble begins in our life. Our mind remains out of our control because of these impurities.

Balarama the competent guru

So, it is important that we cleanse our heart of these six enemies which brings inauspiciousness in our life.  But it is not easy to fight these powerful enemies all alone. For that we need help. We need a competent guide, a guru who can show us the right path.

Balarama who appeared as the seventh child of Devaki and Vasudeva is the adi guru, the original guru. He always takes care of the suffering souls and takes them towards Krishna.

Krishna, our best well wisher

Because who can help us better than Krishna?  He is our best friend, best well-wisher and most importantly, he is always there for us. He helped Arjuna when Arjuna was in great trouble at the battlefield of Kurukshetra.  The Supreme Lord, Krishna, never disappoints anyone. In Bhagavad Gita 18.66 he says that “if we take his shelter then he will deliver us from all sinful reactions and will free us from all fear.”

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu teaches how to take shelter of Krishna?

But how to seek Krishna’s shelter? This has been beautifully explained by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the founder of Gaudiya Vaisnavism and the pioneer of Bhakti Movement. He says that the best way to take Krishna’s shelter is by chanting his holy names like the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

In his Siksastakam prayers, he writes that chanting cleanses the heart of all the impurities and inundates our heart with unlimited transcendental bliss for which we are always anxious.  Once our heart is cleansed our mind will come in our control. And when the mind is under our control then it will become our best friend, and then we can always live in peace and bliss.

Krishna took birth on earth for you and me

We can alleviate our life if we invite Krishna to reside in our heart. Let us constantly offer our heartfelt prayers to Krishna and chant his names fervently. When Krishna’s name will enter our heart then the holy name will destroy the impurities lurking in our heart since ages.

Our heart will become pure and soft like butter. Krishna, the butter thief, will then happily appear in our heart to steal our heart just like he would steal butter from the houses of the gopis, who were his great devotees.

The most important reason why Krishna took birth on earth is to remind you and me that we are his eternal parts and parcels and if we sincere desire and seriously practice devotion to him then we will return back to him in his spiritual kingdom.

Why Bhagavad Gita is the best book in the entire world?

Bhagavad Gita is not just the oldest but also the best book of the world. The sublime message of Bhagavad Gita has been guiding humanity since ages. Bhagavad Gita was spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna. It was spoken around 5000 years ago just before the start of the Mahabharat war.  It was spoken at Jyotisar, Kurukshetra.

Just before fighting the most important battle of his life, Arjuna got completely bewildered. He wanted to run away from the battlefield. At that time Lord Krishna came to Arjuna’s rescue. After hearing Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna’s consciousness completely changed. He understood who he was and the purpose of his life.

He picked up his bow and arrow and decided to do his prescribed duty of fighting. But after hearing Gita, he was not fighting for himself but he was fighting for Krishna to establish dharma.  And since he was fighting for Krishna and Krishna was with him so Arjuna emerged victorious.  

Bhagavad Gita is the best book, so is called king of all knowledge

The Gita is called Raja Vidya – the king of all knowledge. If all the Vedic literatures are cows then Bhagavad – Gita is the milk of the cow i.e. it is the essence of all the Vedic literatures. Krishna is the milkman, Arjuna is the calf who drinks the milk, and the same milk has been made available to us in the written form by the great sage, Vyasa – Dev.

This beautiful literature has impacted the conscience of humankind for ages. The glories of the Gita stems from the fact that it transcends all the artificial boundaries of caste, creed, religions, race, nation, gender etc.

Bhagavad Gita is not just 5000 years old

Bhagavad – Gita is not just 5000 years old.  It has been in existence since the dawn of creation. Krishna informs Arjuna that “I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvan, and Vivasvan instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Iksvaku” Bhagavad Gita. 4.1. Since the knowledge got lost by the influence of time so Krishna again spoke it to Arjuna for the benefit of all of us.

The Gita very vividly talks about Isavara (God), Jivatma (Soul), Kala (Time), Karma (actions) and Prakriti (Nature). It gives us spiritual intelligence to march towards the righteous path. The fundamental question of who am I, who is God, what is my relationship with Him and what is the purpose of this human life is very systematically, logically and pragmatically espoused.

Gita is for everyone

The Gita wasn’t spoken for Hindus or Indians. In fact, it is for the entire humanity. Great scholars throughout the ages have sought refuge in this transcendental literature when confronted with challenges. It has inspired the world fame leaders like Gandhi, Churchill, Einstein, Newton and several others.  

After reading Bhagavad Gita a Hindu will become a better Hindu, a Muslim a better Muslim, a Christian a better Christian and a Jew a better Jew. This is why Bhagavad Gita is the best spiritual book because it makes the world a better place to live.

Why “Bhagavad Gita As it Is” is the best translation & commentary on Bhagavad Gita book today?

Unfortunately many mundane academic – scholars presented their own interpretation of Bhagavad – gita, thus misleading the masses. The most important message of the Gita is to know Krishna and to return back to the spiritual world. Srila Prabhupada was very much concerned about the misinterpretation of Krishna’s original message. He therefore decided to translate the original Sanskrit text into English language and named the book as Bhagavad Gita As It Is.

The word “As It Is” stresses the fact that the book is an unadulterated translation of the original Sanskrit text. In his translation there is meaning of each Sanskrit word, translation of entire verse and purport with various scriptural references like Srimad – Bhagavatam, Brahma Samhita, Isopanisad, Puranas etc.

At present this is the largest selling translation of the Gita all over the world. The book has been further translated into more than 70 languages.  Bhagavad Gita As It Is has transformed the lives of millions of people all over the planet. This is why “Bhagavad Gita As it Is” is considered to be the best translation & commentary on Bhagavad Gita book today?

Gita teaches us to connect to Krishna

The main focus of the Gita is to make us understand that if we want to lead a happy life then we need to connect ourselves to Krishna. Krishna is not imposing his will but is trying to show us the right path. It’s like a father trying to persuade his unruly son to give up suicidal path and return back to his own home where he will get lots of love and care.

Krishna is too accommodative, every living being has different level of consciousness and so He suggests various paths through which one can perfect their life. He speaks about karma – yoga, jnana yoga, astanga yoga and bhakti yoga. Bhakti Yoga is the topmost but everyone may not be able to immediately practice Bhakti Yoga. So, Krishna also explains about Karma  Yoga, Jnana  Yoga and Astanga Yoga.

Conclusion of Bhagavad Gita

Arjuna was in utter confusion at the start of the war. But he got enlightened after hearing Gita.  Arjuna reveals his heart to Krishna, “My dear Krishna, O infallible one, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory by Your mercy. I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to Your instructions.” Bhagavad Gita 18.73

Like Arjuna we also face many challenges in our life. And like Arjuna, if we understand the teachings of Bhagavad Gita, we will also get knowledge to decide what is best for us. Knowledge itself is not sufficient. After gaining knowledge, with determination we should act as per that knowledge.  We should say to Krishna, “I am prepared to act according to Your instructions”.

And once we act according to the instructions of Krishna as given in Bhagavad Gita then success is guaranteed.

The last verse of the Gita says, “Wherever there is Kṛṣṇa, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality.” Bhagavad Gita 18.78

Like Arjuna if we befriend Krishna and always follow the instructions of Krishna then we will attain the same destiny as of Arjuna. It means that we will always be victorious in our life.

Once we take shelter of Krishna, Krishna takes charge of our life, and he protects us in all situations and circumstances. Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of godhead says, “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” Bhagavad Gita 18.66

Bhagavad Gita is the best among all the books of the world because it teaches us how to happily live by taking shelter of Krishna.

How to know Krishna?

You want to know Krishna. I too want to know Krishna. In fact, everyone is looking for Krishna because we all have deep spiritual relationship with Krishna.

George Harrison explains it in a better way, “Everybody is looking for KṚṢṆA. Some don’t realize that they are, but they are.”

So, the question is, is it possible to know Krishna? Is it possible to understand Krishna? Is it possible to know our relationship with Krishna? And most importantly is it possible to develop relationship with Krishna? 

If yes, then how?

To know Krishna, tell your mind to always remember Krishna

The answer is given by Krishna himself in Bhagavad Gita. In Bhagavad Gita 7.1, Krishna says that if we are always conscious of him, our mind is attached to him then we can know him completely without any doubt.

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Now hear, O son of Pṛthā, how by practicing yoga in full consciousness of Me, with mind attached to Me, you can know Me in full, free from doubt.” Bhagavad Gita 7.1

Krishna spoke Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna and through Arjuna he is speaking this transcendental knowledge to you and me.

Prior to this verse i.e. in Bhagavad Gita 6.47 which is the last verse of Chapter 6 of Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says that “amongst all the yogis one who with great faith always thinks of Me within himself and engages in transcendental loving service unto Me is the topmost yogi.” 

Now immediately in the first verse of Chapter 7, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that if we want to know him then our mind should be completely absorbed in him.  Absorption should be 100%.

Here, Krishna also underlines the importance of hearing about Him. Unless we hear about Krishna, we won’t know him. And if we do not know Krishna then how we will always serve him with love. It is not possible to continuously serve a stranger. If someone is very powerful then we may be compelled to serve him, but that service will not be with love but will be because of fear.

From whom to hear about Krishna?

Now the question is from whom to hear. The best source is Krishna himself because he is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So, Krishna tells Arjuna, tac chṛṇu, i.e. “Hear from Me.” Bhagavad Gita 7.1. Arjuna was fortunate because Krishna was present in front of him. But let us not be disheartened. We can also know Krishna by hearing about Krishna from pure devotees of Krishna. Pure devotees have so much love for Krishna that by the mercy of Krishna, he is able to speak about Krishna elaborately.

We see Sukhdev Goswami, a pure devotee of Krishna so eloquently described Krishna’s beautiful pastimes. Srila Prabhupada, a pure devotee of Krishna, in his commentaries on Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam have described unlimited glories of Krishna. If we read these books, we will know a lot about Krishna. In fact, the knowledge will be sufficient to not just know Krishna but also to develop a strong relationship with Krishna.

How to attach mind to Krishna?

We discussed that in Bhagavad Gita 7.1, Krishna says that our mind should be always attached to him, mayyasakta-manah.  

Those who practice spirituality knows well that how difficult it is to always focus our mind on the object of meditation. As soon as we start meditation our mind begins to wander here and there.  I always experience that as soon as I take the beads in my hand and begin chanting the names of Krishna, slowly my mind starts losing focus. Instead of focusing on Krishna and his names, mind takes me to a different world.

Now if we are chanting the names of Krishna but our mind is focusing on something else then although our mouth will be uttering the words, but our consciousness will be absorbed in sense gratifying objects. We are where our mind is. So, if we want Krishna then we have to focus our mind on Krishna.

Controlling the naughty mind

Mind is like a naughty child; it keeps on running here and there. So, as soon as we see our mind is wandering, we should immediately catch our mind and bring it back and focus it on Krishna.  It is not that once we bring our mind from wherever it is to focus on Krishna it will stop wandering. Uncontrolled mind’s nature is to wander.  So, as soon as we find that the mind is wandering, we will again have to bring it back on Krishna.

This we will have to do again and again. Easy to say, difficult to do. But it is also not impossible.

If we try again and again then a state will come when mind won’t wander much. Slowly it will start rejoicing in being with Krishna.  And a state will come when our mind will completely stop wandering and will only focus on Krishna. Srila Prabhupada explains, “By concentrating one’s mind upon Kṛṣṇa, one is able to know the Absolute Truth completely, but not otherwise.” Bhagavad Gita 7.1 Purport.

The nine process of devotional service

Concentration of the mind upon Lord Krishna becomes easy when we practice the nine process of devotional service. The nine process of devotional service is also called nava-vidha bhakti and it begins with śravaṇam. Śravaṇam means hearing about Krishna. Vedic literature is shruti-shastra. Shruti means to hear. If we hear about Krishna from Krishna or from the scriptures, then we will become a perfect Krishna Conscious person.

Who cannot know Krishna?

In Bhagavad Gita 7.3, Lord Krishna says that many thousands of men endeavour for perfection but amongst those hardly few comes to know about Him. For non-devotees it is impossible to understand Krishna. But even those who practice jñāna-yoga and dhyāna-yoga, they are also not able to understand Krishna completely. For example, the followers of Śaṅkarācārya are not able to accept Krishna because they do not understand Krishna.

Yogis, jnanis, scholars, philosophers get bewildered when they see Krishna as little child playing in the courtyard of mother Yashoda. Or when they see Krishna as the charioteer of Arjuna they get confused. They wonder how the Supreme Personality of Godhead can be a little child or become subservient to Arjuna. The yogis and jnanis may attain impersonal Brahman realization but they will not attain Krishna and Krishna’s abode unless they develop personal relationship with Krishna. Even the great demigods get confused by Krishna’s different pastimes. This is why Krishna says that “yatatam api siddhanam kascin mam vetti tattvatah: those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.” Bhagavad Gita 7.3.

Conclusion

But yogis, jnanis, scholars, philosophers can know Krishna if they start hearing about Krishna. “Hearing” about Krishna means hearing Krishna’s unlimited transcendental qualities and also hearing about Krishna’s many wonderful pastimes. If we hear about Krishna then we will be inspired to serve Krishna. We can focus our mind on Krishna. We will understand that we are eternal parts and parcels of Krishna. And in this world we are suffering because we have forgotten Krishna. 

Chapter 6 ends by Krishna declaring that the yogi who meditates upon Him and renders devotional service to Him is topmost. And in Chapter 7 Krishna starts explaining the process by which one can know Him completely and can attain Him without doubt.

The only way to know Krishna as He is (tattvataḥ) by the practice of devotional service with complete absorption.  

What is the relationship of Krishna with this material world?

You may think what relationship Lord Krishna has with this material world.  Is it that he created this world and later severed all his relationship with this material world?  Let us see what Krishna says about this in the scriptures, especially in Bhagavad Gita.

In Brahma Samhita, Brahma says that Krishna who is the Supreme God is the origin of all, causes of all causes. It implies that he creates the spiritual world, and he also creates this material world.

“Kṛṣṇa who is known as Govinda is the Supreme Godhead. He has an eternal blissful spiritual body. He is the origin of all. He has no other origin and He is the prime cause of all causes.” Brahma Samhita 5.1

Material world is Krishna’s energies

Lord Krishna himself says in Bhagavad Gita that this material world is one of his energies and it works under his direction.

“This material nature, which is one of My energies, is working under My direction, O son of Kuntī, producing all moving and nonmoving beings. Under its rule this manifestation is created and annihilated again and again.” Bhagavad Gita 9.10.

So, everything is happening in this material world as per Krishna’s guidance and direction.  Krishna is the Supreme director and has a special and unique relationship with this material world.  The Supreme Lord Krishna creates this material world, maintains it, and ultimately destroys this material world.  

Krishna has two energies – superior (para) and inferior (apara). Everything in this creation – moving and non-moving – is part of Krishna’s superior energy and inferior energy. We the living entities are Krishna’s superior energy, and the material nature is Krishna’s inferior energy.

Lord Krishna pervades this material world and supports it. Just as sunshine is spread everywhere similarly the energy of the Lord is everywhere in this entire creation.

How Krishna maintains this material world?

To maintain and sustain this creation it is not that Lord has to be present personally everywhere. For example, a king manages the kingdom with the help of various departments. The various departments of the king are his energies and to maintain them king does not have to be there personally.  He appoints ministers to take care of finance, home, defence etc.

Similarly, the Supreme Lord maintains this world through his energies. He does not need to be personally present everywhere.  

The Lord delegates the responsibility to different personalities based on their capabilities to run the affairs of this world. These empowered and respectable personalities are called demigods. So, we have a demigod who makes sure that it rains, he is called Indra. Then there is a demigod who takes care of the air, he is called vayu. Similarly, there is sun-god, moon-god and so on.

Why Krishna is not part of this cosmic manifestation?

Although Krishna creates and maintains everything in this material world and is present everywhere through his energies still he is aloof from this material creation. Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita 9.5, “although I am everywhere, I am not a part of this cosmic manifestation.” Why?  Krishna explains it further in the same verse by saying that it is because “he is the source of creation.” By his supreme will Lord Krishna creates, sustains and destroys everything in this material world.

Krishna is also simultaneously present everywhere in this material world. As Supersoul or Paramatma he is not just present in each living entity but he even enters into each atom of this material world. This is Krishna’s inconceivable mystic power (yogam aiśvaram) and this is how he maintains his relationship with this material world. Srila Prabhupada explains, “From Brahmā, the most gigantic entity, on down to the smallest ant, all are existing because the Lord has entered each and all and is sustaining them.” Bhagavad Gita 10.42

Creation & Annihilation of this material world

Krishna, the supreme creator, says in Bhagavad Gita 9.8, “The whole cosmic order is under Me. Under My will it is automatically manifested again and again, and under My will it is annihilated at the end.”

This material world is temporary. So, it is destroyed and again created. Just like our material body is not permanent similarly the material world is also temporary.

Krishna annihilates this material world at the end of Brahma’s life. As per earthly calculation, Brahma lives for 311 trillion 40 billion years.

What actually happens at the time of annihilation? As a soul we do not die, so what happens to us at the time of annihilation? Where do we go? It is explained that at the time of cosmic devastation, the entire cosmic manifestation, sarva – bhutani, enters into the Supreme Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is plenary expansion of Krishna. In the body of Vishnu, the souls like you and me remain in an unconscious state.

Again when the material world has to be created, the Supreme Lord creates it by his will. All the souls which remain unconscious during the period of devastation become unconscious again. They get a particular body based on their desires and past karma.

Is Krishna attached to this world?

Although the Supreme Lord has complete control over this material world, and everything happens by his will still he is always detached from all the material activities. Just as a high court judge may punish someone or reward someone but he remains neutral. Similarly, the Lord is involved in all the activities, yet he is neutral. He is transcendental to all material activities and is not attached to the creation and maintenance of this world. We the living entities also get different bodies because of our various deeds. We enjoy or suffer because of our own karma. Lord always remains neutral; he does not interfere.

Srila Prabhupada explains with an example from smṛti, “when there is a fragrant flower before someone, the fragrance is touched by the smelling power of the person, yet the smelling and the flower are detached from one another. There is a similar connection between the material world and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” Bhagavad Gita 9.10 purport

Conclusion

In conclusion, we can say that the Supreme Lord is the Supreme director of this entire material creation.  He is the source of this world. Yet, he remains detached from this material creation.  The Supreme and intelligent designer, Krishna, maintains his relationship with this material world through his energies.