Zig when Others Zag- The Bhagavad Gita (Infographic)
The Bhagavad Gita’s 700 verses can be a lot to take in, specially since most of us rely on a translation from the original Sanskrit. Poetic images and analogies help us understand this work....
Tagged: philosophy
Yama and Yoga- Kathopanishad
The Katha Upanishad is also a principal Upanishad. It begins with Sage Vajasravas giving away his possessions to get brownie points from the gods. He has a son Nachiketa, who wonders what was the...
Be Xenial- Your Guest is You: Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is a prinicipal Upanishad. Its name means great wilderness. This Upanishad gives a human aspect to the Creator. He was fearful when he created himself. Then he thought to himself, Why...
Wizardly Images in the Mundaka Upanishad
Mundaka means shaved head, so perhaps this Upanishad is named so because it is knowledge that shaves us of ignorance. It has three mundaks/shavings (parts). The first mundaka’s first khand (section) says Brahman grows...
Isha Upanishad- Paradox Personified in Verse
The enigmatic, 17 verse Isha Upanishad starts off with a deep verse. Isha, or the Creator’s perfect and so is his Creation. The Creator minus his Creation is still perfect. Poetry tantalizes us, frustrating...
Umbrella Concepts in Indian Philosophy and the Bhagvad Gita
Indian philosophy or darshan is more practical than Western philosophy. It seeks to help us live our lives, rather than wonder about abstract notions like what is reality? The Bhagvad Gita is a summary...
Talking the Talk? Walk the Walk- The Bhagvad Gita in Daily Life
After listening, one must reflect and then meditate on what one has imbibed, according to Indian philosophy. I was reading a sample lesson of the Gita course by the Chinmaya Mission online. I liked...
So You’re an Atheist? You’ll Still Like the Gita
I’m more of a nature worshipper rather than a believer in God. It does help to focus one’s energies on a mentor, rather than brooding over things. Recently I’ve started following Nicheren Buddhism a...
Renounce Attachment to the Fruits of Action- The Bhagvad Gita, Chapter 18
Arjun wants to know how asceticism and renunciation differ. Krishna explains that while asceticism is giving up selfish activities, renunciation is giving up the fruits of action. He goes on to say that the...
The Quick, the Dead and the Ones in Limbo- The Bhagvad Gita, Chapter 17
Arjun asks Krishna about the faithful who reject the scriptures. Are they sattvic, rajasic or tamasic? Krishna says it depends on their nature. Everyone falls in one of these three categories. The sattvic make...