Read the book online.

Listen to the audio book.

Prabhupada lectures:

All Bhagavad-Gita Lectures

Bhagavad-Gita Recitation:

Contents

1. The author of Bhagavad Gita As It Is, his life, his qualification for translating and give the purport of the verses

2. History:

   • Chapter 4 Verses 1-7

   • Introduction p. 3-4

3. Qualification for being a good student of the Gita

   • Introduction p 4-7

   • Introduction p.14

   • Accepting a spiritual master who will explain this science

4. Five main subjects of the Gita 

Homework

1. It is very important to know that transcendental knowledge is received in ____________________ from Krishna

2. Who is qualified to receive this knowledge?

   • Friend of Krishna

   • __________________

3. Please write down a verse, a paragraph or a sentence that resonated with you as you were reading. This can be a verse that inspired you, challenged you or confused you. Briefly explain your choice. 

4. Optional: Memorize BG 9.18

Contents

1. Who is Bhagavan, Isvara? Definition

   • Introduction p.12  “ It is also explained in the Gita…. For 2 paragraphs”

   • Ch 13, 15-38  

   • Ch 2 verse 2 Verse and Purport 

   • Ch 5 Verse 17 Verse and Purport 

2. Who accepts Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead

   • Introduction p.3

   • Lord Brahma accepts: Brahma-Samhita 

   • Introduction p 12: “There it shall be seen that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Puruṣottama, is above both impersonal Brahman and the partial realization of Paramātmā….But realization of the Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is realization of all the transcendental features: sat, cit and ānanda (being, knowledge, bliss) in complete vigraha (form).”

   • Arjuna: Ch 13, 15-38  

   • Vyasadeva: Ch 10, 12-13 

3. Distinction between Isvara and Jiva

• Page 10    “The distinction between the jiva and the isvara will be explained…whereas karma is not eternal”

Contents

1. Brahman,  part of Krsna and Individual 

   • Ch 8, 3-4

   • Ch 13, 13 

   • Ch 4, 35

   • Ch 9, 4

   • Ch 15, 7

   • Page 13 “ People with less intelligence consider…”

2. Eternal 

   • Ch  2, 18

   • Ch 13, 20

3. Marginal energy and Superior Energy / Compared to passenger on a Machine

   • Ch 8, 3

   • Ch 13, 23   “The fact is that the individual living entities are eternally….” 

   • Ch 18,78   “The Living Entity in his original position…” last paragraph

   • Ch 7, 5

   • Ch 9, 17

   • Ch 15, 7

4. Subordinate to Krsna’s control

   • Ch 7, 5

   • Ch 2, 13  “ As confirmed in the Gita, the fragmental portions….” 

   • Ch 2, 7 

   • Ch 5, 16 

5. Constitutional position ( Svarupa) as Servant 

   • Page 16-18  “Therefore Sanatana Dharma does not refer to any sectarian process….It is not possible for the living entity to be happy without rendering transcendental service unto the Supreme Lord.” 

   • Ch 4, 17

   • Ch 6, 29

   • Ch 6, 47

6. Out of thousands, one tries for perfection 

   • Ch 7, 3

Homework

Class #3

1. Every living entity has an individual soul, his personal individuality and a ________________ form of ____________

2. The sense of having an existence separate from Krishna is called _____________. The Sanskrit word for this is __________________

3. Please write down a verse, a paragraph or a sentence that resonated with you as you were reading. This can be a verse that inspired you, challenged you or confused you. Briefly explain your choice.

4. Optional: Memorize BG 4. 35

Class #4

1. The eternal function of the living entity that cannot be taken from him now and in eternity is known as ________________

2. One may be a great scholar or philosopher, a yogi, an ascetic. But one cannot know something of Krishna, unless he is a _________________________, 

3. Please write down a verse, a paragraph or a sentence that resonated with you as you were reading. This can be a verse that inspired you, challenged you or confused you. Briefly explain your choice.

4. Optional: Memorize BG 7. 3

Contents

1. Defined

   • Introduction p 8  “What is material nature?.... This is called karma” 

2. Immediate cause of Creation 

   • Ch 9, 10

3. Causes and carries out activities

   • Ch 13, 21

   • Ch 3, 27 

4. Consists of the three modes/ Transformation of Living entities due to Material Nature 

   • Ch 14, 5

5. Liberation is attained by understanding Prakrti 

   • Ch 13, 24

6. Controlled by Krsna

   • Ch 9, 10 

Homework

1. Whether __________________ or ______________________, material nature or _________________ is always subordinate, predominated by the Supreme Lord.

2. The three modes of material nature are. 

   • ________________________

   • ________________________

   • ________________________

3. Please write down a verse, a paragraph or a sentence that resonated with you as you were reading. This can be a verse that inspired you, challenged you or confused you. Briefly explain your choice.

4. Optional: Memorize BG 9. 10

Contents

1. Krsna is Time 

   • Ch 10, 30

   • Ch 10, 33

   • SB 1, 13,19

2. Universal Form, Destroyer of Worlds

   • Ch 11, 32

   • Ch 13, 17

3. The influence of time 

   • SB 1.13.20 

Homework

1. Krishna says “Of _____________________ I am time.”

2. “The personal weapon used by Lord Krishna, the disc, is called hari-cakra, the disc of Hari. This cakra is the ______________. It expands from the beginning of the atoms up to the time of Brahma’s death, and it ________________________________.” 

3. Please write down a verse, a paragraph or a sentence that resonated with you as you were reading. This can be a verse that inspired you, challenged you or confused you. Briefly explain your choice.

4.  Optional: Memorize BG 11.32

Contents

1. The Consciousness of the Conditioned Jiva

   • Introduction p. 11   “ What is this consciousness?...who has created the manifested cosmic world.”

2. According to the 3 Modes of Material Nature 

   • Ch 7, 12 & 13

3. Entangled in Material Existence

   • Ch 15, 2

4. Thinks himself the doer

   • Ch 3, 27

   • Ch 3, 29

5. Perpetuates transmigration 

   • Ch 5,  2

6. The jiva as the cause of his own suffering

   • Ch 13, 21

7. Two types of activities for Jiva in Conditioned state

   • Ch 9, 30 

Contents

1. Sanatana Dharma

   • Introduction p 15 -18  “That destination is called the sanatana sky, the eternal spiritual sky….It is not possible for the living entity to be happy without rendering transcendental loving service to the Supreme Lord.” 

2. For elevation and degradation 

   • Ch 5, 15

3. Some declare should be abandoned/ Impossible to abandon

   • Ch 18, 2-7

4. Activities in Krsna Consciousness are auspicious and on the Absolute plane

   • Ch 6, 40

   • Ch 2, 38 & 41 

5. Renunciation of fruits brings liberation 

   • Ch 5, 3 

6. Activities prescribed in the Vedas

   • Ch 3, 15

Contents

1. Krishna’s final instruction

   • Ch 18, 66

Topics for Discussion

How Bhagavad Gita is the perfect Theistic Science Verses 1-13

Why Arjuna decides not to fight. Verses 21-46

Verses to Study

Verse 1

Verse 36

Homework

1. “…One should read Bhagavad-gītā very ______________with the help of a person who is a devotee of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and try to ____________________________________________ ___________________. The example of clear understanding is there in the Bhagavad-gītā itself, in the way the teaching is understood by Arjuna, who heard the Gītā directly from the Lord. If someone is fortunate enough to understand Bhagavad-gītā in that line of disciplic succession, without motivated interpretation, then he __________all studies of Vedic wisdom, and all scriptures of the world.”

2. Name 2 reasons why Arjuna will not fight? Defeat him with good arguments

3. From this chapter write down a sentence or paragraph that inspired you… Why? OR Write down a sentence or paragraph that challenged you/ that you found difficult to accept…Why? If you want you can write one of each.

4. OPTIONAL: Memorize Verse 1

Topics for Discussion

How Arjuna’s relationship with Lord Krsna changes from friendly to disciple. Why this is important Verses 4-7

The nature of the Soul as distinct from the body Verses 11 to 30

What is transmigration Verses 13 and 22

Verses to Study

Verse 7

Verse 20 -22

Homework

1. “…Similarly, the world situation is such that perplexities of life automatically appear,___________________________________________. No one wants fire, and yet it takes place, and we become perplexed. … One should not, therefore, remain in material perplexities ___________________________. This is the purport of this verse.”

2. What is the nature of the soul as distinct from the body?

3. From this chapter write down a sentence or paragraph that inspired you… Why? OR Write down a sentence or paragraph that challenged you/ that you found difficult to accept…Why? If you want you can write one of each.

4. OPTIONAL: Memorize Verse 7

Topics for Discussion

Abstaining from activity is seen by some as path of escaping Karmic reactions. In this connection, what is Karma yoga Verses 1-3, 9-35

The “ destroyer of knowledge and self realization” . Verses 36-43

Verses to Study

Verse 30

Verse 36 and 37

Homework

1. Under the law of karma, the living entity has to ___________or ___________the results of his pious and impious acts, which in turn force him into cycle of repeated birth and death. To escape this cycle, there is Karma yoga. The art of Karma yoga is to perform duties according to Scriptural directions which __________and ____________to the point of acting for the satisfaction of Vishnu (Krsna)

2. Lust is born of contact with the material mode of passion. Later transformed into wrath, it is the all devouring sinful enemy of every living being. What are the sitting places of this lust? And where is the reservoir of this lust? Explain this in your own words, briefly

3. From this chapter write down a sentence or paragraph that inspired you… Why? OR Write down a sentence or paragraph that challenged you/ that you found difficult to accept…Why? If you want you can write one of each.

4. OPTIONAL: Memorize Verse 37

Topics for Discussion

The nature and purpose of Krsna descending to the material world Verses 4-9

Accepting a Spiritual Master who has realized the truth in a submissive attitude as the sure path toward transcendence

Verses to Study

Verse 6

Verse 34 & 35

Homework

1. Name 3 reasons why Krsna appears

2. How does one approach a Spiritual Master? What are the 2 main criteria by which one can recognize a genuine Spiritual Master?

3. From this chapter write down a sentence or paragraph that inspired you… Why? OR Write down a sentence or paragraph that challenged you/ that you found difficult to accept…Why? If you want you can write one of each.

4. OPTIONAL: Memorize Verse 34