This course is part of Sastra-Caksus, Year 1 and consists of 91 lectures, available on:

http://seminary.bhaktivedantaacademy.com/classes/bhagavad-gita-seriatim/

Given in Bhaktivedanta Academy, Sridham Mayapur, September 2010-April 2011

The following are lecture notes briefly delineating its contents.

  • The only thing that's material is our illusory conception
  • By developing spiritual vision, we see the qualities of Brahman in all material manifestations

  • We should worry about things that we value, we should do our own duty according to our nature, because we have to do it well. If it's not our nature, we will not be able to consider all the necessary aspects - example of vaishyas and Ayurvedic doctors.
  • We have to be able to distinguish between the levels of Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan to avoid misconceptions.
  • It's difficult to work without cultural tools for social interaction, but misusing tools also create many problems. The degree of sophistication we have in our life, should be engaged in Krishna's service.
  • 17:30 Ashrama develops character, but nature is inherent.
  • Brahman has many aspects, not being able to distinguish within the spiritual is not very developed spiritual, or impersonal.
  • Krishna as a person is beyond even spiritual.
  • The real meaning of sarvam khalv idam brahma is that anything connected to Lord is spiritual and non-different from Him. Material things engaged in the Lord's service loose their material influence. Everything becomes Brahman, but the Supreme Brahman is still separate. Acintya-bhedabheda-tattva.
  • The scriptures are saying different things for people in different times, places and circumstances, therefore it appears contradictory, but they are not. So to be able to reconcile this is one of the Vedic principles. Because the Vedic principle is just, you could say, formalization of the culture and practices of those on the spontaneous platform.
  • 28:00 Krishna is the original cause. Formal cause takes all the forms to manifest that quality. That's reflected here as the operational cause, the living entity thinking that they are the original cause, and the material cause is reflecting the formal cause. So we are thinking that we are the cause of making the material energy work, but actually it's the Lord and His Yoga-maya that makes it work. We don't see the original cause.
  • Naishkarmya connected to Krishna transforms into transcendental sacrifice, and sacrifice gives more knowledge.
  • Knowledge is the "better half" of sacrifice. A little knowledge engaged in sacrifice generates more knowledge, full knowledge frees one from material existence and allows to engage in pure devotional service.
  • Knowledge that Krishna gives, how to transform daily work in sacrifice, is very simple, but very sophisticated, we are not used to sophistication being simple.
  • Gratitude is one of 5 aspects of intelligence.
  • 42:00 There is knowledge of the details of the ritual in sacrifice, but what changes consciousness is transcendental knowledge, understanding what the sacrifice is for. Real knowledge culminates in Krishna consciousness.
  • Other religions, who have no clear information of transcendence, equate religion with morality.
  • 50:00 In sacrifice, all the elements of sambandha, abhideya and prayojana have to be there. Good qualities do not stand on their own they have to be properly applied.
  • Without transcendental knowledge, sacrifices and piety are not actually sacrifices and piety.
  • Spiritual master is one who has seen the truth - either through scriptures, or as Krishna in person
  • Service must be performed in the association of devotees
  • 69:50 - ELECTRONIC ASSOCIATION WITH DEVOTEES
  • After initiation, one should not raise too many doubts. One may have doubts on application, but not on the process itself, otherwise, why did one take initiation?
  • Prabhupada didn't change anything from the scriptures, but devotees aren't so realized in the Vedas to understand how he didn't change
  • 78:25 to 92:00 How Prabhupada did not change anything - Brahmacharini ashrama, 16 rounds, giving Brahma Gayatri to women, big size books
  • Jnana destroys only the aprarabdha karma, because it doesn't get rid of desires, but bhakti both prarabdha and aprarabdha
  • Very end: be conscious, conscious of Krishna, favorably conscious of Krishna - NEVER FORGET
  • Do it to please Krishna, free from karma and jnana - ALWAYS REMEMBER
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