Bhagavad-Gita Seriatim #39 - The Transcendental Teachings of HH Bhaktividyā Pūrṇa Svāmī

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.

Krishna's attachment to devotees is purely based on expanding His experience, because He has no need of anything, while we have need for material relationship. We must understand these things to realize how Krishna is different from us. We are unreliable, but He is not like that. He doesn't need to experience changes, but devotees require different varieties to see their connection to Krishna. The living entity is being assured that their needs will be taken care of, the Lord is the most selfless person.

Krishna does not have anything to gain from devotees, His attachment to them is purely based on relationship.
Krishna gives many assurances to the living entities, so that they are not afraid to surrender to Him.
11:00 We cannot work, unless we overcome doubts, we analyze to overcome doubts, but we should not get attached to the taste of just analyzing doubts. Some people maintain relationships with others just on the basis of trying to solve their problems and creating new problems.
In Brahman understanding we appreciate the qualities of the Lord, but there is no interaction. On Paramatma level there is some dealing with Krishna as a person, by appreciating that the qualities are coming from Him. Mostly this analysis and appreciation is based on our need to interact with particular aspects of the external energy, He includes all the qualities, all the element of attraction is Him. On Bhagavan level we connect with Him as a person separate from the material manifestation, trying to please Him according to His interests.
If thinking of Krishna comes naturally, that's fine, but if not, go through the mechanics of the lower levels to acquire that.
22:30 Are there souls too covered to take to Krishna consciousness?
30:45 In Mahat-tattva there is intelligence, there is discerning. Intelligence identifies where we are, then comes false ego that we think this is us, feel special about it, then mind starts thinking what will it gain.
For the soul the easiest thing to do is to change consciousness of who we are and act on our spiritual intelligence.
37:00 to 46:00 Asking Krishna questions to get answers.
Unless we are truly God conscious, the platform of ethics and economics will distract us.
58:00 Good qualities only have meaning in connection to Krishna. A good businessman not connected to Krishna is not actually a good businessman, because money is meant to be used for elevation.
Vaishya is one who uses economics as a medium of elevation. It is not simply one who does business. Similarly, a a true scholar is someone who uses knowledge for elevation. If we only have steering wheel, we cannot say that we have a car.
Highly learned means knowledge combined with culture.
Material nature is a covered spiritual nature.
66:30 If one is not committed to one's impious nature, that is called innocent.
Real philosopher can philosophize within the Vedic paradigm, and in this way engage his intelligence.
Other philosophers never come to any conclusion, otherwise they feel restricted, but still they have their school within which they work. They find a common platform, so they both can speculate.
In the Vedic system, one of the first things taught to the kids is vocabulary and definitions of things, but in West people may waste hours arguing over meanings of words and the like.

The difference between British and American English.
How Calcutta used to be the 2nd most beautiful city in the British Empire, and why it is no longer.
Mudhas see nothing more than generating economics to take care of the family and the house. They may be highly positioned, or seemingly refined and pious, but they do not see beyond the fruitive results.
Naradhamas may be involved in seemingly spiritual activities (like New Age etc), but still they do not surrender and reject devotional service. We should be careful in preaching, otherwise if we tell too much to non-accepting people, they will reject devotional service.
We must know the essence of the New Age philosophy and present Vedanta philosophy in their language.
To people who are more emotional, if the philosophy is presented through the wrong field, they will reject it. It is better to start with more intellectual explanations.
Discussion on proper preaching techniques.