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.

• Even those people who do not plan to attain pure devotion will be elevated by hearing Bhagavad-gita. If they do not plan to get devotion, they will be elevated to the heavenly planets.
• There can be nothing wrong in preaching or distributing Gita - everyone gets benefit.

• Lord Nityananda was trying to induce Jagai and Madhai to chant the Holy Name, He was not preaching Bhagavad-gita to them.
• 09:50 Which is worse, Mayavada or Buddhism - they are all about the same.
• 14:00 Desirelessness means just wanting to please the Lord, it does not mean no engagement of the senses, not doing anything.
• All material philosophies boil down to the idea that prakriti is the cause of the world.
• Both karmis and jnanis consider that life has come from matter - gross or subtle.
• 21:45 We want people to understand, not to argue the point.
• If we are not looking for opportunities for sense enjoyment, there is no material existence.
• 28:00 Levels of prostitutes in the Vedic culture
  • 1) Emphasis on the tendency of femininity. More emphasis on ongoing relationship, doing yajnas, giving in charity.
  • 2) Not so much piety, the feminine charm is the main element - geishas
  • 3) Main emphasis on gross sense gratification - modern prostitutes.
• Women are not supposed to be distracted from religious life, because then they are worse than irreligious men.
• Men should not disturb other women, therefore prostitutes help to maintain religiousness in the society.
• Vedic society girls may also make good wives, because they act with every man that comes to them as a wife.
• Even if the devotee is distracted, the Lord never gives up on him.
• Pious forms are only called pious, because someone who is Krishna conscious would use those forms to express devotion.
• If prisoner behaves nicely, he will get out quicker, but one who behaves nicely simply to get out, still remains a criminal. Similarly, people may be very pious simply to enjoy in this world.
• Unable to fulfill our material desires, we become frustrated. All that maya does is encourages us to take a look again and again at things that we wanted, but if we really show that we do not want them, she gives up offering them.
• It is easier for a man to create an environment for Krishna consciousness, but in one sense it is easier for a woman to take advantage of that environment and be Krishna consciousness.
• We think it's fortunate when Krishna gives someone material facility, but the real thing is when He gives someone Himself.
• The result of Krishna consciousness is that one becomes increasingly enlightened and one at every moment enjoys life with a thrill.
• Devotees only live off of the rain of nectar coming from Krishna and His devotees.