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.

  • 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.
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