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Bhakti Shastri Course - Bhagavad Gita - Unit 2 Open Book Question 2

The four verses of Bhagavad Gita known as Catuh-sloki establish that Krishna is the Supreme Lord, his pure devotees are always absorbed in meditating on him, he shows special mercy to his devotees, and by his mercy they can attain him. These verses teach that one should take shelter of Krishna alone, practice devotion to find true happiness, and that Krishna will guide his devoted followers on the right path and destroy their ignorance. To apply these teachings, one should sincerely engage in devotional service, recognize their imperfect knowledge, consult senior devotees before decisions, and pray to Krishna for right guidance.

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10K views3 pages

Bhakti Shastri Course - Bhagavad Gita - Unit 2 Open Book Question 2

The four verses of Bhagavad Gita known as Catuh-sloki establish that Krishna is the Supreme Lord, his pure devotees are always absorbed in meditating on him, he shows special mercy to his devotees, and by his mercy they can attain him. These verses teach that one should take shelter of Krishna alone, practice devotion to find true happiness, and that Krishna will guide his devoted followers on the right path and destroy their ignorance. To apply these teachings, one should sincerely engage in devotional service, recognize their imperfect knowledge, consult senior devotees before decisions, and pray to Krishna for right guidance.

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emon
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Bhakti Shastri course – Bhagavad Gita –

unit 2 Open book question 2


Question – Present in your own words points relevant for your personal application with specific
references to Sanskrit words and phrases and Prabhupada’s purports from chatu sloki Gita
Answer –
The four verses of Bhagavad Gita – BG 10.8, BG 10.9, BG 10.10, BG 10.11 – are called catuh –
sloki – Bhagavad Gita. Catuh – Sloki – Bhagavad Gita is called the essence of Bhagavad Gita.
Because in these four verses Krishna shares the topmost knowledge and also reveals his heart.
Krishna through these verses establishes that:
1. He is the Supreme Lord
2. His pure devotees are always absorbed in his meditation.
3. He shows special mercy to his pure devotees.
4. His pure devotees attain him by his mercy.

In the first verse of Catuh – Sloki – Bhagavad Gita Krishna says, “I am the source of all spiritual
and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in
My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.” (BG 10.8)
Here Krishna is clearly saying “ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo,” i.e. “I am the source of all material
and spiritual worlds.” This verse makes it clear that Krishna is the Supreme Lord, no one is
superior to him. It implies that all the demigods including Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma derive
their power from Krishna.
So, in all situations and circumstances we should take shelter of Krishna and not the shelter of
demigods. We should have firm faith that if Krishna is pleased then automatically all the
demigods will be pleased. So, there is no need for me to separately worship any demigods.
In the second verse of Catuh – Sloki – Bhagavad Gita Krishna says,
“The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and
they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing
about Me.” (BG 10.9)
Here Krishna is glorifying his devotees. The Lord says that his devotees mind (mat–cittāḥ) are
always engaged in him. And their lives (mat–gata–prāṇāḥ) are devoted to him. His devotees
derive great pleasure and satisfaction in talking (kathayantaḥ) about him and preaching
(bodhayantaḥ) about him.
Everyone wants to be happy in this world. But unfortunately, we look for pleasure in the outside
material world. The so-called pleasure which we experience in this world is never going to
satiate our hearts. In fact, it always results in frustration. In this verse Krishna is telling us how
Bhakti Shastri course – Bhagavad Gita –
unit 2 Open book question 2
we can experience unlimited happiness and satisfaction in our life. So, we should not waste time
and energy in searching for happiness in this mortal material world. But we should utilize each
and every moment of our life in practicing devotion to Krishna. This is the elixir for all our
miseries. And this is exactly what we should practice in our daily lives to apply these teachings.
Krishna is our supreme father and more than us, he is eager that we return back to him.
So, in BG 10.10, Krishna says that if someone is constantly devoted (satata–yuktānām) in
serving Him then he gives them understanding (buddhi–yogam) to come to him.
“To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by
which they can come to Me.”
And in the next verse, BG 10.11, Krishna says that he shows special mercy (anukampā–artham)
to his devotees by completely destroying (dispel) devotees’ ignorance with the shining lamp of
knowledge (jnana) which is the cause of suffering.
“To show them special mercy, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of
knowledge the darkness born of ignorance.”
We suffer in this world because of ignorance. And in ignorance we take decisions which
becomes the cause of more suffering. Lust, greed and anger contaminates our intelligence and
knowledge. And under the influence of these anarthas(vices) we take decisions. Such decisions
instead of bringing bliss in our life makes us more miserable.
Suffice to say in our conditioned state we do not know what is right and what is wrong for us.
But if we are devoted to Krishna then the Supreme Lord who is our supreme father guides us
towards the right path. That path is the path of peace and joy. This helps us to live happily in this
world. And Krishna even gives us intelligence by which we can ultimately attain him. This is
Krishna’s special mercy.
If we want to attain Krishna’s mercy, then we should apply the teachings of BG 10.10 and BG
10.11 in our personal lives in following ways:
1. We should be more sincere in our devotional life and get actively engaged in Krishna
conscious activities.
2. We should understand that our knowledge & intelligence is currently impure. So before
taking any decision we should pray to Krishna for right guidance.
3. Along with that we should also see that the decisions which we are taking is in line with
guru, sadhu and sastra.
4. Also before taking any decision, we should discuss with senior devotees. This will
always help us to make right decisions which will be pleasing to Krishna.
Bhakti Shastri course – Bhagavad Gita –
unit 2 Open book question 2
These are the practical ways to apply the teachings of Catuh – Sloki – Bhagavad Gita. If we
succeed in doing so, we will attain the mercy of Krishna.

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