But practically I have experienced that this Krishna Consciousness Movement or to present the philosophy of the Bhagavad-gita as it is can solve all problems of the world

(Letter to: Hanuman Prasad Poddar -- Los Angeles: 5 February, 1970)

Understanding of the existence of soul is the beginning of teachings of Bhagavad-gita.

(Letter to: Syamasundara-- Los Angeles: 24 April, 1970)

17. How can Bhagavad Gita be understood:

The spirit of Bhagavad-gitä is mentioned in Bhagavad-gitä itself. If we want to take a particular medicine, then we have to follow the directions written on the label. We cannot take the medicine according to our own whim or the direction of a friend. It must be taken according to the directions on the label or the directions given by a physician. Similarly, Bhagavad-gétä should be taken or accepted as it is directed by the speaker himself. The speaker of Bhagavad-gétä is Lord Çré Kåñëa. He is mentioned on every page of Bhagavad-gétä as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavän. Of course the word "bhagavän" sometimes refers to any powerful person or any powerful demigod, and certainly here Bhagavän designates Lord Çré Kåñëa as a great personality, but at the same time we should know that Lord Çré Kåñëa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as is confirmed by all great äcäryas (spiritual masters) like Çaìkaräcärya, Rämänujäcärya, Madhväcärya, Nimbärka Svämé, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu and many other authorities of Vedic knowledge in India. The Lord Himself also establishes Himself as the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the Bhagavad-gétä, and He is accepted as such in the Brahma-saàhitä and all the Puräëas, especially the Çrémad-Bhägavatam, known as the Bhägavata Puräëa (Kåñëas tu bhagavän svayam). Therefore we should take Bhagavad-gétä as it is directed by the Personality of Godhead Himself. (BG Introduction)

Bhagavad-gétä should be taken up in a spirit of devotion. Unless one reads the Bhagavad-gétä in a submissive spirit, it is very difficult to understand Bhagavad-gétä because it is a great mystery. (BG Introduction)

In the Brahma-sütra this inquiry is called "brahma-jijïäsä." Every activity of the human being is to be considered a failure unless he inquires about the nature of the Absolute. Therefore those who begin to question why they are suffering or where they came from and where they shall go after death are proper students for understanding Bhagavad-gétä. (BG Introduction)

This confidential knowledge may not be explained to those who are not austere, or devoted, or engaged in devotional service, nor to one who is envious of Me.

PURPORT

Persons who have not undergone the austerities of the religious process, who have never attempted devotional service in Kåñëa consciousness, who have not tended a pure devotee, and especially those who are conscious of Kåñëa as a historical personality or who are envious of the greatness of Kåñëa, should not be told this most confidential part of knowledge. It is, however, sometimes found that even demoniac persons who are envious of Kåñëa, worshiping Kåñëa in a different way, take to the profession of explaining Bhagavad-gétä in a different way to make business, but anyone who desires actually to understand Kåñëa must avoid such commentaries on Bhagavad-gétä. Actually the purpose of Bhagavad-gétä is not understandable to those who are sensuous-even if one is not sensuous but is strictly following the disciplines enjoined in the Vedic scripture, if he is not a devotee, he also cannot understand Kåñëa. Even when one poses himself as a devotee of Kåñëa, but is not engaged in Kåñëa conscious activities, he also cannot understand Kåñëa. There are many persons who envy Kåñëa because He has explained in Bhagavad-gétä that He is the Supreme and that nothing is above Him or equal to Him. There are many persons who are envious of Kåñëa. Such persons should not be told of Bhagavad-gétä, for they cannot understand. There is no possibility of faithless persons' understanding Bhagavad-gétä and Kåñëa. Without understanding Kåñëa from the authority of a pure devotee, one should not try to comment upon Bhagavad-gitä. (BG 18.67)

Modern man has struggled very hard to reach the moon, but he has not tried very hard to elevate himself spiritually. If one has fifty years of life ahead of him, he should engage that brief time in cultivating this practice of remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This practice is the devotional process of:

çravaëaà kértanaà viñëoù smaraëaà päda-sevanam

arcanaà vandanaà däsyaà sakhyam ätma-nivedanam

These nine processes, of which the easiest is çravaëaà, hearing Bhagavad-gétä from the realized person, will turn one to the thought of the Supreme Being. This will lead to niçcala, remembering the Supreme Lord, and will enable one, upon leaving the body, to attain a spiritual body which is just fit for association with the Supreme Lord.

The Lord further says:

abhyäsa-yoga-yuktena cetasä nänya-gäminä

paramaà puruñaà divyaà yäti pärthänucintayan

"By practicing this remembering, without being deviated, thinking ever of the Supreme Godhead, one is sure to achieve the planet of the Divine, the Supreme Personality, O son of Kunté." (Bg. 8.8)

This is not a very difficult process. However, one must learn it from an experienced person, from one who is already in the practice. The mind is always flying to this and that, but one must always practice concentrating the mind on the form of the Supreme Lord Çré Kåñëa or on the sound of His name. The mind is naturally restless, going hither and thither, but it can rest in the sound vibration of Kåñëa. One must thus meditate on paramaà puruñaà, the Supreme Person; and thus attain Him. The ways and the means for ultimate realization, ultimate attainment, are stated in the Bhagavad-gétä, and the doors of this knowledge are open for everyone. No one is barred out. All classes of men can approach the Lord by thinking of Him, for hearing and thinking of Him is possible for everyone. (BG Introduction)

One is therefore advised to study Bhagavad-gita, or any other scripture, under a bona fide spiritual master, with service and surrender. A bona fide spiritual master is in the disciplic succession from time eternal, and he does not deviate at all from the instructions of the Supreme Lord as they were imparted millions of years ago to the sun-god, from whom the instructions of Bhagavad-gita have come down to the earthly kingdom. One should, therefore, follow the path of Bhagavad-gita as it is expressed in the Gita itself and beware of self-interested people after personal aggrandizement who deviate others from the actual path. The Lord is definitely the supreme person, and His activities are transcendental. One who understands this is a liberated person from the very beginning of his study of the Gita.

Bg 4.42 P Transcendental Knowledge

Chapters Seven through Twelve are the essence of Gita, if one is fortunate to understand the Gita --especially these middle six chapters-- in the association of devotees, then his life at once becomes glorified beyond all penances, sacrifices, charities, speculations, etc. One should hear the Gita from the devotee because at the beginning of the Fourth Chapter it is stated that the Gita can only be perfectly understood by devotees. Hearing the Gita from devotees, not from mental speculators, is called faith. Through association of devotees, one is placed in devotional service, and by this service Krsna's activities, form, pastimes, name, etc., become clear, and all misgivings are dispelled. Then once doubts are removed, the study of the Gita becomes extremely pleasurable, and one develops a taste and feeling for Krsna consciousness. In the advanced stage, one falls completely in love with Krsna, and that is the beginning of the highest perfectional stage of life which prepares the devotee's transferral to Krsna's abode in the spiritual sky, Goloka Vrndavana, where the devotee enters into eternal happiness.

Bg 8.28 P Attaining the Supreme

One should not think that he is equal to Kåñëa, nor should he think that Kåñëa is an ordinary personality or even a very great personality. Lord Çré Kåñëa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, at least theoretically, according to the statements of Bhagavad-gétä or the statements of Arjuna, the person who is trying to understand the Bhagavad-gétä. We should therefore at least theoretically accept Çré Kåñëa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and with that submissive spirit we can understand the Bhagavad-gétä. The sincere student should also have a firm respect for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such a student was Arjuna. (BG Introduction)

Nobody can understand Bhagavad-gita unless he is a devotee of Lord Krsna. That is the first qualification. It is clearly said here. You cannot go beyond Bhagavad-gita. If you want to understand Bhagavad-gita, you cannot take help of other methods. You have to take the help as it is mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita. He clearly says that bhakto 'si: "You are not only My friend. There are many... you are a great devotee. Therefore you can understand what is the real sense of Bhagavad-gita. Therefore I am speaking to you. I am speaking to you.

(Lecture Bhagavad-gita 4.1 and Review New York, July 13, 1966)

Similarly, here is the direction, the bottle of Bhagavad-gita. Krsna says, "It should be understood by the devotee, or you have to understand Bhagavad-gita from a devotee." This is the direction of this medicinal bottle. How you can go otherwise? Then you will get the benefit. That is explained.

(Lecture Bhagavad-gita 4.1-6 Los Angeles, January 3, 1969)

If He is accepted as an ordinary conditioned soul in individual consciousness, then His Bhagavad-gita has no value as authoritative scripture. A common man with all the four defects of human frailty is unable to teach that which is worth hearing. The Gita is above such literature. No mundane book compares with the Bhagavad-gita. When one accepts Krsna as an ordinary man, the Gita loses all importance.

Bg 2.12 P Contents of the Gita Summarized

So to become Krsna conscious is the qualification to understand Bhagavad-gita as well as to understand Krsna as He is. Therefore we have to become Krsna conscious. And what is that Krsna consciousness? Now, this process which you have adopted, which you have adopted. Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Now, this chanting and this hearing of Bhagavad-gita. Bhagavad-gita hearing as it is, from persons who are engaged in this business. That will help us to become Krsna conscious. And as soon as we become Krsna conscious, Krsna also help us to understand.

(Lecture Bhagavad-gita 4.7-9 New York, July 22, 1966)

The purpose of the Bhagavad-gita can be preached only when it is taken up by real devotees of Krishna the Personality of Godhead.

One of the real devotees of Krishna was Arjuna during the appearance of Lord Krishna and as such the parampara of the Bhagavad-gita, which was broken prior to the occurrence of the battle of Kuruksetra, was reestablished at the battlefield and Arjuna was authorized to understand the purpose of the Bhagavad-gita. We should not miss this important point if we are serious about preaching the gospel of the transcendental literature.

As such it is understood in the beginning that one who does not follow the foot prints of Arjuna, cannot enter into the mystery of the Bhagavad-gita and therefore nobody can preach the gospel of Geeta without knowing its mystery.(BG Introduction)

So our only request is that if you want happiness, if you want to prosper, make your life successful, you must read Bhagavad-gita thoroughly, as it is, as Krsna says. Don't try to misinterpret. "Krsna means this" and "pandava means this" and "This means this." Don't make this foolish rascaldom. Take as it is, Bhagavad-gita.

(Lecture Bhagavad-gita 4.13 Bombay, April 2, 1974)

Interviewer: Is your philosophy, your approach to consciousness, based on the Gita?

Prabhupada: Yes. Yes, Bhagavad-gita. This Krsna consciousness means practical understanding of Bhagavad-gita. This is the sum and substance. I thank you for your capturing the idea. Bhagavad-gita is the sum and substance of the whole Vedic literature, and it is very nicely explained, things as they are. Unfortunately there are so many interpreters. They interpret the verses in their own way. That is the nonsense of the whole thing. But if Bhagavad-gita understood as it is, oh, it is a great boon to the human society.

Interviewer: In what... Are there fundamental differences between, or is it simply a difference in approach between your awareness and interpretations and, for example, those of the people who are involved with Zen? With some of the other Eastern concepts? Would you like to...

Prabhupada: No, of course, I do not know what is Zen conception, or Eastern conception, but we agree with many of them, just like we agree with the concept of God presented by Bible or Koran. That is recognized. And Bhagavad-gita is so simple that it does not require any interpretation. When things are understood directly, there is no question of interpretation. When things are not understood, then you can interpret, I can interpret. So the verses of Bhagavad-gita are so simple that there is no question of interpretation. Unfortunately I have seen that in Bhagavad-gita, commented by a great scholar like Dr. Radhakrishnan, the verse is translated very nicely and that is done by an Englishman, but he interprets in a different way. So when we can understand the thing very nicely, there is no question of interpretation. You see?

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My dear Punjabi Premanand,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 13 April, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning your questions: Yes, it will help to read Bhagavad-gita but to have to hear from the realized person. Without the help of guru, if you read independently, you may be misguided. Therefore, so many politicians, scholars, etc. not being guided by the parampara system, have simply misled the public. The Bhagavad-gita is the standard book of knowledge in India and many eminent persons like Gandhi, Aurobindo, Dr. RadhaKrishnan, etc. they tried to understand the Bhagavad-gita, but could not do it. They were themselves misled and on account of their big position they misled so many followers. Our system, the Vedic system, is to approach the right person and hear from him exactly as Arjuna listened from Krishna. Mental speculation will not help. Hearing is the main point. In the Bhagavad-gita, it is written, dharmaksetre kuruksetre... when you hear from a realized soul, a person who knows things, he'll explain that Kuruksetra is a place where religious ritualistic ceremonies are performed from time immemorial, from the time before the Battle of Kuruksetra. But, if you read the books of some cunning politician, he'll mislead you and you'll learn that Kuruksetra means this body which is not actually the fact. That is the difference, hearing from devotees, the sound vibration coming from the realized person. Reading the book is the same thing... tattva-darsana—hearing from one who has seen the truth. Reading or hearing from the realized person there is no difference, but hearing the sound vibration from the realized soul is still more effective, better.

( Letter to: Punjabi Premanand 16 April, 1976)

No. So far we are concerned we are receiving knowledge directly from God. Just like Bhagavad-gita. It is accepted, spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore if you take conclusion from the speeches delivered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead that is fact. That is very easy authority. Just like the other day I was explaining. (indistinct) You are searching after who is your father but if you simply ask your mother, "Who is my father?" The truth is immediately disclosed. Immediately.

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Therefore Krsna says that "I am showing you the way how to understand Bhagavad-gita. You have to accept that." Not so many ways. Only that way. That I have explained in the Preface, that when you have to take a medicine, you have to take the direction: dose, such and such. Not that so many ways doses are prescribed. According to the prescription you have to take. Otherwise you will waste your time.

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Our determination is to preach the Bhagavad-gita strictly on that parampara system as it is recommended in the Bhagavad-gita.

In the last portion of the Bhagavad-gita the necessary qualification of understanding the Bhagavad-gita is clearly stated.

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