PART TWO (Section 1) Man's duty towards Godhead LESSON 1 . . Every living entity being Godhead’s part and parcel, it is everyone's duty to cooperate with Him. (Introduction page 11, [Link]) Introduction Pages 1110 14 1) What are the two divisions of materialistic consciousness? 2) What is the actual position of the living entity? 3) Give an example to prove that living entities are meant to cooperate with the Lord. . 4) Why does the living entity want to create and enjoy? 5) What is the real enjoyment that the living entities can have? 7.3/1) What is the general tendency of mankind? 2) Krgna can be known by whom? 3) What does Sankaracarya admit about Krsna in his Gita commentary? 4) For vhom is it difficult to know Krsna? ‘5) What happens to the speculative scholar on the path of bhakti? ©) What does Rapa Gosvami write about devotional service? £? What do the pure devotces know about devotional service? How are they able ‘o realize this? What is the evidence from the Puranas in this conaeeicns 7-7. 1) What is the controversy about the Supreme Absolute Truth? How is it solved in the Bhagavad-gita? 2) How do the impersonalists argue their theory? 3) Explain, with evidence. the ‘conclusion that the Supreme Absolute Truth is the Personality of Godhead, 4) In this verse, Krsna simply states that there is no truth above Him. On what Rin (tem do devotees conclude from this that everyone should covresete wan Him? 5) Sometimes it is Postulated that God has created this material world with innumerable varieties of sense. objects which should therefore | be enjoyed as gifts from Him. Why then, Go devotees advise the ‘Tenunciation of material enjoyment? -ESSON 2 HPere are two types of living entities: (a) those who are in the material vorld and (b) those who are in the spiritual world, (5.16) 15.16 1) Who are the two kinds of living beings? Where are they situated? 2) What does oneness with God mean? 2) What is the difference between the bodies of the two kinds of living beings? 4) What are the six kinds of changes in matter? 5) Why are some living entities called fallible? -ESSON 3 Those who are in the material world are subjected to threefold miseries aflicted by the material energy. (15.7-10) 8 2.0.8,16.12-15 16.6 1) What are the two kinds of created beings? Whatis the difference between the 16.71) What is incant by ‘Aryan’? 2) What is the attitude of the demons? 3) Describe the process for internal and external cleansing. 4) Whatis the Manu sarihita’ 5) How have the demons spoiled the social condition, especially in respect women? 6) What is proper social behaviour for women according to Manu? 16.8 1) What do the demons say about this world and its cause’? 2) How does Lord Krsna explain the cause of this world? 3) What is the demoniac approach to the scriptures? we 16.9 1) Why are the demoniac described as unintelligent? 2) What is very prominent among demoniac people? 3) Why are dagerous weapons invented in human society? What are they rea for? 3) What kind of activity are demons engaged in? 16.10 1) What go the demons take shelter of? And what is the result of this? * 2) What is the mentality of the demoniac? 3) What is the result of accepting nonpermanent thi 4) What are unclean habits? 5) How are the demoniac seen by the world? 16.11-12 1) What do the demoniac not believe in? 2) Why is there no end to the anxieties of the demoniac? 3) What conception do the demoniac accept until death? 4) What happens to their plans? 5) Can anyone prolong somcone's lifetime even for a moment? Why? 8) Why does the demoniac person perform sinful activities? 7) Now do the Upanisads describe the soul and Supersoul? 1) Describe the delusions of the demoniac, 16.16 1) How do the demons fall down into hell? 2) The demoniac have unlimited desires to accumulate wealth, and therefore engage in what kind of activities? 3) Why don’t the demoniac believe in the law of karma? 4) What is the result of good work performed in one's past life? 5) Why is there strife and war im the world? 6) What are the preachings of the demoniac? L 7) How do the demoniac view others who arc equally powerful? 8) What was Ravana’s special programme? . t 9) Give an example of the bewilderment of the dembniac from the present age. 16.17 1) What kind of sacrifices do the demoniac perform? - 2) Why are the demoniac considered to be impudent? 3) What have the demoniac contributed to the path of religion? 4) What do the demoniac think about the different paths to perfection? 5) What is the cause of disregard for the rules and regulations of religion? 16.18 1) Describe tne bewildennerit of the demons who envy the Supreme Persnnatis of Godhead. ——— 2) What. dame be :qf .a? al Bhagavad-Git—Questions, Part 2, Section 1 1 16-19 1) How does Krsna deal with the demons? 2) How does the soul get another body after death? 3) What kind of species do the demoniac take birth in? 16.20 1) How do the demoniac sink down to the most abominable type of existence? 2) How can God be called merciful when He punishes the demons? ne een ther LESSON 6 sa Ti, ss + 7, Ss Such materialists, when they listen to the instructions of Godhead, i.e. Bhagavad-gita, attain to transcendental loving service of Godhead. (7.14. 4 > 18,65-66) : = 7.14 1) Who are the living entities? Why can't ‘they overcome the influence of material Sspect nature? = 2) Why is the conditioned soul called nitya-baddha, eternally conditioned? 3) Why is the material nature called divine? ‘What do the Vedas confirm in this ~ regard? u ‘5 How i the conditioned sou! bound? Why? , 5) Who can release the conditioned souls? What is the qualification of one whe can help a bound-up conditioned soul? > © Which activity can help one to gain release from material nature? 7) What is the only means to get free from the clutches of material nature? How? 2) What is the most confidential part of knowledge? & 3) How can one's life always be connected with Krsna in pure Krsoa conscious- 7 ness? - 4) Why is this confidential knowledge spoken to Arjuna? How can one become 2 Perfect tike Arjuna? < 5) How can we know what the form of Krsna is? Describe that form. - 18.66 1) What different kinds of knowledge did Lord Krgna describe to Arjuna? How = did He summarize the Bhagavad-gita? 7 2) How can a sinful person surrender to Krgna? ~ 3) Under which circumstances are all of one’s activities considered useless? e 4) Which activities should be avoided? = 5) What should one be confident of? ~ 5) What should one’s attitude be in surrendering to Krsqa? = 7) How can one avoid wasting time, make immediate progress in spiritual life, and = be freed from all sinful reactions? = 8) Why is Krsna called “Krspa’? fore 9) Who has been described as fortunate in this purport? 10) What are the different kinds of transcendentalists? 11) What is the essence of Bhagavad-gita? 12) Why is it proper to give up all kinds of religious principles? LESSON 7 | ‘The utmost important duty of humankind is, therefore, to cooperate with the Personality of Godhead. (9.3, 22, 24, 8.15-16) 9:3 1) What happens to the faithless? 2) How is faith created? 3) What is the condition of unfortunate people? 8 Prk e Pe Poe SE eg Pad eostagavad-Gitt—Questions, Part 2, Section 1 89 15.7 1) What is the eternal position of the living entity? 2) Who are the predominating deities in the Vaikugtha planets? 3) Which factor determines whether a living entity is conditioned or liberated? 4) What is the situation of the living entity in these two statuses? '5) What is the result of forgetting the transcendental loving scrvice of the Lord? 6) Briefly explain the struggle of the conditioned soul in the material world, 7) What happens to the living entity on entering the spiritual world? 15.81) What determines the next form the conditioned living entity gets after quitting his present body? 2) What is the ‘struggle for existence"? 3) ‘Everything is finished when the body is finished." Is this true? Explain, ~~~ 45-9 4) Whar is the nature of consciousness? 2) Under what conditions does consciousness change? 3) What is real consciousness? 4) How many species of life are there? 15.10 1) What is the-method for understanding the process of transmigration of souls? 2) In this purport, who has been described as fortunate? 3) Who cannot comprehend the change of body’? 4) What does a person in knowledge understand? '5) What do those who are highly developed in Krsna conscious try the best to do? itualists remain in complete harmony with the plan of God by Looperation. (3.19-20, 18.54) 3.19 1) whatis perfect action of the highest degree ? 2) Why is a Krsna conscious person in complete harmony wita the plan of God, though performing all kinds of work? 3) Why was Arjuna advised to give up non-violence? 3.20 1) What interest does a Krsna conscious person have in this world? Why does he work? 1854 1) Fxplain why one who coeperates with the plan of God by performing devotional service is already liberated. 2) What is the formula to become devoid of lamentation and desire, always joyful? 3) Describe the stage that can be achieved by the niercy of Lord Caitanya zxx. ESSON 5 The matcrialists are servarits of passion and anger born of demoniac rinciples and are therefore punished by the external energy of Godhead, maya. 16 4-20) 16.4 1) What are the qualities of those of demoniac nature? 2) Deseribe the royal road to hell. 16.5 1) Possession of the divine of the demoniac qualities lead 10 which respective destinations? 2) How do you understand that Arjuna was not possessed of the quality of the demons? ne 91 come How vithof AB OAR aE od! * Bhagavad-Gitd—Questions, Part 2, Section 1 o1 16-19 1) How does Krsna deal with the demons? 2) How does the soul get another body after death? 3) What kind of species do the demoniac take birth in? 16.20 1) How do the demoniac sink down to the most abominable type of existence? 2) How can God be called merciful when He punishes the devoas? LESSON 6 Such materialists, when they listen to the instructions of Godhead, ie. Bhagavad-gita, attain to transcendental loving service of Godhead. (7.14. 18.65-66) ‘ 7.14 1) Who are the: living entities? Why can’t they overcome the ‘influence of material nature? 2) Why is the conditioned soul called nitya-baddha, eternally conditioned? 22 Why is the material nature called divine? What do the Vedas confirm tn this regard? 4) How is the conditioned soul bound? Why? 3) Who can release the conditioned souls? What is the qualification of one who can help a bound-up conditioned soul? © Which activity can help one to gain release from material nature? 7) What is the only means to get free from the clutches of material nature? How? 8) Why is Lord Viggu the only deliverer of liberation to. everyone? Give evidence, 18.65 1) What is the Lord's Promise? 2) What is the most confidential part of knowledge? 3) How can one's life always be connected with Kygna in pure Krsna conscious 4) Why is this confidential knowledge spoken to Arjuna? How can one become perfect like Arjuna? 5) How can we know what the form of Krsna is? Describe that form. 18.66 1) What different kinds of knowledge did Lord Krsna describe to Arjuna? How did He summarize the Bhagavad-gita? 2) How can a sinful person surrender to Krsna? 3) Under which circumstances are all of one's activities considered useless? 4) Which activities should be avoided? ‘5) What should one be confident of? © What should one's attitude be in surrendering to Krsna? 2 How can one avoid wasting time, make immediate progress in spiritual life, and be freed from all sinful reactions? 8) Why is Kyspa called ‘Krsna’? LESSON 7 The utmost important duty of humankind is, therefore, to cooperate with the Personality of Godhead. (9.3, 22, 24, 8.15-16) 9.3 1) What happens to the faithless? 2) How is faith created? 3) What is the condition of unfortunate people?4) What is reat faith? 5) How does Srimad-Bhagavatam spbain the absoluteness of devotional servies ©) After reading Bhagavad-gita whey should ene do? 7) What is the process in i 922 1) What does the Lord do for those who worship Him with devotion? 924 1) What does “‘Yajta’ mean? 2) For what ‘only should one ‘work? 8.15 8.16 1) What do the karma, j 4) How do devotees lsims that their service wo the deities ig idol and is thus sinful? 3 Sapiain ihe arcd-vigraha form of the Lord by giving a simple exam, alists in approachinggavad-Gitd—Questions, Part 2, Section 1 93 126-7 12.8 129 12.10 7) Why is the impersonal path difficult for a common man? 8) How does a person in Krspa consciousness realize the Supreme Personality of Godhead very easily? 9) What is the risk that the impersonalists take? 10) What does the Srimad-Bhdgavatam say about the impersonal path? What advice is given in this regard? 11) What may be accomplished by one wanting to merge with God? Even on attaining such an accomplishment, what would one still be tacking in? 12) How can a jAdna-yogi come to the point of bhakti-yoga? 13) How does the practise of impersonalism become a source of trouble to the performer? 14) Why is the impersonal path unnatural? 15)-Why is the [Link] the best?- -- 16) What is the danger in ignoring devotional service? 17) Summarize in points why the path of impersonalism should never be encour- aged. 1) Whom does the Lord deliver from the ocean of birth and death? 2) What realization does one come to in pure devotional service? 3) How can the Supreme Lord be appreciated? 4) What is the standard of devotional service? '5) What is the process for pleasing Krsna? 6) What does the Supreme Lord promise for the pure devotees? 7) Inattaining the destination of life, what is the difference between a devotee and others? 8) Describe what the Vardtha Purdina says about the Supreme Lord's delivering of His devotee? Explain, 9) What, therefore, should an intelligent man do? 10) What is the specific benediction of devotional service? 11) What is the conclusion of Bhagavad-gita? Where is it stated? 12) Why should one not try to deliver himself in spiritual realization by his own, endeavor? 13) What is the highest perfection of life? 1) What are Krgna’s instructions to Arjuna for always living in Him? 2) Explain how a devotee lives in a direct relationship with the Supreme Lord. 3) Where is the process of devotional service recommended? 4) Who cannot understand the trancendental position of a devotee? Why not? in? 1) What should one do if he cannot fix his mind upon Kyspa without devia 2) Explain the two different processes of bhaksi-yoga. 3) Why are the scnses impure in material existence? 44) How can the senses become purified? What happens in the purified state? 5) If a servant in material consciousness says, “I love my master.” Can this be true? Why? 6) What is the whole process of Krsna consciousness? ‘T) What does practising the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga entail, and what is the benefit of this process? 1)-How can one who cannot practise the regulations of bhakri-yoga become perfect? 3) What is the difference between materialism and Krgga conscidusness? 3) How can Kpna consciousness help a person who is not engaged in the reguletions of bhakti-yoga? ; i legBhakti-sastri Study Guide 12.11 1) Which type of persons are recommended to engage the results of their activities in mundane good causes? 2) Why are pious activities recommended? 3) Is Krsna consciousness dependent on giving up the fruits of one’s activities? Explain. 4) What does Bhagavad-gitd say about the mundane services? 5) What does Bhagavad-gitd say about such non-devotional services? : ‘ i t ' I 12.12 1) What are the alternatives suggested for those who cannot follow the principles of Krsna consciousness? 2) What are the two processes to reach the Supreme Personality of Godhead? 3) How does the indirect process develop into Krsna consciousness? 4) What does Bhagavad-gitd advise for everyone? ! 6.22 1) Why is Krgna consciousness the best practise of yoga in this age? 2) How does bhakti-yoga deal with the demands of the body? 3) How does the Krsna conscious person react to adverse incidental occurrences? 4) What is the highest perfection in yoga practise? SSON 10 Real knowledge for salvation is described in Bhagavad-gita. (13.8-12) 13. 8-12 1) List me processes of real knowledge as declared by Lord Krspa. 2) How do the less intelligent misunderstand the process of knowledge? 3) What is knowledge in relation to the ten-fold elements? 4) Where does the process of knowledge terminate? 5) Under what circumstances do the nineteen points of this Process-of knowledge become valueless? 6) What is the most important principle for ‘developing real knowledge? 7) What is the status of processes beyond those which are mentioned in these verses? 8) What is humility? 9) Why is hankering for honour a material deception? 10) What do persons who are anxious to be famous for their religion sometimes do? 11) How is non-violence generally understood? What is real non-violence? Explain. 12) What is tolerance? 13) Why do people insult a person who is engaged in the advancement of spiritual knowledge? Give an example. 14) Explain how and why tolerance should be applied for one desiring to make advancement in spiritual knowledge? 15) What is simplicity? 16) Why should one accept a spiritual master? 17) How should one accept a Spiritual master? 18) How can a spiritual master help his disciple advance? 19) Describe the two kinds of cleanliness. it does chanting process do? 21) What is steadiness? "s 22) What is self-control? 23) What is real renunciation? 24) How should the endeavouring transcendentalist control his senses? 25) What is the process of controlling the tongue? 26) How are the eyes, nose and ears to be controlled?phogavad-Gitd—Quesiions, Part 2, Section 1 95 mdb dl db dd 27) What does Bhagayad-gitd expound? 28) What do the unintelligent commentators on the Gi 29) What is false ego? 30) What is real ego? 31) Explain the difference between the two kinds of ego. 32) Can ego be given up? Explain. What should be given up? 33) What are the four kinds of distress in the material world? 34) Why don’t we make any solution to the repetition of birth and death? 35) What kind of view should one have of material life and why? 36) How should one relate to children, wife and home if they are unfavourable to ‘spiritual progress? 37) Explain in detail the four principles of Krsna consciousness | by which one can make his home very happy. 38) In what circumstances should family life be-abandoned? 39) What did Arjuna do to save his Krsna realization? try to do? LESSON 11 Everyone, be one a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, or Sidra, or even less than a s@dra, must cooperate in the transcendental loving service of Godhead. (18.46-50) 18.46 1) What is the advice given in this verse for achieving the highest perfection of life? 18.47 1) What is the cause of bondage? 2) What is the conclusion of this verse? Ge G O GO 4! bo Ur Ub Ob oe a 18.48 1) What is the process by which one can purify all the defects in any ‘occupational duty? 18.49 1) Whi real renunciation? 18.50 1) What is the process of self-realization? LESSON 12 Salvation is not attained simply by dry speculative adventures bur only by the service of Godhead. (14.22-24) 14,22-24 1) What are the symptoms of a man who has transcended the modes of material nature? 2) What does Krsna first indicate in these verses? . 3) Whatis to be understood about a living entity who stays in the ‘material world? 4) What should one do to get free from the clutches of the three ‘modes of material nature? 5) How can material sense gratification be stopped? 6) Does one need a material body? 7) Can one be free from the dictations of the material body? 8) How does a devotee become free? What doesn't he try to do? 9) What is the materially situated person affected by? 10) in what manner does a-Kysna conscious person perform-his duty? - 11) How does a devotee relate to material objects and occurrences? 12) How can one see everything with an equat eye? 13) How does a devotee react to political and social issues? td) eh) th Oe te Th EE ty96 LESSON 13 Sri Krsna. is at once liberated from the nescience of matter as Krsna. (10.10-11) 10.10 10.11 LESSON 14 ‘One should not desire to cooperate with Godhead conditionally for some material gain. 17.20 17.21 17.22 Bhakti-sastri Study Guide 14) If « devotee (as described herein) becomes inert and inactive, he is reduced to incapacitated dull matter. Is this true? If not. explain 15) Devotees are not interested in social and political issvet, and are therefore 15) ewes accused of doing nothing for human society, of being isolated, and useless for anybody. Is this true? If not, why? 4 Je) Are the qualities listed in these verses attainable by acagemic study, bieth in a particular face, oF by one’s mere personal endeavour? If not, explain why not. e the sun. Therefore, one the Personality of Godhead, is just soon as he surrenders to Sri 1) What is the ultimate goal of progress? 2) What is important for achieving that goal? 3) Reply to the questions, "What about unintelligent people who join your movement? How can they realise God?” 4) What are the qualifications necessary to attain God? 1p How does Krsna, dwelling in the heart of a devotce, help him? 3) What is the only qualification for gaining knowledge? 3) Why can’t the truth be achieved by personal endeavours? 4) Devotional service can give one Krsna. Explain how this happens. 3 Explain, by giving an example, what Krypa does to the ignorance in the heart of a conditioned soul, who takes to devotional service. 6) Why is it that material education and other mundane proceses cannot enable one to attain pure knowledge? 5) Reply to the challenge, “How can knowledge come simply by repeating the Hare Kya mantra, which is just a vibration of sound?” S' Sometimes people think that if they were to sit in a place and simply stat Dineing about what God is, that He would reveal the Absolute Truth to them. 1s this true? If not, why? 5) Reply to the question, “I have intelligence. Why can’t I find out everything about God by logic and argument?” 10) Explain how one becomes free from the mescience of matter? (17.20-22) 1) What is charity in the mode of goodness? 2) How is one supposed to give charity? 3 Giving alms is the best way for spiritual advancement. Isihis rue? If mot, why? 1) What is charity in the mode of passion? 2) What is wrong in giving charity for sense gratificatory purposes? 1) What is charity in the mode of ignorance? 2) Why is charity given for intoxication and gambling not beneficial? =phagavad-Gita—Questions, Part 2, Section 1 7 LESSON 15 Even if one appears to cooperate with Godhead conditionally for some material gain, Godhead not only satisfies one’s material wants but also gradually takes him to higher life. (9.22, 7.20) 7.20 1) What is the pre-condition for engagement in pure devotional service? 2) How does the Lord give His mercy to those who have material desires? 3) What does Srimad-Bhagavatam recommend in this regard? 9.22 1) What makes a devotee perfect in self-realization? 2) What is yoga? What is ksema? LESSON 16 = - Such pure devotional service of Godhead is attainable by the asociation of saints. (9.13-14, 10.8-9) 9.13 1) What is the qualification of a mahdtma and how can one achieve this qualification? 9.14 1)Why do the great dcdryas prescribe rules and regulations in devotional service? 10.8 1) When a man understands Krsna from a bonafide spiritual master what does he do? 10.9 1)What do realized souls take pleasure in? LESSON 17 Only by the mercy of Krsna can one attain to Krsna by such association of saints. (10.10-11) 10.10 1) How can one achieve the ultimate goal of progress? 2) How does the Lord give a chance for a less intelligent devotee to make progress? 10.11 1) What is the qualification necessary for achieving devotional knowledge? LESSON 18 So if one develops the sense of associating with saintly devotees, he is blessed by Krsna. (4.34-39) 4.34 1) Whatis the Lord's advice to one interested in spiritual life? +2) What is the procedure of associating with a self-realized person? 4.35 1) what is the result of receiving knowledge from a self-realized soul? 2) What is maya? 3) Being covered with illusion, we are in the bodily concept of life, forgetting our real relationship with Krgoa. Furthermore, Mdydvadi philosophers propound false theories, such as the idea that Krgna is only a great historical personality. How can we became liberated from such delusions? _ 4.36 1) Explain, with an example, how one may be saved by association with saints. ‘4.37 1) What are the three kinds of reactions? 2) What is perfect knowledge? What is the result of such knowledge? Give more evidence. nn4 4. LESSON 19 38 1) What is the cause of bondage? 2) What is the cause of liberation? 3) What is the last word in the Bhagavad-gita? 4) What is the matured fruit of devotional service? 1.39 1) Who is a faithful man? How is that faith attained? 2) Who can become perfect in Krsna consciousness without delay? Without associating with the saintly devotees no one can develop God consciousness. (13.8) (ist paragraph) 1) What is the process of knowledge? LESSON 20 2) What is essential in developing God consciousness? 3) When does transcendental life begin? 4) What about other processes beyond this? Explain. Sri Krsna is the ideal saint: So one should approach Krsna through His transparent medium (Spiritual master), and thus Sri Krsna will reveal Himself. (2.6-7, 18.64-66) 2.6 1. What indicates that Arjuna was truly virtuous? 2.7 1. What are material activities a source of? How? 2. What guidance can a bona fide spiritual master give? 3) What are the perplexities of life likened to in the Vedic literatures? Explain, 4) Why do the Vedic scriptures advise us to approach a bona fide spiritual master? 5)"Miseries are unavoidable, Just face up to them, Remain pesplexed—you can't solve them anyway.” Is this proper philosophy? What is the Krspa conscious reply to such a statement? What is the intelligent person's approach to the perplexities of life? 6) Who is the man in material perplexities? 7) Who is a krpana (miser), and why is he thus designated? a brahmana? the skin disease of the materialistic conception of life. 10) Why is Arjuna asking Kyna to solve his problems? 11) What is the change of mood in Arjuna's conversation with Krsna from this verse onwards? 12) Who is the original spiritual master of the science of Bhagavad-gita? 13) Who is the first disciple for understanding Bhagavad-gita? 14) Whatis the Krsna conscious opinion of someone who, after reading Bhagavad- gitd, comes to a different conclusion than that reached by Arjuna? 15) How can we know what conclusion Arjuna came to after hearing the Bhagavat-gitz? 16) “The instructions of Krsna in Gitd are not to be taken literally. You have to know the inner meaning." Is this true? If not, refute. 17) How do foolish mundane scholars explain Bhagavad-gita? 18) Arjuna had Krgpa in front of him to surrender to and inquire from. We don't have such an opportunity. So how can we avail ourselves of the teachings of Bhagavad-gita? 19) Krspa apparently spoke on so many different subjects and paths in the Giza, Is this not a source of confusion?; ers 18.64 18.65 18.66 LESSON 21 ‘The last words of Krsna are acceptable only to those who have undergone 20) Somany divergent groups claim thal Weir maeisianins = eanbepaer the correct one. So how can we ascertain whose understanding is actually correct? — 1) Why js itthat Krsna is speaking the most confidential knowledge to Arjuna, and for what purpose? 2) Who is qualified to understand the essence of Bhagavad-gita? 2) What is the most important instruction in all the Vedic literatures? 1) What is the Lord's promise to Arjuna? 2) How can one become a dear friend of Krsna? 1) How does the Lord summarize the Bhagavad-gi1d? 2) What can a sinful person do to become spiritualized? 3) Af one gave up his religion to accept Krsna consciousness would that be sinful? 4) Since all religions preach the message of God, why should one abandon all - kinds of religion to surrender to Krsna? 5) Who is the most perfect transcendentalist? 6) What is the essence of Bhagavad-gitd? 7) What is the meaning of ‘ma sucah"? Explain. transcendental training. ( 18.67-68) 18.67 1) Who should not be told this confidential part of knowledge? 18.68 2) How do the demoniac sometimes also explain Bhagavad-gira? 3) “Bhagavad-gitd is Krgna’s teaching. So itis alright to read any commentary on Bhagavad-gita” Is this true? If not, refute. 4) “Anyone who speaks Bhagavat-gitd is a saint, and all such saints should be respected, What is the Krypa conscious stand on this theory? Comment. 5) What is out reply 10 the following statement: “My guru is fully sense- controlled, and strictly follows all the principles of Vedic life He may not be a devotee of Krsna, but don’t you think that he can make me God-conscious?~ 6) There are s0 many people who claim to be devotees of Kryaa. and they appear to be also, but they are not. How can one recognize an actua! devotee of KAa? 7) What has Krspa explained in the Bhagavad-gird? 8) Students study various editions of Gied in the universities. Can they become real devotees of Krsna by such study? Explain. 9) ‘A Supreme Court judge with a Ph.D in English literature wrote a popular ‘commentary on the Gitd which sold in the thousands...he is so special...hre had ‘no guru, yet he discovered all the meanings by himself, being a great scholar and a famous judge.” Comment. 1) What rewards awaits a devotee who preaches Kryga conscicesness? How cam we know that this is actually a fact? 2) Why is it advised that Bhagavad-gitd should be discussed among devotees only? 3) What is wrong in explaining Bhagavad-gitd as one understands it. in his own way? 4) To whom should Bhagavad-gitd be explained? 3) Reply to this statement: “There is anew edition of Bhagavad-gitd. Nobody has ever written like this—it's a completely new understanding.” 6 Is Bhagavad-gitd As It Is a new way of understanding Giz? If not and if Bhagavad gita has already been understood in this way by so many omhers100 LESSON 22 Bhakti-Sastri Study Guide previously, then what is so special about it? Explain. 2) Write in your own words why Bhagavad-gitd As it Is is the greatest. 8) If one studies the commentary on Gita by Sankaracarya, will he become a devotee of Krsna? 9) ‘There arc many bona fide commentaries on the Gitd by dcdryas in the four Valsnava sampradayas, Would it be alright for me to read them since Bhagavad. git As it Is is non-different from them? 10) “ou are printing books, but what about the illiterate people? How can they understand? If only literate people can benefit from the teachings of God, then most of the people in the world will never be able to realize Him." Comment, Only one who is thus purged of all vices can put his faith in the last words of Krsna. ( 7.25-28) 7.25 7.26 127 7.28 LESSON 23 1) Who knew that Krsna was the Supreme Personality of Godhead when He was present on this earth? To whom was Krsna manifest? Why could others not understand who He was? 2) To what-type of person is Krgna never manifest? 1) What is the extent of Krgna's knowledge? 2) Who can understand Krsna? How does the Gitd state that this understanding is very rare? 3) How can an impersonalist and a Paramatma realized yogi understand Krsna? Dye does the Lord appear? Who can understand this, and why are they favoured with such an understanding? 2) What do the deluded conclude about Krsna’s appearance? 3) Why is it that everyone cannot understand Krsna? cunt is the process of being situated on the spiritual platform? How can this become possible for everyone? 2) What should one do if he wants to become liberated? 2) With whom shouldn't one associate and why? ‘4) What is the mission of the devotees? What is the fault of the impersonalists? After all, they are very austere and Jeamed and apparently adhere to the Vedic injunctions, OO gecbly 9 the following statement: “Everyone is trying in his own way to understand God. Why then, do you criticise other schocle ‘of thought so much?” Such a pure devotee is not only rare butis very dear to the heart of Sri Krsna. (7.19, 6.29-31) . 719 6.29 1) At what stage can the living entity get knowledge of the ultimate goal of spiritual realization? 2) What kind of souls are very rare? 1) What is the supreme neutrality of the Lord? 2) What is the difference between the individual soul and the ‘Supersoul? 3) The Lord is in all beings—does this mean that all beings are God? Explain, equal 6) What is the perfect v6.31 LESSON 24 12,13-14 BERR OAD AE AP GE APO a 12.15 ShoSR OS e 12.16 a sins 12,17 1218-19 6.30 1) How is a devotee conscious of Krsna in every instance: 2) What is the basic principle of Krsna consciousness? 43) Describe the transcendental nature of Krsna consciousness. 4) Why doesn’t a devotee like to merge with Krsna? 5) What is the qualification for always seeing Govinda? 6). What happens to a yogt who realises Paramatma in his heart? 7) What is the position of a devotee who is fixed in an intimate relationship with the Lord? 1) Who does the perfect yogi sec in his heart? 2) What is the comparison between a Kryna conscious person and 3 perfect yogi? 3) What understanding makes a yogi faultless? 4) Devotees appear to be like ordinary people performing varieties of activities ‘within the material world: How are they different from ordinary people? Explain, giving Vedic evidence. There are some typical signs in the person of such a pure devotee of Godhead that indicate his purity. (12.1320) 1) What is a devotee's attitude amidst distress and difficulties? 2) Describe the symptoms of a pure devotee. 3) How does a devotee become situated in the perfect standard of devotional servier 4) How does a devotee become very dear to the Lord? 1) How does a devotee deal with others? How does he react to the inimical activities of others? 2) Explain how a devotee remains undisturbed in all circumstances. 3) Recount the general mentality of materialisitic people as described in this purport. 4) Summarize how a devotee becomes very dear to Krsnaas described in this verse and purport. 1) What is a devotee's attitude towards money? 2) How does a devotee keep himself clean both inside and outside? 3) How is a devotee: (a) expert, (b) carefree and (c) never pained? 4) Sometimes people, feeling harassed by material life, want to join the Krsna consciousness movement and lead a life without any anxiety. Comment on such an attitude. 5) Traditionally, sddhus lived extremely simply. Why then, do devotees take so imuch trouble to construct and maintain palatial buildings? 6) In which type of endeavour should devotees engage in, even with great difficulty? 1) What symptoms of a pure devotee are explained in this verse? 1) What should a devotee always be free from? 2) How is a devotee: (a) patient, (b) silent, (c) satisfied, (d) detached, (¢) fixed? 3) "There is a'sddhu who did not speak for nine years.” Comment. ° ..- 4) “Only in the silence of the world you can hear the Lord,” says a great scripture. ‘Why then, do devotees make so much noise chanting Hare Krsoa? 5) “God can be realized only through silent meditation. The Vaignavas make too + much noise, so they are sentimentalists.” Comment. 6) What should one do to be regarded as a devotee? How?102 Bhakei-sastri Study Gi 12.20 1) What is the religion of eternal engagement? What is its purpose? 2) What is the best of all processes of spiritual realization? What is the evideng 3) What is the process for becoming engaged in the transcendental service of Lord? 4) Up to what point is the impersonal conception of the Absolute Truth rec mended? 5) For whom then, may the impersonal conception of the Absolute Truth '§ beneficial? 6) If in the Bhagavad-gitd, Krgna has explained step-by-step improvement on thy path of self-realization, would it not be better for us to ‘begin practising them off by one and thus eventually realize His conch ion? 7) Why need a devotee not care about his maintenance? Comment. i 8) There is a famous so-called saint who is worshipped as God incarnate by hi followers. He claims to have practised and tested all different paths and religior His conclusion——"Whatever you follow is the path of perfection. All lead to selfg realization.” Comment. q LESSON 25 In-order to attain to this stage of devotional service one should guard] against such destructive habits as are described in Bhagavad-gitd. (16.4-6, 9g 10, 12-15, 18, 19, 21-22) 16.4 1) Explain the demoniac qualities which put one on the royal road to hell. 2) How are the qualities of a person connected to the destination of his soul? 16.5 1) Is a person whose life is not centred around Krsna, but who follows regulated principles of different orders of life, transcendentally situated? Ex- plain. 16.6. 1) tiow should one perform his duty? 2) How can one know what is his duty? 3) What is the difference between the divine and the demonic? 4) Are all those who follow a regulated life to be considered liberated? '5) Who is better and why——the neophyte devotee in Kryna consciousness who has problems in following the regulations, or a non-devotee? : 16.9 1) What kinds of activities are the demoniac engaged in? 2) Scientists are always inventing something new. They are considered to be very intelligent and instrumental in the advancement of society. Comment. 3) If devofles consider material advancement to be destructive, do they advise putting a stop to all education, industry, etc? Is there an alternative? 4) Science has produced so many wonderful things which benefit human societ devotees also use them. Why then, do they condemn scientists as being less - inteliigent, and as being enemies of the world? 5) It is claimed that nuclear weapons maintain the balance of power and thus ensure peace in the world, and that nuclear energy can be used for many useful, constructive purposes. In the light of transcendental knowledge, corament, 6) What would you do as a Krsna conscious person in the event of a nuclear war 4 breaking out? 16.10 1) Which two things are persons who have no knowledge and who are heading the wrong way specifically attracted to? 2, What are ‘afuci", unclean habits? 3) A certain ‘guru’ has become famous by preaching that one should satisfy the Senses to the greatest extent possible, and that this process will finally lead to UO PG Or a G Lew ft dicte:phagavad-Gitd—Questions, Part 2, Section 1 103 16.12 16.13-15 16.18 16.19 16.21 16.22 detachment and self-realization. Comment on his teaching with reference to this verse and purport. 4) If meat, wine, women and gambling are bad, why did Krsna create them? 1) Why and for what does a demoniac person perform sinful activities? 2) Who is witnessing the activities of the individual soul? 1) What is the demoniac attitude towards wealth and its accumulation? 2) If whatever one gains in this life is due to past deeds, why should anyone work? 3) If education is due to good karma, why should everyone go to school? 4) Men devise plans, then work towards realizing their schemes. Some achieve their goals, and others do not. Don't you think this is accidental? 5) Why is there constant strife, war and enmity in the world? Is it due to the 6) “Why do you look for God in temples and mosques whea so many gods are loitering in the streets? When so many of your brothers are hungry, you have religious conferences!” said a famous preacher from India, “Whatever path you follow will give you liberation,” said his guru. Defeat this philosophy. basing your arguments on Bhagavad gitd As It Is. 7) Scientists claim to have gone to the moon, and announce grandiose plans for ‘gradually conquering space. What is our Krsna conscious view of such endeav- ors? 8) Can the materialists come out of the net of bewilderment? If so, what are your plans to help them out? 1) Why do materialistic people generally disbelieve in God and the scriptures? 2) Explain how a demoniac person is envious of himseif. 3) “Man makes his own destiny.” Is this true? 4) List the activities of the demoniac. 5) The demonic don't believe in the existence of God, or are against His ‘Supremacy. Are those who believe in God, but engage in some sinful acts due to ‘weakness, better than the demoniac? Explain. 1) If the destiny of our future tives is according to the activities we ourselves: perform in this life, then how is it that God is controlling everything? 2) We don't get to see God—it is very difficult. If we can't see Him, why does He expect us to accept His supremacy? 3) The varieties of species are natural—arranged by nature. Why bring God into the picture? 4) What is the destination of those who are envious of God? 5) How is God merciful if He puts the envious into demoniac species of life? 1) What should every sane man give up? Why? 2) Some materialists claim that lust and other base qualities are natural instincts in man, which should not be falsely suppressed. Some even condemn the life of discipline and restraint as hypocrisy. Comment on this viewpoint. 1).What is the process for enabling one to follow the rules and regul: enjoined in the Vedic literature? : 2) When is success guaranteed to a person who is following the regulative principles of human life? 3) Comment on this statement: “When you are speaking so highly about libera— tion, why do you impose so many restrictions such as no meat eating, gambling» intoxication, or illicit sex? Liberation means to be free! 4) Why is there the caste system? What is the benefit of it? ons104 LESSON 26 Bhakti-sastri Study Guide 5) Comment on this statement: “Everyone who is born in this world is equal— 4 caste is created by man. Classless, religionless society is the only way for peace and prosperity.” 6) Within and outside of India, the criticism is often made that the rest of the world is advancing in prosperity without the caste system, but India is suffering due to the caste system. Comment. q One can begin to practise such devotional service under a bonafide spiritual master, and b; in this world. 17.16 17.17 6.3 64 ry doing so one can gradually revive his God consciousness even (7.16-17, 6.3-8, 6.1, 5.21-22) 1) What does ‘sukytinah’ mean? What are the four kinds of sukrtinah? ‘ 2) What is the definition of pure devotional service given in the Bhakti-rasdmrta- sindhu? 3) How do the sukytinas become pure devotees? 4) Why is pure devotional service difficult for the miscreants? How can they also become pure devotees? - 5) Deseribe the process by which the four kinds of pious men become pure devotees. 6) How can materially motivated pious men come to understand that material remuneration has nothing to do with spiritual improvement? 1) What 1s it that one has to be free from to become a pure devotce? 2) Whe is the best among the four kinds of pious men? 3) Describe how a devotee has the highest advanced knowledge. 4) What is the situation of the man who is in full knowledge of the Supreme Lord? 1) What is yoga? Describe the different yoga systems and their culmination, 2) Many yoga clubs teach common people how to do different sitting postures of the eightfold yoga system, and their members are satisfied that they are leading a perfect spiritual life. Comment. 3) Why is a Krsna conscious person better than a yogi who follows the cightfold yoga system? 4) Respond to the claim that the devoiees' involvement in book production, con- structing of palatial buildings etc., is all material. 5) Is it true that one who has attained self-realization ceases all activities? Explain. : 1) [sit possible fora person to stop either sense gratification or fruitive activities? 2) One becomes situated in Brahman when he becomes indifferent to all acti es. If this is 50, then why is it not alright for a Brahman-realized soul to engage in any kind of activity? 3) Impersonalists are very selfless and often undertake social welfare activities. Comment. 4) A certain Mission is engaged in education, helping sick people, etc. Are they ‘ot selfiess? Are they not transcendentally situated? Is this not their way to God? Explain. 5) Comment on the philosophy, “Be good, do good, and God consciousness will be revived automatically.” ) What is wrong with a good person who is not a devotee of Krsya? 7)*Some missionaries practice God consciousness by giving aid to ailing people. They don't follow your method of devotional service, but what is wrong with theirs? It is much appreciated by society.” Comment. AAD TDD Diet he y a IP Or CATE FT = me65 6.6 67 6.8. shagavad-Gitd—Questions, Part 2, Section I 105 8) How can anybody be totally detached from sense gratification? 9) Will a Krsna conscious person help aman who is in danger—like someone who is bitten by a snake, attacked by thicves or one who is in danger of falling down from a height? 10) How can one perform his bodily activities for the satisfaction of Krena? 1) Whatis our response to so-called ‘transcendental’ yoga societies who claim that perfect yoga means not to be adverse to any enjoyment of the senses? Py For those who are interested in sense enjoyment, what is the harm in practicing Yoga to become more fit to enjoy sense objects. Isn't this more practical and ‘Universal than the rigid regulated process of Krsna consciousness? 3) Why and how is the mind to be trained? 4) What is the best way to disentangle oneself from the material world? '5) Although the Krsna consciousness movement is concerned with liberation from this mundane existence, devotees often scem to be passionatcly absorbed in ‘ial activities and, indeed. to be even more catangled in worldly affairs than others. Explain this apparent contradiction, 1) There is a film-maker in Bombay who is famous for making movies on gross a2ase gratification, but is also an expert practicioner of yogic breathing exercises and sitting postures. Comment on his situation after reading this verse and purport. Patric possible to have a fully controlled mind without following the laws of God? 3) What is real yoga? 2 What of the person who, ignoring the scriptures on the plea that they contain ‘fnany contradictory instructions, prefers 10 ‘follow the orders of God that come from within his heart"? §) Gods within everybody. Krgna conscious students are looking for Him, outside 5) Goa Hptures, temples, etc, Dont they miss the purpose of yoga—to realize God in the heart? 6) “Whatever one does is due to the inclination that God gives from within, Not Oris blade of grass can move without God's witl. So one who simply follows cNerever impulses come to him, like a child with no inhibitions, is 2 realized soul,” What are the defects in this argument. 1) Whatis the difference between the dictation of the mind and dictation of the Painatma? How can one we tel whether we are under the dictation of the mind or the Paramatma? 2) What is samadhi? 3 The devotces understand absorption in Kysoa conscious activities to be ink Thus differs from the popular concept of yoga sdmadhi wherein the yogt, rating stopped all activities, sits in one place, absorbed in trance. How is the devotees’ definition of samadhi justified? ~ 1) What does the Padma purdpa say about understanding the transcendence of the Lord? Hy Since Bhagavad-gita is the word of God, it might be thought Wat simply by 2 einer ing as contents one could become selfrealized: Why, then: is it not. possible to become Krsga conscious merely through scholasticism? _ By What is the difference between the so-called knowledge of Bhagavad- git 2) What Mundane scholars have and the real knowledge of Gltd that the devotees have? 44) What is revealed to a Kryoa conscious person? '3) What is the danger in academic knowledge?1u0 6.1. Bhakti-sastri Study Guide 6) What are the actual symptoms of a self-controlled person? 1) How would you reply to a person who, having read this purport, had deduced that devotees have no interest in scholarship? | 8) What, as revealed in the purports of verses six to eight, do you think to be the 4 mos: important criterion for persons interested in reviving their God conscious. ness? 1) What is the criterion of perfection? 2) What is the duty of every living entity? 3) Why is a Krsna conscious person undersiood to be a perfect yogi? 4) What should a devoize desire for? What shouldn't he desire? 5) Which type of person is a perfect sannydsi and a perfect yogi? 6) Why does Lord Caitanya pray for devotional service birth after birth when a ‘Tenunciate is supposed to endeavour for liberation from birth and death? 5.21 1) Some materialists claim that People become devotees only because they have 5.22 LESSON 27 become frustrated in their attempts to enjoy the pleasures of the world. How would you reply if confronted with this opinion? 2) Such hedonists further insist that one can never come to dislike sex pleasure, because it is a biological necessity. Rebut this theory also. 3) What is the test in spiritual realization? 4) What kind of pleasure do liberated souls enjoy? 1) What are material sense pleasures the source of? 2) Why does a liberated soul not agree to enjoy sense pleasures? 3) How does Srimad-Bhagavaiam describe transcendental bliss as being? 3} Work hard, cam a lot, enjoy nicely—the whole world is running on this philosophy. What is wrong with it? 3) Materialists cannot understand why devotees give up all material pleasure hee vonsider life without sense gratification tasteless and stale. What is the devotees’ reply to them? * amp 204 consciousness, or transcendental loving service of Godhead, is never imposed artificially upon any living being but is inherent in him. It een te revived only by practise. (12.6-10) 126-7 }) According to Krsna, what should one do if he wants to be delivered? 2) Why are the devotees fortunate? 3) What is the realization one comes to in pure devotional service? 4) What is everyone duty? 2 Commenton the following statement: “I may not be rendering service to Krsna, Dut 1 am perfect in my duty—to my parents, 1o my country, my lellownon etc.” § What will happen to one who does not render service to Krgna? 7) Why should one be fully devoted? 8) What is the standard of devotional service? 5) Reply to the challenge that devotees are very narrow-minded an and have no ambitions for big achievements in the world. 10) What attracts a devotee to the Personality of Godhead? {2) What is the Lord's promise to a devotee who is engaged in pure devouonal service? 12) How does the transfer of a devoice to the spiritual world take place? * 13) How does the Varaha Purdna describe how the Lord delivers fii, devotees? 14) How is a devotee’s position safe compared to other yogis? ° d pessimistic,| | 15) Why should an intelligent man always prefer devotional service to all other ( paths? 16) Why should one stop engaging in fruitive activities and speculative knowl- { edge? 17) If the purpose of karma, jAdna, yoga, and bhakii is to attain the Supreme . Godhead, then by following any of these paths will one fot ultimately attain perfection? 18) In what way is devotional service the greatest among all the different paths of self-realization? 19) How can one easily and happily attain the supreme destination? 20) Why is the chanting of Hare Krsna the only process for deliverance? 21) Why shouldn't one try for self-deliverance? Why is this considered a futile ~ process? 22) What is the highest perfection of life? . 23) What is the conclusion of Bhagavad-gitd? Where in the Gitd is this stated? Bhagavad-Git—Questions, Part 2, Section 1 - wr 12.8 1) Explain how a devotee ‘lives in Krsna’. 2) How does = devotee live in Krgna when he chants? 3) How does a devotee live in Krsna when he eats? 4) In what scriptures is the process of chanting and taking prasadam recom- ‘mended? '5) How can you attain God by repeating some sounds and eating bird food? 12.9 1) What are the two different processes of bhakti-yoga mentioned in this sioka? 2D) Define bhakti-yoga in a simple manner. 3) Why are the senses impure in material existense? How can they be purified? 4) What happens to the senses in the purified stage? 5) “Worship your job, love your workbench and your employment, your sincere engagement in that way is real bhakti.” What do we understand about such a philospohy from this purport? 6) What is the difference between service in spiritual life and in material life? Can one perform spiritual activities with material senses? 7) Iseveryone eligible for self-realization? If so. why isn’t everyone intereste: it? What is the process of imparting self-realization to everyone without discrimi nation? 8) Describe the process of the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. 9) What will bring one to the stage of love of Godhead? 12.10 1) Can someone who is not able to practise the regulative principles of bhakti- ‘yoga attain the perfectional stage? 2) “I cannot dedicate my life as the devotees do. What should I do for perfection?” How would you advise a person who asks such a question? 3) What is the difference between material activity and spiritual activity? 4) What will help to raise one from materialistic life to the stage of love of God? LESSON 28 . . The general. process is to first approach the bona fide spiritual master. (4.34-42) 4.34 1) According to Krsna, who is eligible to impart knowledge? What qualification? How can one learn the truth? 2) Why should one approach a spiritual master? 3) Who can be a spiritual master? 4) Who is the original spiritual master? his108 4.35 4.36 437 4.38 439 Bhakti-sAstri Study Guide ‘ 5) Why should the spiritual master be in the disciplic line coming from Krsna? 4 6) How does Srila Prabhupada describe those who manufacture their own process for spiriwal realization? 4 ‘ 7) What is the definition of religion according to Srimad-Bhagavatam? hag 8) “God is in everyone's heart. He has given us the scriptures, so there is no am ‘ necessity for an agent of God. You can realise Him by your own endeavour--He will help if necessary. No via media is required." Comment on this statement. | ‘ 9) What should be the mood in accepting a spiritual masver? How shouldone relate to the spiritual master? . 10) What is the secret of advancement in spiritual life? 11) Which two factors are necessary to attain spiritual understanding? . 12) “I have asked 2 loi of people a lot of questions on spiritual life. Nothing 3 effective has happened.” How would you advise a person making this statement? . 13) What trait in a disciple will prompt spiritual understanding? 14) Many people refuse to accept a spiritual master, claiming fear of blind acceptance and submission to authority. Comment on such an altitude. 15)"Unless one can reply to any question I ask, I cannot accept him as a spiritual master." Comment 16) Apart from submissive hearing, what else is required of a disciple? 17) What is required of the student so that the reciprocation of knowledge and inquiries can become perfect? is spiritual master to bless him with 1) What is the result of receiving knowledge from a self-realized sou!? ‘ 2) Detine may. 3) Explain the impersonalists’ misconception about Krsna, as has been described in this verse. 4 4) According to the Bhagavad-gitd, what is impersonal Brahman? : 5) Expiain how the Mayavada conception of Krsna is materialistic, 5) What do the Mdydvadi philosophers fail to understand about the Absolute?) : 7) For want of what does one think that he is separate from Krsna? 8) What did Arjuna think, being influenced by maya? : 9) To what end is the whole teaching of the Bhagavad-gitd targeted? 10) How can one avoid the delusion that the living entity is equal to Krsna? . 11) Explain perfect knowledge in a few sentences. 12) What does liberation mean? Give evidence. H . 1) What can free one from the struggle for existence? 2) How can a sinner cross the ocean of miseries? 3) What is the path of liberation? 1) Whot is perfect knowledge? What is it compared to, and why? ‘ 2) What are the three kinds of reactions? 3) What happens to these reactions for one who is in complete knowledge? 1) How does Krsna glorify transcendental knowledge? i . 2) What is the cause of bondage? What is the cause of liberation? : 3) What is transcendental knowledge? 4) Why doesn’t a devotee make a separate endeavour to become peaceful? ‘ 1D In Krsoa's words, which kind of person is eligible o achieve transcendental LES knowledge? What is the result of such knowledge? P 2) What is the symptom ofa faithful man? How is such faith atained? And what is the result of having such faith? 3). What should one do to attain perfection?4.40 1) According to Krsna, which kind of persons do not a:tain God consciousness? 2) What does Krsna say about the doubting soul? 3 ‘What are the three kinds of people who cannot have any standing in Krsna consciousness? 4) What happens to such faithless persons? 5) How can one be situated on the transcendental platform of spiritual under- standing? - 6) Why should one follow in the footsteps of great dcdryas? 4.41 1) How does Krsna define one who is situated in the self? 2) What is the benefit of following the instructions of the Gita? 4A2 1) Acccrding to Krsna, why does Arjuna have doubts? What is His advice to remove those doubts? ‘ 2) What are the two divisions of sacrificial actions within sandtana-yoga? 3) Is one who sacrifices ail his material possessions for the sake of his country a spiritualist? Explain, 4) What is a perfect sacrifice? 5) What are the two important divisions of spiritual knowledge? For whom does understanding of them become very easy? 6) What is the benefit of understanding the self and Uxe Lord? T) How should a faithless person who docs not understand the instructions of the Gitd be considered? 8) How should a person who does not understand the reai nature of the personality of the Lord, even after studying the Gird, be considered? 9) How can ignorance be removed? 10) What is the important factor in ali processes of sacrifice? 11) Who is the real student of Bhagavad-gita? 12) Why should one study the Gia under a bona fide spirittial master? 13) Why should one follow the path of Bhagavad-gita? What should one beware of? 13) What qualifies one as a liberated person from the very beginning of his study of Bhagavad-gita? : 14) Write, in not more than ten sentences, on “The need to accept a guru." 15) How can one understand that someone is a bona fide spiritual master? 16) Write, in not more than ten sentences, on “The danger of attempting self- realization without guidance.” — 17) “I do not know who is a real guru. There are so many cheaters in this world. So best is to follow none. If Krsna wants to, He will do: something about it Himself.” Is this policy right? If not how would you advise such a person? 18)""There is no need to accept an authority. You and I are both searching. The truth will reveal itself. Don’t accept any guru.” Comment on these words of a famous ‘spiritual leades —-, | a Bhagaved-Gitd—Questions, Part 2, Section ! 109 i | LESSON 29 . "The next stage is to worship Krgna by all means. (3.3-35, 9.26-27) 3.3 Kysoa’s words, what are the two classes of men who realize the self? > wm Tid the Lord explain in the second chapter of the Gira? 3) What class studies saab :ya-yoga? 4) What are the benefits 0” buddhi-yoga? . 5) What is the easy way cf 00! ‘the senses’ religion and nhilosophy interdependent? % How ie itunderstood iat the goal of saAkhya Is Krepa?34 3.5 3.6 37 3.8 | 8) Wins une acauad purpose U1 9) What is the difference between the two processes! 10) Wity is the process o1 Krsna consciousness the best? 1 What does Krypa say here about abstention from work and renunciation? 2) When should the renounced order of life be accepted? 3) The empirical philosophers maintain that when one takes to the sannyasa order, he becomes as good as Nariyana. Comment, . 4) What 1s the fault in accepting the sannydsa order without putification of the heart? '5) What is the safety factor in the transcendental service of Krsaa? 1) What is it that forces everyone to act? - 2) Explain the fallacy in the common misconception that, because action is caused by the modes of nature, spiritual realization means to become actionless. 3) What is the need of engaging in prescribed duties and Kygna conscious activities? 4) Why do the sastras enjoin that prescribed duties be performed? 3) What 1s the difference between engaging in prescribed duties and performing Krsna conscious activities? 5) Sometimes devotees are accused of neglecting certain prescribed duties enjoined in the scriptures. What is the devotees’ reply to such accusations? §) ‘Lord Rama perfectly carried out His worldly duties, and Lord Krsna gave instructions to perform duties at any cost. But you are trying to realize the self'a Save the world while refusing to perform familial, social and national duties Defeat this argument and establish the truth. 1) Define a pretender, according to the words of Krsna. 2) According to this verse. who are the greatest cheaters? 3) How can one purify his existence while acting in some capacity of the social order for sense enjoyment? {From this purport we find that a cheating yog! who speaks philosophy is worse than an ordinary man who is acting in one of the social orders for sense enjoyment. Explain. Degen knowledgeable man is considered by many common people to be a great {eader. Yet his character is questionable, But isn' it reasonable to accept his {cachings in spite ofthat? Afterall, he is so learned that his knowledge muss have at least some value,” Comment. 1) Who is far superior to the pretending yogi? 2) What is the purpose of life? 3) What is the varndsrama institution designed for? 4) How can a family man attain self-realization? Tp Elew can one make progress in self-realization while living a normal social life? 6) What i the example Srfla Prabhupada gives 1o explain how a sincere person in the socia! order is better than a pseudo yogi? 4) What is wrong with giving respect to the descendent of a great saint? 2) One industrialist appears to be very renounced in that he is no longer directly dedieted ie oeiness: But has given his manager control while he looks after tect, dedicated to so-called spiritual activities. Comment 2) Why should Arjuna perform the activities ofa kgarriya and not take to begging? ‘® What type of renunciation is disapproved of by Lord Kryna? L2OD ROMA man H-Bhagavad-Gita—Questions, Part 2, Section 1 lil 5) Why should work not be given up? 6) What do the bogus transcendentalists ¢o? 3.9 1) According to Krsna, why docs work cause bondage in this material world? 2) Hlow are social duties designed? 3) What is the meaning of ‘yajaa"? 4) How is yajaa performed Krsna consciousness? 5) What is the aim of the varndsrama institution? 6) ‘Be good, do good." What is the flaw in this philosophy? 7) How can one be liberated even while working? 8) Why should one act, guided by Krsna or His devotees? 9) What can raise one to the kingdom of God? 3.10 1) What is this material creation? 2) Why are the living entities conditioned by material nature? . 3) What is the purpose of the Vedic principles? 4) Why did Krsoa create this material world? 5) What is the result of performing yajna? 6) What is the yajta for this age? Who introduced it? 7) How does Srimad-Bhagavatam refer to sankirtana-yajha? 8) What special feature makes sankirtana-yajiia so suitable for this age? 3.11 1) Who are the demigods? What is their function? 2) In what way are the demigods related to human beings? 3) What is the ultimate purpose of all yajfas? 4) What is the process for getting sufficiency in naturat products? '5) What are the different side-benefits of yajia? What is the final benefit? ©) What is the great necessity of present day society? 3.12 1) Who is the ultimate enjoyer of all yajias? 2) For whom are yajfas to demigods recommended? 3) Explain, with examples, how the Vedas recommend different yajias for ‘different people according to the quality of nature they are situated in. 4) In our modern technological society it is believed that by use of intelligence and utilization of natural resources [Link] produce all his nevessitites. The idea that there are demigods who supply heat, light, rain etc., and who should therefore 'be supplicated, is scoffed at as primitve absurdity. Which of these two ideas is correct and why? '5) What is the aim of life? How do the facilities of this world help one to attsin to it? 6) Why are we punished by the laws of material nature? 7) Wea society is materially advanced but still unhappy, what is the cause? 8) What is Lord Caitanya{s gift to the gross materialistic society? 3.13 1) How does the Brahma-samhita describe devotees of the Lord? 2) Why do the devotees always perform ya/fas in different modes of devotional service? How do they become safe by performing yajfias? 3) According to Kyyna, why shouldn't one prepare food for one’s personal sense enjoyment? 4) Explain, in not more than ten sentences, why modem society has neither peace nor happiness despite it's great material advancement, and suggest an alternative method to bring about happiness in all respects. 3.14 1) According to this verse what is the best process to ensure sufficient productiony +. of foodgrains?112 3.15 3.16 317 3.18 3.19 Bhaksi-sastri Study Guide when Lord Krsna is worshipped. all the demigods are satisfied forming yajlas to them is automatically atvained. 12? What is the benefit of this 2) Explain how, and the purpose of pel 3) What is the process the devotees follow for eatin process? 4S) Explain, with an example, how we can become resistant to material affection. 5) Wha kind of person is called a devotee of the Lord? 6) How does a Krsna conscious person counteract all material reactions? 7) What happens to those who take food that is not offered to Krsna? 8) What is the effect of the material world, which is full of contamination? 9) What are the respective eatables for humans and animals? 10) Explain how meat-eaters also depend on foodgrains. 11) Factories may be said to mark the advancement of modern civil what i= wrong in unlimitedly increasing them? 12) In he event of scarcity of food, what is the underlying cause? 13) What is the minimum reason why safikirrana-yajha should be performed? tion, so 4) What is the necessity of work? 2) If one wants to work for the satisfaction of Viggu, what should he do? 3) What are the Vedas? . 4) Why should one take direction from the Vedas? 5) How can the Lord speak by breathing? 6) What are the conditioned souls eager for? How do the Vedic directions help the 4 conditioned souls? 7) Most people in the modem age have never followed any of the Vedic injunctions, What should they do to attain perfection? 1) According to Krsna, what happens to those who do not follow the cycle of sacrifice, and why? 3) Modern day governments encourage the populuce to work hard and enjoy sense pleasure. Comment 5) For whom is the cycle of sacrifice absolutely necessary? 4) What is human life meant for? '5) For whom are the performance of yajfas not necessary? 16) Why is it necessary for some to perform sacrifices? 7) Which people need to perform pious activities? 8) How is the yajiia system planned” 9) What are direct and indirect aims of performing yajfas? 10) Wat renders the performance of yajaas incomplete? 11) What should one transcend to attain Krsg2 consciousness? 1) Which persons have no duty to perform any more, and [Link]? 2) What is the result of attaining clear consciousness? 3) Which persons have no obligation to the Vedic injunctions, and why? 4) What is the symptom of a Krsna conscious person? '5) Con a Krgna conscious devotee be so transcendental that he can indulge in wine, women and such things and still be ‘spiritual’? Explain. 1) Give a description of a Krsna conscious person. 1) ists? 2) Where is a person who acts for Krsna progressing to? 3) What is the difference between being good, nonviolent etc., and acting for Krsna? is the difference between the aim of the devotees and of the impersonal- cpoe Bhagavad-Gitd—Questions, Part 2, Section 1 4) How is Krypa conscious activity different from the performance of Vedic rituals’ 5) How does a Krsna conscious person act? 3.20 1) Why does Kygna advise Arjuna to perform work? 2) What is the greatness of Janaka? How did he teach his subjects? 3) When is violence necessary? 4) Why did great devotees like the Pandavas engage in fighting simply for the sake of ruling a kingdom? 5) Self-realized souls have no interest in this world, and therefore a self-rez person would not perform any activities in this world. Comment. 3.21 1) Why does Krgpa say that a leader should act perfectly? 2) What is the qualification of a teacher, as described by Lord Caitanya? 3) How should one teach the common men? 4) What should one do if he wants to improve himself? 5) How does the Srimad-Bhagavatam define the path of spiritual realization? 6) Which persons should be conversant with the standard books of moral and spiritual codes, and why? 4° OR 4 GP AP UB a ik af oaf at ar 3.22 1) Why is the Supreme Personality of Godhead worshipable by all? 2) How does the Vedic literature describe the form and activities of the Supreme Person? 3) Why is there no duty for the Supreme Personality of Godhead? If He has noduty at all, then why does He act? af ad? 3.23 1) What are family usages meant for? 2) Why did Krsna follow such prescribed rules? 3) From what source do we know that Sri Krsna was performing all duties of a householder? 3.24 4) What does Krsna say would have happened if He had not performed prescribed duties? 2) What is varna-safiara? 5) How do Toes are mguacens otek we 4) What does Krsna do when He descends to protec: social rules and regulations? ‘Why does He do this? 5) What should one be careful of while following in the footsteps of the Lord? 6) How does Srimad-Bhagavatam instruct us on following the instructions of the Lord? 7) How are the isvaras to be considered? 8) “Bum Bum Bole!” chants the Saivaite, and smokes gaaja. . Certain Saivites say that because Lord Siva has taken poison, we can smoke gaaja. Comment. 9) Krsna performed the rasa dance with many young girls, so why do the devotees of Krsna insist that one should not associate with women other than one's wife? 10) One so-called great exponent of Vedanta claims that just as Krsna played with the gopis, so he is also always surrounded by women because he is self-realized, Defeat this bogus philosophy. 3.25 1) What is the difference between an ordinary person and a person in Krsna consciousness? 2) What should a Krypa conscious person teach the general people by his activities? 3.26 1) What are all activities meant for? .3.27 1) What is the bewildered soul's perception of his activities? 3.28 1) According to Kysna, why doesn’t a knower of the Absolute Truth engage in 3.29 3.30 3.31 2) Why do people study the Vedas for sense gratificatory purposes? 3) If fmitive activities are not ultimately beneficial, why arc they expounded in the Vedas? 4) How should a learned soul in Krsna consciousness act? 5) According to this sloka, one should let those who are ordinary fruitive workers continue what they are doing. Why then do members of ISKCON encourage eof’: :o join as missionaries? . 6) Most devotees in Krgua consciousness, despite having not attained full realization, still do not perform many of the obligatory duties prescribed in the Vedas. Why not? Are they transgressing the principles of Vedic life? 2) What is a person in material consciousness convinced of when engaged in activities, and by what is he convinced? 3) What makes one forget his eternal relationship with Krsna? sense gratification? 2) What is the knower of the Absolute Truth convinced of 3) What is one supposed to-do in the pure state of existence? 4) What are the engagements of one who is in the pure state of existence? From what is he deattached? 5) How is a Krsna conscious person undisturbed by any kind of material reaction? 9) According to Srimad-Bhdgavatam, who is the actual knower of the Absolute ‘Truth? Why? 1) According to Krypa, why does one get engaged in material act the result of such engagement? 2) What is the position of a person who is very much attached to his body? 3) What are the activities for such materially attached men? 4) Why do great leaders, who work for social, educational and political advance- ment. neglect spiritual realization taking it to be a myth? 3) What should a Krsqa Conscious person do for those who are materially engrossed? 9) Why does Krgna advise us not to disturb the materially engrossed men? 2 Why does ISKCON open branches all over the world for preaching Krsna Conscrousness and thus disturb the lives of people who are simply engaged in the Pursuit of sense gratification, if Krspa says here that one should not do so? ities? What is 1) In wnat consciousness does Krypa want Arjuna to fight? 2) What instruction did Krsna give Arjuna regarding the dischargs of duties? 3) How should duties be carried out, and why? 4) Why can’t the living entity become happy, independent of the Lord? 5) How should one discharge his duties? 6) Which persons may be called “adhydima-cetasa’? Why? 7) What is the meaning of ‘nirasif'? 8) What is the real purport of ‘mayi"? 9) What is ‘nirmama’ consciousness? 10) How can one get rid of lethargy? 11) What will lead one to the path of liberation? Paiaceording to Krsna, which persons can become free from the bondage of fruitive actions? 2) How do we understand the Bhagavad-gitd to be eternal? F VO > 1 ele Te ATi i ayetiote LAR ib AP Atoth dlMphagavad-Gitd—Questions, Part 2, Section 1 3.32 3.33 3.34 3.35 9.26 2) What is the cause of having no faith in the injunctions of the Lord? 4) Why do some philosophers have no chance to be liberated? 2) How can even an ordinary man become liberated when even commentators of Bhagavad-gitad cannot? © What attitude must one have, if he is not able to discharge the injunctions of the Lord in the beginning stage, but wants to get promoted to the stage of Krsna consciousness? 1) What does Krsna say about those who disregard His teachings? 2) Why is there no hope for perfection of life for a person disobedient to the ‘Supreme Lord? 1) In Kryna’s words, why does even a man of knowledge act according to his nature? 2) Why is it impossible for one to get free from maya by theoretical knowledge? 3) Why is it that some who pose as spiritually advanced are still in bondage? 4) Why shouldn't one give up his duties without being fully in Krsna consefous- ness? 5) What is the best process for a materially contaminated person to become free from the clutches of maya? 1) What is a Krsna conscious person's attitude towards material sense gratifica- tion? 2) Why should one follow the rules and régulations of the revealed scriptures? 3) What is the cause of material encagement? How can one escape from this entanglement? 4) For whom is sex enjoyment necessary? 5) How is sex enjoyment allowed in cultured societ 6) What is the scriptural injunction regarding sex life? 7) Why should illicit sexual propensities be curbed? 8) Within what limitations is one supposed to satisfy his material need 9) Is perfection guaranteed in the life of regulated sense enjoyment? Why 10) How can one actually get detached from all kinds of sensory activities? 11) What is the purpose of detachment from sense enjoyment? . 1) What is the difference between material and spiritual duties? 2) Why shouldn't one imitate others? 3) At what stage can one perform activities without consideration of the distinc- tions of the material world? 1) Why is it essential for an intelligent person to engage in Krsna consciousness? 2) What is the qualification for becoming Kysna conscious? 3) How is Kyyga consciousness very easy and universal? 4) Why is one foolish if he docsn’t accept Krsna consciousness? '5) What is it that Krsna wants from us, and why? 6) What is the highest perfection of life? 7) Why is ‘bhakti’ mentioned twice in this verse? 8) What should one do if he wants to attain the goal of life? ‘9) Whatever one eats should be offered to Krsna—so what is wrong with offering meat, fish eggs or wine to Krsna? 10) Eating non-vegetarian food and worshipping Krsna have nothing to-do with each other—is this true? Explain. 11) What are proper foods for human beings? What is the evidence? 12) What kind of food should one prefer if he is interested in liberation? 13) “Liberation and eatables have no connection!" Is this true? wm9.27 LESSON 30 14) What is the effect of eating unoffered food? 15) What enables one to advance steadily in life? ; 16) If Krsna is full in Himself, then why are offenngs of food made to Him? 17) What is the meaning of offering food to God when everything 2elongs to Him? 18) What is the most important element in offering food t Krsna? 19) Why can’t the impersonalists comprehend this verse? 20) What is the meaning of saying, “Krsna is Absolute"? | 21) Which persons can understand that God can cat the food that is offered to Him and that He enjoys it? What is their qualification for this understanding? 1) What is the process for always remembering Krsna, in all activities? 2) What is the duty of everyone? 3) Explain how work, eating, religious ritual, and charity can be performed as an offering to Krsna. 4) What is wrong in taking to a meditational process? 5) How can one become the greatest yogi? What is the evidence? The next stage is to regulate habits, diet, practice fasting on special days such as ekddasi, etc. (6.14~18) 6.14 1) How should one—in Ksna's words—meditate upon Him? 2) What is the position of a yogi who is very sense controlled and fearless and who meditates, but doesn’t accept Krsna as the goal of life? 3) What is the goal of life? 4) What is the purpose of yoga process? 5) How can one detect whether a yoga process is bona fide or not? 6) What is the connection between Krsna and yoga? 7) List the conditions for realizing the Viseu-mtdri! in the heart. 8) Having read this purport, what is your understanding of a ‘yogi’ who teaches yoga to improve sex life? 9) Why should one avoid sex life if he wants to practice yoga? 10) How does the great sage Yajflavalkya define celibacy? 11) What is your comment on someone who teaches that the perfection of yoga ‘can be attained through sex enjoyment? 12) Why is brahmacarya taught from very early childhood? 13) In Vedic civilization, at what age are children sent to the school, and what training do they get there? 14) Can one make advancement in other yoga systems without practising com- plete celibacy? 15) Without observing celibacy, can one practise yoga or understand God? How, then, will most people of the world become God. conscious? 16) In which school of yoga are householders accepted? 17) Why are the modern yoga societies bogus? 18) If ISKCON’s aim is to make its members self-realized, why is family life allowed? 19) How is it that a devotee automatically refrains from sense gratification? 20) Why isit difficult for dhyana or jdina-yogis to restrain themselves from sense gratification? 21) Why does one become fearful? 22) What is the basis of fearlessness? Explain why this is so. 23) How is it that a Krsna conscious person is the best of all yogis? 24) In this verse Kygna describes the yoga process. Why then dc devotees ‘condemn the yoga socicties of this modem age as being bogus? hag.6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 sragavad-Gitd—Questions, Part 2, Section 1 1) Which persons can attain to the kingdom of God and how? 2) What is yoga practice meant for? 3) Comment on those who teach yoga for the improvement of health, development of creative intelligence, or for learning to levitate. 4) Others teach yoga for ‘finishing everything; merging into the void." Comment ‘on them also. ‘5) What is the actual meaning of ‘the cessation of material existence’? 6) How is the abode of God described in the Bhagavad-gitd? 7) What is the parari dhdm? 8) Which persons can attain the supreme abode? 9) Why is a Krgna conscious person a perfect yogi? 10) How does the Brahma-samhitd describe the omnipresence of the Lord? 11) How can one overcome the path of birth and death? 12) How can one check whether a yoga teacher is perfect or not? : 13) What is the actual purpose of the modern yoga teachers? 1) For whom, according toK sna, is practice of yoga impossible? 2) What is the regulation for eating? 3) What is the meaning of eating too much? 4) What is wrong with eating animal flesh? ‘5) Most of the world's population is non-vegetarian. Comment on the implication of this. 6) Plants and animals are both living beings. So why discriminate between the eating of the two? 7) What results accrue from eating non-vegetarian food, drinking alcohol, smok- ing, eating wnoffered food and so on? 8) What is the best process for eating? 9) Why is it that only a Krspa conscious person can attain perfection in yoga practice? 10) Soraetimes politicians undertake prolonged fasts for political reasons, and common people consider them to be spiritually advanced or to be yogis. Analyze such persons and their endeavours from a Krsna conscious viewpoint. 11) How does a Krsoa conscious person observe fasting? 12) Why is a Krsna conscious person competent to perform yoga? 13) Why can't a person who eats too much perform yoga? 14) “One can eat anything; as long as his heart is with God, he is perfect. One's eating and other habits are external.” Comment on this statement, 1)Which persons does Krsna say can mitigate all material pains? 2) What are the demands of the body? 3) What are the impediments on the path of yoga practice? 4) How can eating be regulated? '5) Why is Lord Krsna offered only fruits, vegetables etc? 6) Why should one not-eat meat, eggs or fish? 7) Why doesn’t a Krsna conscious person sleep too much? 8) In what manner. did Srfla Ropa Goswamt and Haridas Thakur perform their devotional service? What should we learn from through their examples? 9) How is a Krsa conscious person's work untainted by sense gratification? 10) Why is there no necessity of recreation for a Krsna conscious person? 11) Why is there no misery for a Krsna conscious person? 1) Who is said to be established in yoga? 2) How can one distinguish a yog! from an ordinary person ? .Bhakti-sastri Study Guide 18 3) What is the symptom of a perfect yogi? 3 4) How does Srimad Bhagavatam describe King Ambarisa's devotional service? '5) Is it true that the transcendental stage cannot be described in words? If not, jf prove otherwise. . 6) What is arcana? T) Why does one have to engage his senses in order to become self-realized? 8) “Just become silent, stop everything, dive deep into yourself and be in} samadhi.” Comment. 9) What is the perfect process for achievement of the transcendental stage for people in general? Elaborate on why this is so. 10) “The process of engaging the senses in the service of God is pnmarily for beginners.” What is the validity of such an opinion? q 11) Ifone is not the body, and the soul is not affected by the bodily activities, how4 can regulation of habits, diet, fasting etc., which are all bodily activities, help one 4 to become perfect? 4 LESSON 31 One should practice equilibrium of mind so that one may not be disturbed by worldly gain or loss. (5.18-20) 5:18 1) How does Kyynd describe the equal vision of the humble sages? 2) Why does a Krsna conscious person make no differentiation between species and castes? 3) How does the Lord relate to the different bodies of castes and species of life? 4) What are these different bodies? 3 5) In which way are the soul and the Supersoul the same? 6) Since the Lord is present in everyone, is it proper to eat a brdkmana and aq meat-eater the same? 7) A politician named the ‘outcastes’ (all of them, irrespective of their way of life) as “Harijanas’ or ‘people of God’ in an effort to solve the communal problems 4 between so-called high and low-class people. Explain in detail the Krsna con- scious viewpoint of this. 8) Based on what is mentioned in this verse, can you suggest a practical method to treat everyone equally despite their caste and créed? 9) What is the difference between the individual soul and the Supersoul? 5-19. 1) Who does Krsna say has conquered birth and death? 2) What is the sign of self-realization? 3) What is understood about self-realized souls? 4) By what symptoms is one considered a conditioned soul? By what understand- ing can such a soul be liberated from conditional life? 5) What happens to the self-realized soul after death? 6) How does a living entity become flawless? 7) What is the similarity between the Lord and the self-realized souls? 5.20 1) How does Kysna describe a person who is situated in transcendence? 2) Why is a self-realized soul not affected by bodily attainment or loss? 3) What elevates one to complete knowledge of the Absolute Truth? 4) What is Brahman realization? How is it related to Krgna consciousness? $)“[Link]-Brahman, God is Brahman, so 1 am God.” Is this true? If not, explain.«vad-Gitd—Questions, Part 2, Section 1 19 5sSON 32 ‘One should practice concentrating one’s mind only on Sri Krsna, the rsolute Personality of Godhead, but also not disregard other empowered ring beings known as demigods (9.22-23, 3.30-32, 7.7, 9.34, 18.65, 10.6, 9, 155, 18.58, 12.15). 9.22 1) What makes a devotee perfect in self-realization? 2) What is yoga? 3) How does the Lord protect His devotces? 9.23 1) Explain with examples why to worship the demigods is not very intelligent, even though the worship is indirectly offered to the Supreme Lord. 3.30 1) How can a living entity become happy? What is the reason for this? 2) One whose consciousness is situated in full knowledge of the self is called ‘adhyaima-cerasd. Why does this description apply to a devotee? 3) What will lead one to the path of liberation? 3.31 1) How is it that Krsna conscious principles are eternal? 2) How can ordinary men become liberated from karma? 3) How can a person who is not fully discharging the injunctions of the Lord be promoted to the stage of pure Krsna consciousness? 3.321) What is the result of being disobedient to the laws of Krsna? 7.71) What is the Supreme Absolute Truth? How do you know? 2) Why do the impersonalists think that the Absoiute Truth is not a person? 3) Prove with Vedic evidence that the Absolute Truth is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. 9.34 1) What does Krsna say is the sure process for going back to Him? 2) Why should all devotional service be offered only to Krsna? 3) What shculd be one’s mood in thinking of Krsna? 4) If the goal of life it to always think of Kry0a, then if somehow or other one can think of Him, even unfavourably as Karisa did, what is the harm? Explain, 5) How should one engage his mind? 6) How can one become fully absorbed in Krsna without deviation? 7) What is the highest achievement of human society? How is it to be attained? 8) Why does the pure devotee take directly to the service of the Supreme Lord? 9) What is the harm in worshipping the demigods? 10) What is the greatness of pure devotional service compared to the paths of karma, jiidna and yoga? 18.65 1) What is the most confidential part of knowledge? 2) How can one attain the stage of pure Krgna consciousness? 3) What is the supreme object of meditation? 4) Who can attain the most confidential pant of knowledge? '5) What is Kygna’s promise to a devotee who is His friend? 6) What does this sfoka stress? 10.6 1) Who are the twenty-five patriarchs? Who is the origin of all living beings? ..<:. 2) How did Brahma realize how to create? - 3) Why is Krgga known as the father of the grandfather? 4) Why should one concentrate his mind only on Krsna?109 11.55 18.58 12.15 -ESSON 33 What re the symptoms of pure devotees? | 3 What do devotees relish nthe preliminary stages of devotional service? 3) What is their situation in the mature stage? 4) What do devotees relish in the mature stage? . . 5) How does one develop his love of Krsna? Explain, givin Lord Coitanya’s example 66) How does the Srimad-Bhdgavatams help a devotec to concentratc his mind only on Kysna? 1) Who does Krsna say will certainly go to Him? 2) What is the result of engaging in Krgna’s service as explained here? 3) What is the purpose of the Bhagavad-gita? . | 4) Explain how different activities can be performed with complete concentration on Kryna. 5) What does ‘mat-paramah’ meat | 6) What are the nine processes of devotional service? How should one engage in these? 7) Which kind of association should one avoid if he wants to engage in pure devotional service? 8) What is the scriptural definition of pure devotional service? 9) What is the cause of suffering? the highest welfare work for human society? i carta that ane who oo ies his mind on Krsua, and takes all Cte ah skeen solv meaches ihe supreme shade after leaving the IL Way coes 4 cevoise concen: original Syamasundara form? 13) What is the actual purport of the eleventh chapter ol the Gita? ie hus mind only on the form of Kryna, the 1) Why does a Krsna conscious person feel fitily free from anxiety? 2) What happens to those who are not active in Krgqa conscious life? 3) What is the difference between the actions of a conditioned soul and that of a Krsna conscious person? 1) How does a devotee act? 2) Which material circumstances don't move a devotee? 3) According to this verse, how does one become very dear to Krsna? * Of all such devotional practices, the most important are the associaticn of ‘evotees, chanting the holy name of Krsna, living in a sacred place, and vorshiping the arcd-miirti of Krsna (4.38, 18.55, 9.13-14) 4.38 18.55 9.13 1) What is actual transcendental knowledge? 2) What 1s transcendental knowledge the result of? 3) What is the last word in the Bhagavad-gita? 1) What should one do if he wants to understand Krsna? 2) What is the situation of a living entity after liberation? 1) What is the preliminary formula of devotional service? 2) What is. devotion? 3) What is fall Krsna consciousness? 4) What rules do the mahdtmas observe and why?LESSON 34 9.30 9.31 LESSON 35 shagavad-Gitd—Questions, Part 2, Section 1 121 5) How is devotional service performed? 6) How can one actually become a mahdimas? 7) What are the important devotional practices? In the course of practicing such spiritual training, if a devotee commits any mistake, Sti Krgna saves him from falling down. ( 9.30-31) 1) What is a devotee cautious of? 2) What is the connection between a devotee's activity and his realization of Krsna ‘consciousness? 3) Does a person in Krsna conscious always act perfectly? Explain. 4) On committing a mistake during the course of training, does a devotee fully disqualify himself? 5) How does the Lord deal with a devotee who commits a mi 5) Why is the process of devotional service always a success? 7) What standard of devotee is considered to be in the transcendental position, even if he is found to have accidentally fallen? 8) What is the only qualification required for a devotee? 9) Why shotldn't one criticize a devotee who is seemingly fallen? 10} What is stated in the Nrsimka Purdna about the accidental falldown of a devotee” 11) How is devotional service described here, in relationship with maya? 12) What kind of misunderstanding can come from this verse? 13) What should a fallen devotee do? 1) How can a person engaged in abominable activities—either intentionally or accidentally—be a pure devotee of Krgpa? 2) What will protect a devotee from all accidental falldowns? rake? Salvation, kriowledge, renunciation—all such attempts are mundane rather than spiritual. For one who practices pure devotional activity, all other qualities are automatically achieved. (18.66) 18.66 1) What does the Lora promise in this verse? 2) What is Krgna’s advice to Arjuna on salvation, knowledge. renunciation, etc.? 3) What should one do to attain the highest perfection? 4) How can onc become free from all sinful reactions? '5) What kind of religious principles should one accept? (6) What kind of occupational duty should one perform? 7) What should be avoided if one wants to become perfectly Kryqa conscious? 8) What should be the mood of a person who surrenders to Krsna? 9) Why is there no need for a person who executes devotional service to follow different religious processes? 10) What is the essence of the Bhagavad-gita? 11) How does a devotee attain all good qualities simply by surrendering to Krsqa?Nature va Ver. - LESSON 1 | | Real happiness is obtainable only through this transcendental lovin service. (18.66, 7.14, 19.28) 18.66 1) What does the act of surrender to Krsna bestow upon a living entity? 2) What should be avoided if one is interested in becoming perfect? 3) What is a surrendered devotee confident of? 4) How can one make all progress at once? 5) What is the essence of the whole Bhagavad- 6) Compare the process of loving devotional sei other religious activities. ina with purificatory rituals an 7.14 1) Who does Krsna say can easily cross beyond the modes of material nature? LES! 2) What can help one to get release from the bondage of illusion? 3) Why is devotional service the only way for release from the clutches of material nature? 4) Why is that release not possible by serving Siva or Brahma? a Sia a a allie 7.19 1) Why can’t impersonalism give real happiness? 2) What can help one to get release from the bondage of illusion’? 3) What is the meaning of surrendering in full knowledge?" 7.28 1) What is the result of accepting pure devotional service)” 2) What should one do if he really wants to be liberated? 3) What is the greatest violation of God's law? : 4) How can one become fully engaged in Krsna's transcendental loving service with determination? LESSON 2 Man tries to remove his difficulties by work, and when baffled in that attempt he tries to get rid of the material bondage by an exercise of the menial faculty. But real happiness does not lie within either the bodily or the mental plane. (6.21-22, 3.41, 2.14) 6.21-22 1) How does Krgna describe the joy experienced by a perfected being? 2) What is accepted in the Pataijali system of yoga, that the monists reject? Why do they reject it? 3) Refute the often heard misconception that upon becoming realized, knowledge and tne knower become one. 4) What is the real life of the living entity? Give sciptural evidence to back your statement 5) How is natural transcendental pleasure achieved? Why should one endeavour to attain it? 6) Some philosophers maintain that because material activities always result in misery. to stop all material activity is the only way to attain permanent happiness. ‘What is the Krsna conscious reply to such @ proposal? - 7) Whats the difference between the happiness of a Krsna conscious person and thet of others? c 5. 122 Vm Sa mt eT A ATO De 4, renewyad-Gitd—Questions, Part 2, Section 2 123 3.41 1) What is the greatest enemy of self-realization? 2) Define jadina and vijAdna. 3) According to the Srimad-Bhagavatam, what is the method of understanding knowledge of the self and the Supreme Self? 4) What is Krsga consciousness? '5) What is lust? How can lust be avoided? 6) How can a lusty person become perfect? 7) How does Krsna consciousness help one to reach the highest stage of human life? 2.14 1) Give examples to explain why one has to execute his duty despite adverse climatic conditions. 2) How can one liberate oneself from the clutches of maya? LESSON 3. Bhagavad-gita is the cream of all the Vedas, Purdnas, Upanisads, and other allied scriptures. (4.1-3). 4.11) Why should the royal order understand the science of Bhagavad-gitd? 2) What is the purpose of human life? 3) What should heads of states educate their citizens in? 4) What is the proper function of an executive head of state? 5) For which class of person is the Bhagavad-gita meant? 6) What does the Mahabharata reveal bout the history of the Bhagavad-gitd? 7) What is the rough estimate, ‘according to the scriptures, of when Bhagavad-gita was spoken to Vivasvan? 8) How is it that the knowledge of Bhagavad-gitd is ‘superhuman’? 9) What is the difference between Bhagavad-gitd As It Is and other comment- aries? 10) Why do mundane commentaries render those editions of Bhagavad-gita useless? 4.21) What do the demoniac do with the Bhagavad-gita? 2) Why did a need arise for the Bhagavad-gitd to be respoken? 3) Why did Srila Prabhupada prepare ‘another edition of the Gita in English when there were so many editions already? 4) What attitude towards the Gira will render one's reading of it a waste of time? 4.31) Why did Kyyna select Arjuna to be the recipient of this ancient science? 2) Which persons can understand the transcendental mystery of the science of Bhagavad-gita? 3) Which persons cannot understand Bhagavad-gitd? 4) What is the test to find out the authenticity of a commentary on Bhagavad-gita? '5) How does Arjuna accept Srf Kryna? 6) How do the demons mislead the common people? 7) What should one do if he wants to get benefit from the great science of Srimad Bhagavad-gita? LESSON 4 ~- - - a ‘Sri Krsna, the Absolute Personality of Godhead, reveals Himself as He is in the Bhagavad-gitd. (15.15) 15.15 1) How does Kryna reveal Himself in this verse? 2) Who is the initiator of all activities?Bhakti-sasiri Sudy Guide 3) How does the forgetful living entity remember to act according to his previous’ J deeds? 4) What are the different features of the Lord as revealed in this verse? 5) “You are a devotee of Kysna. That is alright; but what about the Vedas?” Reply. : 6) Describe how the Supreme Lord Krsna is all-complete, all-good and a 5 merciful. 7) How does one get the opportunity to understand the Vedas? 8) What do all the Vedic literatures celebrate? 9) Describe why Krgna is understood to be the purpose of the Vedas. 10) What are the three stages in which one can attain perfection? . 11) Which three items of knowledge have been clearly defined in this verse? Explain each of them in not more than five sentences. LESSON 5 Sri Krsna is recognized by Arjuna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead not only on the strength of the authoritative recognition of the great saints and sages, but also on his own transcendental personal experience as a constant friend and companion of Krsna. (10.1216, 11.1—4) 10.12-13 1) According to Arjuna what do the great sages confirm about Krsna? 2) What is the chance Krsna gives to the modem philosopher in these two verses? ; 3) What happened to Arjuna after he heard the instructions of Krsna in this chapter? 4) Why do men and demigods think that they are independent of the Supreme Personality of Godhead? How can this idea be removed? 5) How does Arjuna prove that his statements are true? © Explain, citing from Vedic scriptures, how Krsna is supreme. 7) Whats the process for undersanding one's self and geting rd ofthis material body 8) How can one be purified from the infection of sinful activitics? 9) Why should one always meditate upon Krsna? 10) What is perfect knowledge and how can one have it? 11) What must one accept if he wants to understand Bhagavad-gita? 42) Why do some people sick to the wrong idea that Kapa is oly an ordinary person’ 10.14 1) Why should one follow the path of Arjuna to understand Krsna? 2) Why should the Bhagavad-gitd be understood in the parampard systcm’? 3) How can one understand that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead? 10.15 1) By whom can Kyspa be known? 2) Who cannot know Krsna? 3) Why should one understand Krsga as Arjuna understood Him? 4) Why does Arjuna address Krsna as Purusottama? 5) How is the truth about Krsna established in this verse? 10.16 1) Why does Arjuna have no doubts about Krsna? 2) Why did Arjuna ask Krsna to explain the opulences by which He pervades the world? 11.1 1) How was Arjuna's illusion dispelled? 2) Describe Krgna’s supremacy. 3) How does Arjuna now think of Krsna with reference to this verse? . 4) Why did Arjuna ask Krgna to show His universalform?—- 5) Why is Krsna speaking to Arjuna?‘pragavad-Gitd—Questions, Part 2, Section 2 ns 6) What does Arjuna acknowledge in this verse? 11.2. 4) What did Arjuna hear in detail from the Lord? 2) What is the inconceivable opulence of Krsna? 11.31) How has the cosmic manifestation become possible? 2) What is the actual reason that Arjuna asked Krgna to show His universal form? 3) What is the significance of Arjuna's calling Krsna “Purugottama’? 4) What should one who claims to ‘be Krsna be ready to do? 11.4 1) How can one see Krsna? For whom is this impossible? 2) What did Arjuna understand about Krsna? 3) To whom does Krsna reveal Himself? 4) For which specific class of people does seeing Kana remsin impossible? LESSON 6 By the mategialists, Sri Kryna is perceived in the impersonal display of the material energy. (10.17-42) 10.17 1) Why is it that everyone cannot see the Supreme ‘Person? 2) Which persons can see the Supreme Personality of Godhead? 3) Why does Arjuna ask this Question of Krsna? 4) How is Arjuna helping materialistic people? '5) Why does the common man have to think of Krsna through material things? 6) What is the mode of thinking of materialistic people? 10.18 1) How does tne Srimad-Bhagavatam describe the desire of the devotees 10 hear the pastimes of the Lord? 2) How are modem stories and fiction different from the transcendental pastimes of Krsna? 3) What are the Purdnas? What are they replete with and why? 10.19-42 Ag in Lesson 41 of Part I. LESSON 7 “The whole material existence is maintained by His material energy (9.4-10) and He keeps watch over it by His plenary portion known as Paramatma. (15.12-17) . 9.4 1) How is everything resting on Krsna’s energy? 2) Defeat the notion that “God is everywhere, so existence”. $} How does the creation take place? How is Krsna presont throughout His creation? He doesn’t have a personal 9.5 1) How do people misunderstand the Lord when He says that everything is resting on Him? 2) What is the inconceivable energy of the Lord? 3) How is the Supreme Personality of Godhead to be understood? 4) How is everything created, maintained and annihilated? '5) What isthe meaning of yogam aisvaram? 9.6 1) How can one understand that the huge: ‘material creation is resting on Krsna?” 2) Eaplain with Vedic evidence how the wonderful and great manifestation of the126 97 98 9.9 9.10 15.12 15.13 is.14 15.15 15.16 15.17 Bhakti-sastri Study Guide 1c Personality of material world is completely under the control of the Supr2 Godhead? 1) On what is the creation, maintenance and annihilation of this material cosmic manifestation completely dependent on? ; 2) What is the meaning of the devastation of the created world? When docs it take place? 1) What is this material world? 2) How does Krsqa enter into everything in the creation? 3) Why does the creation take place? How much is Krsna involved in this? 1) What is the position of Krsna in relation to the material world? 2) How are material activities carried on? 3) Explain how Lord Krsna is simultaneously responsible for and neutral to the material world. 4) What is the actual cause of the creation of the material world? 5) "Why did God create this material world? If he would not have created it, alot of trouble could have been avoided.” Reply to this statement. 1) How is Krsna the supreme director of the material world? 2) How is the management of the material world conducted? 3) Does God have anything to do? Has he got to do anything with this world at all? What is the actual connection between God and the creation? 4) Reply to the assertion that nature alone is the cause of everything. 1) How can the conditioned souls make advancement? How is Krsna helping the conditioned soul to go back to Godhead? 2) What is the ultimate cause of the sunlight? 3) Why is sunlight essential for everyone? What should one understand irom the sunlight? How can this help one on the path of Krsna consciousness? 4) What is the difference in approach between a scientist and a devotec of Krsna in understanding the importance of the sun? 1) How is everything in the creation appropriately manifested? 2) Explain how Kyyna floats all the planets in space. 3) Deseribe how Krsna holds the planets in His hand, 4) How do vegerables become delicious? 5) How does mankind survive? 1) How does the Ayurveda explain the process of digestion? 2} How is the living entity dependent on Krsna for digestion? 3) What are the four kinds of foodstuff? How are they digested? 1) How are all activities initiated? 2) How does the Lord help the forgetful living entity 10 carry on his activities in the material world? tReWbe are the two kinds of living entities, and what is the difference be:ween them? 2) What is the difference between the material and spiritual worlds? 1) Who is Paramatina?phagavad-Gitd—Questions, Part 2, Section 2 127 LESSON 8 Sri Krsna in His personal feature eternally enjoys in the transcendental realm. (15.6, 8.16, 8.20-22) 15.6 1) How does Krsna describe the spiritual world in this verse? 2) How can the conditioned living entity become liberated? 3) What is the situation of the living entity in the liberated stage” 4) How can one become really detached from the material world? '5) Why is the spiritual world known as Krgna’s world? 6) How dées the Vedic literature confirm the supremacy of the spiritual world? 8.16 1) How does Krsna, in this verse, describe the material world? What does He say about one who attains to His abode? 2) Where does one have to go if he doesn’t want to come back to this material world? 3) Can yogis other than bhakti-yogis go to Krsna's abode? 4) Which persons attain the eternal abode from the higher planets? What happens 10 others on the higher planets? 8.20 1) How does Krsna, in this verse, describe the nature of His abode? 2) Describe Krsna’s superiot energy, contrasting it with His material energy. 8.21 1) Where in the material world is the replica of Krsna's abode in the spiritual sky? 8.22 1) In Krsna’s words how can one attain Him? 2) What is the supreme destination? 3) What is the spiritual world composed of? 44) What is the nature of the variegatedness in the spiritual world? 5) If the Lord is always in the spiritual world, how can one understand that He is present everywhere? 6) Describe how the Lord is all-pervading, 7)-What is the only method of entering the supreme abode of Krsna? 8) How does the Vedic literature describe the Supreme Lord Krsna and His abode? 9) Mention some (at least eight) of the expansions of the Lord in Vaikuntha. res LESSON 9 Sti Krsna is perceived by the transcendentalists in His three transcendental features, namely (1) impersonal Brahman, (14.27) (2) His plenary portion Paramatma, (15.17) and Purusottama, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (15.18) 14.27 1) How does Krsna describe the impersonal Brahman, and His position in relation to Brahman? 2) What is the constitution of Brahman? 3) What are the three stages of transcendental realization? . 2) What is the material nature? What is the spiritual touch within the material nature and how does the material nature get that spiritual touch? 5S) At what stage does a living entity attain impersonal Brahman realization? 6) How may aliving entity, who has attained the impersonal realization, progress or regress? Give some examples. 5) why is there a chance for an impersonalist to fall down from his realization? 8) How does the Taittiriya Upanisad describe Krgna realization? 9) How does eternal life accompany devotional service?