View source for Understanding Bhagavad-gita (Letters)

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[[Category:Understanding the Bhagavad-gita|1]]
[[Category:Compilations from Letters]]
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<div id="Correspondence" class="section" sec_index="6" parent="compilation" text="Correspondence"><h2>Correspondence</h2>
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<div id="1947_to_1965_Correspondence" class="sub_section" sec_index="0" parent="Correspondence" text="1947 to 1965 Correspondence"><h3>1947 to 1965 Correspondence</h3>
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<div id="LettertoMrBaileyAllahabad14September1951_0" class="quote" parent="1947_to_1965_Correspondence" book="Let" index="11" link="Letter to Mr. Bailey -- Allahabad 14 September, 1951" link_text="Letter to Mr. Bailey -- Allahabad 14 September, 1951">
<div class="heading">I wish that the American people may try to understand Bhagavad-gita in terms of its direct meaning.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Mr. Bailey -- Allahabad 14 September, 1951|Letter to Mr. Bailey -- Allahabad 14 September, 1951]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">I wish that the American people may try to understand Bhagavad-gita in terms of its direct meaning. Let it not be unnecessarily misunderstood by the empiric speculative method for making a show of the vanity of so called learning without any living experience. Such academic erudition has nothing to do with living reality.</p>
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<div id="LettertoMrBaileyAllahabad7July1953_1" class="quote" parent="1947_to_1965_Correspondence" book="Let" index="15" link="Letter to Mr. Bailey -- Allahabad 7 July, 1953" link_text="Letter to Mr. Bailey -- Allahabad 7 July, 1953">
<div class="heading">There is no need of understanding Bhagavad-gita by indirect interpretation. I wish that your people may try to understand Bhagavad-gita in terms of its direct meaning.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Mr. Bailey -- Allahabad 7 July, 1953|Letter to Mr. Bailey -- Allahabad 7 July, 1953]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The great philosophy of Bhagavad-gita is the authoritative book to guide us in this respect. We have nothing to drag in it by foreign empiric interpretation. Let it be understood as it is because it is just like the Sun. The Sun does not require to be helped by the light. So there is no need of understanding Bhagavad-gita by indirect interpretation. Kuruksetra is Kuruksetra. Dharmaksetra is Dharmaksetra. The Pandavas are Pandavas or the sons of Pandu and nobody else. The Pandavas &amp; Kauravas not actually at the battlefield of Kuruksetra and the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita was told by the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna.</p>
<p>I wish that your people may try to understand Bhagavad-gita in terms of its direct meaning. Let it not be unnecessarily misunderstood by the empiric speculative method. For making others of the vanity of so called learning without any living experience. Such academic erudity has nothing to do with the living reality.</p>
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<div id="LettertoMrBaileyAllahabad7July1953_2" class="quote" parent="1947_to_1965_Correspondence" book="Let" index="15" link="Letter to Mr. Bailey -- Allahabad 7 July, 1953" link_text="Letter to Mr. Bailey -- Allahabad 7 July, 1953">
<div class="heading">I shall try to present an analytical study of Bhagavad-gita through the pages of your American Reporter in order to help the American people to understand Bhagavad-gita as it is. If your people can grasp the direct meaning of Bhagavad-gita it will be possible for us all to know the basic principle of cosmic harmony.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Mr. Bailey -- Allahabad 7 July, 1953|Letter to Mr. Bailey -- Allahabad 7 July, 1953]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">I shall try to present an analytical study of Bhagavad-gita through the pages of your American Reporter in order to help the American people to understand Bhagavad-gita as it is. If your people can grasp the direct meaning of Bhagavad-gita it will be possible for us all to know the basic principle of cosmic harmony. When that is done we shall know that all maladjustment of our existence is not only peaceful but an eternal bliss distinguished from the ephemeral temporary sensual satisfaction. We shall then only know that here is a world where there is no struggle for existence and every living entity, never mind what it is either a man or a beast is fit to exist. The enclosed peace of article &amp; the _____ is the first of a series of articles on the above subject to understand Bhagavad-gita by its direct meaning.</p>
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<div id="LettertoJugalkishoreBirlaBombay26August1958_3" class="quote" parent="1947_to_1965_Correspondence" book="Let" index="42" link="Letter to Jugalkishore Birla -- Bombay 26 August, 1958" link_text="Letter to Jugalkishore Birla -- Bombay 26 August, 1958">
<div class="heading">In the last portion of the Bhagavad-gita the necessary qualification of understanding the Bhagavad-gita is clearly stated.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Jugalkishore Birla -- Bombay 26 August, 1958|Letter to Jugalkishore Birla -- Bombay 26 August, 1958]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Our determination is to preach the Bhagavad-gita strictly on that parampara system as it is recommended in the Bhagavad-gita.</p>
<p>In the last portion of the Bhagavad-gita the necessary qualification of understanding the Bhagavad-gita is clearly stated.</p>
<p>According to this formula of qualification one who does not accept Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead—is unable to understand the Bhagavad-gita.</p>
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<div id="1968_Correspondence" class="sub_section" sec_index="3" parent="Correspondence" text="1968 Correspondence"><h3>1968 Correspondence</h3>
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<div id="LettertoJanardanaLosAngeles21January1968_0" class="quote" parent="1968_Correspondence" book="Let" index="22" link="Letter to Janardana -- Los Angeles 21 January, 1968" link_text="Letter to Janardana -- Los Angeles 21 January, 1968">
<div class="heading">The Ba'hai people if they are really sincere, they should try to understand Bhagavad-gita sincerely. As soon as they say they have understood Bhagavad-gita and at the same time accept Krishna as a chosen individual person, their sincerity fails.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Janardana -- Los Angeles 21 January, 1968|Letter to Janardana -- Los Angeles 21 January, 1968]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">You should try to convince them of the Supremacy of Godhead Krishna. Whenever we are able to meet such opposing elements about Krishna, we should know that our Krishna Consciousness is perfected. The Ba'hai people if they are really sincere, they should try to understand Bhagavad-gita sincerely. As soon as they say they have understood Bhagavad-gita and at the same time accept Krishna as a chosen individual person, their sincerity fails. There is less rational thinking in Ba'hai philosophy as I can understand from the pamphlet. There is already contradiction that they accept Krishna as chosen person and not as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, that is contradiction of Bhagavad-gita.</p>
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<div id="LettertoYadunandanaSanFrancisco13April1968_1" class="quote" parent="1968_Correspondence" book="Let" index="145" link="Letter to Yadunandana -- San Francisco 13 April, 1968" link_text="Letter to Yadunandana -- San Francisco 13 April, 1968">
<div class="heading">Try to understand Bhagavad-gita nicely. when you want to convert Christians into Krishna Consciousness, you should understand first of all the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Yadunandana -- San Francisco 13 April, 1968|Letter to Yadunandana -- San Francisco 13 April, 1968]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Krishna and His Kingdom, the spiritual world, are eternal. We have to understand things in this method. That is Krishna Consciousness. Do not misunderstand that after the variegatedness of the material world being finished, everything becomes impersonal, that is nonsense. Try to understand Bhagavad-gita nicely. Your faith in the Christian religion is very strong, I can understand. So, when you want to convert Christians into Krishna Consciousness, you should understand first of all the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness. Without understanding the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness, if we try to convert Christians into Krishna Consciousness, it will be utter failure.</p>
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<div id="1970_Correspondence" class="sub_section" sec_index="5" parent="Correspondence" text="1970 Correspondence"><h3>1970 Correspondence</h3>
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<div id="LettertoSucandraLosAngeles19February1970_0" class="quote" parent="1970_Correspondence" book="Let" index="110" link="Letter to Sucandra -- Los Angeles 19 February, 1970" link_text="Letter to Sucandra -- Los Angeles 19 February, 1970">
<div class="heading">This program of chanting and following the rules and regulations will give you spiritual intelligence for understanding the Bhagavad gita and our other scriptures also.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Sucandra -- Los Angeles 19 February, 1970|Letter to Sucandra -- Los Angeles 19 February, 1970]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">This program of chanting and following the rules and regulations will give you spiritual intelligence for understanding the Bhagavad gita and our other scriptures also. In this connection, I think that since you have some difficulty in reading our English edition of Bhagavad-gita As It Is, you can study more easily from the copies of Mandali Bhadra's German translations of the same. Perhaps you can assist him in some respect also by proofreading his work. So you may inquire from him in this way.</p>
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<div id="LettertoRobertKarenLosAngeles19April1970_1" class="quote" parent="1970_Correspondence" book="Let" index="250" link="Letter to Robert, Karen -- Los Angeles 19 April, 1970" link_text="Letter to Robert, Karen -- Los Angeles 19 April, 1970">
<div class="heading">Just like Arjuna, in the beginning he declined to fight, and Krishna apparently induced him to fight. But does it mean that Arjuna after understanding Bhagavad-gita became a violent fighter?
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Robert, Karen -- Los Angeles 19 April, 1970|Letter to Robert, Karen -- Los Angeles 19 April, 1970]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The physical activities in Vrindaban are not material activities. Just like Arjuna, in the beginning he declined to fight, and Krishna apparently induced him to fight. But does it mean that Arjuna after understanding Bhagavad-gita became a violent fighter? If that is the result of understanding Bhagavad-gita, then no gentleman would read it ever. Therefore the real thing is that in Bhakti cult the activities appear to be like those of the Karmis, but actually they are all devotional service. In New Vrindaban everyone is engaged in Krishna's service, they have no interest in material activities, but they are always ready to act anything for Krishna's sake.</p>
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<div id="1972_Correspondence" class="sub_section" sec_index="7" parent="Correspondence" text="1972 Correspondence"><h3>1972 Correspondence</h3>
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<div id="LettertoSriJoshijiParis25July1972_0" class="quote" parent="1972_Correspondence" book="Let" index="393" link="Letter to Sri Joshiji -- Paris 25 July, 1972" link_text="Letter to Sri Joshiji -- Paris 25 July, 1972">
<div class="heading">Actually, the whole world requires to understand the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Although the Bhagavad-gita is a very popular book, widely read all over the world, unfortunately unscrupulous sannyasis and yogis presented the gospel in a perverted way.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Sri Joshiji -- Paris 25 July, 1972|Letter to Sri Joshiji -- Paris 25 July, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Actually, the whole world requires to understand the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Although the Bhagavad-gita is a very popular book, widely read all over the world, unfortunately unscrupulous sannyasis and yogis presented the gospel in a perverted way so that people could not come to become a devotee of Krishna, instead they have become impersonalists. This infectious disease is spread in India, especially by the Mayavadis sannyasis and philosophers, therefore we have got greater task in India then in the western countries. In the western countries they have lost practically any religious system, and Christianity is declining.</p>
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<div id="1974_Correspondence" class="sub_section" sec_index="9" parent="Correspondence" text="1974 Correspondence"><h3>1974 Correspondence</h3>
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<div id="LettertoBhumataLosAngeles2January1974_0" class="quote" parent="1974_Correspondence" book="Let" index="5" link="Letter to Bhumata -- Los Angeles 2 January, 1974" link_text="Letter to Bhumata -- Los Angeles 2 January, 1974">
<div class="heading">When one becomes an initiated disciple although he has respect for the Christian Bible, nevertheless he must understand the Bhagavad-gita.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Bhumata -- Los Angeles 2 January, 1974|Letter to Bhumata -- Los Angeles 2 January, 1974]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">When one becomes an initiated disciple although he has respect for the Christian Bible, nevertheless he must understand the Bhagavad-gita and must apply all study there and not spend time unnecessarily with other literatures. Therefore if you can chant and follow the four regulative principles and read our books only I am sure you will find a relief from all difficulties.</p>
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<div id="1976_Correspondence" class="sub_section" sec_index="11" parent="Correspondence" text="1976 Correspondence"><h3>1976 Correspondence</h3>
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<div id="LettertoPunjabiPremanandBombay16April1976_0" class="quote" parent="1976_Correspondence" book="Let" index="231" link="Letter to Punjabi Premanand -- Bombay 16 April, 1976" link_text="Letter to Punjabi Premanand -- Bombay 16 April, 1976">
<div class="heading">The Bhagavad-gita is the standard book of knowledge in India and many eminent persons like Gandhi, Aurobindo, Dr. RadhaKrishnan, etc. they tried to understand the Bhagavad-gita, but could not do it.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Punjabi Premanand -- Bombay 16 April, 1976|Letter to Punjabi Premanand -- Bombay 16 April, 1976]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Without the help of guru, if you read independently, you may be misguided. Therefore, so many politicians, scholars, etc. not being guided by the parampara system, have simply misled the public. The Bhagavad-gita is the standard book of knowledge in India and many eminent persons like Gandhi, Aurobindo, Dr. RadhaKrishnan, etc. they tried to understand the Bhagavad-gita, but could not do it. They were themselves misled and on account of their big position they misled so many followers. Our system, the Vedic system, is to approach the right person and hear from him exactly as Arjuna listened from Krishna. Mental speculation will not help. Hearing is the main point.</p>
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