Today, you can make a resolution that may change the course of your life, seriously.
I’m gradually publishing the chapters of The Song of God, our detailed study of the Bhagavad-gītā. We have finished the introduction, and now we are starting the first chapter of the Gītā. The system will be to study the book in sections, which brings a balance between two extremes: the detail of studying each verse separately without seeing the flow of the argument and the vagueness of trying to grasp an entire chapter at once.
This project is among the most ambitious studies of the Gītā in scope. The goal is to create a practical and detailed guide that allows you to go deep into the meaning of the text, not merely as philosophy, but as a living guide for the practice of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Bhaktivinoda Thākura explains devotional practice in terms of sambandha, abhidheya, and prayojana. Sambandha is the philosophical knowledge that guides our practice of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and allows us to apply the process in our practical lives and surpass the many obstacles on the way. Abhidheya, in turn, is the practical process based on this knowledge that leads to prayojana, the ultimate goal of pure love for Kṛṣṇa.
Without being properly grounded in knowledge, we tend to hit a wall at some point in spiritual life, facing challenges we are not able to overcome. This leads us to stagnation instead of success.
The Bhagavad-gītā is the practical book that gives us this foundation, and that’s what makes it such an essential book. It is not just a book for beginners, but the very engine of our practice of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. It teaches us how to see the world, how to act, how to face the inevitable difficulties, how to become free from attachment, and how to offer our lives to Kṛṣṇa.
I have been studying the Gītā since 1992; it was the first book of Śrīla Prabhupāda I got. Like many, at first, I couldn’t understand it at all. Over time, after reading it many times, learning from others, and applying it in my practical life, I started understanding something, and that’s what I’m now trying to share.
I will be publishing a new topic every day or every few days. If you take the time to seriously follow the publication and effectively study each group of verses, by the time we finish, you will gain a deep, structured, and practical understanding of the Bhagavad-gītā, much deeper than what is usually available through casual reading or academic study. This can bring a massive boost to your practice of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
» Choose Your Level of Study:
Inside each section, you will find a brief introduction, followed by the verses being studied, and then by a more profound explanation of their meaning and a study of the points made by Śrīla Prabhupāda in his purports. There are three levels you can study.
Level 1: The Overview
If you want just an overview of the general meaning of the sections and how the verses connect, you may just study the introduction and the verses. This can already give you a basic understanding of the flow of the Gītā.
Level 2: The Deep Dive (main track)
The second level is to also study the main explanation, which goes deeper into the meaning of the section. That’s, of course, the main thrust of the book. That’s where most of my effort goes.
Level 3: Specialist
The third level is to also take time to study the individual purports for each verse. At the end of each section, you will notice a list of the main points made by Prabhupāda in each purport. It breaks down the dense philosophy he explains into bite-sized points you can easily understand. By following the points together with the purports, you can really go deep into their meaning. This complements the macroscopic study from the general explanation with a microscopic study of each individual verse, making you a full specialist.
Bonus: The Sanskrit Monster
If you want to go still deeper, you can take Prabhupāda’s advanced Sanskrit course, studying also the word-for-word of each verse, becoming familiar with the individual Sanskrit terms and the intricate way Kṛṣṇa uses them. If you go for this level, you will be truly unstoppable. Even Sanskrit scholars will be afraid of you. :)
Also, if you have any questions as you study, you can use the comments at the end of each page. They are not just for decoration; I’m following them.
In this way, you can choose what fits your daily schedule and your goals. The main decision today is to make this sankalpa, this resolution of taking time daily to study, and continue to the end. This apparently small change can trigger a series of positive changes in your life that can be the difference between going back to Godhead at the end of this life or taking another birth.
How to follow?
You can subscribe to receive the e-mails or simply follow the page of the book for the updates.
If you install the Substack app and follow me there, you will also find an option to listen to everything as a podcast. This can help on the days you don’t find time to read:
You can also receive the updates on WhatsApp or Telegram.
If you would like to contribute, you can find the donation links here.
Prabhu..I am very excited to hear from you about the song of God..all glories to Srila Prabhupada
Hare Krishna Prabhu. Pamho. Thank you so much for your efforts. Very grateful. I downloaded Substack a few weeks back only to follow your publications. Looking forward to studying Bhagvad Gita As it is under your guidance.