The story · Generations of vows, marriages and disputes expand into the war.
Background only: the Gītā verses below mention the people involved, but don't tell this story themselves.
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Chapter15
Puruṣottama-yoga · 20 verses
The Yoga of the Supreme Person
Knowing the Supreme Person and surrendering to Him through devotional service.
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Verse notes
Every verse in simple words, from Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Tap a verse to study it in depth.
BG 15.1The Upside-Down Banyan Tree
Study this verse- The Lord describes an imperishable banyan tree with roots upward, branches downward, and Vedic hymns as leaves. Whoever knows this tree knows the Vedas.
- Prabhupāda explains that this tree represents material entanglement, a reflection of the spiritual world. The purpose of studying the Vedas is to understand Kṛṣṇa.
- Reduce attachment to material activities and grow attached to serving Kṛṣṇa. Devotional service is the best way to become free from material entanglement.
BG 15.2The Tree of Material Life
Study this verse- The tree’s branches grow upward and downward, fed by the three modes of material nature. Its twigs are sense objects, and its roots bind people to actions done for rewards.
- Prabhupāda explains that different forms of life appear according to the modes of nature. The secondary roots are attachments and dislikes.
- Notice how sense enjoyment and suffering give rise to attachments and dislikes.
BG 15.3Detachment and Surrender
Study this verse- This tree’s real form cannot be seen here. One must firmly cut it down with detachment and seek the Supreme Lord.
- Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is the original root of everything. Surrender to Him brings freedom from attachment to material life.
- Learn detachment by discussing authoritative scriptures with knowledgeable devotees, and practice hearing and chanting to develop surrender to Kṛṣṇa.
BG 15.4Surrender to the Supreme
Study this verse- Seek the place from which one never returns, and surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the source of everything.
- Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is this original source. Surrendering to Him frees one from attachment to material life.
- Hear from knowledgeable devotees and discuss spiritual teachings from authoritative scriptures to learn detachment.
BG 15.5Freedom from Pride and Surrender
Study this verse- Those free from pride, illusion, false association, material lust, and the dualities of happiness and distress, who understand the eternal and surrender to the Supreme Person, attain His eternal kingdom.
- Prabhupāda explains that pride blocks surrender. Real knowledge means understanding that the Supreme Person, not we, is the Lord of material nature.
- Give up expecting honor and learn what is truly yours and what is not. This knowledge helps you surrender to the Supreme Person.
BG 15.6Kṛṣṇa’s Eternal Abode
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa’s supreme abode needs no sun, moon, fire or electricity. Those who reach it never return to this material world.
- Prabhupāda explains that its planets shine by themselves. There, one becomes the Lord’s associate, enjoying eternal life, bliss and full knowledge.
- Seek the company of devotees and learn devotional service to loosen material attachment. Kṛṣṇa’s abode is reached only by surrender.
BG 15.7Eternal Parts of the Lord
Study this verse- Living beings are the Lord’s eternal parts. In conditioned life, they struggle with the six senses, including the mind.
- Prabhupāda explains that each soul remains an individual forever, even when liberated, and is an eternal servant of the Lord.
- Use your small independence to lovingly serve the Lord rather than forget Him.
BG 15.8Consciousness Shapes the Next Life
Study this verse- The living entity carries his ideas of life from one body to another, as air carries aromas.
- Prabhupāda explains that the soul continues after death, taking another body according to his developed consciousness and karma.
- Develop Kṛṣṇa consciousness to reach Kṛṣṇaloka in the spiritual world and associate with Kṛṣṇa.
BG 15.9Consciousness Shapes the Next Body
Study this verse- In a new body, the soul receives senses grouped around the mind and enjoys the sense objects suited to that body.
- Prabhupāda explains that material qualities change our originally pure consciousness, leading to a corresponding body—not necessarily a human one.
- Cultivate Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which is our real, pure consciousness.
BG 15.10Seeing Through Spiritual Knowledge
Study this verse- Those without knowledge cannot understand how the soul leaves a body or enjoys under material nature, but those trained in knowledge can.
- Prabhupāda explains that the soul is different from the body. Lust and desire hide this understanding and keep one caught in material happiness and distress.
- Learn spiritual knowledge from a genuine spiritual master and become Kṛṣṇa conscious to leave material suffering and reach the spiritual world.
BG 15.11Seeing Through Self-Realization
Study this verse- Those established in self-realization can see clearly what is happening; those without it cannot, even if they try.
- Prabhupāda explains that bodily exercise alone cannot reveal the soul’s movement between bodies. Bhakti-yogīs engaged in pure devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness can understand it.
- Seek self-realization through pure devotional service, rather than being satisfied only with a strong, healthy body.
BG 15.12Light Comes from Kṛṣṇa
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa says that the sun’s light, which removes the world’s darkness, and the light of the moon and fire come from Him.
- Prabhupāda explains that recognizing Kṛṣṇa as the source of this light is the beginning of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- When you see sunlight, moonlight or fire, remember that we depend on Kṛṣṇa’s mercy to live.
BG 15.13The Lord Sustains Everything
Study this verse- The Lord enters each planet and keeps it in orbit by His energy. As the moon, He nourishes all vegetables.
- Prabhupāda explains that the Lord enters every atom and living being. Human life depends on His supply.
- When enjoying food, remember that its nourishment and taste depend on the Supreme Lord.
BG 15.14The Lord Helps Us Digest
Study this verse- The Lord is the digestive fire in all living bodies, working with outgoing and incoming air to digest four kinds of food.
- Prabhupāda explains that we depend on the Lord to digest food that is drunk, chewed, licked, or sucked.
- When eating, remember that the Lord produces and digests food, and we enjoy life by His grace.
BG 15.15Kṛṣṇa in Everyone’s Heart
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa is in everyone’s heart, giving remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. All the Vedas aim at knowing Him. He compiled Vedānta and knows the Vedas.
- Prabhupāda explains that the Lord witnesses our actions and guides our work according to past deeds. He gives sincere students intelligence to understand Him.
- Study the Vedas to understand Kṛṣṇa, and worship Him through devotional service. Their goal is to bring us back to Him.
BG 15.16Two Classes of Beings
Study this verse- Living beings in the material world are fallible; those in the spiritual world are infallible.
- Prabhupāda explains that all living beings are eternal parts of the Supreme Lord. Oneness with Him means harmony, not loss of individuality.
- Material bodies change, but spiritual bodies do not. In the spiritual world, there is no birth, old age or death.
BG 15.17The Supreme Soul Maintains All
Study this verse- The Supreme Soul is the greatest living personality, the imperishable Lord who enters and maintains the three worlds.
- Prabhupāda explains that He is above both conditioned and liberated souls and lives in everyone’s heart as Paramātmā.
- Seek to understand the Supreme Lord; only those who understand Him are eligible to attain perfect peace.
BG 15.18Kṛṣṇa Is the Supreme Person
Study this verse- Kṛṣṇa is beyond both the fallible and the infallible. The world and the Vedas recognize Him as the Supreme Person.
- Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa and living beings are individuals, but no conditioned or liberated soul can surpass His powers.
- Understand that Kṛṣṇa is always supreme; living beings are never equal to Him in all respects.
BG 15.19Knowing and Serving Kṛṣṇa
Study this verse- Anyone who knows Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead without doubt knows everything and serves Him fully.
- Prabhupāda explains that true understanding leads to devotional service, not endless speculation. Living beings are always subordinate to Kṛṣṇa.
- Hear humbly from Kṛṣṇa and His representatives, seek to understand their teachings, and engage in devotional service.
BG 15.20Wisdom Through Devotional Service
Study this verse- The Lord reveals the most confidential Vedic teaching. Whoever understands it becomes wise and achieves perfection in their efforts.
- Prabhupāda explains that understanding the Supreme Lord and serving Him frees one from material contamination and ignorance.
- Engage in devotional service under the guidance of a genuine spiritual master, in the company of pure devotees.
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Stories
The Mahābhārata background, and stories Prabhupāda tells in his purports. Tap one to read it.