BG. Ch. 2

18. List the six kinds of transformations the body is subject to. (2.20)

a. It takes birth from the womb of the mother's body b. Remains for some time c. Grows d. Produces some effects e. Gradually dwindles f. Vanishes into oblivion

32. List the eight stages of spiritual falldown in English or Sanskrit. (2.62-63)

1. contemplating the objects of the senses 2. attachment 3. lust 4. if lust is unfulfilled, anger arises 5. complete illusion 6. bewilderment of memory 7. intelligence is lost 8. falls down again into material pool

13. List six symptoms of Bhagavan in English or Sanskrit (2.2)

The supreme personality who possesses: 1. All riches 2. All strength 3. All fame 4. All beauty 5. All knowledge 6. All renunciation

14. What is the meaning of the phrase ksudram hrdaya-daurbalyam? (2.3)

This phrase refers to weakness of heart. Arjuna's false magnanimity/generosity towards Bhisma and Drona(one of Arjuna's justification to not fight) was actually a mere weakness of heart.

19. Give the English meaning of: anu-atma and vibhu-atma. (2.20)

Two kinds of soul: 1. Anu- infinitesimal, minute particle soul, the living entities 2. Vibhu- infinite, the Supersoul, Lord Krsna

15. According to scriptural codes, when is a teacher is fit to be abandoned? (2.5)

a. A teacher who engages in an abominable action and has lost his sense of discrimination 1. For ex, Bhisma and Drona took the side of Dhuryodhana because they got financial assistance from him even though they shouldn't have taken this position simply on financial considerations b. But arjuna still prefers forgiveness because they are his superiors and to "enjoy material profits after killing them would mean to enjoy spoils tainted with blood."

12. List Arjuna's arguments for not fighting. (1.27-2.7)

a. Compassion (1.27) b. Enjoyment (1.30 -35) c. Sinful reactions (1.36, 43-44, 2.5) d. Destruction of Dynasty (1.37 - 43) e. Indecision (2.6 - 7)

20. Why is it that the killing of animals in sacrifice not considered an act of violence?(2.31)

a. Killing on the battlefield on religious principles and killing animals in the sacrificial fire are not at all considered to be acts of violence, because everyone is benefitted by the religious principles involved. b. The animal sacrificed gets a human life immediately without undergoing the gradual evolutionary process from one form to another

21. What is the meaning of the word ksatriya? (2.31)

a. Ksatriya means one who gives protection from harm b. They are trained for challenging and killing because religious vilence is sometimes a necessary factor. They are not meant to directly accept the order of sannyasa or renunciation.

24. Give the English meaning of the phrase pratyavayah na vidyate. (2.40)

a. Pratyavayah - diminution, na- never, vidyate- there is b. Krsna tells Arjuna 1. In this endeavor, there is no loss or diminution(reduction), and a little advancement on this path can protect one form the most dangerous type of fear.

star> 22. What is meant by sva-dharma and what are the two types of sva-dharma? (2.31)

a. Sva-dharma means specific duties. b. Two types of sva-dharma: material and spiritual 1. Material sva-dharma (Varnashrama-dharma) 1. Definition 1. Sva-dharma On the bodily plane is varnashrama dharma 2. A man's steppingstone for spiritual understanding 3. Specific duties according the one's specific mode of nature 2. Must for humanity 1. This is the stage human civilization begins from 2. As long is one is not liberated, these duties are very important to perform 3. Obtained by the Lord (clarified further in ch 4) 1. they are unavoidable (A man's steppingstone for spiritual understanding) 4. benefit 1. If done in accordance with higher authorities, it can elevate one to a higher status of life 2. Spiritual sva-dharma 1. Attained after liberation, the sva-dharma becomes spiritual and is not in the material bodily concept

23. What is the meaning of the phrase svarga-dvaram apavrtam? (2.32)

a. Svarga - of the heavenly planets, dvaram - door, apavrtam- wde open b. Doors of heavenly planets are wide open for those happy ksatriyas to whom such fighting opportunities come unsought (Krsna tells Arjuna)

27. How is the purpose of Vedic culture best served? (2.46)

a. The purpose of vedic culture is best served by chanting the holy name of the Lord, as recommended by Lord Chaitanya, the deliverer of all fallen souls b. Kali-yuga defects 1. Not qualified: most people are foolish and not educated in the study of the vedas 2. Difficult to process: Its not possible for the common man in this age to follow all the rules and regulations of the vedic rituals, nor to study all of the Vedanta and the Upanishads thoroughly. 3. Lack of resources: lack of time and energy, resources and knowledge to execute the purpose of the Vedas c. Conclusion 1. Best way to fulfill the purpose of Vedanta philosophy - Inoffensive chanting of the holy names 2. Who is the highest Vedantist - one who takes pleasure in chanting Holy Names 3. Ultimate purpose of all Vedic Mysticism - to take pleasure in chanting Holy Names

17. What is the size of soul and what is the symptom of its existence? (2.17)

a. The size of the soul is described to be one ten-thousandth part of the upper portion of the hair point b. Symptom of soul: soul is perceived by 'individual consciousness' 1. Without consciousness, the body is dead and the consciousness cannot be revived by any material administration. Therefore, consciousness is not due to any material makeup but it is due to the spirit soul c. Influence of soul: it pervades (spread throughout) and maintains the entire body just as the sun pervades the entire universe and maintains it. ***

26. The Vedas deal mostly with what? (2.45)

a. The vedas deal mainly with the subject of the three modes of material nature b. The vedas deal mainly with fruitive activities to gradually elevate the general public from the field of sense gratification to a position on the transcendental plane.

29. A well-dressed fool cannot be identified unless what? (2.54)

a. Unless he speaks. As soon as he speaks, he reveals himself an once b. It is the most important how a man in Krsna consciousness speaks; speech is the most important quality of any man

33. What is the meaning of the phrase brahma-nirvanan rcchati? (2.72)

a. brahma-nirvāṇam — the spiritual kingdom of God; ṛcchati — one attains b. "if one is thus situated even at the hour or death, one can enter into the kingdom of God" - Krsna c. If one with good fortune becomes Krsna conscious before dying, he at once attains the stage of 'brahma-nirvana' 1. Such a person is one absolute transcendental plane even in material world and is as good as being in the spiritual kingdom d. No difference between 'brahma-nirvana' and devotional service of the Lord 1. Because both of them are on the absolute plane, to be engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord is to have attained the spiritual kingdom

16. What is the meaning of the phrase dharma-sammudha-cetah? (2.7)

a. dharma- religion, sammudha- bewildered, cetah- in heart b. Arjuna tells Krsna that he is confused about his duty and have lost all composure because of his miserly weakness.

31. Who is the example of a mat-parah given in 2.61?

a. mat-paraḥ — in relationship with Me b. 'Mat-para' - implies all senses and mind are engaged in relationship with Krsna c. Ex. Amabarisa Maharaja - fixed his mind on the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, engaged his words in describing the abode of the Lord, his hands in cleansing the temple of the Lord, his ears in hearing the pastimes of the Lord, his eyes in seeing the form of the Lord, hiks body in touching the body of the devotee, is nostrils in smelling the flavor of the flowers offered to the lotus feet of the Lord, his tongue in tasting the tulasi leaves offered to Him, his legs in travelling to the holy place where His temple is situated, his head in offering obeisances unto the Lord, and his desires in fulfilling the desires of the Lord d. Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa, a great scholar and ācārya is another mat-para devotee who says: 1. "Senses can be completely controlled only by strength of devotional service"

30. What is the meaning of the phrase param drstva nivartate? (2.59)

a. param — far superior things; dṛṣṭvā — by experiencing; nivartate — he ceases from. b. When one experiences higher taste, it is easier for one to cease or restrain the senses and refrain from sense enjoyment

28. What is the meaning of the word prajna? (2.54)

a. sthita-prajñasya — of one who is situated in fixed Kṛṣṇa consciousness b. Arjuna asks four questions as to how to recognize a person situated in Krishna consciousness (Self realized soul) or 'Sthita-prajna' (One in divine consciousness) c. Arjuna's four questions are: 1. General symptoms (Answered in 2.55) 2. How does he speak (Answered in 2.56-2.57) 3. How does he sit (Answered in 2.58-2.59) 4. How does he walk (Answered in 2.64-2.71)

25. Give the English meaning of the phrase vyavasayatmika buddhi. (2.41)

a. vyavasāya-ātmikā — resolute in Kṛṣṇa consciousness; buddhiḥ — intelligence b. A strong faith that by Krsna consciousness one will be elevated to the highest perfection of life is called vyavasāya-ātmikā intelligence