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Bhagavad-gita Homework Questions
1.1-13
Why is the Bhagavad-gita the perfect theistic science?
Why is Dhrtarastra fearful about the outcome of the battle?
1.14-23
State any three signs that point to a victory for the Pandavas
Explain the significance of Krsna's name Hrsikesa in verse 15.
1.24-36
Explain the significance of Arjuna's addressing Krsna as Hrsikesa in verse 24.
Explain the significance of Arjuna's addressing Krsna as Govinda in verse 32.
1.37-46
What is the significance of the word varna-sankara?
Summarize Arjuna's arguments for not fighting so far.
2.1-10
What words does Krsna use to describe Arjuna's compassion?
2. Summarize the main point of the purport to verse 2.7.
2.11-19
What exactly does a pandita not lament for? How would a devotee react to death in the family?
Summarize Srila Prabhupada's arguments against Mayavada philosophy in the purports to 2.12-13.
2.20-30
Explain the analogies of the "the surgeon" and "the justice of the peace".
Why is the soul described as amazing?
2.31-38
Why does battle bring pleasure to a ksatriya?
What are the two types of "sva-dharma"? What are their purposes?
2.39-53
What is "vyavasayatmika intellegence"?
What is the relationship between the Vedas and Krsna consciousness?
2.54-72
How does one avoid the sequence of falldown in verses 2.62-3?
What does it mean to become desireless?
3.1-9
Explain the relationship between buddhi-yoga and sankhya-yoga.
Explain the term "mithyacarah".
3.10-21
What is the function of the demigods? Why are they worshipped?
How is the ritual of "yajna" an indirect practice of Krsna consciousness?
3.22-32
Why does Krsna strictly perform prescribed duties of varnasrama-dharma?
Briefly explain the consciousness of one who acts under false ego.
3.33-43
Explain the analogy of the "milk".
How can an aspiring transcendentalist conquer lust?
4.1-10
Explain the significance of parampara.
Why does Krsna appear on Earth? In what different ways does he accomplish His mission?
4.11-24
How is Krsna the "object of everyone's realization" according to their desires?
How does one become free from reactions while performing activities?
4.25-33
What is the purpose of sacrifice?
What is the difference between the sacrifice of material possessions and the sacrifice of transcendental knowledge?
4.34-42
What are the three important aspects of one's relationship with a bona fide spiritual master?
Describe the fate of the faithful person and the doubter.
5.1-9
What is the difference between Vaisnava and Mayavadi sannyasis? Why is this distinction relevant to the section?
Why is someone absorbed in devotional service "dear to everyone"?
5.10-16
Explain the analogy of the lotus leaf.
What is the relationship between the soul, material nature and God in terms of action?
5.17-29
Give two reasons from this sections why advanced transcendentalists have no desire for material sense enjoyment?
What is the "peace formula"?
6.1-9
How is the bhakti-yogi the perfect sannyasi at any stage of life?
Analyze the role of the mind in yoga.
6.10-24
Describe the importance of regulation in spiritual practice.
Explain the analogy of the lamp.
6.25-36
Summarize the main point of verse 6.30 and purport.
How is Arjuna's difficulty controlling the mind a statement on the practicality of astanga-yoga?
6.37-47
What happens to a yogi who falls down after short practice? After long practice?
Summarize the purport to verse 6.47.
7.1-7
What is jnana and vijnana according to 7.2?
What are Krsna's two energies?
7.8-14
Give some examples how Krsna can be known through His various energies.
How does verse 14 exalt the position of bhakti-yoga?
7.15-23
List the four pious men. (Sanskrit and English)
Why is the jnani most dear to Krsna?
7.24-30
According to the purport to verse 24, how can one understand Krsna's personal form?
Summarize the main point and purport of verse 27.
8.1-6
Mention and explain four of the philosophical terms mentioned by Arjuna and Krsna.
Why is it important to cultivate remembrance of Krsna during one's life?
8.7-13
What is the significance of the word "yoga-balena"?
What is the relationship between chanting Hare Krsna and Om?
8.14-19
How does Krsna's description of the material world in verses 15-19 inspire one to take to Krsna consciousness more seriously?
The Vedic literatures prescribe sacrifice for elevation to the heavenly planets, yet Krsna declares them also to be a place of misery. Why?
8.20-28
What are the auspicious and inauspicious times for leaving the body?
Why does a devotee not care for such formalities?
9.1-10
How does one develop faith in Krsna?
Explain the answer to the apparent contradiction in verse 4 and 5, "and yet everything that is created does not rest in me..."
9.11-19
Explain the qualities of a mahatma.
How is it that one engaged in devotional service to Krsna has already performed all sacrifices?
9.20-26
What are the main differences between demigod worship and bhakti-yoga in practice and results?
Summarize the main point of verse 26 and the purport concerning the practice of devotional service.
9.27-34
Explain the significance of the words "sadhur eva."
How is a devotee purified of any accidental faults?
10.1-7
Why is Bhagavan Sri Krsna misunderstood even by the great sages and demigods?
Summarize verse 10.7 and purport.
10.8-11
Explain Lord Caitanya's analogy of a seed in the purport to text 9.
Define and describe "buddhi-yoga" as Srila Prabhupada describes it in the purport to text 10.
10.12-30
Why does Arjuna ask Krsna to explain His opulences?
How is Krsna the "beginning, middle and end of all beings"?
10.31-42
How does a devotee relate to the beautiful things of this world?
Explain the word "asamaurdva".
11.1-13
State two reasons why Arjuna asked to see the universal form of the Lord.
Why are pure devotees unconcerned with seeing the universal form?
11.14-31
Explain the shift of relationship between Krsna and Arjuna in verse 14.
Was Arjuna the only person to see the Universal Form of Krsna?
11.32-44
What is the specific plan of Krsna that is being carried out in the material world?
Explain the main point of verse 42 and its purport.
11.45-55
Why are the many Vedic processes not useful in gaining darsana of the Lord's form?
How is Krsna's two handed form a more confidential revelation than the Universal Form?
12.1-7
Compare the processes of impersonal and personal worship?
Explain the importance of Krsna's statement in verse 7, "I am the swift deliverer from the ocean of birth and death." and how it relates to faith in Krsna consciousness.
12.8-12
How are the activities of a pure devotee transcendental according to text 8.
What does it mean to "work for Krsna" in verse 10? How does this differ from the instruction in verse 9?
12.13-20
How does a devotee rise above the frustrations that arise due to material disturbances?
When is impersonal meditation useful? When should it be dropped?
13.1-7
Define 'ksetra" and "ksetra-jna." How can one detect the difference of the two?
What is the difference between Krsna as the "ksetra-jna" and the jiva as "ksetra-jna"?
13.8-19
Analyze humility, nonviolence, and simplicity as items of knowledge.
Explain the example of the sun in terms of the Supersoul's presence.
13.20-26
Explain the analogy of the residential quarters.
Explain the position of the Supersoul in relationship with the individual soul.
13.27-35
Summarize the philosophical content of verse 30 and purport.
Explain the analogy of the sun in verse 34.
14.1-9
Explain the analogy of the "scorpion's eggs".
Briefly explain how each of the three modes are binding.
14.10-18
Explain the destination of one in each mode.
Summarize Srila Prabhupada's social criticisms of modern society given in this section.
14.19-27
Summarize the means for transcending the three modes, given in verses 26 and 27.
Explain the relationship between Brahman and Bhagavan.
15.1-7
Explain the analogy of the banyan tree.
Describe the process of removing oneself from the tree.
15.8-15
Summarize the process of transmigration.
Explain how the description in verses 12-15 serve to remind one of his dependence on Krsna.
15.16-20
What are the two classes of people?
Why is Krsna celebrated in the Vedas as the Supreme Person?
16.1-9
Give some symptoms of one in the demoniac nature.
What is the demoniac view of the creation? What does that view lead to?
16.10-18
Explain the religious life of the demoniac.
Explain the significance of the words "avidhi purvakam".
16.19-24
What are the three gateways to hell?
Explain the position of the scriptures as described in the final verses and purports.
17.1-10
What are the three kinds of faith? How does one elevate his faith?
In what do men in the three modes repose their faith? Give examples from scripture or experience.
17.11-19
Explain the types of sacrifice according to the three modes.
Explain the austerities of the speech, body and mind.
17.20-28
Explain the words "om tat sat."
Summarize the main point of verse 28 and the purport.
18.1-12
What is the difference between sannyasa and tyaga?
What is the "highest criterion of religion"?
18.13-25
Briefly explain the proper perspective that one should have of the activities that he is performing according to verses 13-16?
Explain knowledge in the three modes.
18.26-40
Describe the action, work, understanding, determination and happiness of one in goodness.
Do the same for one in passion.
18.41-55
Why should one perform his own work rather than that of others?
How is a person in Krsna consciousness automatically a sannyasi?
18.56-66
Explain the significance of text 54 in terms of defeating Mayavada philosophy.
How would you answer the claim, "One can not surrender to Krsna until he is fully purified from sinful reactions (see 7.28). Therefore, I should perform jnana-yoga until I am pure enough to worship Krsna?
18.67-78
To whom should one not teach Bhagavad-gita?
What is the result of teaching and learning Bhagavad-gita?
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