Chapter 14 · Class prep
A printable handout for teaching this chapter. For each verse with Personal Guidance, you'll see Prabhupāda's translation, the essence, two or three practical applications, and a discussion prompt. Press ⌘P / Ctrl P to print as a handout.
BG 14.1
Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: Arjuna went to Dvārakā to see Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and other friends and also to learn from the Lord of His next activities.
Essence. Arjuna went to Dvārakā to see Kṛṣṇa and learn of His next activities. The devotee seeks not just darshan but direction. We go to the Lord asking what comes next.
BG 14.2
A few months passed, and Arjuna did not return. Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira then began to observe some inauspicious omens, which were fearful in themselves.
Essence. Months passed and Arjuna did not return; Yudhiṣṭhira began to observe inauspicious omens. Delays in communication produce unease. The sensitive reader reads delay as a sign.
BG 14.3
He saw that the direction of eternal time had changed, and this was very fearful. There were disruptions in the seasonal regularities. The people in general had become very greedy, angry and deceitful. And he saw that they were adopting foul means of livelihood.
Essence. The direction of eternal time had changed; seasonal regularities were disrupted. People became greedy, angry, deceitful, adopting false livelihoods. The era shifts around us, often invisibly. Read the times.
BG 14.4
All ordinary transactions and dealings became polluted with cheating, even between friends. And in familial affairs, there was always misunderstanding between fathers, mothers and sons, between well-wishers, and between brothers. Even between husband and wife there was always strain and quarrel.
Essence. Ordinary transactions became polluted with cheating, even between friends. Families had misunderstanding between parents and children, well-wishers, brothers. Even between mates. The fabric tears at every seam.
BG 14.5
In course of time it came to pass that people in general became accustomed to greed, anger, pride, etc. Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, observing all these omens, spoke to his younger brother.
Essence. People became accustomed to greed, anger, pride. Observing these omens, Yudhiṣṭhira spoke to his younger brother. When you notice cultural decay, talk about it with someone close.
BG 14.6
Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira said to his younger brother Bhīmasena: I sent Arjuna to Dvārakā to meet his friends and to learn from the Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, of His program of work.
Essence. Yudhiṣṭhira: I sent Arjuna to meet his friends and learn of Kṛṣṇa's program. He named both purposes — relationship and learning. Visits can serve more than one good.
BG 14.7
Since he departed, seven months have passed, yet he has not returned. I do not know factually how things are going there.
Essence. Seven months have passed; I do not know factually how things are going there. Honest acknowledgement of ignorance precedes wise action. We can name what we don't know.
BG 14.8
Is He going to quit His earthly pastimes, as Devarṣi Nārada indicated? Has that time already arrived?
Essence. Is He going to quit His earthly pastimes as Nārada said? Has that time arrived? The devotee dares to ask the unaskable. Some questions must be voiced even when the answer is dreaded.
BG 14.9
From Him only, all our kingly opulence, good wives, lives, progeny, control over our subjects, victory over our enemies, and future accommodations in higher planets have become possible. All this is due to His causeless mercy upon us.
Essence. From Him alone all our opulence, wives, lives, progeny, victory, and future have come. All this is His causeless mercy. Honest accounting of dependency is itself devotion.
BG 14.10
Just see, O man with a tiger’s strength, how many miseries due to celestial influences, earthly reactions and bodily pains — all very dangerous in themselves — are foreboding danger in the near future by deluding our intelligence.
Essence. Just see how many miseries from celestial influences, earthly reactions, and bodily pains are foreboding danger and deluding our intelligence. The wise leader reads multiple registers of warning.
BG 14.11
The left side of my body — my thighs, arms and eyes — are all quivering again and again. I am having heart palpitations due to fear. All this indicates undesirable happenings.
Essence. The left side of my body — thighs, arms, eyes — quivers; heart palpitates with fear. Body speaks what mind hasn't yet articulated. Listen to the symptoms.
BG 14.12
Just see, O Bhīma, how the she-jackal cries at the rising sun and vomits fire, and how the dog barks at me fearlessly.
Essence. The she-jackal cries at the rising sun and vomits fire; the dog barks at me fearlessly. Even animals show signs of the era's distortion. Nature's behavior is information.
BG 14.13
O Bhīmasena, tiger amongst men, now useful animals like cows are passing me on my left side, and lower animals like the asses are circumambulating me. My horses appear to weep upon seeing me.
Essence. Useful animals like cows pass me on the wrong side, asses circumambulate me, horses appear to weep. Symbolic order is disturbed. The signs are everywhere; we have to be paying attention.
BG 14.14
Just see! This pigeon is like a messenger of death. The shrieks of the owls and their rival crows make my heart tremble. It appears that they want to make a void of the whole universe.
Essence. This pigeon is like a messenger of death. Owls shrieking, crows rivaling. They want to make a void of the universe. The senses can register collective despair if we tune them.
BG 14.15
Just see how the smoke encircles the sky. It appears that the earth and mountains are throbbing. Just hear the cloudless thunder and see the bolts from the blue.
Essence. Smoke encircles the sky. Earth and mountains throb. Cloudless thunder, bolts from the blue. Anomaly is the news. The natural world's strangeness is itself signal.
BG 14.16
The wind blows violently, blasting dust everywhere and creating darkness. Clouds are raining everywhere with bloody disasters.
Essence. Wind blows violently, blasting dust, creating darkness. Clouds rain bloody disasters. Atmosphere reflects spiritual conditions. The outer mirrors the inner.
BG 14.17
The rays of the sun are declining, and the stars appear to be fighting amongst themselves. Confused living entities appear to be ablaze and weeping.
Essence. Sun's rays decline, stars fight among themselves, confused beings appear ablaze and weeping. Even cosmos quarrels. We are not above the cosmic mood.
BG 14.18
Rivers, tributaries, ponds, reservoirs and the mind are all perturbed. Butter no longer ignites fire. What is this extraordinary time? What is going to happen?
Essence. Rivers, ponds, mind — all perturbed. Butter no longer ignites fire. What is this extraordinary time? Even the sacrificial fire fails. When ritual itself stalls, deeper inquiry is needed.
BG 14.19
The calves do not suck the teats of the cows, nor do the cows give milk. They are standing, crying, tears in their eyes, and the bulls take no pleasure in the pasturing grounds.
Essence. Calves don't suck cows; cows give no milk. They stand, crying. Bulls take no pleasure in pasture. Even animal joy has withdrawn. Generosity dries up when era is wrong.
BG 14.20
The Deities seem to be crying in the temple, lamenting and perspiring. They seem about to leave. All the cities, villages, towns, gardens, mines and hermitages are now devoid of beauty and bereft of all happiness. I do not know what sort of calamities are now awaiting us.
Essence. Deities in the temple seem to cry, lament, perspire. They seem about to leave. Cities, villages, hermitages bereft of beauty and happiness. What calamity is coming? The Lord's withdrawal is felt.
BG 14.21
I think that all these earthly disturbances indicate some greater loss to the good fortune of the world. The world was fortunate to have been marked with the footprints of the lotus feet of the Lord. These signs indicate that this will no longer be.
Essence. These signs indicate the loss of marks of the Lord's lotus feet from earth. The world was fortunate to be touched by Him. The signs say that won't last. Presence is finite; treat it as treasure.
BG 14.22
O Brāhmaṇa Śaunaka, while Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, observing the inauspicious signs on the earth at that time, was thus thinking to himself, Arjuna came back from the city of the Yadus [Dvārakā].
Essence. While Yudhiṣṭhira was thinking, Arjuna came back from Dvārakā. The expected return arrives, often when we are mid-thought about it. Time keeps moving.
BG 14.23
When he bowed at his feet, the King saw that his dejection was unprecedented. His head was down, and tears glided from his lotus eyes.
Essence. When he bowed at his feet, the King saw his dejection was unprecedented. His head was down, tears glided from lotus eyes. Body language carries the news.
BG 14.24
Seeing Arjuna pale due to heartfelt anxieties, the King, remembering the indications of the sage Nārada, questioned him in the midst of friends.
Essence. Seeing Arjuna pale with heartfelt anxieties, the King — remembering Nārada's words — questioned him in front of friends. Connecting prior wisdom to present moment is leadership.
BG 14.25
Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira said: My dear brother, please tell me whether our friends and relatives, such as Madhu, Bhoja, Daśārha, Ārha, Sātvata, Andhaka and the members of the Yadu family are all passing their days in happiness.
Essence. Yudhiṣṭhira: are our friends — Madhu, Bhoja, Daśārha, Ārha, Sātvata, Andhaka, all the Yadu family — passing days in happiness? The exhaustive list shows real care. Concern names many specifically.
BG 14.26
Is my respectable grandfather Śūrasena in a happy mood? And are my maternal uncle Vasudeva and his younger brothers all doing well?
Essence. Is grandfather Śūrasena in a happy mood? Are maternal uncle Vasudeva and his younger brothers all well? Multi-generational concern from the leader. Inquiry extends through lineages.
BG 14.27
His seven wives, headed by Devakī, are all sisters. Are they and their sons and daughters-in-law all happy?
Essence. His seven wives, headed by Devakī, are all sisters. Are they and their sons and daughters-in-law happy? Each unit of family matters separately. No one disappears into 'the family.'
BG 14.28-29
Are Ugrasena, whose son was the mischievous Kaṁsa, and his younger brother still living? Are Hṛdīka and his son Kṛtavarmā happy? Are Akrūra, Jayanta, Gada, Sāraṇa and Śatrujit all happy? How is Balarāma, the Personality of Godhead and the protector of devotees?
Essence. Are Ugrasena, Hṛdīka, Kṛtavarmā, Akrūra, Jayanta, Gada, Sāraṇa, Śatrujit happy? How is Balarāma, protector of the dynasty? The leader knows everyone's name.
BG 14.30
How is Pradyumna, the great general of the Vṛṣṇi family? Is He happy? And is Aniruddha, the plenary expansion of the Personality of Godhead, faring well?
Essence. How is Pradyumna, great general? And Aniruddha, plenary expansion? Even cosmic figures get personal inquiry. Holiness doesn't excuse anyone from being asked after.
BG 14.31
Are all the chieftain sons of Lord Kṛṣṇa, such as Suṣeṇa, Cārudeṣṇa, Sāmba the son of Jāmbavatī, and Ṛṣabha, along with their sons, all doing well?
Essence. Are all the chieftain sons of Lord Kṛṣṇa — Suṣeṇa, Cārudeṣṇa, Sāmba, Ṛṣabha, and their sons — all doing well? Children of the great deserve attention. Lineages need ongoing care.
BG 14.32-33
Also, Śrutadeva, Uddhava and others, Nanda, Sunanda and other leaders of liberated souls who are constant companions of the Lord are protected by Lord Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa. Are they all doing well in their respective functions? Do they, who are all eternally bound in friendship with us, remember our welfare?
Essence. Also Śrutadeva, Uddhava, Nanda, Sunanda, and other leaders of liberated souls — companions of the Lord — protected by Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa. Are they faring well? Liberated souls also need community.
BG 14.34
Is Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who gives pleasure to the cows, the senses and the brāhmaṇas, who is very affectionate towards His devotees, enjoying the pious assembly at Dvārakā Purī surrounded by friends?
Essence. Is Lord Kṛṣṇa — pleaser of cows, senses, brāhmaṇas — enjoying the pious assembly at Dvārakā surrounded by friends? Even God is asked if He is being well-cared-for. The devotee inquires after the Lord's pleasure.
BG 14.35-36
The original Personality of Godhead, the enjoyer, and Balarāma, the primeval Lord Ananta, are staying in the ocean of the Yadu dynasty for the welfare, protection and general progress of the entire universe. And the members of the Yadu dynasty, being protected by the arms of the Lord, are enjoying life like the residents of the spiritual sky.
Essence. Kṛṣṇa, the enjoyer, and Balarāma, the primeval Ananta, are staying in the Yadu dynasty's ocean for universal welfare. Yadu members are at ease, protected by their arms. Concentric care is real care.
BG 14.37
Simply by administering comforts at the lotus feet of the Lord, which is the most important of all services, the queens at Dvārakā, headed by Satyabhāmā, induced the Lord to conquer the demigods. Thus the queens enjoy things which are prerogatives of the wives of the controller of thunderbolts.
Essence. Simply by administering comforts at the Lord's feet, the queens at Dvārakā — Satyabhāmā chief among them — induced Him to conquer demigods. Service at His feet has cosmic consequences.
BG 14.38
The great heroes of the Yadu dynasty, being protected by the arms of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, always remain fearless in every respect. And therefore their feet trample over the Sudharmā assembly house, which the best demigods deserved but which was taken away from them.
Essence. Yadu heroes, protected by Kṛṣṇa's arms, remain fearless and trample the Sudharmā assembly house — meant for the best demigods. Devotional courage exceeds even celestial entitlement.
BG 14.39
My brother Arjuna, please tell me whether your health is all right. You appear to have lost your bodily luster. Is this due to others disrespecting and neglecting you because of your long stay at Dvārakā?
Essence. Brother Arjuna, is your health all right? You appear to have lost your bodily luster. Is this due to others' disrespect at Dvārakā? Concern names specific possible causes. Diagnosis through care.
BG 14.40
Has someone addressed you with unfriendly words or threatened you? Could you not give charity to one who asked, or could you not keep your promise to someone?
Essence. Has someone addressed you with unfriendly words or threatened you? Could you not give charity to one who asked, or could you not keep your promise? Specific possible griefs. The list itself is care.
BG 14.41
You are always the protector of the deserving living beings, such as brāhmaṇas, children, cows, women and the diseased. Could you not give them protection when they approached you for shelter?
Essence. You are protector of brāhmaṇas, children, cows, women, diseased. Could you not give them protection when they came for shelter? The role itself defines possible failures.
BG 14.42
Have you contacted a woman of impeachable character, or have you not properly treated a deserving woman? Or have you been defeated on the way by someone who is inferior or equal to you?
Essence. Have you contacted a woman of impeachable character, or treated a deserving woman improperly? Have you been defeated by someone inferior or equal? Specific shame possibilities. Naming them is part of helping.
BG 14.43
Have you not taken care of old men and boys who deserve to dine with you? Have you left them and taken your meals alone? Have you committed some unpardonable mistake which is considered to be abominable?
Essence. Have you not taken care of old men and boys who deserve to dine with you? Have you eaten alone? Committed some unpardonable mistake? Hospitality at the table is dharma. Eating alone may be a clue.
BG 14.44
Or is it that you are feeling empty for all time because you might have lost your most intimate friend, Lord Kṛṣṇa? O my brother Arjuna, I can think of no other reason for your becoming so dejected.
Essence. Or is it that you feel empty because you have lost your most intimate friend, Lord Kṛṣṇa? I can think of no other reason. The deepest possible diagnosis — that the Lord is gone.