Chapter 71 · 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 71.1
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having thus heard the statements of Devarṣi Nārada, and understanding the opinions of both the assembly and Lord Kṛṣṇa, the great-minded Uddhava began to speak.
Essence. Uddhava listened first to Nārada, the assembly, and Kṛṣṇa Himself before speaking. Wise counsel comes from taking in every party's voice, including the Lord's, before offering one's own.
BG 71.2
Śrī Uddhava said: O Lord, as the sage advised, You should help Your cousin fulfill his plan for performing the Rājasūya sacrifice, and You should also protect the kings who are begging for Your shelter.
Essence. Uddhava suggested helping Yudhiṣṭhira's Rājasūya and protecting the imprisoned kings — both at once. Spiritual cleverness finds the path that honors every legitimate need rather than trading them off.
BG 71.3
Only one who has conquered all opponents in every direction can perform the Rājasūya sacrifice, O almighty one. Thus, in my opinion, conquering Jarāsandha will serve both purposes.
Essence. Only one who has conquered all directions can perform the Rājasūya — so defeating Jarāsandha serves both ends. Sometimes one big right action accomplishes several pending duties at once.
BG 71.4
By this decision there will be great gain for us, and You will save the kings. Thus, Govinda, You will be glorified.
Essence. 'There will be great gain, You will save the kings, and You will be glorified.' Good plans benefit multiple parties; if a strategy only serves one side, it deserves a second look.
BG 71.5
The invincible King Jarāsandha is as strong as ten thousand elephants. Indeed, other powerful warriors cannot defeat him. Only Bhīma is equal to him in strength.
Essence. Only Bhīma equals Jarāsandha in strength. Recognizing the one person fit for the task is itself a form of wisdom; not everyone is suited for every challenge.
BG 71.6
He will be defeated in a match of single chariots, not when he is with his hundred military divisions. Now, Jarāsandha is so devoted to brahminical culture that he never refuses requests from brāhmaṇas.
Essence. Jarāsandha's devotion to brahminical culture meant he never refused brāhmaṇa requests — even ones that would harm him. Real strengths can become precise vulnerabilities. Virtue, ungoverned by discernment, becomes a hinge.
BG 71.7
Bhīma should go to him disguised as a brāhmaṇa and beg charity. Thus he will obtain single combat with Jarāsandha, and in Your presence Bhīma will no doubt kill him.
Essence. The plan: Bhīma in brāhmaṇa disguise begs single combat as charity. Sometimes truth must dress itself plainly to reach where pomp cannot enter. Strategy in service of dharma is not deceit.
BG 71.8
Even Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva act only as Your instruments in cosmic creation and annihilation, which are ultimately done by You, the Supreme Lord, in Your invisible aspect of time.
Essence. Even Brahmā and Śiva are instruments of the Lord's time. Bhīma's victory will really be Kṛṣṇa's act through him. Whatever is achieved in surrender is the Lord's, not ours.
BG 71.9
In their homes, the godly wives of the imprisoned kings sing of Your noble deeds — about how You will kill their husbands’ enemy and deliver them. The gopīs also sing Your glories — how You killed the enemy of the elephant king, Gajendra; the enemy of Sīta, daughter of Janaka; and the enemies of Your own parents as well. So also do the sages who have obtained Your shelter glorify You, as do we ourselves.
Essence. The captive kings' wives sing of Kṛṣṇa at home, joining the sages, the gopīs, and Uddhava himself. Faith hears the song of deliverance before the deliverance arrives — and the song keeps faith alive.
BG 71.10
O Kṛṣṇa, the killing of Jarāsandha, which is certainly a reaction of his past sins, will bring immense benefit. Indeed, it will make possible the sacrificial ceremony You desire.
Essence. Jarāsandha's death is the reaction to his past sins and will bring immense benefit. Sometimes what looks harsh from one angle is the working out of justice that enables many other blessings.
BG 71.11
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, Devarṣi Nārada, the Yadu elders and Lord Kṛṣṇa all welcomed Uddhava’s proposal, which was entirely auspicious and infallible.
Essence. Nārada, the Yadu elders, and Kṛṣṇa welcomed Uddhava's proposal — though junior princes objected. Senior wisdom often sees what youthful enthusiasm misses; collective judgment matters.
BG 71.12
The almighty Personality of Godhead, the son of Devakī, begged His superiors for permission to leave. Then He ordered His servants, headed by Dāruka and Jaitra, to prepare for departure.
Essence. Kṛṣṇa first asked permission from His superiors before leaving. Even the Supreme Lord modeled deference to elders — His way of showing how a respectful family functions.
BG 71.13
O slayer of enemies, after He had arranged for the departure of His wives, children and baggage and taken leave of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa and King Ugrasena, Lord Kṛṣṇa mounted His chariot, which had been brought by His driver. It flew a flag marked with the emblem of Garuḍa.
Essence. Kṛṣṇa arranged for His family and baggage, took leave of Balarāma and Ugrasena, and mounted His Garuḍa-bannered chariot. Transitions matter; how we leave is often as important as how we arrive.
BG 71.14
As the vibrations resounding from mṛdaṅgas, bherīs, kettledrums, conchshells and gomukhas filled the sky in all directions, Lord Kṛṣṇa set out on His journey. He was accompanied by the chief officers of His corps of chariots, elephants, infantry and cavalry and surrounded on all sides by His fierce personal guard.
Essence. Kṛṣṇa departed amid mṛdaṅgas, conches, kettledrums, and surrounded by His four-part army and personal guard. Movement that matters deserves accompaniment; ceremony marks transitions worth remembering.
BG 71.15
Lord Acyuta’s faithful wives, along with their children, followed the Lord on golden palanquins carried by powerful men. The queens were adorned with fine clothing, ornaments, fragrant oils and flower garlands, and they were surrounded on all sides by soldiers carrying swords and shields in their hands.
Essence. The queens followed on golden palanquins, well-adorned and guarded. Even when the Lord travels, those He loves are kept safe and dignified. His protection extends to all who accompany Him.
BG 71.16
On all sides proceeded finely adorned women-attendants of the royal household, as well as courtesans. They rode on palanquins and camels, bulls and buffalo, donkeys, mules, bullock carts and elephants. Their conveyances were fully loaded with grass tents, blankets, clothes and other items for the trip.
Essence. Even the attendants and helpers were given conveyances — camels, bulls, bullock carts. No one was left to walk while others rode. Care for the support cast is the test of a leader's heart.
BG 71.17
The Lord’s army boasted royal umbrellas, cāmara fans and huge flagpoles with waving banners. During the day the sun’s rays reflected brightly from the soldiers’ fine weapons, jewelry, helmets and armor. Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa’s army, noisy with shouts and clatter, appeared like an ocean stirring with agitated waves and timiṅgila fish.
Essence. Royal umbrellas, cāmara fans, flagpoles, and reflected light made the army shine like an ocean of waves and fish. The outer splendor reflects the inner reality of the One it serves.
BG 71.18
Honored by Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the chief of the Yadus, Nārada Muni bowed down to the Lord. All of Nārada’s senses were satisfied by his meeting with Lord Kṛṣṇa. Thus, having heard the decision of the Lord and having been worshiped by Him, Nārada placed Him firmly within his heart and departed through the sky.
Essence. Nārada placed Kṛṣṇa firmly within his heart and departed through the sky. The greatest gift of a meeting with the Lord is the impression we carry afterward; how we 'place Him within' shapes our next steps.
BG 71.19
With pleasing words the Lord addressed the messenger sent by the kings: “My dear messenger, I wish all good fortune to you. I shall arrange for the killing of King Magadha. Do not fear.”
Essence. Kṛṣṇa told the messenger, 'I wish all good fortune to you. I shall arrange for the killing of King Magadha. Do not fear.' Specific, kind, decisive reassurance — that is how the Lord answers prayer.
BG 71.20
Thus addressed, the messenger departed and accurately relayed the Lord’s message to the kings. Eager for freedom, they then waited expectantly for their meeting with Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Essence. The kings, hearing the Lord's promise, focused their attention entirely on Kṛṣṇa. Hope drawn from the Lord narrows our attention to Him in a way ordinary hope cannot.
BG 71.21
As He traveled through the provinces of Ānarta, Sauvīra, Marudeśa and Vinaśana, Lord Hari crossed rivers and passed mountains, cities, villages, cow pastures and quarries.
Essence. Kṛṣṇa traveled through Ānarta, Sauvīra, Marudeśa, Vinaśana — many provinces, rivers, mountains, villages. The Lord's journey to His devotees is not abstract; He moves through real geography to come to them.
BG 71.22
After crossing the rivers Dṛṣadvatī and Sarasvatī, He passed through Pañcāla and Matsya and finally came to Indraprastha.
Essence. Crossing Dṛṣadvatī and Sarasvatī, passing Pañcāla and Matsya, He reached Indraprastha. Rivers and territories — the path is not magical but traversed step by step.
BG 71.23
King Yudhiṣṭhira was delighted to hear that the Lord, whom human beings rarely see, had now arrived. Accompanied by his priests and dear associates, the King came out to meet Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Essence. Yudhiṣṭhira, hearing Kṛṣṇa had arrived, came out to meet Him with priests and associates. We honor those we love by going out to meet them, not waiting for them to come find us.
BG 71.24
As songs and musical instruments resounded along with the loud vibration of Vedic hymns, the King went forth with great reverence to meet Lord Hṛṣīkeśa, just as the senses go forth to meet the consciousness of life.
Essence. Yudhiṣṭhira approached Kṛṣṇa as the senses go forth to meet the consciousness of life. Without the Lord, our faculties are scattered; meeting Him is what gathers us back to ourselves.
BG 71.25
The heart of King Yudhiṣṭhira melted with affection when he saw his dearmost friend, Lord Kṛṣṇa, after such a long separation, and he embraced the Lord again and again.
Essence. Yudhiṣṭhira's heart melted; he embraced the Lord again and again. After long separation, devotion expresses itself bodily — repeated embrace, refusal to let go. We can honor that bodily aspect too.
BG 71.26
The eternal form of Lord Kṛṣṇa is the everlasting residence of the goddess of fortune. As soon as King Yudhiṣṭhira embraced Him, the King became free of all the contamination of material existence. He immediately felt transcendental bliss and merged in an ocean of happiness. There were tears in his eyes, and his body shook due to ecstasy. He completely forgot that he was living in this material world.
Essence. Embracing Kṛṣṇa, Yudhiṣṭhira became free of material contamination and merged in an ocean of happiness. The Lord's touch — physical or remembered — actually purifies. Contact is medicine.
BG 71.27
Then Bhīma, his eyes brimming with tears, laughed with joy as he embraced his maternal cousin, Kṛṣṇa. Arjuna and the twins — Nakula and Sahadeva — also joyfully embraced their dearmost friend, the infallible Lord, and they cried profusely.
Essence. Bhīma laughed through tears as he embraced Kṛṣṇa; Arjuna and the twins wept profusely. The strongest warriors weep openly in the Lord's presence. Devotion welcomes tears.
BG 71.28
After Arjuna had embraced Him once more and Nakula and Sahadeva had offered Him their obeisances, Lord Kṛṣṇa bowed down to the brāhmaṇas and elders present, thus properly honoring the respectable members of the Kuru, Sṛñjaya and Kaikaya clans.
Essence. Kṛṣṇa stopped Arjuna from bowing — as social equal — and accepted the twins' bow at His feet. The Lord meets each relationship at its proper register; one form of respect does not fit all.
BG 71.29
Sūtas, Māgadhas, Gandharvas, Vandīs, jesters and brāhmaṇas all glorified the lotus-eyed Lord — some reciting prayers, some dancing and singing — as mṛdaṅgas, conchshells, kettledrums, vīṇās, paṇavas and gomukhas resounded.
Essence. Sūtas, Māgadhas, Gandharvas, jesters, brāhmaṇas — every kind of voice glorified the Lord. There is no single 'right' way to sing of Him; the chorus is rich with variety.
BG 71.30
Thus surrounded by His well-wishing relatives and praised on all sides, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the crest jewel of the justly renowned, entered the decorated city.
Essence. Kṛṣṇa, surrounded by well-wishing relatives and praise, entered the decorated city. Real glory is being welcomed by family and friends, not just admired by strangers.
BG 71.31-32
The roads of Indraprastha were sprinkled with water perfumed by the liquid from elephants’ foreheads, and colorful flags, golden gateways and full waterpots enhanced the city’s splendor. Men and young girls were beautifully arrayed in fine, new garments, adorned with flower garlands and ornaments, and anointed with aromatic sandalwood paste. Every home displayed glowing lamps and respectful offerings, and from the holes of the latticed windows drifted incense, further beautifying the city. Banners waved, and the roofs were decorated with golden domes on broad silver bases. Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa saw the royal city of the King of the Kurus.
Essence. Indraprastha was prepared with perfumed roads, lamps, garlands, fragrant paste, and waterpots. Welcoming the Lord is an act of attention to detail; love expresses itself by preparation.
BG 71.33
When the young women of the city heard that Lord Kṛṣṇa, the reservoir of pleasure for human eyes, had arrived, they hurriedly went onto the royal road to see Him. They abandoned their household duties and even left their husbands in bed, and in their eagerness the knots of their hair and garments came loose.
Essence. Young women left their household duties and even their husbands' beds, garments loosening, to see Kṛṣṇa. Pure attraction to the Lord rearranges priorities without negotiation. The Lord simply takes precedence.
BG 71.34
The royal road being quite crowded with elephants, horses, chariots and foot soldiers, the women climbed to the top of their houses, where they caught sight of Lord Kṛṣṇa and His queens. The city ladies scattered flowers upon the Lord, embraced Him in their minds and expressed their heartfelt welcome with broadly smiling glances.
Essence. The women climbed rooftops to glimpse Kṛṣṇa and scattered flowers; in their minds, they embraced Him with smiling glances. When external access is limited, the heart finds inner ways. Mental embrace is real.
BG 71.35
Observing Lord Mukunda’s wives passing on the road like stars accompanying the moon, the women exclaimed, “What have these ladies done so that the best of men bestows upon their eyes the joy of His generous smiles and playful sidelong glances?”
Essence. The women wondered what Kṛṣṇa's wives had done to deserve His smiling glances. Real saints often draw appreciation rather than envy — and reverent wonder at others' grace is itself a sign of growing devotion.
BG 71.36
In various places citizens of the city came forward holding auspicious offerings for Lord Kṛṣṇa, and sinless leaders of occupational guilds came forward to worship the Lord.
Essence. Sinless leaders of guilds came forward to worship the Lord with offerings. Devotion belongs to the working community, not only to those formally religious; tradespeople and householders worship too.
BG 71.37
With wide-open eyes, the members of the royal household came forward in a flurry to lovingly greet Lord Mukunda, and thus the Lord entered the royal palace.
Essence. The royal household came in a flurry to greet the Lord. When the Lord arrives, there is no decorum that holds us back; loving urgency overrides every other consideration.
BG 71.38
When Queen Pṛthā saw her nephew Kṛṣṇa, the master of the three worlds, her heart became filled with love. Rising from her couch with her daughter-in-law, she embraced the Lord.
Essence. Kuntī rose with Draupadī to embrace her nephew Kṛṣṇa. The senior generation models for the younger how to receive the Lord; reverence is taught by example, not by lecture.
BG 71.39
King Yudhiṣṭhira respectfully brought Lord Govinda, the Supreme God of gods, to his personal quarters. The King was so overcome with joy that he could not remember all the rituals of worship.
Essence. Yudhiṣṭhira was so joyful he forgot the rituals. There is a stage where love overflows protocol; the Lord does not measure us by perfect performance but by overflowing heart.
BG 71.40
Lord Kṛṣṇa bowed down to His aunt and the wives of His elders, O King, and then Draupadī and the Lord’s sister bowed down to Him.
Essence. Kṛṣṇa bowed to His aunt and the wives of His elders; Draupadī and Subhadrā bowed to Him. Mutual respect within a family — between generations, between in-laws — is the architecture of dharmic households.
BG 71.41-42
Encouraged by her mother-in-law, Draupadī worshiped all of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s wives, including Rukmiṇī; Satyabhāmā; Bhadrā; Jāmbavatī; Kālindī; Mitravindā, the descendant of Śibi; the chaste Nāgnajitī; and the other queens of the Lord who were present. Draupadī honored them all with such gifts as clothing, flower garlands and jewelry.
Essence. Draupadī worshiped each of Kṛṣṇa's queens with clothing, garlands, and jewelry. Honoring the Lord includes honoring those close to Him; we cannot love the Lord while ignoring His intimates.
BG 71.43
King Yudhiṣṭhira arranged for Kṛṣṇa’s rest and saw to it that all who came along with Him — namely His queens, soldiers, ministers and secretaries — were comfortably situated. He arranged that they would experience a new feature of reception every day while staying as guests of the Pāṇḍavas.
Essence. Yudhiṣṭhira arranged comfortable rest for everyone — queens, soldiers, ministers, secretaries — and a new welcome experience each day. Sustained hospitality requires sustained care, not just initial flourish.
BG 71.44-45
Desiring to please King Yudhiṣṭhira, the Lord resided at Indraprastha for several months. During His stay, He and Arjuna satisfied the fire-god by offering him the Khāṇḍava forest, and they saved Maya Dānava, who then built King Yudhiṣṭhira a celestial assembly hall. The Lord also took the opportunity to go riding in His chariot in the company of Arjuna, surrounded by a retinue of soldiers.
Essence. Kṛṣṇa stayed several months at Indraprastha, helping Arjuna offer the Khāṇḍava forest to Agni, saving Maya Dānava who built Yudhiṣṭhira's celestial assembly hall. The Lord's visit to a devotee's home is always productive; transformations follow.