Question 2) Present, in your own words, points relevant for your personal

application with specific references to Sanskrit words and phrases, and

Prabhupäda’s purports, from catuh-sloki-gita. (Personal Application)

Answer 2) Introduction : The four verses of Chapter 10.8 to 11, famously called
as Catuh-sloki are known as the summary verses of Bhagavad-gita. They
describe the reciprocation between Krishna and His devotees which are
applicable in our personal sadhana. Lord Krishna speaks of bhakti of topmost
devotees and the real nature of Himself which generates and nourishes that
bhakti. Glory of bhakti, bhakta and bhagwan are glorified in catuk-sloki- gita.

(BG verse 10.8) Krishna is Source of all – aham sarvasya prabhavo

(Srila Prabhupada Quotes)- This is the actual essence of Bhagavad-gita. Aham

sarvasya prabhavo mattaù sarvaà pravartate: “I am the origin of everything.”
….. Morning Walk April 3, 1974, Bombay

Krsnas tu bhagavan svayam (SB 1.3.28) Personal Application: sambandha-

siddhanta Devotee takes to the practice of pure bhakti as a result of
understanding Krishna is the source of everything .The devotee surrenders and
‘engages in devotional service’ and ‘worships’ Krishna with all his heart
(bhava) ’ Pure devotional service unto Lord Krsna gives satisfaction in the
stages of both practice (sadhana ) and perfection (sadhya).

Personal Application : A devotee should avoid unauthorized commentaries on

Bhagavad-gita. And proceed in Krishna Consciousness with full determination
and firmness. (BG verse 10.8 Purport last para)

(In Bhagavad-Gita verse 10.9) Lord Krishna describes the process ( abhidheya-
siddhanta) of Bhakti  mac- citta –Devotees mind is always absorbed in
thinking about Krishna (smaranam)  bodhayantah parasparam – pure
devotees enlighten one another by hearing about Krishna (sravanam) 
kathayantas ca mam nityam- by conversing about Krishna always (kirtanam)
Personal Application: – (BG 10.9 Purport) tusyanti ca ramanti ca Devotees of
the Supreme Lord derive great satisfaction and bliss always conversing about
Krishna and glorifying the lord. Their hearts and souls are constantly
submerged in Krishna, and they take great pleasure to enlighten each other in
Krishna katha even in private conversations.

-4-

Devotees cannot maintain their lives without discussing about Krishna.

Analogy: Just like fish cannot live without water.(mad gata prana)

(b) Analogy: Bhakti-lata-bija – Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu compares

transcendental devotional service to sowing of a seed in the heart of a living
entity. The bhakti lata sprouts and grows by hearing and chanting until it
reaches Krishna’s lotus feet in the spiritual world. (Ref. Madhya-lila Chapter 19)

Personal Application : Devotees like to discuss – Srimad Bhagavatam puranam

amalam yad vaisnavanam priyam . Srimad Bhagavatam is a transcendental
narration and very dear to devotees. (Ref. SB 12.13.10) Analogy: Just like a
young boy and girl take pleasure in association (BG Purport 10.9 last para)

( BG verse 10.10 ) Lord gives the intelligence to his devotees dadami buddhi-
yogam tam.. Personal Application: Krishna from within gives his devotee
instructions, to come to Him. As Srila Prabhupada explains in (BG verse 10.10
Purport last para )  Only qualification – Devotee should be sincere and
devoted to the activities of devotional service  Only expectation – Devotee
should work for Krishna with love (Srila Prabhupada Quotes) Tesam satata-
yuktänäm bhajatäm priti- pürvakam [Bg. 10.10]. Priti, with love. When you
work, when you work for Krsna with love and enthusiasm, that is your Krsna
conscious life. Bhagavad-gitä 1.30 -- London, July 23, 1973

(BG verse 10.11 Purport ) Krishna specially reciprocates with His pure
devotees aham ajnana-jam taham nasayamy atma –bhava-stho
Personal Application: Special mercy of the Lord – Krishna, dwelling in the heart
of pure devotee mercifully removes the darkness of ignorance. A sincere
devotee engaged in pure devotional service, even though without sufficient
knowledge are still helped by Krishna. Analogy: Krishna is like the shining lamp
or like the sun, who destroys all the darkness in the heart of a devotee and
takes charge of his life. (BG verse 10.11 Purport )

(Srila Prabhupada Quotes)- If he surrenders only to Krsna, he acquires all the

knowledge. tesam evanukampartham, 'simply for showing a special favor, I
Myself, from within, I light up the knowledge… Bhagavad-gitä 4.24-34 New
York, August 12, 1966

Conclusion : catuh-sloki-gita ( BG 10.8 – 10.11) Devotee can achieve the end

product, love of Krishna only through bhakti by the mercy of Supreme
Personality of Godhead.

(appx words 670)