Question 1)

Present IN YOUR OWN WORDS an overview of Chapters 1-6 of the Bhagavad-Gita, 

identifying significant sections and explaining links between chapters.
(Understanding)
Answer:
In the very first sloka of first chapter starts  with the basic material problem that is 
attachments of Drutarastra with his son.
As  we proceed further the same problem (attachment) is seen in 
Arjuna also. 
He sees his intimate relatives, teachers and friends in both armies ready to fight and sacrifice
their lives.(1.26)
After observing both the armies he developed compassion for them and thus ready to beg
instead of fighting.
He gives various arguments to justify that...1) he would not get any pleasure by killing his
kinsmen.(1.35)
2)sin would overcome them(1.36)
3) destruction of dynasty(1.39)
4) degradation of womanhood.(1.40)
5) increase of unwanted population consequently fall down of the ancestors.(1.41)
6)dwell in hell.(1.43)
And finally, at the end of first chapter with lamentation he kept aside his bow and arrows and
sat down on the chariot and his mind overwhelmed with grief.His mind becomes bewildered
and body lost all the energy and he give up his determination to fight.

Second chapter is named as "Contents of Gita Summarized" as has essence of all the
remaining chapters.
Arjuna submits to lord Krishna as his disciple and Krishna begins His teachings to Arjuna by
explaining the basic difference between the temporary material  body and the eternal spiritual
soul (2.1). Step by step Krishna gives reply to  Arjuna's questions in this   chapter. Krishna
explains Arjuna's compassion for the relatives was senseless as the compassion for the
dress of a drowning man is.

The lord explains the process of transmigration(2.22)....As a person puts on new garments,
giving up the old ones similarly  the soul accepts new material bodies and giving up the old
and useless ones.
Transmigration is also explained ( 2.13) as  the embodied soul continuously passes in this
body.
 Krishna also reveals the nature of selfless service to the Supreme i.e. "Nishkam karma"
Lastly in this chapter Krishna explains the characteristics of a self-realized
person(2.58,2.59,2.67,2.70) he is like a tortoise. The tortoise can at any moment wind up his
senses and exhibit them again at any time for a particular purpose. Similarly, the senses of a
self-realized person are used only for some particular purpose in the service of the  Lord and
are withdrawn otherwise. As the ocean is always being filled by rivers but remain steady and
not agitated, similarly the self-realized person remains undisturbed even amidst the incessant
flow of desires.
 
After  giving explanation to all type of karma and yoga by Krishna in 2nd chapter, Arjuna was
confused why Krishna forcing him in ghastly warfare if intelligence is better than fruitive work.
(3.1).
To clear this doubt Krishna explains “karma yoga" in detail.
Nobody can  refrain for a single moment from doing something.(3.5, 3.8). Everyone must
engage in some sort of activities in this material world. But action can bind one to this world or
liberate one from it.(3.11 ,3.13). By acting for the pleasure of the  Supreme without selfish
motives, (3.17,3.18,3.19) one can be liberated from the law of Karma  ( action  and Reaction)
(3.28) and attain transcendental knowledge of self and the Supreme.

In 4th chapter Krishna explain what this transcendental knowledge is and how one can
achieve this  knowledge.
transcendental knowledge is nothing but the spiritual knowledge of the soul(4.,of god
(4.7,4.8,4.9)and their relationship(4.3,4.5,4.6). This knowledge is both purifying and
liberating(4.10,4.39)
Such knowledge is the fruit of selfless devotional action (karma-yoga)
(4.11,4.12,4.13,4.14,4.184.19,4.20,4.21).
The Lord explains the remote history of the Gita(4.1,4.2)the purpose and significance of
approaching a guru who is a realized teacher(4.34,4.35).

Arjun thought renounced work is nothing but "no work" but he could not understand why
Krishna is asking him for devotional work. To clear his confusion Lord elaborate "Karma yoga-
Action in Krishna Consciousness" in 5th chapter.
After purified by the.
when one does all his duties but without any results either on gross level or on subtle level
and surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is a wise man.(5.10)Who will attains
peace in life, detachment from results or fruits ,patient and sympathetic towards other people
and has clear spiritual vision.
All this gives him full happiness and unaffected by the sinful action, as the louts leaf is
untouched by water.

After "karma yoga" Krishna explains another type of yoga that is "Dhyana yoga" in 6 chapter.
It is also known as Ashtanga yoga, it's a mechanical meditative practice which control the
mind and senses and focuses concentration on the Paramatma. Paramatma is the
Supersoul,the form of the Lord situated in the heart. Mind is very restless and difficult to
control (6.34) but can be possible to control by suitable practice and by detachment.(6.35)
By continuously practicing this one can achieve "Samadhi" stage, in which he has full
consciousness of the Supreme.

Question 3.
Explain who is responsible for the suffering of the conditioned living entities with 
reference to Sanskrit verses and analogies from Bhagavad-Gita 4.14, 5.14-15, 13.21-23. 
(Understanding)

Answer:
The living entities are entangled in the fruitive results of material activities because of their
propensity for lording it over material resources (B.G.4.14).
The proprietor of an establishment is not responsible for the right and wrong activities of the
workers, but the workers are themselves responsible. Similarly, the living entity itself is
responsible for the suffering of the condition living.
The living entities are engaged in their respective activities of sense gratification, and these
activities are not ordained by the Lord. For advancement of sense gratification, the living
entities are entangled in the work of this world.
The rains are not responsible for different types of vegetation that appear on the earth,
although without such rains there is no possibility of vegetative growth. Vedic smruti
confirms this fact as .... nimitta-matram evasau srjyanam sarga-karmani
Pradhana-karani-bhuta yato vai srjya-saktayah
"In the material creation the Lord is only the Supreme cause. The immediate cause is the
material nature,by which the cosmic manifestation is made visible."
The created beings are of many varieties, such as demigods, human beings and lower
animals, And all of them are subject to the reactions of their past good or bad activities. The
Lord only gives them proper facilities for such activities and the regulations of the modes of
nature, but he is never responsible for their past and present activities.
The temporary body or material dwelling place which he obtains is the cause
of varieties of activities and their resultant reactions. Living in such a conditional
atmosphere, one
suffers the results of the activities of the body by identifying himself with the body. It is
ignorance
acquired from time immemorial that is the cause of bodily suffering and distress. (B.G.5.14)
(B.G.5.15) In Sanskrit word vibhu means the Supreme Lord who is full of unlimited
knowledge, riches, strength, fame, beauty and renunciation. He is always satisfied in himself,
undisturbed by sinful or pious activities. He does not create a situation for any living entity,
but the living entity, bewildered by ignorance, desires to be put into certain conditions of
life, and there by his chain of action and reaction begins. Originally the living entity is full of
knowledge by superior nature, but he is prone to be influenced by ignorance due to his
limited power. The Lord is vibhu or omniscient, but the living entity is anu, or atomic.
Because he is a living soul, he has the capacity to desires by his free will. These desires are
fulfilled only by the omnipotent Lord. And so, when the living entity is bewildered in his
desires, the lord allows him to fulfill those desires, but the lord is never responsible for the
action and reactions of the situation which may be desired.
Therefore, the embodied soul identifies himself with the circumstantial material body and
becomes subjected to the temporary misery and happiness of life.
The Lord is the constant companion of the living entity as Paramatma, or the Super soul,
and therefore He can understand the desires of the individual soul, as one can smell the
flavor of a flower by being near it.
According to Vedic hymn …...sesa u hy eva….” The Lord engages the living entity in pious
activities so that he may be elevated. The Lord engages him in impious activities so that he
may go to hell.” (Kausitaki Upanishad 3.8)
“The living entity is completely dependent in his distress and happiness. By the will of the
Supreme he can go to heaven or hell, as a cloud is driven by the air”. Vedanta sutras (2.1.34)
also confirm this.” The Lord neither hates nor likes anyone, though He appears to.”
The living entity’s material happiness and distress are due to his body, and not to himself as
he is. (B.G.13.21). But in the material world everyone is struggling hard to acquire different
kinds of pleasures for the body.
The being himself is the cause of his attaining such residential quarters and his attendant
enjoyment or suffering. Once placed in some specific kind of body, he comes under the
control of nature because the body, being matter, acts according to the laws of nature.
The living entity is transmigrating from one body to another just as one changes dress. This
change of dress is due to his attachment to material existence. As long as he is captivated by
this false manifestation, he has to continue transmigrating from one body to another. Due to
his desire to lord it over material nature, he is put into such undesirable circumstances.
(B.G.13.22)

Question 4)
List three aspects of Prabhupada’s mood and mission as revealed in the Preface to
Bhagavad-
Gita and comment on the importance of these aspects for ISKCON. (Mood & Mission)

Answer  :
Lord Chaitanya maha prabhu said" 
"prithvite ache  tata  nagaradi  gram
Sarvatra prachar hain mora nama"
Prabhu pad took that mission of lord Chaitanya to heart and to the entire world.
Srila Prabhupada’s Mood of Servitor ship to his guru and acharya
Srila prabhu pad fulfil the desire of our acharya.
Srila Bhakti Vinod thakur predicted that one day people from all over the world come to chant
Hare Krishna maha mantra at Navadwip Dham Mayapur.
Srila Sarasvati thakur said in a letter before he passed away(December  1936).
" Whatever you understand from me translate it in English and preach in the Western
countries"
"So, my guru Maharaj order me that' go and preach this cult in the western countries’. So, I
left everything on the order of my guru maharaja, and I am trying to execute the order.( Vyas
puja letter London, August 22nd, 1973).
 " Guru maharaja said that" you go to the Western country. If he had said that 'you go to the
jungle I would have gone.( Morning walk conversation,Chicago,July 8th, 1975).
 He took it as his instruction.
Prabhu pad said" whatever I am doing is due to the work of my Guru Maharaj. Actually, he is
the power behind me, and I am only instrument ( Letter to Bail Mardan,England,October
4th,1969).
      As far as I am concerned, I have the blessings of my guru Maharaj. I do not need anything
else. That is how I went to your country, just to try to carry out his order. By his blessings it
has come out successful.( Letter to Divas, Mata our, October 15th, 1974).
       "So, my mission has come out a success by the mercy of my guru Maharaj".( Letter  to 
Danavir,Mayapur October 17th,1974).
        "You know the difficulties that I encountered in my first year in your country? Sometimes
I did not even know where I was to live, neither when I was always determined that somehow
I would do everything possible to fulfil the desire of my Guru Maharaja and despite all
difficulties I always remained enthusiastic"( Letter to  Satsvarupa , Bombay, January 5th
1977).
       Prabhu pad wrote and publish books. He also emphasis  his disciples to distribute books.

"Regarding your question, it is fact that ultimately everyone should preach and distribute
books if they want to please me in the best way. Book distribution must be given stress
always. I blindly follow my guru Maharaj. I do not know what the result is. So O am stressing
on this point of book distribution. He told me this personally. (Letter to Sri Govind Bombay,
December 6th, 1974).

When I first came to the United states, I was seemingly alone for one year. But I never felt
alone I always felt the presence of my guru Maharaj, I was cooking I was printing books.,
everything seemingly alone. But I did not lose my determination.(letter to
Trivikrama,bombay,December 27th, 1974).

Srila prabhu pad mood of compassion to the fallen souls

He accommodates everyone. Prabhu pad said "I want to create a society under which people
from all over the world can live happily and peacefully. And bring back souls back to Godhead
back to home. He left his peaceful life in Vrindavan for this purpose, sacrificed everything,
including the benefit of residing in Vrindavan.

Srila prabhu pad mood of preaching vigorously

When Srila Prabhupada’s incorporated ISKCON’s first temple in New York, he very clearly
enunciated the purposes he envisioned for ISKCON:

1. To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all

peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and
to achieve real unity and peace in the world.

2. To propagate a consciousness of Krishna, as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-Gita and

Shrimad-Bhagavatam.

3. To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the
prime entity, and thus to develop the idea within the members and humanity at large that each
soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).

4. To teach and encourage the saìkértana movement, congregational chanting of the holy
name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

5. To erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes
dedicated to the Personality of Krishna.

6. To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more
natural way of life.

7. With a view towards achieving the purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals,
magazines, books and other writings.

Question 5)
Explain how application of varnashram-dharma can support your 
practice of Krishna consciousness. List some practical ways you can apply the 
principles of varnashram - dharma in your practice of Krishna consciousness. 
(Personal application)
Answer:
Krishna created Varnashram system also called sva-dharma according to 
the three modes of material nature and the work associated with them. 
 Though Krishna has created this Varnashram system but still he does not need 
to follow that as Krishna is materially desireless, he does not have any attachments 
with the material things so, there is no bondage. But still he follows Varnashram 
system to set an example.
The body is only a dead vehicle to be worked by the spirit soul, which is always 
active and cannot stop even for a moment.(B.G.3.5).
 In the system of the Varnashram institution there are many principles of religious 
traditions to help members of the family grow properly and attain spiritual 
values.(B.G. 1.39) All the Varnashram system is created for purification of 
heart.(B.G.3.8) The purpose of the material world is to get out of this world by 
purifying heart.
 On the failure of such varnashram-dharma, naturally the women become free to act 
and mix with men, and thus adultery is indulged in at the risk of unwanted 
population(B.G.1.40)
Sanatan-dharma or varnashram-dharma are design to enable the human being to 
attain his ultimate salvation. Therefore, the breaking of sanatan-dharma tradition by 
irresponsible leaders of society and consequently people forget the aim of life i.e. 
Krishna.(B.G.1.42).A society of thieves have no aim in life and can never be happy. 
The gross materialist thieves have no goal of life. They are simply directed to sense 
gratification.(B.G.3.13)
 Four Varnas are classified as(B.G.4.13)... the intelligent class of men situated in 
the mode of goodness is called Brahmanas. Brahmanas could attain the heavenly 
plants by sacrificing animals in the sacrificial fire.(B.G.2.31)
The administrative class is called Kshatriyas due to situated in the mode of passion. 
The Kshatriyas are specially trained for challenging and killing because religious 
violence is sometimes a necessary factor.(B.G.2.31)
 The merchant is men called Vaisyas, are situated in the mixed mode of passion 
and ignorance. And Sudras are situated in the ignorant mode of material nature.
 The Four Ashrams are Bramhachari ashram, one must follow the celibacy by 
controlling own senses.
Grihastha ashram, those who can get married and enjoy their senses to the 
restricted areas.
 Vanaprastha ashram literal meaning is to go to jungles and meditate on Lord 
Krishna but now days one can do meditation by detaching with the material relations 
and aspects.
 And sannyasa ashram means complete renunciation from material attachments. 
But one can use everything for Krishna’s service. (Utility is the essence) 
 To elevate men from animal status the above mentioned are created by the Lord for 
the systematic development of Krishna consciousness. So, if one follows 
varnashram dharma means he pleases Lord by following his instruction.
 Krishna gives his own example for nishkam karma yoga in B.G.2.22,2.23,2.24.If the 
Heart is not pure perform your duty to purify of your heart and if the heart is pure 
then work to set an example. As a Grihastha I am serving Krishna by doing Mangal aarti and
Sandhya aarti for 
Archa-Vigrah. Making and offering bhogas to the Lord. Regularly chanting 16 rounds 
early morning contributing to temples and making available my home for Satsang.
 By birth I belong to a Kshatriya Family, but I think by karma also I am a Kshatriya.
 While doing book distribution or preaching in college or society I must take a sword 
of knowledge and fight with the ignorance or illusion in people.

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