GitaDaanRead · Understand · Share

Understand Gita

Ladders of the Bhagavad-gītā

Step by step, the Gītā shows how a soul falls and how it rises: from dwelling on sense objects down to ruin, and from faith and devotion up to the kingdom of God. Every step is quoted from the verse itself.

The ladder of fall Bhagavad-gītā 2.62–63 How a mind that dwells on sense objects slides, step by step, down to ruin.
  1. contemplating the objects of the senses 2.62
  2. attachment 2.62
  3. lust 2.62
  4. anger 2.62
  5. delusion 2.63
  6. bewilderment of memory 2.63
  7. intelligence is lost 2.63
  8. one falls down again into the material pool 2.63
The ladder of rising Bhagavad-gītā 2.64–65 The answer to the fall: the next two verses show the way up.
  1. control his senses 2.64
  2. the complete mercy of the Lord 2.64
  3. free from all attachment and aversion 2.64
  4. the threefold miseries of material existence exist no longer 2.65
  5. one's intelligence soon becomes steady 2.65
The threefold gate of ruin Bhagavad-gītā 16.21–22 Three gates lead down; escaping them leads up to the supreme destination.

The way down

  1. three gates leading to this hell 16.21
  2. lustangergreed 16.21
  3. the degradation of the soul 16.21

The way up

  1. escaped these three gates of hell 16.22
  2. performs acts conducive to self-realization 16.22
  3. gradually attains the supreme destination 16.22
The faithful and the doubting soul Bhagavad-gītā 4.39–40 Two verses side by side: where faith leads, and where doubt leads.

The way up

  1. A faithful man 4.39
  2. absorbed in transcendental knowledge 4.39
  3. subdues his senses 4.39
  4. quickly attains the supreme spiritual peace 4.39

The way down

  1. ignorant and faithless persons 4.40
  2. doubt the revealed scriptures 4.40
  3. do not attain God consciousness 4.40
  4. happiness neither in this world nor in the next 4.40
The ladder of the self Bhagavad-gītā 3.42 From dull matter up to the soul, each higher than the one before.
  1. dull matter 3.42
  2. The working senses 3.42
  3. mind 3.42
  4. intelligence 3.42
  5. he [the soul] 3.42
The staircase of practice Bhagavad-gītā 12.8–12 "If you cannot…": Kṛṣṇa gives a step for everyone, from the highest to the most accessible.
  1. fix your mind upon Me 12.8
  2. follow the regulated principles of bhakti-yoga 12.9
  3. try to work for Me 12.10
  4. giving up all results of your work 12.11
  5. the cultivation of knowledge 12.12
Better and better Bhagavad-gītā 12.12 The same verse ranks the paths: each step is better than the one before.
  1. knowledge 12.12
  2. meditation 12.12
  3. renunciation of the fruits of action 12.12
  4. peace of mind 12.12
From Brahman to the kingdom of God Bhagavad-gītā 18.54–55 The last steps of the ladder: realization, equality, pure devotion, and entry into the kingdom of God.
  1. transcendentally situated 18.54
  2. realizes the Supreme Brahman 18.54
  3. never laments nor desires to have anything 18.54
  4. equally disposed to every living entity 18.54
  5. pure devotional service 18.54
  6. understand the Supreme Personality as He is 18.55
  7. enter into the kingdom of God 18.55
Three modes, three fruits Bhagavad-gītā 14.17 What each mode of nature produces in us.
  1. From the mode of goodness, real knowledge develops 14.17
  2. from the mode of passion, grief develops 14.17
  3. from the mode of ignorance, foolishness, madness and illusion develop 14.17
The gift of understanding Bhagavad-gītā 10.10 How Kṛṣṇa Himself guides the devotee home.
  1. constantly devoted 10.10
  2. worship Me with love 10.10
  3. I give the understanding 10.10
  4. they can come to Me 10.10

Each step is quoted word for word from the Bhagavad-gītā As It Is translation of the verse shown beside it, in English and in Hindi. The titles are ours.