Swami Kriyananda, commenting on Bhagavad Gita stanza 39, explains that Krishna has concluded his teaching on Shankhya philosophy and now turns to yoga. Shankhya, founded by the sage Kapila, emphasizes understanding the nature of illusion, cultivating even-mindedness, and withdrawing from dualities, but it remains a primarily mental discipline. India’s three core philosophies—Shankhya, Yoga, and Vedanta—are interconnected: Shankhya explains *why* one should transcend the world, Yoga teaches *how*, and Vedanta reveals the ultimate realization: “I am Brahman.”

Kriyananda highlights that yoga, especially as outlined by Patanjali’s eightfold path, is practical and action-oriented. True *asana* means steady, unmoving posture; *pranayama* is control of life-force, not merely breath. He stresses the importance of self-effort—God will not do our inner work for us—and rejects labeling oneself a sinner, seeing sin as a mistake to be corrected through growth, often across lifetimes. In this age of energy, yoga’s focus on directing life-force inward is especially relevant for attaining freedom.

Swami Kriyananda, reflecting on Bhagavad Gita 2:21, teaches that one who knows the Self to be eternal and unchanging cannot imagine harming another true Self. Life’s “battle” demands standing up for truth, principles, and loyalty to God—not passively seeking peace through compromise. True loyalty means moral and ethical steadfastness without unnecessary conflict. Kriyananda describes his own “battle” as fighting illusion with truth, seeking to help others find their higher Self without converting them to a specific path. He warns against the trap of self-importance, sharing how being ignored can be blissful when it reduces ego. All actions should be done to please God, not for praise or recognition, since many resist truth and cling to delusion. Genuine help comes from humility, devotion, and detachment from results. Few seek God, and fewer still know Him, but the highest joy is to act in alignment with divine will and feel God’s inner smile.

How can we find true happiness? The Bhagavad Gita is an extraordinary scripture that can provide all of the answers you will need to be victorious in life. The Gita is a part of the Mahabharata, an allegorical story describing the spiritual path as a battlefield.

Why a battlefield? Peace isn't something we get simply by not fighting, Swami Kriyananda says. We must win it by conquest. How do you fight and win the battle of life? This is certainly not an easy battle. Kriyananda calls the Gita the deepest scripture in the world because it helps us to understand and confront the realities of life on the field of action that we face every day.

This video series covers many key points of the Bhagavad Gita and the teachings of Krishna, long revered in India. Learn more about this extraordinary scripture and how you can find the happiness and peace you want. They are within reach and yours to win.

Swami Kriyananda, discussing Krishna’s teaching on yoga in the Bhagavad Gita, explains that yoga equips one to break the shackles of karma—seen as vortices of energy lodged in the spine from past wrong actions. These energy blockages pull consciousness downward, creating heaviness despite sincere spiritual effort. He clarifies that *pranayama* means control of life-force, not merely breath, though breath and energy are closely linked. Breath reflects inner energy movement: joy causes an upward flow and inhalation; disappointment brings a downward flow and exhalation.

Kriyananda describes the *ida* and *pingala* channels flanking the spine, whose energies influence mood, posture, and magnetism. Positive people radiate uplifting energy, while negative people repel positivity. Since experiences are inherently neutral, our reactions—determined by energy flow—shape our lives. Breath control helps redirect energy upward; when breath becomes naturally suspended, life-force enters the *sushumna* (central channel), enabling spiritual awakening. This, he notes, is a deep science, but even small insights can open the path to mastery.

Swami Kriyananda, commenting on Bhagavad Gita 2:54, explains Arjuna’s question about recognizing one established in calm wisdom and union with God. True spiritual realization is not mere imagination or strong visualization—it requires transcending the subconscious into the superconscious through deep meditation. He shares a story from Yogananda about a man who mistook imagination for cosmic consciousness, illustrating the need for discernment.

Kriyananda emphasizes that genuine wisdom is recognized not by opinions or claims, but by the inner emanation of peace, non-reaction, and divine presence. He recalls meeting Yogananda and immediately knowing he “knew” truth, leading him to become his disciple. In Yogananda’s presence, even mundane conversation radiated bliss and calm. A true master reflects others like a mirror, but only their higher self, never their lower emotions.

Thus, one should evaluate spiritual guides by their inner stillness, lack of ego, and uplifting influence—not just by their words or outer posture.

Swami Kriyananda explains in some detail that the chakras are psychic centers in the spine that have their corresponding aspects in the astral body.

A number of these centers are symbolically represented in the Bhagavad Gita by the legendary brothers - the Pandavas (Yudhishthira - throat chakra, Bhima – heart chakra, Arjuna – navel chakra, Nakula – solar plexus, and Sahadeva – Earth, root chakra).

When life begins, energy enters the body through the medulla oblongata, goes into the brain, and down into the spine. The energy then goes out to the body through different spinal nerve plexuses that have their corresponding aspects in the astral body.

 

Swami Kriyananda discusses Arjuna’s statement that loss of righteousness leads to confusion and social division, connecting it to the caste system. Originally a spiritual framework for inner growth, the system degenerated into social oppression when compassion and unity were lost. The four castes symbolize stages of soul evolution: the sudra (body-focused labor), the vaishya (self-serving intellect), the kshatriya (selfless service and protection), and the brahmin (channeling God’s inspiration). Progress involves expanding beyond ego toward serving others and ultimately helping them find inner bliss. True caste is not determined by birth, status, or appearance, but by consciousness and values. The highest goal is to live as an inspiration, sharing joy, love, and wisdom with all. Even small acts, like a smile to a stranger, can uplift others. Life’s purpose is to spread God’s light without imposing it, so that one departs this world joyfully, having enriched the lives of many.

Swami Kriyananda, reflecting on the Bhagavad Gita’s second chapter, verse 38, explains Krishna’s counsel to remain even-minded amid pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat. The karmic weight of an action, he notes, lies in the emotion and intention behind it, not merely the act itself. Indulgence in pleasure inevitably draws equal and opposite pain; the key is to enjoy life’s beauty inwardly, as an expression of God’s joy, rather than as an external attachment. Kriyananda contrasts dry renunciation with the balanced appreciation Yogananda taught—finding divine joy in all things without clinging. He illustrates with personal anecdotes, emphasizing that every dark experience will eventually resolve into light. Since every worldly high is followed by a low, true freedom lies in inner calmness. By neither elation in success nor dejection in loss, one transcends karmic bondage, embodying the essence of Shankhya philosophy and preparing for the path of yoga.

Swami Kriyananda, reflecting on Bhagavad Gita 2:20, explains that the Self is eternal, unborn, and undying; death is merely the shedding of the body. Consciousness does not arise from the brain—it is the foundation of existence. Science, though valuable, often changes, while the Gita’s truths remain constant. Great masters like Buddha and Shankaracharya clarified spiritual misunderstandings, emphasizing self-effort, God-realization, and detachment from illusion. Death, he says, is life’s final exam; preparation means daily releasing attachments, identities, and ego. Gender, roles, and personal definitions are temporary, while the soul’s essence is beyond them. True security lies not in relationships or worldly success but in union with God. Acting without selfish motives and with devotion purifies the heart, freeing one from karmic burdens. In the Gita’s allegory, Arjuna’s battle symbolizes conquering inner wrong tendencies. Life’s purpose is to act righteously, unattached, and ever mindful of the soul’s eternal nature.

Swami Kriyananda reflects on the Bhagavad Gita’s first chapter, interpreting the battle as both an outer righteous war and an inner struggle between soul and ego. True nonviolence means no intent to harm, yet decisive action—sometimes force—is needed to protect others or uphold righteousness. Spiritually, this war symbolizes overcoming lower tendencies, even when opposed by one’s own family. Supportive families are rare; often, spiritual seekers must choose God over relatives, traditions, or social expectations. Commitment must be firm, without compromise, as illustrated by saints who left worldly life entirely. Most people live in delusion, masking inner suffering; only a few recognize the spiritual path. Desires, especially for name and fame, delay progress across lifetimes, but the soul eventually returns to its quest for God. Worldly opinions are meaningless—only God’s view matters. The choice is absolute: cling to the inner call for God with unwavering loyalty, for that alone ends suffering.