📝 1. Bhagavad Gita 2.13 – The Changing Body Footnote
Footnote:
“The child becomes a boy, and the boy becomes a man. This change does not affect the soul. Similarly, at the time of death, the soul only changes bodies.”
Why it impressed me:
In just two lines, Prabhupada completely destroyed bodily identity. This one footnote brought me face to face with asceticism, mortality, and spiritual identity – without the weight of a heavy lecture. It is a perfect, digestible argument for everyday contemplation.
📝 2. Sri Ishopanishad – Mantra 17 Endnote: “Please remember me”
Endnote Note:
“This prayer is offered at the time of death by a devotee who has completely surrendered to God. Such a devotee does not ask for salvation – he asks only that God remember him.”
Why it shook me:
It dispelled my false concept of spiritual life, which I thought of as “cosmic conversations.”
This last comment showed the pure heart of devotion – a soul does not seek liberation or reward, but seeks remembrance of Krishna, even if the body perishes.
📝 3. Bhagavad-Gita 4.34 – Go to the Guru
Footnote (quoted intentionally):
“One should not approach a spiritual master for material gain. Real merit lies in sincere inquiries about the ultimate truth.”
Why it touched me deeply:
It was a mirror. Was I seeking peace – or truth? Was I trying to fix life – or surrender to God? This footnote redefined my purpose and reminded me that spiritual life begins with humility, not a shopping list.
📝 4. The Nectar of Devotion – Preface Footnote
Footnote:
“Devotion is not an emotion. It is the science of spiritual service, and it must be learned from the proper authority.”
Why it was important:
It put an end to the idea that devotion is “only emotion.” It established devotion as real, practical, trainable, and measurable. It meant that failure was not final – I could move forward. It gave me hope and seriousness at the same time.
📝 5. Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.6 – “Vasudeva-katha-ruci”
Footnote/Endnote Summary:
“The taste for hearing about Krishna is a sign of spiritual progress.”
Why it stuck:
I stopped asking, “How much progress have I made?” and started asking, “Do I like hearing about Krishna more today than I did yesterday?”
It gave me a real benchmark. That one line redefined what matters in the spiritual life.
📝 6. Bhagavad Gita 9.34 – Final Instructions
Final Note Reflection:
“This is the essence of all knowledge: Always think of Krishna, become His devotee, worship Him, and bow down to Him.”
Why it’s important:
This verse ends with the basic instruction for devotion, and Prabhupada’s footnote repeats it gently – as if to say: Don’t make it more complicated. That’s it.
It’s like a spiritual GPS: When lost, just come back here.
📝 7. Nectar of Instruction – Verse 1 Footnote: Control the Mind
Footnote Insight:
“If one can control the desires of the mind and speech, he is qualified to make disciples throughout the world.”