Mini-Course: Catuḥ-ślokī (Four Key Verses) of the Bhagavad Gītā
The four essential verses that summarize the essence of the Bhagavad Gītā
The Bhagavad Gītā is like a delicious veggie burger of transcendental wisdom—drawing from the essence of the Vedas and Upaniṣads. Its middle six chapters (7–12) are the essence of that essence, and at the very center—Chapter 9 and the opening of Chapter 10—Kṛṣṇa bears His heart.
Deeply learning and memorizing a chapter of the Gītā is possible.
This mini-course is designed to embed the 4 essential verses within our hearts, the keys unlock it—and to challenge an assumption: even if you doubt it, deeply learning and memorizing a chapter of the Gītā is possible.
Starting the week of July 6th
This course is designed not only to help you learn these powerful verses deeply, but to give you a direct experience of the memorization process. Many practitioners assume they can’t retain entire chapters of the Gītā—this mini-course is meant to challenge that assumption and prepare you for studying Chapter 9 with confidence.
From truth, to practice, to realization.
This section of the Gītā offers something especially powerful—it presents a complete picture of spiritual life. First, it reveals the truth about reality and our relationship with the Divine (sambandha). Then it shows the practice by which that relationship is lived and deepened (abhidheya). And finally, it points to the culmination of that journey: direct realization and a fully awakened relationship with Kṛṣṇa (prayojana).
In simple terms, it moves from truth, to practice, to realization. Or from understanding who we are, to how we live, to what we ultimately experience. By engaging with these verses, you’re not just memorizing philosophy—you’re stepping into a process meant to transform how you see, act, and relate.
What to expect?
5-week course
1 recorded class per week
1 live interactive Zoom class per week
1 weekly reading material with Q&A
1 additional practice session per week
Zoom sessions will be recorded and shared if you’re unable to attend live.
Live class time: 10 AM EST (tentative).
About Your Teacher
Nityananda Chandra began memorizing verses in 1999, but it wasn’t until later that he made significant progress in his practice. While living as a monk in downtown Portland, he once saw elementary school students reciting Chapter 15 of the Bhagavad Gītā from memory. It struck him: if these children could do it, why couldn’t he?
Not long after, he discovered a key insight—that it is far easier to retain verses when memorized as part of a continuous sequence, rather than as isolated selections.
Learn more about your teacher here.
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