Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga
The Yoga of Arjuna's Dejection (47 verses)
Arjuna observes the armies on both sides and is overcome with grief at the prospect of killing his relatives.
The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as the Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the epic Mahabharata. It is a sacred text of the Hindu religion, and is considered one of the most important texts in the history of literature and philosophy.
The Gita is set in a narrative framework of a dialogue between Pandava prince Arjuna and his guide and charioteer Lord Krishna. At the start of the Dharma Yuddha (righteous war) between Pandavas and Kauravas, Arjuna is filled with moral dilemma and despair about the violence and death the war will cause. He wonders if he should renounce and seeks Krishna's counsel.
The Yoga of Arjuna's Dejection (47 verses)
Arjuna observes the armies on both sides and is overcome with grief at the prospect of killing his relatives.
The Yoga of Knowledge (72 verses)
Krishna begins his teachings, explaining the eternal nature of the soul and introducing the paths of knowledge and action.
The Yoga of Action (43 verses)
Krishna explains the importance of performing one's duty without attachment to results.
The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of Action (42 verses)
Krishna reveals the history of yoga and explains how knowledge destroys the bonds of karma.
The Yoga of Renunciation (29 verses)
Krishna explains the relationship between renunciation and selfless action.
The Yoga of Meditation (47 verses)
Krishna describes the practice of meditation and the characteristics of a true yogi.
The Yoga of Knowledge and Wisdom (30 verses)
Krishna reveals his divine nature and explains the difference between the material and spiritual worlds.
The Yoga of the Imperishable Brahman (28 verses)
Krishna explains the nature of the supreme, the importance of remembering God at death, and the path to liberation.
The Yoga of Royal Knowledge and Royal Secret (34 verses)
Krishna reveals the most confidential knowledge about devotion and his all-pervading nature.
The Yoga of Divine Glories (42 verses)
Krishna describes his divine manifestations and how he pervades all of creation.
The Yoga of the Vision of the Universal Form (55 verses)
Arjuna is granted divine vision to see Krishna's cosmic form, revealing his infinite power.
The Yoga of Devotion (20 verses)
Krishna explains the path of devotion and the qualities of a true devotee.
The Yoga of the Field and its Knower (35 verses)
Krishna explains the difference between the body (field) and the soul (knower of the field).
The Yoga of the Division of the Three Gunas (27 verses)
Krishna describes the three qualities of material nature: sattva, rajas, and tamas.
The Yoga of the Supreme Person (20 verses)
Krishna uses the metaphor of the eternal banyan tree to explain the material world and the path to liberation.
The Yoga of the Division between Divine and Demonic (24 verses)
Krishna distinguishes between divine and demonic qualities in human beings.
The Yoga of the Division of Threefold Faith (28 verses)
Krishna explains how faith is influenced by the three gunas and its effect on worship, food, and austerity.
The Yoga of Liberation through Renunciation (78 verses)
The concluding chapter summarizes the entire teaching and reveals the ultimate path to liberation.
Translation and commentary sourced from public domain texts.