The Bhagavad Gita - Song of God

The Bhagavad Gita (“The Song of God”) is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the epic Mahabharata (chapters 23-40 of the 6th book, Bhishma Parva). It is a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna, who serves as his charioteer on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

As the two armies stand ready for battle, Arjuna is overwhelmed with doubt and moral dilemma about fighting in the war, which would involve killing his own relatives, teachers, and friends. Lord Krishna counsels Arjuna, addressing his concerns and revealing profound spiritual wisdom that covers the nature of the self, the purpose of life, the paths to liberation, and the nature of God.

Key Teachings

The Bhagavad Gita presents three main paths (Yogas) to spiritual realization:

• Karma Yoga - The path of selfless action, performing one’s duty without attachment to results
• Bhakti Yoga - The path of devotion and love for God
• Jnana Yoga - The path of knowledge and wisdom

The Gita also introduces the concept of Nishkama Karma (desireless action) - the idea that one should perform one’s prescribed duties without being attached to the fruits of action. This teaching has influenced countless people across centuries and cultures.

The Eighteen Chapters

1. Arjuna Vishada Yoga - The Yoga of Arjuna’s Grief
2. Sankhya Yoga - The Yoga of Knowledge
3. Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Action
4. Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga - The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of Action
5. Karma Sanyasa Yoga - The Yoga of Renunciation
6. Dhyana Yoga - The Yoga of Meditation
7. Jnana Vijnana Yoga - The Yoga of Knowledge and Wisdom
8. Akshara Brahma Yoga - The Yoga of the Imperishable Brahman
9. Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga - The Yoga of Royal Knowledge and Royal Secret
10. Vibhuti Yoga - The Yoga of Divine Glories
11. Vishwarupa Darshana Yoga - The Yoga of the Vision of the Universal Form
12. Bhakti Yoga - The Yoga of Devotion
13. Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga - The Yoga of the Field and the Knower of the Field
14. Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga - The Yoga of the Three Gunas
15. Purushottama Yoga - The Yoga of the Supreme Person
16. Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga - The Yoga of the Division between Divine and Demonic Qualities
17. Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga - The Yoga of the Three Divisions of Faith
18. Moksha Sanyasa Yoga - The Yoga of Liberation through Renunciation

Audio recordings of individual chapters will be added in the future.