- "The Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse Hindu scripture, which is part of the epic Mahabharata. It forms the chapters 23–40 of book 6 of the Mahabharata called the Bhishma Parva."
A Hindu scripture that comprises chapters from the epic Mahabharata and contains teachings on self-realization and the ideal of devotion to God.
Hinduism: Understanding the basic principles of the Hinduism, its philosophy, and its different branches can help in understanding the context of Bhagavad Gita.
Sanskrit language: The Bhagavad Gita was written in Sanskrit, and it is therefore essential to learn the basics of the language to understand its teachings correctly.
Yoga: Bhagavad Gita describes various forms of yoga, including karma yoga, bhakti yoga, raja yoga, and jnana yoga. Learning about these can help in understanding the different approaches to spirituality.
Dharma: Understanding the concept of dharma is necessary when reading Bhagavad Gita. It refers to the righteous way of living and understanding one's duties.
Karma: Karma is another central concept in the Bhagavad Gita. It refers to the law of cause and effect and the idea that actions have consequences.
Atman: The Bhagavad Gita introduces the concept of Atman, which is the true self or soul that pervades all living beings. Understanding this concept is essential to comprehend the Gita's teachings.
Krishna: Bhagavad Gita is a conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna. Understanding the history and teachings of Lord Krishna can help in understanding the context of Bhagavad Gita.
Vedanta: Vedanta is a philosophical system that originates from the Vedas, the Hindu scripture. Understanding this system can help in understanding the Bhagavad Gita.
Saṃsāra: It is the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. Understanding the concept of saṃsāra is necessary to comprehend the Gita's teachings.
Moksha: It is the ultimate goal of life, which is to achieve liberation from the cycle of saṃsāra. Understanding the goal of life according to Bhagavad Gita is essential.
Gyan Yoga: Focused on the philosophy of self-realization.
Karma Yoga: Describes the yoga of action or selfless service.
Bhakti Yoga: Emphasis on the devotion of the individual towards the divine.
Raja Yoga: Concentrates on the meditation practices.
Hatha Yoga: Describes the physical training of the body to attain concentration.
Tantra Yoga: Emphasis on the knowledge of energy systems in the human body.
Jnana Yoga: Concentrates on the intellectual understanding of the ultimate reality.
- "The work is dated to the second half of the first millennium BCE."
- "The Bhagavad Gita is set in a narrative framework of dialogue between the Pandava prince Arjuna and his charioteer guide Krishna, an avatar of lord Vishnu."
- "Arjuna despairs thinking about the violence and death the war will cause in the battle against his kin and becomes emotionally preoccupied with a dilemma."
- "Arjuna seeks the counsel of Krishna."
- "Krishna counsels Arjuna to 'fulfil his Kshatriya (warrior) duty' for the upholdment of dharma."
- "The Krishna-Arjuna dialogue covers a broad range of spiritual topics, touching upon moral and ethical dilemmas, and philosophical issues that go far beyond the war that Arjuna faces."
- "Commentators of Vedanta read varying notions in the Bhagavad Gita about the relationship between the Atman (individual Self) and Brahman (supreme Self); Advaita Vedanta affirms on the non-dualism of Atman and Brahman, Vishishtadvaita asserts qualified non-dualism with Atman and Brahman being related but different in certain aspects, while Dvaita Vedanta declares the complete duality of Atman and Brahman."
- "As per Hindu mythology, the Bhagavad Gita was written by the god Ganesha, as told to him by the sage Veda Vyasa."
- "The Bhagavad Gita presents a synthesis of various Hindu ideas about dharma, theistic bhakti, and the yogic ideal of moksha."
- "The text covers Jñāna, Bhakti, Karma, and Rāja yogas, while incorporating ideas from the Samkhya-Yoga philosophy."
- "The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most revered Hindu texts and has a unique pan-Hindu influence."
- "Numerous commentaries have been written on the Bhagavad Gita." Quotes from the paragraph in response to questions 1-13: