The Bhagavad Gita

18 chapters of divine wisdom — the Song of God from the Mahabharata

1

Arjuna's Dilemma

अर्जुनविषादयोग

Arjuna Vishada Yoga

47 verses

Arjuna's moral crisis on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Seeing his relatives and teachers arrayed for battle, he is overcome by …

2

Transcendental Knowledge

सांख्ययोग

Sankhya Yoga

72 verses

Krishna teaches the immortality of the soul, the nature of the self (Atman), and the duty of a warrior. Contains …

3

The Yoga of Action

कर्मयोग

Karma Yoga

43 verses

The path of selfless action. Krishna explains that one should perform duties without attachment to results, dedicating all actions to …

4

Wisdom and Renunciation of Action

ज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोग

Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga

42 verses

Krishna reveals the ancient tradition of yoga, the concept of divine incarnation (avatara), and how knowledge purifies the soul.

5

The Yoga of Renunciation

कर्मसंन्यासयोग

Karma Sannyasa Yoga

29 verses

The relationship between renunciation and selfless action. Krishna explains that both paths lead to liberation, but selfless action is superior.

6

The Yoga of Meditation

ध्यानयोग

Dhyana Yoga

47 verses

Detailed instructions on meditation practice, including posture, breathing, and mental discipline. Describes the characteristics of a true yogi.

7

Knowledge and Wisdom

ज्ञानविज्ञानयोग

Jnana Vijnana Yoga

30 verses

Krishna reveals his divine nature and the two aspects of his energy: material (prakriti) and spiritual. Knowledge of both constitutes …

8

The Imperishable Absolute

अक्षरब्रह्मयोग

Aksara Brahma Yoga

28 verses

The nature of the imperishable Brahman, the process of death and rebirth, and the path to liberation. Describes cosmic cycles …

9

The Royal Knowledge

राजविद्याराजगुह्ययोग

Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga

34 verses

The most confidential knowledge: devotion to Krishna. Describes how the universe is sustained by the divine and the power of …

10

Divine Manifestations

विभूतियोग

Vibhuti Yoga

42 verses

Krishna reveals his divine opulences and manifestations. Among the powerful he is the most powerful, among the beautiful the most …

11

The Vision of the Universal Form

विश्वरूपदर्शनयोग

Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga

55 verses

Arjuna is granted divine vision to see Krishna's cosmic form (Vishvarupa), containing all of creation. The most dramatic chapter of …

12

The Yoga of Devotion

भक्तियोग

Bhakti Yoga

20 verses

The path of devotion. Krishna describes the qualities of a true devotee and explains that loving devotion is the easiest …

13

Nature and the Knower

क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञविभागयोग

Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga

35 verses

The distinction between the body (kshetra/field) and the soul (kshetrajna/knower of the field). Covers Prakriti, Purusha, and their interaction.

14

The Three Qualities of Nature

गुणत्रयविभागयोग

Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga

27 verses

The three gunas (qualities) of material nature: sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance). How they bind the soul and …

15

The Supreme Person

पुरुषोत्तमयोग

Purushottama Yoga

20 verses

The metaphor of the sacred fig tree (ashvattha) representing material existence. Krishna reveals himself as the Supreme Person beyond the …

16

Divine and Demoniac Natures

दैवासुरसम्पद्विभागयोग

Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga

24 verses

The contrast between divine qualities (fearlessness, purity, charity) and demoniac qualities (pride, arrogance, anger). Guidance on cultivating divine nature.

17

The Three Divisions of Faith

श्रद्धात्रयविभागयोग

Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga

28 verses

How the three gunas influence faith, food preferences, worship, charity, and austerity. The significance of Om Tat Sat.

18

Liberation Through Renunciation

मोक्षसंन्यासयोग

Moksha Sannyasa Yoga

78 verses

The final teaching: the culmination of all yogas. Krishna's supreme instruction to surrender to the divine. Contains the famous verse …