Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita is a small part (eighteen chapters) of an epic Indian poem called the Mahabharata. The epic narrates events surrounding a historic war so ancient that it is difficult to prove it actually happened. The Bhagavad Gita narrates an interlude prior to a great battle in that war, during which the hero-warrior Arjuna questions Lord Krishna about the best path to spiritual enlightenment, the nature of God and reality, and the purpose of life. Although it is located within the sixth book of the Mahabharata, the Bhagavad Gita can stand alone and is often read independently of the larger epic. It provides a guide for those seeking the right way to live and the purpose of life and answers to other fundamental questions. The title Bhagavad Gita means “Song of God.” As the title implies, it consists almost entirely of a message from God, which is conveyed by Lord Krishna, an avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu, the god of preservation. His message speaks of duty, order, enlightenment, the means to enlightenment, and the nature of God, humanity, and the universe.

The Gita has served as inspiration and support for a wide variety of thinkers and spiritual seekers in India and in the Western world. It has been the subject of discourse since the very early stages; there are hundreds of commentaries, subcommentaries, and translations in existence. It contains a condensed and wide-ranging description of Hindu beliefs and practices. Some refer to it as the Hindu Bible, but its impact goes far beyond India and Hindus. It has been widely read in numerous countries and languages and had significant influence in the West. The Gita’s authors are unknown, and its date composition, roughly between 200 BCE and 200 CE, can only be estimated.