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Bhagavad Gita (Samskrit: भगवद्गीता) is a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, narrated in the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata. It comprises eighteen discourses of a total of 701 Sanskrit verses. On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Sri Krishna, during the course of His most instructive and interesting talk with Arjuna, revealed profound, sublime and soul-stirring spiritual truths, and expounded the rare secrets of Yoga, Vedanta, Bhakti and Karma.<ref name=":2">Swami Sivananda (2000), [https://holybooks-lichtenbergpress.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/BHAGAVAD-GITA-By-SRI-SWAMI-SIVANANDA.pdf Bhagavad Gita], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society, Preface.</ref>

Bhagavad Gita (Samskrit: भगवद्गीता) is a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, narrated in the Bhishma Parva of the [[Mahabharata (महाभारतम्)|Mahabharata]]. It comprises eighteen discourses of a total of 701 Sanskrit verses. On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Sri Krishna, during the course of His most instructive and interesting talk with Arjuna, revealed profound, sublime and soul-stirring adhyatmik truths, and expounded the rare secrets of [[Yoga Darshana (योगदर्शनम्)|Yoga]], [[Vedanta (वेदान्तः)|Vedanta]], Bhakti and Karma.<ref name=":2">Swami Sivananda (2000), [https://holybooks-lichtenbergpress.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/BHAGAVAD-GITA-By-SRI-SWAMI-SIVANANDA.pdf Bhagavad Gita], Uttar Pradesh: The Divine Life Society, Preface.</ref>

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

* Bhakti Yoga for the emotional temperament

* Bhakti Yoga for the emotional temperament

* Karma Yoga for a person of action.  

* Karma Yoga for a person of action.  

The Bhagavad Gita formulates the theories of the three paths without creating any conflict among them. It harmonises most wonderfully the philosophy of action, devotion and knowledge. All three must be harmoniously blended if one wishes to attain perfection. One should have the head of Sri Shankara, the heart of Lord Buddha and the hand of King Janaka. The three horses of this body-chariot—action, emotion and intellect—should work in perfect harmony. Only then will it move smoothly and reach the destination safely and quickly. Only then can one rejoice in the Self, sing the song of Soham, be in tune with the Infinite, hear the soundless voice of the Soul and enjoy the sweet music of the eternal Self.

The Bhagavad Gita formulates the theories of the three paths without creating any conflict among them. It harmonises most wonderfully the philosophy of action, devotion and knowledge. All three must be harmoniously blended if one wishes to attain perfection. The three horses of this body-chariot—action, emotion and intellect—should work in perfect harmony. Only then will it move smoothly and reach the destination safely and quickly. Only then can one rejoice in the Self, sing the song of Soham, be in tune with the Infinite, hear the soundless voice of the Soul and enjoy the sweet music of the eternal Self.

* Also, in one place in the Gita, Lord Krishna praises Karma Yoga:<ref name=":2" />

* Also, in one place in the Gita, Lord Krishna praises Karma Yoga:<ref name=":2" />

<blockquote>संन्यासः कर्मयोगश्च निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ । तयोस्तु कर्मसंन्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते ॥५- २॥<ref name=":3">Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 5].</ref> </blockquote><blockquote>saṁnyāsaḥ karmayogaśca niḥśreyasakarāvubhau । tayostu karmasaṁnyāsātkarmayogo viśiṣyate ॥5- 2॥</blockquote>Meaning:The Yoga of action is superior to the renunciation of action.  

<blockquote>संन्यासः कर्मयोगश्च निःश्रेयसकरावुभौ । तयोस्तु कर्मसंन्यासात्कर्मयोगो विशिष्यते ॥५- २॥<ref name=":3">Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 5].</ref> </blockquote><blockquote>saṁnyāsaḥ karmayogaśca niḥśreyasakarāvubhau । tayostu karmasaṁnyāsātkarmayogo viśiṣyate ॥5- 2॥</blockquote>Meaning:The Yoga of action is superior to the renunciation of action.  

superior to men of action. Therefore, be thou a Yogi, O Arjuna!

superior to men of action. Therefore, be thou a Yogi, O Arjuna!

* In yet another place Lord Krishna praises the path of Bhakti Yoga:<ref name=":2" />  

* In yet another place Lord Krishna praises the path of Bhakti Yoga:<ref name=":2" />  

<blockquote>पुरुषः स परः पार्थ भक्त्या लभ्यस्त्वनन्यया । यस्यान्तःस्थानि भूतानि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् ॥८- २२॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 8].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>puruṣaḥ sa paraḥ pārtha bhaktyā labhyastvananyayā । yasyāntaḥsthāni bhūtāni yena sarvamidaṁ tatam ॥8- 22॥</blockquote>Meaning: The highest Purusha, O Arjuna, is attainable by unswerving devotion to Him alone within whom all beings dwell and by whom all this is pervaded!

<blockquote>पुरुषः स परः पार्थ भक्त्या लभ्यस्त्वनन्यया । यस्यान्तःस्थानि भूतानि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् ॥८- २२॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 8].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>puruṣaḥ sa paraḥ pārtha bhaktyā labhyastvananyayā । yasyāntaḥsthāni bhūtāni yena sarvamidaṁ tatam ॥8- 22॥</blockquote>Meaning: The highest [[Purusha (पुरुषः)|Purusha]], O Arjuna, is attainable by unswerving devotion to Him alone within whom all beings dwell and by whom all this is pervaded!

In one place He praises Jnana Yoga:<ref name=":2" /> <blockquote>उदाराः सर्व एवैते ज्ञानी त्वात्मैव मे मतम् । आस्थितः स हि युक्तात्मा मामेवानुत्तमां गतिम् ॥७- १८॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9E%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9E%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 7].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>udārāḥ sarva evaite jñānī tvātmaiva me matam । āsthitaḥ sa hi yuktātmā māmevānuttamāṁ gatim ॥7- 18॥</blockquote>Meaning: Noble indeed are all these; but I deem the wise man as My very Self; for, steadfast in mind, he is established in Me alone as the supreme goal

In one place He praises Jnana Yoga:<ref name=":2" /> <blockquote>उदाराः सर्व एवैते ज्ञानी त्वात्मैव मे मतम् । आस्थितः स हि युक्तात्मा मामेवानुत्तमां गतिम् ॥७- १८॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9E%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9E%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 7].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>udārāḥ sarva evaite jñānī tvātmaiva me matam । āsthitaḥ sa hi yuktātmā māmevānuttamāṁ gatim ॥7- 18॥</blockquote>Meaning: Noble indeed are all these; but I deem the wise man as My very Self; for, steadfast in mind, he is established in Me alone as the supreme goal

One can become a liberated sage by annihilating the ego and the currents of likes and dislikes; by annihilating desires and cravings and destroying their residual potencies. Thus, one can rest in one's true essential nature as Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute and still be active in the affairs of the world. Because, now you will not be bound by actions since the idea of doership has been destroyed by the attainment of knowledge of the Self. This is the keynote of the Gita.<ref name=":2" />

One can become a liberated sage by annihilating the ego and the currents of likes and dislikes; by annihilating desires and cravings and destroying their residual potencies. Thus, one can rest in one's true essential nature as Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute and still be active in the affairs of the world. Because, now you will not be bound by actions since the idea of doership has been destroyed by the attainment of knowledge of the Self. This is the keynote of the Gita.<ref name=":2" />

The Gita again and again emphasises that one should cultivate an attitude of non-attachment or detachment. It urges repeatedly that an individual should live in the world like water on a lotus leaf.<ref name=":2" /> <blockquote>ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः । लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा ॥५- १०॥<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>brahmaṇyādhāya karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā karoti yaḥ । lipyate na sa pāpena padmapatramivāmbhasā ॥5- 10॥</blockquote>Meaning: He who does actions, offering them to Brahman and abandoning attachment, is not tainted by

The Gita again and again emphasises that one should cultivate an attitude of non-attachment or detachment. It urges repeatedly that an individual should live in the world like water on a lotus leaf.<ref name=":2" /> <blockquote>ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः । लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा ॥५- १०॥<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>brahmaṇyādhāya karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā karoti yaḥ । lipyate na sa pāpena padmapatramivāmbhasā ॥5- 10॥</blockquote>Meaning: He who does actions, offering them to Brahman and abandoning attachment, is not tainted by papa (पापम्) as a lotus leaf by water<ref name=":2" />

sin as a lotus leaf by water<ref name=":2" />

 

== Commentaries on the Gita ==

== Commentaries on the Gita ==

Gita has numerous commentators from all philosophies and Sampradayas.<ref name=":0" />

Gita has numerous commentators from all philosophies and Sampradayas.<ref name=":0" />

|Venba Padal

|Venba Padal

|-

|-

|Sri Ramanuja

|[[Ramanujacharya (रामानुजाचार्यः)|Sri Ramanuja]]

|Gita Bhashya

|Gita Bhashya

|-

|-

== गीतामाहात्म्यम् ॥ The Greatness of Gita ==

== गीतामाहात्म्यम् ॥ The Greatness of Gita ==

The Gita is the cream of the Vedas. It is the essence of the soul-elevating Upanishads. It is a universal scripture applicable to people of all temperaments and for all times. It is a book with sublime thoughts and practical instructions on Yoga, devotion, Vedanta and action. It is profound in thought and sublime in heights of vision. It brings peace and solace to souls that are afflicted by the three fires of mortal existence, namely,  

The Gita is the cream of the [[Vedas (वेदाः)|Vedas]]. It is the essence of the soul-elevating [[Upanishads (उपनिषदः)|Upanishads]]. It is a universal scripture applicable to people of all temperaments and for all times. It is a book with sublime thoughts and practical instructions on Yoga, devotion, Vedanta and action. It is profound in thought and sublime in heights of vision. It brings peace and solace to souls that are afflicted by the three fires of mortal existence, namely,  

* afflictions caused by one’s own body  

* afflictions caused by one’s own body  

* those caused by beings around one   

* those caused by beings around one   

* those caused by the gods.

* those caused by the gods.

It is said that, in all the spiritual literature of the world there is no book so elevating and inspiring as the Gita. It is the source of all wisdom and an inexhaustible spiritual treasure. It is a fountain of bliss, an ocean of knowledge. It is full of

It is said that, in all the adhyatmik literature of the world there is no book so elevating and inspiring as the Gita. It is the source of all wisdom and an inexhaustible adhyatmik treasure. It is a fountain of bliss, an ocean of knowledge. It is full of divine splendour and grandeur. It is a book for eternity.<ref name=":2" />  

divine splendour and grandeur. It is a book for eternity.<ref name=":2" />  

Talking of the Gita, Gita Mahatmya (as in the Padma Purana) says,<blockquote>सर्वोपनिषदो गावो दोग्धा गोपालनन्दनः । पार्थो वत्सः सुधीर्भोक्ता दुग्धं गीतामृतं महत् ॥४॥<ref>Abhinavagupta (March 1987), [https://ia800609.us.archive.org/12/items/HindiBook--shrimad-gitartha-sangraha-prabha-devi.pdf/HindiBook--shrimad-gitartha-sangraha-prabha-devi.pdf Shrimad Geetartha Sangraha], Kashmir: Normal Press.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>sarvopaniṣado gāvo dogdhā gopālanandanaḥ । pārtho vatsaḥ sudhīrbhoktā dugdhaṁ gītāmr̥taṁ mahat ॥4॥</blockquote>Meaning: All the Upanishads are cows; the Milker is Krishna, the cowherd boy; Partha (Arjuna) is the calf; men of purified intellect are the drinkers, the milk is the great nectar of the Gita.<ref name=":0" />

Talking of the Gita, Gita Mahatmya (as in the Padma Purana) says,<blockquote>सर्वोपनिषदो गावो दोग्धा गोपालनन्दनः । पार्थो वत्सः सुधीर्भोक्ता दुग्धं गीतामृतं महत् ॥४॥<ref>Abhinavagupta (March 1987), [https://ia800609.us.archive.org/12/items/HindiBook--shrimad-gitartha-sangraha-prabha-devi.pdf/HindiBook--shrimad-gitartha-sangraha-prabha-devi.pdf Shrimad Geetartha Sangraha], Kashmir: Normal Press.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>sarvopaniṣado gāvo dogdhā gopālanandanaḥ । pārtho vatsaḥ sudhīrbhoktā dugdhaṁ gītāmr̥taṁ mahat ॥4॥</blockquote>Meaning: All the Upanishads are cows; the Milker is Krishna, the cowherd boy; Partha (Arjuna) is the calf; men of purified intellect are the drinkers, the milk is the great nectar of the Gita.<ref name=":0" />

The Gita is a boundless ocean of nectar. It is the immortal celestial fruit of the Upanishadic tree.It is a rare and

The Gita is a boundless ocean of nectar. It is the immortal celestial fruit of the Upanishadic tree.It is a rare and

splendid flower that wafts its sweet aroma throughout the world. Just as the dark unfathomed depths of the ocean contain most precious pearls, so also the Bhagavad Gita contains spiritual gems of incalculable value.<ref name=":2" />

splendid flower that wafts its sweet aroma throughout the world. Just as the dark unfathomed depths of the ocean contain most precious pearls, so also the Bhagavad Gita contains adhyatmik gems of incalculable value.<ref name=":2" />

=== Message beyond barriers ===

=== Message beyond barriers ===