The Bhagavadgita

The Bhagavadgita

Indian thought and the Bhagavadita.

Summary

Chapter One: Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra.

As the opposing armies stand ready for battle, Arjuna, a mighty warrior, sees his relatives, teachers and friends in both armies ready to fight and sacrifice their lives. Overcome by grief and pity, Arjuna fails in strength, and he gives up his will to fight.

Chapter Two: Contents of the Gita summarized.

Arjuna submits to Lord Krishna as His disciple, and Krishna begins His teachings to Arjuna by explaining the distinction between the temporary material body and the eternal spiritual soul. The Lord explains the process of transmigration, the nature of selfless and the characteristics of a self-realized person.

Chapter Three: Karma-yoga.

Everyone must engage in action in this world. These either bind one to this world or liberate one from it. By acting for the pleasure of the Supreme, without selfish motives, one can be liberated from the law of karma (action and reaction) and attain transcendental knowledge of the self and the Supreme.

Chapter Four: Transcendental knowledge.

Transcendental knowledge - the spiritual knowledge of the soul, of God, and of their relationship - is both purifying and liberating. Lord Krsna explains the history of the Gita, the purpose and significance of His descents to the material world, and the necessity of approaching a guru, or realized teacher.

Chapter Five: Karma-yoga - Action in Krishna Consciousness.

Outwardly performing all actions but inwardly renouncing their fruits, the wise man, purified by the fire of transcendental knowledge, attains peace, detachment, spiritual vision and bliss.

Chapter Six: Dhyana-yoga.

Ashtanga-yoga, a meditative practice, controls the mind and focuses concentration on Paramatma. This practice of this meditation culminates in samadhi, full consciousness of the Supreme.

Chapter Seven: Knowledge of the Absolute.

Lord Krishna is the Supreme Truth, the supreme cause and sustaining force of everything, both material and spiritual. Advanced souls surrender unto Him in devotion, whereas impious souls divert their minds to other objects of worship.

Chapter Eight: Attaining the Supreme.

By remembering Lord Krishna in devotion throughout one's life, and especially at the time of death, one can attain to His supreme abode, beyond the material world.

Chapter Nine: The most confidential knowledge.

Lord Krishna is the Supreme Godhead and the supreme object of worship. The soul is eternally related to Him through transcendental devotional service (bhakti). By reviving one's pure devotion one returns to Krishna in the spiritual realm.

Chapter Ten: The Opulence of the Absolute.

All phenomena showing power and grandeur, either in the material world or in the spiritual, are manifestations of Krishna's energies. As the supreme cause of all causes and the essence of everything, Krishna is the supreme object of worship for all beings.

Chapter Eleven: The Universal