Krishna: The Supreme Lord, incarnated as Arjuna’s charioteer and divine guide, delivering the Gita’s spiritual teachings. He reveals Himself as the eternal source, creator, and destroyer of all.
Connection: Speaks in Chapters 1–18, primarily teaching Arjuna about duty, yoga, and His divine nature (e.g., 2.11: “The wise grieve neither for the living nor for the dead”; 11.32: “I am mighty Time, destroyer of worlds”).
Shlokas Delivered: ~570–580 shlokas across all 18 chapters.
(Krishna is the central figure, guiding Arjuna through Karma, Jnana, Bhakti, and Dhyana Yoga, revealing His universal form and supreme identity.)
Arjuna: A Pandava prince and warrior, Krishna’s disciple, seeking guidance on duty and spirituality amidst the Kurukshetra war.
Connection: Speaks in Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 18, asking key questions (e.g., 2.7: “My mind is bewildered… instruct me”; 11.31: “Tell me who You are”).
Shlokas Delivered: ~80–90 shlokas, primarily questions and expressions of doubt.
(Arjuna’s doubts drive the Gita’s dialogue, prompting Krishna’s teachings on duty, devotion, and liberation.)
Sanjaya: Dhritarashtra’s advisor, gifted with divine vision by Vyasa, narrating the Gita’s events and Krishna’s cosmic form to the blind king.
Connection: Speaks in Chapters 1, 11, 18, describing the battlefield and dialogue (e.g., 11.35: “Sanjaya describes Arjuna trembling”; 18.74: “Sanjaya said: Thus I heard this wonderful dialogue”).
Shlokas Delivered: ~40–50 shlokas, mainly narrative.
(Sanjaya serves as the narrator, relaying Krishna and Arjuna’s dialogue and key events like the cosmic vision.)
Dhritarashtra: The blind Kuru king, father of the Kauravas, anxious about the Kurukshetra war’s outcome.
Connection: Speaks only in Chapter 1 (1.1: “What did my sons and the Pandavas do, assembled at Kurukshetra?”).
Shlokas Delivered: ~1–2 shlokas.
(Dhritarashtra’s question initiates the Gita’s narrative, reflecting his concern for his sons’ fate.)
Bhishma: The grandsire of the Kurus, a revered warrior and elder, fighting for the Kauravas.
Connection: Mentioned in Chapters 1, 11 (e.g., 1.8: named as a Kaurava warrior; 11.34: Krishna predicts his fall).
Shlokas Delivered: 0 (mentioned, does not speak).
(Bhishma’s presence underscores the moral conflict of fighting revered elders, central to Arjuna’s dilemma.)
Drona: The teacher of both Pandavas and Kauravas, a skilled warrior fighting for the Kauravas.
Connection: Mentioned in Chapters 1, 11 (e.g., 1.8: named as a Kaurava warrior; 11.34: Krishna predicts his fall).
Shlokas Delivered: 0 (mentioned, does not speak).
(Drona’s mention highlights Arjuna’s emotional conflict in fighting his teacher, tied to duty in Karma Yoga.)
Karna: A skilled warrior, allied with the Kauravas, and Arjuna’s rival.
Connection: Mentioned in Chapters 1, 11 (e.g., 1.8: named as a Kaurava warrior; 11.34: Krishna predicts his fall).
Shlokas Delivered: 0 (mentioned, does not speak).
(Karna’s role as a formidable opponent reinforces the inevitability of Arjuna’s duty in the war.)
Duryodhana: The Kaurava prince, leader of the opposing army, instigator of the war.
Connection: Mentioned in Chapter 1 (e.g., 1.3: speaks to Drona about the Pandava army).
Shlokas Delivered: ~7–10 shlokas in Chapter 1.
(Duryodhana’s ambition sets the stage for the war, framing Arjuna’s moral and spiritual crisis.)