Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (Arjuna’s Dilemma)
The epic begins on the Kurukshetra battlefield, where Arjuna faces a moral crisis before the war. Overwhelmed by the prospect of fighting his kin, he expresses despair to Krishna.
- Dhritarashtra asks Sanjay to describe the events at Kurukshetra (Shloka 1.1).
- Sanjay narrates Duryodhana’s assessment of the Pandava army and his confidence in his own forces (Shlokas 1.2-11).
- Both armies sound their conch shells, signaling the start of battle (Shlokas 1.12-19).
- Arjuna, seeing his relatives, teachers, and friends among the enemies, is filled with sorrow (Shlokas 1.26-28).
- He laments to Krishna that fighting would lead to sin, family destruction, and societal collapse (Shlokas 1.31-45).
- Arjuna drops his bow, unwilling to fight, seeking Krishna’s guidance (Shloka 1.46).
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge)
Krishna addresses Arjuna’s despair, teaching the eternal nature of the soul and the importance of duty.
- Krishna rebukes Arjuna’s weakness, urging him to rise and fight as a Kshatriya (Shlokas 2.2-3).
- The soul is eternal, neither born nor destroyed, unaffected by physical changes (Shloka 2.20).
- Krishna introduces Nishkama Karma: act without attachment to results (Shloka 2.47).
- A wise person remains balanced in success and failure, free from desire (Shlokas 2.55-57).
- Yoga is skill in action, achieved through equanimity and detachment (Shloka 2.50).
- The enlightened sage, steady in wisdom, attains peace (Shloka 2.71).
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (The Yoga of Action)
Krishna emphasizes selfless action as essential for spiritual growth, addressing Arjuna’s confusion about action versus renunciation.
- No one can escape action due to the influence of nature’s gunas (Shloka 3.5).
- Performing duties as a sacrifice (Yajna) frees one from karmic bondage (Shloka 3.9).
- Selfless action for the welfare of others is the path of the wise (Shloka 3.19).
- Desire and anger, born of Rajas, are enemies to be conquered (Shloka 3.37).
- Control senses through self-discipline to avoid delusion (Shloka 3.40).
- Acting without attachment aligns with the cosmic order (Shloka 3.25).
Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation)
Krishna reveals the ancient origins of yoga and the power of knowledge in liberating the soul.
- Krishna taught this yoga to Vivasvan (sun god), passed down through generations (Shloka 4.1).
- He incarnates to protect righteousness and destroy evil (Shlokas 4.7-8).
- Actions performed without attachment do not bind the soul (Shloka 4.18).
- Knowledge-sacrifice surpasses material offerings, burning all karma (Shloka 4.33).
- Wisdom, gained through faith and inquiry, leads to liberation (Shloka 4.39).
- Doubt destroys progress; faith and knowledge elevate the soul (Shloka 4.40).
Chapter 5: Karma Sanyasa Yoga (The Yoga of Renunciation)
Krishna compares renunciation and disciplined action, highlighting their shared goal of liberation.
- Both Karma Yoga and renunciation lead to freedom, but action is more accessible (Shloka 5.2).
- The liberated yogi sees all beings equally, free from attachment (Shloka 5.18).
- Self-control and devotion in meditation lead to eternal peace (Shloka 5.25).
- The sage, detached from senses, finds joy within (Shloka 5.24).
- Actions dedicated to God do not bind the doer (Shloka 5.10).
- Equanimity in all circumstances marks the true yogi (Shloka 5.20).
Chapter 6: Dhyana Yoga (The Yoga of Meditation)
Krishna outlines the practice of meditation and the disciplined path to liberation.
- True renunciation is performing duties without attachment (Shloka 6.1).
- Meditation requires a balanced lifestyle—neither excess nor deprivation (Shlokas 6.16-17).
- The yogi controls the mind through practice and detachment (Shloka 6.35).
- Even an unsuccessful yogi is reborn to continue the spiritual journey (Shloka 6.40).
- The yogi surpasses ascetics, scholars, and ritualists (Shloka 6.46).
- Devotion to Krishna through meditation leads to the highest goal (Shloka 6.47).
Chapter 7: Vijnana Yoga (The Yoga of Wisdom)
Krishna explains His divine nature and the path to knowing Him fully.
- True knowledge of Krishna is rare and supreme (Shloka 7.3).
- His dual nature comprises material (Prakriti) and spiritual (Purusha) energies (Shloka 7.5).
- Four types of devotees worship Him: distressed, curious, wealth-seekers, and wise (Shloka 7.16).
- Worshipping lesser gods yields temporary results; devotion to Krishna is eternal (Shloka 7.23).
- Krishna is the source of all, yet veiled by illusion (Maya) (Shloka 7.25).
- Devotees who surrender to Him cross beyond delusion (Shloka 7.14).
Chapter 8: Akshara Parabrahma Yoga (The Yoga of the Imperishable Brahman)
Krishna answers Arjuna’s questions about Brahman, karma, and the path to liberation.
- Brahman is the eternal, indestructible truth; karma is action’s consequence (Shloka 8.3).
- Remembering Krishna at death ensures liberation (Shloka 8.5).
- Two paths after death: liberation (no rebirth) or return to the material world (Shloka 8.26).
- Cosmic cycles govern creation and dissolution (Shloka 8.17).
- Devotion to Krishna transcends all paths, leading to the eternal (Shloka 8.22).
- Practice constant remembrance to attain the divine (Shloka 8.7).
Chapter 9: Raja Vidya Yoga (The Yoga of Royal Knowledge)
Krishna shares the supreme secret of His all-pervading presence and the power of devotion.
- This knowledge, rooted in faith, liberates the soul (Shloka 9.2).
- Krishna is the origin and sustainer of all creation (Shloka 9.4).
- Devotees who offer all actions to Him are protected (Shloka 9.22).
- Even sinners, through sincere devotion, attain liberation (Shloka 9.30).
- Divine qualities lead to freedom; demonic ones to bondage (Shloka 9.13).
- All paths, when offered to Krishna, lead to Him (Shloka 9.32).
Chapter 10: Vibhuti Yoga (The Yoga of Divine Glories)
Krishna reveals His divine manifestations, inspiring awe and devotion in Arjuna.
- All splendor, beauty, and power originate from Krishna (Shloka 10.8).
- He lists His manifestations: the sun, Himalayas, Ganga, and more (Shlokas 10.21-31).
- Knowing His infinite glories fosters unwavering devotion (Shloka 10.19).
- Krishna is the essence of all beings and things (Shloka 10.20).
- The wise see Him as the source of everything (Shloka 10.41).
- Devotion to His glories leads to spiritual awakening (Shloka 10.42).
Chapter 11: Vishwarupa Sandarshana Yoga (The Yoga of the Cosmic Form)
Arjuna requests to see Krishna’s universal form and is awestruck by its grandeur.
- Krishna grants Arjuna divine vision to behold His cosmic form (Shloka 11.8).
- The form reveals infinite universes, gods, and beings (Shlokas 11.10-13).
- Arjuna trembles, seeing destruction within the form, and seeks mercy (Shloka 11.25).
- Krishna declares Himself as Time, destroyer of all (Shloka 11.32).
- Only pure devotion reveals this vision (Shloka 11.55).
- Arjuna is urged to act as Krishna’s instrument (Shloka 11.33).
Chapter 12: Bhakti Yoga (The Yoga of Devotion)
Krishna extols devotion to His personal form as the easiest path to liberation.
- Worshipping the unmanifest is harder than devotion to Krishna’s form (Shloka 12.5).
- Devotees who surrender all actions to Him attain peace (Shloka 12.6).
- Qualities of a true devotee: compassion, equanimity, and humility (Shlokas 12.13-14).
- Krishna accepts even simple offerings made with love (Shloka 12.8).
- Devotion leads to freedom from the cycle of birth and death (Shloka 12.7).
- Practice devotion through discipline and faith (Shloka 12.20).
Chapter 13: Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga (The Yoga of the Field and Knower)
Krishna distinguishes the body (field) from the soul (knower), explaining the path to wisdom.
- The body is the field; the soul is its knower (Shloka 13.2).
- Virtues like humility and detachment lead to true knowledge (Shlokas 13.8-12).
- Prakriti (matter) and Purusha (spirit) govern existence (Shloka 13.22).
- Understanding their interplay liberates one from bondage (Shloka 13.23).
- The Supreme Self transcends both field and knower (Shloka 13.34).
- Wisdom reveals the unity of all beings in God (Shloka 13.30).
Chapter 14: Guna Traya Vibhaga Yoga (The Yoga of the Three Gunas)
Krishna explains the three gunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas) and their role in human behavior.
- Sattva brings clarity, Rajas passion, and Tamas ignorance (Shloka 14.5).
- Each guna influences actions, thoughts, and destiny (Shlokas 14.11-13).
- Transcending the gunas leads to liberation (Shloka 14.20).
- The liberated soul attains divine qualities and eternal peace (Shloka 14.25).
- Devotion to Krishna helps one rise above the gunas (Shloka 14.26).
- The gunas bind the soul to the material world (Shloka 14.7).
Chapter 15: Purushottama Yoga (The Yoga of the Supreme Self)
Krishna likens the material world to an inverted Ashvattha tree, explaining the Supreme Self.
- The world’s roots are in the divine, its branches in the material (Shloka 15.1).
- Detachment cuts through entanglement in the material world (Shloka 15.3).
- Krishna is the Supreme Self, beyond perishable and imperishable (Shloka 15.18).
- He resides in all hearts, sustaining creation (Shloka 15.15).
- Devotion and knowledge lead to the eternal abode (Shloka 15.6).
- The soul’s desires trap it in the cycle of birth (Shloka 15.8).
Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga (The Yoga of Divine and Demonic Qualities)
Krishna contrasts divine and demonic traits, guiding Arjuna toward righteousness.
- Divine qualities include truth, compassion, and humility (Shlokas 16.1-3).
- Demonic traits like arrogance and anger lead to bondage (Shloka 16.4).
- Following scriptures ensures spiritual progress (Shloka 16.24).
- Demonic beings reject divine truth, pursuing selfish desires (Shloka 16.8).
- Divine qualities lead to liberation; demonic to ruin (Shloka 16.5).
- Lust, anger, and greed are gates to destruction (Shloka 16.21).
Chapter 17: Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga (The Yoga of Threefold Faith)
Krishna categorizes faith, actions, and lifestyles based on the three gunas.
- Faith varies by guna: Sattvic, Rajasic, or Tamasic (Shloka 17.2).
- Food, sacrifices, and charity reflect one’s guna (Shlokas 17.7-22).
- “Om Tat Sat” signifies actions aligned with truth (Shloka 17.23).
- Actions without faith yield no spiritual benefit (Shloka 17.28).
- Sattvic practices lead to purity and liberation (Shloka 17.11).
- Austerity of body, speech, and mind is ideal (Shloka 17.16).
Chapter 18: Moksha Sanyasa Yoga (The Yoga of Liberation through Renunciation)
Krishna concludes with teachings on renunciation, action, and ultimate liberation.
- True renunciation is abandoning desire-driven actions, not duty (Shloka 18.2).
- Five factors govern all actions: body, doer, senses, effort, and destiny (Shloka 18.14).
- Gunas influence knowledge, action, and intellect (Shlokas 18.20-29).
- Duties of the four castes align with their nature (Shloka 18.41).
- Surrendering to Krishna ensures liberation (Shloka 18.66).
- Devotion leads to eternal peace and victory (Shloka 18.78).