Srimad Bhagavad Gita – Detailed Chapter-wise Summary in English
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).
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (Arjuna’s Dilemma) – 47 Shlokas The Gita opens on the Kurukshetra battlefield, where Arjuna is overwhelmed by grief at the prospect of fighting his kin, setting the stage for Krishna’s teachings. Shlokas 1.1-11: Dhritarashtra asks Sanjay about the events at Kurukshetra (1.1). Sanjay describes Duryodhana’s…
1.24–25, 2.11, 4.5, 7.6, 9.11, 10.8, 11.32, 15.15, 18.61 Themes: Bhakti Yoga, Krishna’s Divine Nature 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…
Chapter 1: Arjuna’s Dilemma (Arjuna Vishada Yoga) On the Kurukshetra battlefield, Dhritarashtra asks Sanjay about the actions of his and the Pandava armies. Sanjay describes Duryodhana assessing the Pandava forces and boasting about his own. As conch shells resound, Arjuna surveys both armies and is overwhelmed with grief at the…