top of page
  • YouTube
  • Black Facebook Icon

Summary of Bhagavad Gita 

​

Summary

The Bhagavad Gita takes place over a relatively short time frame. It is narrated by the poet Sanjaya and told to King Dhritarashtra. Arjuna, a young warrior, and Krishna, a god who acts as Arjuna's charioteer, stand still between two armies while surveying the battlefield. In the beginning, Arjuna is struck with sudden and intense doubt about his role in the battle. Although he is one of the generals of the Pandava army, he does not want to fight. He hesitates because the adversaries are his cousins, the Kauravas. Arjuna believes it would be an action of great evil to fight and kill his family members. Krishna strongly counsels Arjuna to fight, nonetheless.

Yoga

Most of the Gita is a dialogue that follows Arjuna's pronouncement of despair at the idea of fighting and killing his cousins. Krishna tells Arjuna it is his dharma, or duty, to go into this battle and that by fighting he will be fulfilling his moral obligations. Furthermore, in fulfilling this dharma, Arjuna will be following the path of karma yoga, or the yoga of right action. When performing an action that aligns with a person's duty, one should be unattached to the outcome of that action. By doing this, Arjuna may find wisdom and freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth. Krishna recommends the yoga of right action to Arjuna.

Krishna and Arjuna also discuss other yogic paths, such as the yoga of knowledge and the yoga of devotion. Krishna goes to great lengths to teach Arjuna about these paths. However, he continues to urge Arjuna that the path of action is the one for him. The path of devotion, Krishna argues, can be integrated with the path of action if Arjuna devotes his actions to a personal god. Similarly, the path of knowledge requires action as well, so ultimately the path of action is the heart of all other paths.

In the end Arjuna runs out of questions and recognizes the validity of Krishna's teaching. He affirms his love for Krishna and decides to go into battle to fulfill his dharma. Learning from Krishna's conversations and teachings elevates Arjuna to a wiser, more enlightened state.

YSA 04.01.2023 C18 v 48-78 Moksha Sanyasa Yoga -liberation through renunciation-with Hersh Khetarpal
41:07
YSA 03.25.2023 C18 V26-47 Moksha Sanyasa Yoga - liberation through renunciation-with Hersh Khetarpal
53:10
YSA 03.18.2023 C18 v1-v25 - Moksha Sanyasa Yoga - liberation through renunciation
52:27
YSA 03.11.23 C17 Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga-  The three fold Path  - with Hersh Khetarpal
47:30
YSA 03.04.23 C16 Chapter 16 - Being good is a reward in itself  - with Hersh Khetarpal
42:45
YSA 02.25.23 Summary of C15 Bhagavad Gita with Hersh Khetarpal
50:32
YSA  02.011.23 Chapter 13 of Bhagavad Gita with Hersh Khetarpal
49:19
YSA  02.04.23 Chapter 12 of Bhagavad Gita with Hersh Khetarpal
43:10
YSA 01.28.23 Chapter 11- Vishwarupa Darshan Yog -Summary of Bhagavad Gita with Hersh Khetarpal
33:20
bottom of page