The Bhagavad Gita

by Vyasa
The Bhagavad Gita cover
Good Books rating 4.62
Religion and Theology
Technical:
  • ID: 251
  • Added: 2025-09-06
  • Updated: 2025-09-06
  • ISBN: 9781420976205
  • Published: 2021-09-15
  • Reviews: 2

The Bhagavad Gita, a 700-verse Hindu scripture embedded in the Mahabharata and attributed to Sage Vyasa, is a classic work that addresses the moral dilemmas faced by Prince Arjuna as he prepares for battle. Counselled by Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu disguised as his charioteer, Arjuna confronts the conflict between duty and conscience, making the Gita a timeless guide to navigating morally ambiguous challenges. This edition features an English prose translation with an introduction by Kashinath Trimbak Telang and is printed on premium acid-free paper. Beyond its narrative, the Bhagavad Gita synthesizes diverse Hindu philosophical traditions, including dharma (duty), bhakti (devotion), and jnana (knowledge), harmonizing renunciation with active participation in the world. It explores the nature of self and God, urging adherence to one's righteous path without attachment to outcomes. Celebrated as one of the most important spiritual texts, it has influenced thinkers worldwide and remains a foundational scripture for Hindu spirituality and ethical reasoning.

Reviews
Vedanta Students · 2023-01-01
insightful 4.75

The text is praised for its profound spiritual guidance on duty, devotion, selfless action, and knowledge, emphasizing surrender to God for liberation and peace.

This review highlights the Bhagavad Gita as a deeply spiritual dialogue that addresses fundamental human dilemmas through the teachings of Krishna to Arjuna. The key takeaway is its emphasis on surrendering fully to God to achieve ultimate peace and liberation, showcasing the text's timeless relevance in guiding moral and spiritual decisions. The review also underlines the Gita's comprehensive approach to life’s challenges by exploring concepts such as duty (dharma), devotion (bhakti), selfless action (karma), and knowledge (jnana), making it a cornerstone of spiritual philosophy.

Quick quotes

    Krishna asks Arjuna to surrender fully to Him for ultimate peace.

    Krishna promises freedom from all sins and guarantees liberation (moksha).

    The Bhagavad Gita consists of 18 chapters and 700 verses, forming a conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield.

LitCharts · 2023-01-01
philosophical 4.50

The Gita is presented as a philosophical and spiritual dialogue that explores righteousness, duty, and devotion, stressing the importance of selfless action and fulfilling one’s prescribed role.

This interpretation reflects on the Bhagavad Gita as a sophisticated synthesis of Indian religious thought, focusing on the ethical and spiritual struggles faced by individuals. It emphasizes Krishna’s teachings on acting without attachment to results and fulfilling one’s dharma, even if imperfectly, which purifies the self. The review also notes the metaphorical depth of the Krishna-Arjuna dialogue, portraying it as an eternal conversation about the self and the divine, with a strong call to devotion and spreading the spiritual message.

Quick quotes

    Krishna emphasizes the distinction between renouncing all action and acting without attachment to consequences.

    Dharma often follows one’s position in the caste system—which reflects people’s inner nature.

    Arjuna is charged with spreading the Gita’s message to those disciplined and devoted to properly receive this highest, hidden truth.

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