Bhagavad Gita

Nationality/Culture

Hindu

Pronunciation

BAH-ga-vad GEE-ta

Alternate Names

The Gita, The Song of God

Appears In

The Mahabharata

Myth Overview

Written more than two thousand years ago, the Bhagavad Gita is probably the most widely read of the Hindu scriptures and contains some of the basic ideas of Hindu culture. The poem is actually part of a larger Hindu epic (long poem) called the Mahabharata, which tells the story of the struggle between two closely related families, the Kauravas and the Pandavas. The Bhagavad Gita begins just before the start of the great battle between the families. It is written in the form of a conversation between one of the warriors, Prince Arjuna, and his chariot driver, Krishna—actually a god in disguise.

As the poem opens, the two armies are lined up facing each other across the batdefield. Prince Arjuna questions his part in the war. He wonders whether he should follow his duty and fight, even though this would mean killing friends, relatives, and teachers in the opposing army, or whether he should throw down his arms and let himself be killed. Krishna reminds Arjuna that everyone has certain duties in society. As a member of the warrior caste (the second highest level in India's complex social class system), Arjuna's duty is to fight and protect. Yet, while he is required by duty to act, his actions must be “right” actions, meaning they must be guided by devotion and selflessness.

The Bhagavad Gita in Context

The Mahabharata (pronounced muh-hah-BAHR-ruh-tuh), the great epic of which the Bhagavad Gita is a part, is one of the longest poems in the world, with over 1.5 million words and almost seventy-five thousand verses. The sage Vyasa (pronounced vee-YAH-sah), who may or may not have been a real person, is believed to be its author, but he probably just collected and compiled the many stories in the epic. Originally the Mahabharata was passed down through oral tradition, changing and developing from generation to generation. The Bhagavad Gita was probably added to the original epic sometime between the fifth and second centuries bce. If the Mahabharata describes an actual historical war, scholars place it around the beginning of the ninth century bce.

Key Themes and Symbols

Selfless devotion to duty is the major lesson in the Bhagavad Gita. Each caste has its own specific duty, and society as a whole benefits when all members perform their duty properly. Through the conversation between Arjuna and Krishna, the reader also learns of many ways to express religious belief, including meditation, worship, and work. The poem teaches that Krishna is a loving god who is concerned about people's welfare and who appears on earth to help during times of trouble.

The Bhagavad Gita in Art, Literature, and Everyday Life

Throughout history, religious and political leaders in India have written commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita and translated it into many Indian languages. Mahatma Gandhi, a major figure in the Indian independence movement, referred to the Bhagavad Gita as his “spiritual dictionary.” Since 1785, the text has also been translated into English and European languages. The Bhagavad Gita was the inspiration for the former Beatle George Harrison's posthumous album, Brainwashed (2002). Robert Redford's 2000 film The Legend of Bagger Vance, starring Will Smith, Matt Damon, Jack Lemmon, and Charlize Theron, was based on Steven Pressfield's 1995 novel of the same name that takes place in the Bhagavad Gita. In both the film and the novel, Bagger Vance is a Krishna figure who guides the main character through difficult times.

Read, Write, Think, Discuss

The Bhagavad Gita: A Walkthrough for Westerners by Jack Hawley (2001) is one way to enjoy the tale with the help of an expert. This book presents the tale in a simple, easy-to-read format and explains the significance of elements to those unfamiliar with Hinduism and Indian culture.

SEE ALSO Hinduism and Mythology; Krishna; Vishnu