Why should we read Bhagavad Gita? Overview of the Bhagavad Gita

We should read Bhagavad Gita because Sri Krishna is God and the creator, maintainer and destroyer of this universe. He is the owner and controller of everything that exists, so it’s important to know what He says about life, the universe and everything.

If you read Bhagavad Gita As It Is at least once you will be in a position to chose to follow the recommendations of Krishna or ignore them. That is the facility of human life. Humans are different to animals because humans can understand the concept of God and make choices as a result. Animals are not given this option. It is the most important distinction between a human and an animal or any other lower species. It is a valuable opportunity to enquire into the Absolute Truth, and failure to take advantage of it is a great waste.

If one reads Bhagavad Gita one will be able to hear, directly from the Supreme Lord Himself, what He suggests, what His opinion is, what He recommends and what He doesn’t recommend. There are 700 verses arranged in 18 chapters so it is not a mammoth work that requires months of study to understand the gist of it. Months and years of study will deepen your appreciation, but even on the first reading many mysteries will be solved and solutions become apparent.

With the internet all kinds of knowledge and opinions are easily available, there are so many it is often more of a problem than a help. If you search for reviews of a product there will be those saying it’s great and those saying it’s terrible. How should one decide? Go by the numbers, and see which has more positive reviews? Or look for a product that has no negative reviews? Or look for trusted and reliable sites and see what reviews they give?

If we take the material world to be a product then we can read the description of life in the material world given by Sri Krishna. Obviously it’s intelligent to read the manufacturers manual that accompanies their product. That doesn’t mean everyone does it. Many people like to find out by trial and error, and some people think they are smart enough that they don’t need to bother with the instructions. Often due to excitement people start using their new product without bothering to read all that boring stuff about how to use it. I mean how complicated can it be to live your life? Obviously the pursuit of happiness is the main thing and that’s pretty straight forward right? Well, if you’ve got a handle on the whole ‘life’ business then you don’t need Bhagavad Gita. Press on with your life confident that you are getting everything possible from it, at the highest level. But if you get a nagging feeling that there might be more to life than you’re getting, and you’d like to know about it then Bhagavad Gita is more than useful, it’s essential. It’s the quick start guide to give you the basics so that you don’t misuse the rare opportunity of a human birth.

Normally I would finish my answer here, but just in case there is even one person who wants a quick overview of Bhagavad Gita, I will give a brief chapter by chapter analysis including relevant verses. I don’t expect many to read it, but if it’s not here then definitely no one will read it.

In Bhagavad Gita Lord Sri Krishna instructs Arjuna on many different topics, and gives many different angles to see things from. The following verses are from Bhagavad Gita As It Is by Srila Prabhupada in bold text and inset, with explanation in regular text to accompany the verse. Everyone of the 700 verses is important, but if you want to go straight to the conclusion then just read the last two texts. If you want to see the progression through all the different topics and aspects then start here.

Krishna starts by telling Arjuna to fight because it is his duty as a ksatriya to fight so he should do so to avoid bad karma.

Bhagavad gita. 2.31 - Considering your specific duty as a ksatriya, you should know that there is no better engagement for you than fighting on religious principles; and so there is no need for hesitation.

Bhagavad gita. 2.33 - If, however, you do not perform your religious duty of fighting, then you will certainly incur sins for neglecting your duties and thus lose your reputation as a fighter.

Bhagavad gita. 2.38 - Do thou fight for the sake of fighting, without considering happiness or distress, loss or gain, victory or defeat-and by so doing you shall never incur sin.

Then He tells Arjuna to rise above the modes of nature.

Bhagavad gita. 2.45 - The Vedas deal mainly with the subject of the three modes of material nature. O Arjuna, become transcendental to these three modes. Be free from all dualities and from all anxieties for gain and safety, and be established in the self.

Then Krishna tells Arjuna to work for the satisfaction of Visnu.

Bhagavad gita. 3.9 - Work done as a sacrifice for Visnu has to be performed, otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain free from bondage.

Then in the next chapter Krishna says to approach a spiritual master and learn the truth from him, because knowledge gained like this will free him from illusion

Bhagavad gita. 4.34 - Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.

Bhagavad gita. 4.35 - Having obtained real knowledge from a self-realized soul, you will never fall again into such illusion, for by this knowledge you will see that all living beings are but part of the Supreme, or, in other words, that they are Mine.

Now Arjuna is a little confused because Krishna has first told him to fight because he is a ksatriya, then to work for the pleasure of Visnu, and now he has told him to approach a guru and acquire transcendental knowledge, so he asks which is better.

Krishna replies that they are the same.

Bhagavad gita. 5.4 - Only the ignorant speak of devotional service [karma-yoga] as being different from the analytical study of the material world [Sankhya]. Those who are actually learned say that he who applies himself well to one of these paths achieves the results of both.

Bhagavad gita. 5.5 - One who knows that the position reached by means of analytical study can also be attained by devotional service, and who therefore sees analytical study and devotional service to be on the same level, sees things as they are.

Then Krishna describes dhyana yoga which requires living in a secluded place and sitting in meditation controlling the senses rigidly.

Arjuna says such a process seems very hard to him and Krishna agrees and concludes by saying that the yogi who renders loving service to Him is the topmost yogi.

Bhagavad gita. 6.47 - And of all yogis, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself, and renders transcendental loving service to Me - he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion.

Then in the seventh chapter Krishna gives Arjuna knowledge by which he can practice this yoga in full consciousness of Him.

Bhagavad gita. 7.1 - The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Now hear, O son of Prtha, how by practicing yoga in full consciousness of Me, with mind attached to Me, you can know Me in full, free from doubt.

Then in the eight chapter Krishna explains how this knowledge will free one from material bondage at the time of death.

Bhagavad gita 8.5 - And whoever, at the end of his life, quits his body, remembering Me alone, at once attains My nature. Of this there is no doubt.

Bhagavad gita 8.6 - Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, O son of Kunti, that state he will attain without fail.

In the ninth chapter Krishna expands on the knowledge He has already given with still more confidential knowledge. This is knowledge that is for devotees, it is not for the envious because they cannot understand it. Krishna clearly explains that He alone is behind whatever takes place in the universe; He is the controller of material nature; and anyone can approach Him and attain perfection.

Bhagavad gita 9.1 - The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Arjuna, because you are never envious of Me, I shall impart to you this most confidential knowledge and realization, knowing which you shall be relieved of the miseries of material existence.

Bhagavad gita 9.2 - This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.

In tenth chapter Krishna lists how we can see Him through the different manifestations of material nature, and in eleventh chapter He reveals His credentials as the Supreme Lord by manifesting His universal form.

In twelfth chapter Arjuna asks which is better, worshipping Krishna or worshipping impersonal Brahman. Krishna replies worshipping Him is better.

Bhagavad gita 12.1 - Arjuna inquired: Which are considered to be more perfect, those who are always properly engaged in Your devotional service or those who worship the impersonal Brahman, the unmanifested?

Bhagavad gita 12.2 - The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Those who fix their minds on My personal form and are always engaged in worshiping Me with great and transcendental faith are considered by Me to be most perfect.

Then Krishna tells Arjuna to concentrate on fully on Him.

Bhagavad gita 12.8 - Just fix your mind upon Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always, without a doubt.

But in case one can’t do that, then Krishna gives four other options each one less demanding then the previous.

Chapters 13 – 17 are an analysis of the material world, the modes of nature, the good and the bad and the different categories of all that exists within the universe.

Chapter 18 is the summary. Krishna give His judgement on renunciation in response to Arjuna’s asking Him what the purpose of it is.

Bhagavad gita 18.9 - O Arjuna, when one performs his prescribed duty only because it ought to be done, and renounces all material association and all attachment to the fruit, his renunciation is said to be in the mode of goodness.

So this much is clear, one should perform one’s prescribed duties. Then Krishna explains about knowledge, action, the performer of actions, their understanding and their determination. Then the different types of happiness, all in the context of the three modes of nature. This Krishna declares to be even more confidential than everything He has spoken so far. He urges Arjuna with all this extremely confidential knowledge that is not explicitly revealed in the Vedas, to surrender to the Lord after thinking it over.

It is Arjuna’s decision to make and he should decide himself. Krishna says:

Bhagavad gita 18.63 - Thus I have explained to you knowledge still more confidential. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do.

So it would seem that everything has been revealed by Krishna and there is nothing more to know, and now Arjuna should decide what to do. For most people it is to perform your duty, without attachment, surrendering to the Lord. This is perfectly acceptable and is perfectly in line with what Krishna has said, it is recommended for nearly everyone in the universe, but just before Arjuna speaks, Krishna has a few final words to say.

These are the very very final words. After giving all kinds of options, and explaining the why’s and wherefore’s of different activities; after breaking down and analysing these activities and the different mentalities that people have when they perform them; after explaining the consequences of, and the reasons for, these activities; what is matter and what is spirit; what are mundane activities, what are transcendental activities; after recommending what is good, what is better, what is best; finally now after all this, after asking Arjuna to think it over and decide what to do, Krishna says…

Bhagavad gita 18.64 - Because you are My very dear friend, I am speaking to you My supreme instruction, the most confidential knowledge of all. Hear this from Me, for it is for your benefit.

Bhagavad gita 18.65 - Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.

According to Visvanath Chakravarti Thakur, Arjuna is crying at this point. His mind is in turmoil. He had decided not to fight because the thought of the battle with his relatives was too much for him. Krishna has explained an incredible amount of knowledge and exhibited His universal form which itself is completely confounding. Krishna has given a huge list of suggested activities depending on the desired result. He has given transcendental knowledge, confidential knowledge, more confidential knowledge and then the most confidential knowledge. He has explained how to navigate your way through the material world understanding that you are spiritual in nature and understanding how the three modes of nature work. He has emphasized again and again the importance of performing one’s duty in society following varnashram dharma and now Krishna give His supreme instruction which consists of four activities. Always think of Krishna, be Krishna’s devotee, worship Krishna and offer your homage to Krishna. Arjuna is still overwhelmed, unable to fully comprehend all that is happening and now Krishna delivers everything that He has said in all the previous verses, all the knowledge, all the instructions, all the analysis and explanations are condensed in the one verse. 18.66 It gives the unequivocal real meaning of life.

Bhagavad gita 18.66 - Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.

That’s it, the conclusion of all the previous instructions and knowledge, just surrender to Krishna and He will take care of everything. But it should be understood that not many are suited for this final instruction, and in fact it is not common to find people who have read carefully all the way through to this verse. But there it is for anyone who wants to read it, and if they are lucky they will accept it and act on it. If not they will probably fall in one of the categories of those who can’t understand it.

Bhagavad gita 18.67 - This confidential knowledge may never be explained to those who are not austere, or devoted, or engaged in devotional service, nor to one who is envious of Me.

Since I am way past a quick answer by now, for additional help in understanding Bhagavad Gita I am adding this.

To understand Bhagavad Gita you must study it from someone who has truly understood it. Many people have commented on Bhagavad Gita, but only a few have understood that Krishna is God Himself appearing in His eternal spiritual form as He is.

HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, and HDG Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, two of the greatest practitioners and proponents of the teachings of Bhagavad Gita from the last century have both declared emphatically that the essence of Gita is to surrender to Lord Krishna in a mood of devotion. It would be foolish and arrogant for a novice to ignore this. Having accepted this, a reader can enter into the confidential secrets of Bhagavad Gita.

Those that read Bhagavad Gita without understanding that Krishna is God, will have a beautiful temple that is empty. You may still marvel at the architecture, and appreciate the intricate marble work and wood carvings; you may feel the tranquillity and enjoy the peacefulness; experience a sense of awe and inspiration seeing the beautiful craftsmanship and the devotion in the artwork, but without a Deity present there for whom all the work has been done, then it’s just a beautiful but empty building.

Don’t appreciate Bhagavad Gita as a beautiful, inspiring, but empty building, appreciate it as being the house and Song of God.