Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita (Sanskrit: भगवद्गीता, “Song of God”) is an 18-chapter, 700-verse dialogue embedded in the Mahabharata (Bhishma Parva 25-42). On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, the warrior Arjuna is overcome with despair at the prospect of fighting his kinsmen. His charioteer Krishna — revealed as the Supreme Person (Purushottama) — instructs him on duty, the eternal self, the paths of action, knowledge, and devotion, and the nature of ultimate liberation.
Editions
- Bhagavad Gita (Arnold) - Edwin Arnold verse translation (1885, public domain)
- Vishnu Purana (Wilson) - H.H. Wilson, Book 4 Ch 24 Kalki prophecy (1840, public domain)
- Bhagavata Purana Canto 12 (Sanyal) - J.M. Sanyal, Kalki avatar and eschatology (1901-1910, public domain)
Key Themes
| Theme | Chapters |
|---|---|
| Arjuna’s crisis / dharma | 1-2 |
| Karma Yoga (action without attachment) | 3-5 |
| Dhyana / meditation | 6 |
| Krishna’s divine nature | 7-11 |
| Bhakti (devotion) | 12 |
| Sankhya (matter and spirit) | 13-15 |
| Three gunas / qualities | 14, 17 |
| Moksha / liberation | 18 |
Saoshyant Parallel: Kalki / Vishnu Avatars
The Gita’s avatara doctrine (4.7-8) — Krishna descending whenever dharma declines — parallels the Saoshyant prophecy in the Avesta (Yasna 9) and the Metteyya prophecy in the Tipitaka (DN 26). The full Kalki prophecy: VP 4.24 (Wilson 1840) and BP 12.2 (Sanyal 1901).