The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as the "Song of Bhagwan," is one of the most respected and appreciated spiritual texts in the world, known for its great wisdom and timeless relevance. The Gita presents a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Bhagwan Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. More than just a religious scripture, it offers insights into life’s greatest questions about duty, purpose, and the nature of existence.
Here are some facts about the Bhagavad Gita presented by myNachiketa.
Bhagavad Gita is part of the ancient epic Mahabharata, which was composed by sage Ved Vyas ji between the 5th and 2nd centuries BCE.
Brahma asked Ved Vyas to write the Mahabharata. Ved Vyas sought the help of Bhagwan Ganesha, who agreed to write it as Ved Vyas narrated.
Bhagavad Gita has 18 chapters and 700 verses and was written in Sanskrit. However, it was translated into English in the year 1785 by Sir Charles Wilkens. To date, it has been translated into approximately 175 languages.
In these verses, Shri Krishna instils knowledge about the way of living and attaining God by different paths called Yogs. The major paths mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita are Jnana Yog (Path of Knowledge), Bhakti Yog (Path of Devotion) and Karm Yog (Path of Action).
The Gita is a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna on the Kurukshetra battlefield. When Arjuna hesitated to fight, Krishna reminded him to fulfil his duty and uphold Dharma. Shri Krishna cleared Arjuna's doubts by answering all his questions. This conversation is recorded in the Bhagavad Gita.
Sanjay, the adviser of King Dhritarashtra was granted the ability to watch the battle between Pandavas and Kauravas by Ved Vyas ji. Thus other than Arjun and Krishna, Sanjay was also witness to the conversation between them.
The Bhagavad Gita serves as a guide on distinguishing right from wrong and staying connected to good. The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the importance of performing our duties without being attached to the results. This Knowledge allows us to reach peace and happiness and rise above our ego.
Arjuna's doubts and struggles reflect the challenges everyone faces, making Gita's teachings timeless and relatable. Its wisdom remains relevant and valuable even today.
Bhagavad Gita has been studied by many great thinkers and philosophers. Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, and Swami Vivekananda have written commentaries on the Gita, interpreting its teachings in their unique ways. Despite numerous commentaries and interpretations, the core message of the Gita—knowing your true self, doing selfless action and following dharma (duty)—remains consistent.
Every year, on Shukla Ekadashi, the 11th day of Margashirsha month in the Hindu calendar, in December, Gita Jayanti is celebrated in India in respect of our Bhagavad Gita.
The Bhagavad Gita continues to be a source of inspiration across cultures and religions, proving its philosophical relevance, timeless wisdom, and impact on humanity.
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