The Bhagavad-Gita
Bhagavad-Gita Or Song Celestial (400 BCE)
Translated from Original Sanskrit by Sir Edwin Arnold
Introductory Note
During the centuries in which Buddhism was establishing itself in the east of India, the older Brahmanism in the west was undergoing the changes which resulted in the Hinduism which is now the prevailing religion of India. The main ancient sources of information with regard to these Hindu beliefs and practises are the two great epics, the "Ramayana" and the Maha Bharata. The former is a highly artificial production based on legend and ascribed to one man, Valmiki. The latter, a "huge conglomeration of stirring adventure, legend, myth, history, and superstition," is a composite production, begun probably as early as the fourth or fifth century before Christ, and completed by the end of the sixth century of our era. It represents many strata of religious belief.
The Bhagavad-Gita," of which a translation is here given, occurs as an episode in the Maha-Bharata, and is regarded as one of the gems of Hindu literature. The poem is a dialogue between Prince Arjuna, the brother of King Yudhisthira, and Vishnu, the Supreme God, incarnated as Krishna, and wearing the disguise of a charioteer. The conversation takes place in a war-chariot, stationed between the armies of the Kauravas and Pandavas, who are about to engage in battle.
To the Western reader much of the discussion seems childish and illogical; but these elements are mingled with passages of undeniable sublimity. Many of the more puzzling inconsistencies are due to interpolations by later re-writers. "It is," says Hopkins, "a medley of beliefs as to the relation of spirit and matter, and other secondary matters; it is uncertain in its tone in regard to the comparative efficacy of action and inaction, and in regard to the practical man's means of salvation; but it is at one with itself in its fundamental thesis, that all things are each a part of one Lord, that men and gods are but manifestations of the One Divine Spirit."
- CHAPTER I: Arjun-Vishad
- The Book of the Distress of Arjuna - CHAPTER II: Sankhya-Yog
- The Book of Doctrines - CHAPTER III: Karma-Yog
- The Book of Virtue in Work - CHAPTER IV: Jnana-Yog
- The Book of the Religion of Knowledge - CHAPTER V: Karmasanyasayog
- The Book of Religion by Renouncing Fruit of Works - CHAPTER VI: Atmasanyamayog
- The Book of Religion by Self-Restraint - CHAPTER VII: Vijnanayog
- The Book of Religion by Discernment - CHAPTER VIII: Aksharaparabrahmayog
- The Book of Religion by Devotion to the One Supreme God - CHAPTER IX: Rajavidyarajaguhyayog
- The Book of Religion by the Kingly Knowledge and the Kingly Mystery - CHAPTER X: Vibhuti Yog
- The Book of Religion by the Heavenly Perfections - CHAPTER XI: Viswarupdarsanam
- The Book of the Manifesting of the One and Manifold - CHAPTER XII: Bhakityog
- The Book of the Religion of Faith - CHAPTER XIII: Kshetrakshetrajnavibhagayogo
- The Book of Religion by Separation of Matter and Spirit - CHAPTER XIV: Gunatrayavibhagayog
- The Book of Religion by Separation from the Qualities - CHAPTER XV: Purushottamapraptiyogo
- The Book of Religion by attaining the Supreme - CHAPTER XVI: Daivasarasaupadwibhagayog
- The Book of the Separateness of the Divine and Undivine - CHAPTER XVII: Sraddhatrayavibhagayog
- The Book of Religion by the Three-fold Kinds of Faith - CHAPTER XVIII: Mokshasanyasayog
- The Book of Religion by Deliverance and Renunciation
Source: This text is reproduced from the Internet Indian History Sourcebook
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