Bhagavad Gita All Chapter Overview
The Gita has 18 chapters.
The Mahabharata of which the Gita is a part, has 18 volumes.
The great war of the Mahabharata which was the backdrop for the Gita was fought over 18 days.
The armies consisted of 18 regiments with the Kauravas at 11 and the Pandavas at 7
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Duryodhana in his review of the Pandava army names 18 main leaders
Sanjaya names the 18 conches sounded by the 18 Pandava leaders.
In the Gita chapter 10, the Lord describes His divine manifestation (Vibhuti Roopa) in 18 verses
Overview of Gita Chapters
The Gita has 18 chapters, each of which focusses on a specific topic and at the same time builds upon the topics covered in previous chapters. An enumeration of the chapters and a brief description of the contents of each chapter are as follows:
Chapter 1 (47 verses) – Arjuna Vishada Yoga (Arjuna’s Distress):
This chapter sets the stage for the Gita. The two armies of cousins, the Pandavas and the Kauravas were assembled in Kurukshetra, ready to start the war. The proceedings in the war were narrated by Sanjaya, an aide to the blind king Dhrutarashtra, father of the Kaurava brothers. Before the start of the war, Arjuna looks at both the armies and realizes that on both sides were many of his near and dear ones such as teachers, cousins, uncles, nephews etc. He develops cold feet at the thought of bloodshed between them. He wonders if he is doing the right thing by waging this war as it would not only lead to bloodshed but also result in 6 The Bhagavad Gita societal degradation. He advances many arguments as to why he should avoid this war and find some other way to lead his life. At the end of this chapter, Arjuna who is grief stricken, is seen sitting still in his chariot after dropping his weapons, confused as to the way forward.
Chapter 2 (72 verses) – Sankhya Yoga (The Path of Doctrines):
In this chapter, the Lord answers Arjuna’s basic questions about the purpose of life and related philosophical concepts. Sensing that Arjuna’s reservations about fighting the war were due to his fear of losing his loved ones, the Lord delves into the nature of individual souls, the indestructibility of souls, the relationship between individual souls and the Lord Almighty etc., to remind Arjuna that the Lord gave human forms to individual souls to help them in their spiritual journey, and everyone must play their dutiful role in society. The Lord urges Arjuna not to despair over the hurt that may be caused to his loved ones in the war, as they had taken the side of the evil king Duryodhana. Arjuna had an obligation to fight the just war to protect his citizens. Lord Krishna teaches Arjuna to focus on performing his prescribed duty of protecting his citizens as an offering to Him and not let his emotions come in the way. Chapter 2 can be considered a summary of the entire Gita as it answers Arjuna’s (and through Arjuna, everyone’s) basic questions about the purpose of life. The remaining chapters serve to expand on the concepts presented in this chapter.
Chapter 3 (43 verses) – Karma Yoga (The Path of Action):
In this chapter, the Lord answers Arjuna’s questions regarding the paths of duty (karma) and knowledge (jnana). Arjuna wonders if there is a way, he could focus on acquiring knowledge and traverse the path of knowledge (jnana) avoiding this dreadful war. The Lord logically answers Arjuna’s doubts to convince him that everyone has an obligation to perform their duties to society and as a prince, it was his responsibility to fight the just war to protect his citizens. To perform one’s duty, one also needs to be equipped with knowledge and in that sense, one needs to incorporate both karma and jnana in one’s spiritual journey. Based on one’s innate Introduction 7 nature, some may be prescribed a path that is dominant in action, and others may be prescribed a path dominant in knowledge. This chapter also has an excellent discussion on the Cyclic Order of the Universe.
Chapter 4 (42 verses) – Jnana Yoga (Wisdom in Action):
This chapter is predominantly about the spiritual knowledge that a seeker will need to perform prescribed action (karma). Knowledge regarding the individual souls, various deities and the attributes of the Lord are explained to instill devotion in a seeker. The Lord explains that He incarnates in this world from time to time to establish virtue and vanquish immorality. Knowledge about the various types of actions – right action, wrong action and non-action are also covered here.
Chapter 5 (29 verses) – Sanyasa Yoga (The Path of Renunciation):
Renunciation of rewards from actions is termed sanyasa and performing prescribed duties as an offering to the Lord is termed yoga (action). In this chapter, the Lord answers Arjuna’s questions on some fundamental aspects of the two concepts of sanyasa and yoga. Arjuna’s argument was that if renunciation were a better option than action, he could perhaps adopt the life of an ascetic and avoid waging the war. The Lord however describes the characteristics of a renunciant and clarifies that one must incorporate both these paths to achieve self-realization. The Lord reiterates that Arjuna must focus on performing his prescribed duty of waging war to protect his citizens from the evil Kauravas. This chapter also delves into the importance of detachment and self-control.
Chapter 6 (47 verses) – Atma Samyama Yoga (The Path of Self Restraint) or Dhyana Yoga (The Path of Meditation):
Yoga (or action) has two components – external and internal. The external component refers to actions performed as part of one’s prescribed duties which would be visible to others. The internal component refers to dhyana (or meditation). This chapter has a detailed discussion of dhyana yoga. Characteristics of a true yogi are described. The physical aspect of meditation such as place, physical pose, breath control etc., are also 8 The Bhagavad Gita described. Requirements for moderation in consumption are also discussed. To a question from Arjuna regarding the condition of those who make a sincere attempt but are not able to successfully implement karma and dhyana, the Lord teaches that no sincere effort is a waste, and such seekers will get additional opportunities to complete their spiritual journey.
Chapter 7 (30 verses) – Jnana Vijnana Yoga (The Path of Knowledge and Wisdom):
The first 6 chapters were broadly concerned with descriptions of the methods and procedures (both external and internal) to acquire divine, spiritual knowledge. The next 6 chapters describe in more detail such divine, spiritual knowledge about the Lord Almighty, which forms the principle message of the Gita. In earlier chapters 2 – 6, there were some discussions on the Lord’s attributes which were included contextually, but the next 6 chapters provide more exclusive details about the Lord’ attributes. Chapter 7 provides a detailed discussion of the two types of knowledge – indirect (ordinary knowledge) and direct (special knowledge or wisdom). Indirect knowledge (jnana) is that knowledge that is gained from scriptural studies and through teachers. Direct knowledge (vijnana) is specialized knowledge about the Lord that one obtains after self-realization. The Lord describes His ownership of everything in the universe and stresses that He is responsible for even the intrinsic attributes of objects. The causes of ignorance, the influence of maya (delusion) on living beings, and procedures to overcome maya are also discussed. The various types of seekers who are devoted to the Lord are identified. This chapter ends with the Lord stating that one who has proper knowledge about Adhiyajna (Lord of Sacrifice) and Adhyatma (Prime Self), along with that of Adhibhoota (Prime Material) and Adhidaiva (Prime Deities), and who thinks of Him during the last moments will eventually reach Him.
Chapter 8 (28 verses) – Akshara Brahma Yoga (The Imperishable Lord):
This chapter starts with Arjuna asking Krishna 8 questions about the topics indicated towards the end of the previous chapter. Arjuna also enquires about the need for and advantages of remembering the Lord during one’s last moments. This chapter also details the journey of a soul after leaving the physical body.
Chapter 9 (34 verses) – Raja Vidya, Raja Guhya Yoga (Path of Supreme Knowledge and Supreme Secrets): This chapter continues with the description of some of the important and subtle attributes and activities of the Lord. In that sense, it is Supreme knowledge that is taught here. The Lord uses the term ‘secretive’ to arouse curiosity in Arjuna (and everyone else). While the Lord has infinite auspicious forms, attributes, activities etc., there are eight activities of the Lord that directly impact living beings. They are – creation (Srishti), sustenance (Stithi), dissolution (laya), regulation (niayamana), knowledge (jnana), ignorance (ajnana), bondage (bandha) and liberation (moksha). Together they are called Janmadi ashtaka and they are also covered in this chapter.
Chapter 10 (42 verses) – Vibhooti Yoga (Divine Manifestations):
No one can fully comprehend the Lord’s infinite, auspicious attributes. The Lord, who is responsible for the creation, sustenance and dissolution of the universe, powers everyone and everything. The Lord answers Arjuna’s questions about His manifestations and presence in superior entities. The Lord’s special presence among both sentient beings (such as various deities, animals) and inert objects (such as mountains, rivers, stars, weapons) bestows superiority on these entities. Divine manifestations are of two types – direct, where the Lord incarnates in different forms such as Rama, Krishna, Vedavyasa etc., and intrinsic, where the Lord’s special presence in some objects gives them superiority over other objects (ex: Meru’s superiority among mountains, Ganges’s superiority among rivers).
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Chapter 11 (55 verses) – Vishwa Roopa Darshanam (The Lord’s Universal Form):
Arjuna, after learning about the Lord’s innumerable manifestations, requests the Lord to allow him to see His Universal form and is granted divine vision by Him. Arjuna sees the Lord having the brightness of thousands of suns, pervading the entire world with infinite limbs, faces with no beginning or end etc. The Lord’s infinite forms are as real as the universe. This chapter also has a soulful prayer by Arjuna on seeing the Lord’s universal form. While the Lord had previously taught Arjuna about His greatness and attributes, the act of physically seeing the Lord’s universal form completely solidifies Arjuna’s faith in Sri Krishna’s teachings.
Chapter 12 (20 verses) – Bhakti Yoga (The Path of Devotion):
The Lord answers Arjuna’s questions comparing the worship of Goddess Mahalakshmi and that of the Lord Almighty Narayana. Worshipping Lord Narayana is an easier way to attain moksha, while pleasing Mahalakshmi is difficult. Further, Sri Lakshmi operates under the Lord’s control. One should propitiate Sri Lakshmi and other deities that are part of the Lord’s entourage for maximum effect. Bhakti or devotion is focusing one’s mind on the Lord. The Lord teaches other ways of devotion using facilities such as intellect, studying scriptures, performing prescribed duties etc. The last 8 verses describe the characteristics of an ideal devotee who is dear to the Lord.
Chapter 13 (35 verses) – Kshetra Kshetrajna Yoga (The Field and the Knower of the Field):
The first section covers the tools and utilities to acquire Divine knowledge which itself was covered in detail in the second section. This third section expands on some of the critical issues briefly covered in the first two sections. In chapter 7, verse (7.4), the Lord briefly speaks about eight-fold nature which operates under His command and control. This chapter details that field or theatre of Introduction 11 operations and the one who knows them. The interaction between the components of nature (sentient and inert) and living beings are also discussed.
Chapter 14 (27 verses) – Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga (Division of Qualities):
This chapter has details on the three qualities of nature (sattv – piety, rajas – passion, tamas – ignorance) which define one’s personality. These concepts were introduced in chapter 3 (3.5) and are expanded here. Creation of the universe through sentient Mother Nature is described. The ways in which the three qualities bind a person are also explained. The methods to escape from the clutches of the three qualities are described.
Chapter 15 (20 verses) – Purushottama Yoga (Theology of the Supreme Being):
This chapter is considered by many to have the core teachings of the Gita. The Bhagavad Gita has 700 verses spread among 18 chapters. Interestingly, this chapter which has 20 verses has 700 letters (15 verses have 32 letters each and the remaining 5 verses have 44 letters each)! This gives credence to this chapter’s importance based on numerology. While the Lord had previously described the components of the universe such as living beings, inert objects, and the Lord Almighty, in this chapter the Lord illustrates the interrelations among them using the example of a banyan tree. In verse 15, the Lord explicitly states His presence in everyone and declares that He is the primary subject matter of the Vedas. In verses 16-20, the Lord emphatically describes Himself as the Supreme Being intrinsically different from all other beings, thereby convincingly establishing the philosophy of dualism (dvaita) which was propagated by Sri Madhwacharya.
Chapter 16 (24 verses) – Daivasura Sampat Vibhaga Yoga (The Divine and the Demoniac Nature):
This chapter delves deep into the types of human nature. In the previous chapters, there were many references to pious and virtuous people with divine nature and to people with demoniac nature. This chapter provides more details on human traits.
12 The Bhagavad Gita These traits typically are intrinsic to an individual. One cannot judge people based on external appearance, position in society etc. The personality traits of people with divine nature and those with demoniac nature are described in detail.
Chapter 17 (28 verses) – Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga (The Threefold Faith):
In the previous chapters, especially chapter 14, the nature of individuals influenced by the qualities of sattv, rajas, tamas were stated a number of times. This chapter has more details on the concept of threefold faith with detailed discussion on the impact of these qualities on various issues such as faith, food habits, sacrificial rituals, charitable giving, meditation etc.
Chapter 18 (78 verses) – Mokshasanyasa Yoga (Liberation and Renunciation):
This chapter starts with a discussion on the subtle differences between renunciation (sanyasa) and relinquishment of the rewards of labour (tyaga). The types of rewards from actions are also discussed. The five prerequisites required for performing activity are identified. Different types of knowledge, action, doers, intellect, determination, and happiness are also discussed. Additional details on the four societal categories of people are provided (this was briefly indicated in (4.13)). The concept of liberation (moksha) is discussed in detail in this chapter. The first 55 verses contain a discussion on the topics identified so far. The Lord concludes His sermon in the next 17 verses. Arjuna responds to Lord Krishna’s teachings in verse 73. Sanjaya, who has been describing the proceedings of the war and the Lord’s glorious expounding of dharma (The Gita) to Arjuna, euphorically concludes his commentary in the following 5 verses.
