Summary of each chapter of the Bhagavad Gita:
Chapter 1: Arjuna Viṣāda Yoga (The Distress of Arjuna)
- Summary: Describes the setting on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Arjuna surveys the opposing army, sees his relatives and teachers, and is overcome with grief and moral dilemma, deciding not to fight.
- Emoji: 😥
- Number of Sutras: 46
Chapter 2: Sāṅkhya Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge)
- Summary: Krishna begins His teachings by explaining the immortality of the soul (Atman), the temporary nature of the body, the importance of performing one's prescribed duty (Dharma) without attachment to results (Karma Yoga), and the characteristics of a self-realized person (Stithapragya).
- Emoji: 🤔
- Number of Sutras: 72
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (The Yoga of Action)
- Summary: Arjuna questions why he should act if knowledge is superior. Krishna explains that action is unavoidable and necessary for the maintenance of the world, and that selfless action performed as a duty, without desire for results, is the path to liberation.
- Emoji: 💪
- Number of Sutras: 43
Chapter 4: Jñāna Karma Sanyāsa Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of Action)
- Summary: Krishna reveals the ancient origin of this teaching, explains the purpose of His descents (avatars), the nature of action and inaction, the value of receiving knowledge from a spiritual teacher, and how selfless action is a form of sacrifice.
- Emoji: 🕉️
- Number of Sutras: 42
Chapter 5: Karma Sanyāsa Yoga (The Yoga of Renunciation)
- Summary: Arjuna seeks clarification between action and renunciation. Krishna clarifies that both can lead to liberation, but selfless action (Karma Yoga) is superior and more practical, leading to inner peace and equanimity.
- Emoji: ⚖️
- Number of Sutras: 29
Chapter 6: Dhyāna Yoga or Ātma Saṁyama Yoga (The Yoga of Meditation or Self-Control)
- Summary: Krishna describes the process and discipline of meditation (Dhyana Yoga) for controlling the mind and senses. He explains the qualities and practices of a yogi focused on achieving union with the Supreme through inner contemplation.
- Emoji: 🧘♀️
- Number of Sutras: 47
Chapter 7: Jñāna Vijñāna Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge and Realization)
- Summary: Krishna reveals His nature as the Supreme Truth, the source of everything, explaining His two energies (lower material and higher spiritual). He describes how devotees approach Him and the difficulty in knowing Him fully.
- Emoji: 🌟
- Number of Sutras: 30
Chapter 8: Akṣara Brahma Yoga (The Yoga of the Imperishable Brahman)
- Summary: Krishna answers Arjuna's questions about Brahman, Karma, the spiritual self, etc. He emphasizes the importance of one's state of consciousness at the time of death and constant remembrance of God to attain liberation.
- Emoji: 🌅
- Number of Sutras: 28
Chapter 9: Rāja Vidyā Rāja Guhya Yoga (The Yoga of Sovereign Knowledge and Sovereign Secret)
- Summary: Krishna reveals the most confidential knowledge about His transcendental nature and His relationship with the cosmos. He explains the path of pure devotional service (Bhakti Yoga) as the supreme secret and the easiest means to attain Him.
- Emoji: ❤️
- Number of Sutras: 34
Chapter 10: Vibhūti Yoga (The Yoga of Divine Glories)
- Summary: To help Arjuna understand His omnipresence, Krishna describes His principal divine glories (vibhūtis) manifest in various excellent and powerful aspects of creation.
- Emoji: ✨
- Number of Sutras: 42
Chapter 11: Viśvarūpa Darśana Yoga (The Yoga of the Vision of the Universal Form)
- Summary: At Arjuna's request, Krishna reveals His awe-inspiring and all-encompassing universal form (Vishwarupa), showing Arjuna the entire cosmos and the future within Himself. Arjuna is overwhelmed and asks Krishna to return to His gentle human form.
- Emoji: 🌌
- Number of Sutras: 55
Chapter 12: Bhakti Yoga (The Yoga of Devotion)
- Summary: Krishna definitively declares that the path of unwavering devotion and worship of Him as a personal God is the highest and easiest path to liberation. He describes the sublime qualities of a true devotee.
- Emoji: 🙏
- Number of Sutras: 20
Chapter 13: Kṣetra Kṣetrajña Vibhāga Yoga (The Yoga of Discrimination between the Field and the Knower of the Field)
- Summary: Krishna explains the distinction between the material body (the "field") and the immortal soul/consciousness (the "knower of the field"). He describes knowledge (Jnana) as the process of understanding this difference to attain liberation.
- Emoji: 🔍
- Number of Sutras: 35
Chapter 14: Guṇa Traya Vibhāga Yoga (The Yoga of Discrimination of the Three Modes of Nature)
- Summary: Krishna describes the three modes (gunas) of material nature – Sattva (goodness), Rajas (passion), and Tamas (ignorance) – and how they bind the embodied soul. He explains the characteristics of one who has transcended these modes.
- Emoji: 🎭
- Number of Sutras: 27
Chapter 15: Puruṣottama Yoga (The Yoga of the Supreme Person)
- Summary: Krishna describes the material world as a symbolic upside-down tree to be cut down by detachment. He explains the nature of the individual soul and reveals Himself as the Supreme Person (Purushottama), who is beyond both the perishable material world and the imperishable individual souls.
- Emoji: 🌳
- Number of Sutras: 20
Chapter 16: Daivāsura Sampad Vibhāga Yoga (The Yoga of Discrimination between the Divine and Demoniac Natures)
- Summary: Krishna lists the characteristics that lead to divine nature (liberation) and those that lead to demoniac nature (bondage and suffering), highlighting vices like lust, anger, and greed.
- Emoji: 😇😈
- Number of Sutras: 24
Chapter 17: Śraddhā Traya Vibhāga Yoga (The Yoga of Discrimination of the Threefold Faith)
- Summary: Krishna explains that faith (Shraddha) and actions like food, sacrifice, austerity (Tapasya), and charity (Dana) are influenced by the three modes of nature (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas).
- Emoji: 🙏
- Number of Sutras: 28
Chapter 18: Mokṣa Sanyāsa Yoga (The Yoga of Liberation and Renunciation)
- Summary: This chapter serves as a comprehensive summary of the entire teaching, distinguishing between true renunciation (Tyaga - giving up the fruits of action) and formal renunciation (Sannyasa). Krishna reiterates various paths and ultimately gives His final, most confidential instruction: surrender completely to Him (Sarva Dharmaan Parityajya...) to attain liberation. The chapter concludes with Sanjaya's recounting.
- Emoji: 🏆
- Number of Sutras: 78