Setting / Characters
This great warrior and prince pauses on the battlefield, filled with doubt, and seeks guidance. Who is he?
Arjuna
This term, often translated as "duty," "righteousness," or "cosmic order," is a central theme that Arjuna must fulfill as a warrior.
Dharma
This is the path of selfless action, where one performs their duty without attachment to the results.
Karma Yoga
In a famous metaphor, Krishna compares the changing of old bodies for new ones to the changing of these everyday items.
Clothes (or garments)
To show Arjuna his true nature, Krishna grants Arjuna these special types of eyes.
Divine (or spiritual) eyes
He serves as Arjuna's charioteer and spiritual guide throughout the text. Who is this?
Lord Krishna
The Gita explains this eternal, indestructible spark within every living being, distinct from the physical body. What is this?
Atman (the Soul)
This is the path of unalloyed devotion, love, and surrender to the Divine.
Bhakti Yoga
The Gita is a part of this much larger, epic Sanskrit poem detailing the struggle between the Pandavas and Kauravas.
The Mahabharata
In Chapter 11, Krishna reveals this blinding, multi-faceted cosmic form that encompasses the entire universe.
Vishwaroopa
This blind king listens to the narration of the battle and the Gita's dialogue from his palace. Who is he?
King Dhritarashtra
This is law of cause and effect shows that every action has a consequence.
Karma
This is the path of spiritual wisdom and intellectual discernment to realize the ultimate truth.
Jnana Yoga
In Chapter 2, Krishna famously declares that the weapons cannot cleave, nor can fire burn, this specific entity.
The soul (Atman)
Upon seeing the cosmic form, Arjuna compares the brilliant light of Krishna to the simultaneous rising of thousands of these.
Suns
He is the scribe blessed with divine vision who narrates the entire conversation of the Gita to the blind king. Who is he?
Sanjaya
Krishna describes three forces or qualities of nature that influence human behavior, known by this Sanskrit name.
Gunas
In the Gita, Krishna states that this path is often the most practical and accessible for ordinary people living in the world.
Bhakti Yoga
The Gita uses the metaphor of an upside-down version of this specific plant to describe the material world and its attachments.
Banyan tree (Ashvattha)
When witnessing the cosmic form, Arjuna's initial awe turns into this emotion, causing him to ask Krishna to return to his gentle form.
Fear (or terror)
The entire dialogue of the Bhagavad Gita takes place on the eve of a massive war on which historic battlefield?
Kurukshetra
This ultimate goal of liberation from the cycle of birth and death is the ultimate destination discussed in the text.
Moksha
Often associated with meditation, this "royal path" of mind control and concentration is also detailed in Chapter 6.
Raja Yoga (or Dhyana Yoga)
The name "Bhagavad Gita" translates to this English phrase.
"The Song of God" (or "The Divine Song")
Krishna reassures Arjuna by stating that whenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness rises, he does this.
Manifests / incarnates himself (Avatara)