The Vedic Canon
This sub-category of Smrti literally translates to "history" and serves to illustrate abstract Vedic truths through narrative.
Itihāsa
In the Gita's symbolism, this character represents the individual soul (Atman), while the Charioteer represents the Divine.
Arjuna
This specific Sanskrit term describes a "Righteous War"—a war fought not for land, but to uphold cosmic order.
Dharma Yuddha
This powerful teacher of both the Pandavas and Kauravas was forced by "salt-debt" (loyalty to the crown) to fight against his favorite pupil.
Drona (Dronacharya)
This is the specific term for the "Yoga of Dejection" or "Grief" that characterizes Arjuna's state in Chapter 1.
Arjuna-Viṣāda Yoga
While the Vedas are Śruti, the Bhagavad Gita technically belongs to this category of "remembered" texts, despite its divine authority.
Smrti
This is the name of Conch shell, blown by Krishna at the start of the war and symbolizes the awakening of spiritual consciousness.
Pāñcajanya
Explain the irony of Bhīşma's position: he represents Dharma in his personal life, yet he is the commander of this "unrighteous" side.
Duty to the Throne vs. Personal Morality
This character was granted "Divine Vision" (Divya-drsti) by Vyasa to narrate the battlefield events to the blind King.
Sanjaya
Arjuna uses the word _______ to express his fear that war will lead to the destruction of Family/Lineage specific social unit.
Kula-dharma
This Sanskrit word means "the end of the Vedas" and refers to the philosophical Upanisads that conclude the Vedic hymns.
Vedānta
Lord Krishna’s decision to act as a Charioteer (Sārathi) instead of a king demonstrates this spiritual principle of humble service.
Niṣkāma Karma (Action without ego)
This is the number of years the Pandavas had to live In-Exile plus the one year they had to live Incognito (Agyatvas).
12 years + 1 year (13 total)
This king of the Madra was the uncle of the Pandavas but was tricked into fighting for the Kauravas via a deceptive display of hospitality.
Shalya
Name the physical symptoms of Arjuna’s "breakdown" as described in the text (at least three).
Shaking limbs, dry mouth, skin burning, hair standing on end
In the cycle of time, this is the only "leg" or pillar of Dharma that remains standing during the Kali Yuga.
Truth (Satya)
The white horses of Arjuna’s chariot are symbolic of these, which must be reined in by the intellect.
The Senses
Duryodhana’s refusal to give even "this much land" marks the final failure of diplomacy.
"The tip of a needle"
This many Akshauhinis (massive battle units) made up the Kaurava army, outnumbering the Pandavas’ seven.
Eleven (11)
Arjuna's bow, which slipped from his hand during his crisis, is known by this specific name.
Gandiva
This term refers to the "GPS" or uninterrupted chain of teacher-to-student transmission required to understand the Gita.
Guru-Paramparā
The text describes the Gita as an "antidote" to this rocking, cyclical experience of birth, change, and death.
Saṃsāra
This person's attempt to disrobe Draupadi in the assembly hall is cited as the primary "Adharmic" act that made war inevitable.
Duhshasana
This specific formation (Vyuha) used by the Kauravas later in the war proved fatal for Arjuna's son, Abhimanyu.
Chakravyuha.
Arjuna argues that if the men are killed, the women will become "corrupted," leading to this—the "intermingling of castes/varna."
Varna-Sankara.