Bhagavad Gita
Every shloka with its meaning in English and Hindi, chapter by chapter
Printed from jeevandrishti.com/books/bhagavad-gita, where the meaning of every verse is in English and Hindi.
Duty · Knowledge · Devotion
About the Bhagavad Gita
The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is a conversation between Shri Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, just before the Mahabharata war begins. It is part of the Mahabharata, in the Bhishma Parva, and tradition credits it to Ved Vyasa. It has 700 shlokas in 18 chapters, in Sanskrit.
Seeing his teachers and relatives in the opposing army, Arjuna loses heart and refuses to fight. Krishna, his charioteer, answers his doubts: about duty, about the soul that does not die, about working without craving the results, about the mind, and about devotion. Sanjaya, given the sight to see the battle from afar, tells the whole conversation to the blind king Dhritarashtra.
The whole Gita is here, all 18 chapters and 700 shlokas, each chapter on its own page: every shloka in Sanskrit and in Roman letters, with a simple meaning in English and Hindi written for this site. If you are new to it, Chapter 2 holds the heart of the teaching.
The chapters
- Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga अर्जुनविषादयोग Arjuna’s grief · 47 shlokas Read
- Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga सांख्ययोग The path of knowledge · 72 shlokas Read
- Chapter 3: Karma Yoga कर्मयोग The path of action · 43 shlokas Read
- Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga ज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोग Knowledge and giving up action · 42 shlokas Read
- Chapter 5: Karma Sannyasa Yoga कर्मसंन्यासयोग Renouncing the fruits of action · 29 shlokas Read
- Chapter 6: Atma Samyama Yoga आत्मसंयमयोग Meditation and self-control · 47 shlokas Read
- Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga ज्ञानविज्ञानयोग Knowledge and realisation · 30 shlokas Read
- Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yoga अक्षरब्रह्मयोग The imperishable Brahman · 28 shlokas Read
- Chapter 9: Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga राजविद्याराजगुह्ययोग The royal knowledge · 34 shlokas Read
- Chapter 10: Vibhuti Yoga विभूतियोग The divine glories · 42 shlokas Read
- Chapter 11: Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga विश्वरूपदर्शनयोग The vision of the universal form · 55 shlokas Read
- Chapter 12: Bhakti Yoga भक्तियोग The path of devotion · 20 shlokas Read
- Chapter 13: Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञविभागयोग The field and its knower · 34 shlokas Read
- Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga गुणत्रयविभागयोग The three gunas · 27 shlokas Read
- Chapter 15: Purushottama Yoga पुरुषोत्तमयोग The Supreme Person · 20 shlokas Read
- Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga दैवासुरसम्पद्विभागयोग The divine and the demonic natures · 24 shlokas Read
- Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga श्रद्धात्रयविभागयोग The three kinds of faith · 28 shlokas Read
- Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga मोक्षसंन्यासयोग Freedom through letting go · 78 shlokas Read
The meanings here are written in plain words and follow the common reading of each shloka; they are not a word-for-word translation or a commentary. The Roman lettering is simplified for easy reading. This page is for reading and reflection; it is not a substitute for medical or other professional help.
Questions people ask
Who spoke the Bhagavad Gita?
Shri Krishna, to Arjuna, at Kurukshetra. Sanjaya narrates the conversation to King Dhritarashtra. The Gita is part of the Mahabharata, which tradition credits to Ved Vyasa.
How many chapters and shlokas does it have?
18 chapters and 700 shlokas in the common edition.
Where should I start reading?
At the beginning, or with Chapter 2, which sets out the main teaching. Many readers then go on to Chapter 3 (action) and Chapter 12 (devotion).
When is Gita Jayanti?
On Mokshada Ekadashi, the eleventh day of the bright half of Margashirsha (November or December), the day tradition holds the Gita was spoken.
Can I read it in English letters?
Yes. Turn on “English letters” on a chapter page to see every shloka in Roman script under the Sanskrit.
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