The Sacred Sanskrit Text
The Bhagavad Gita was originally composed in Sanskrit, the sacred language of ancient India. Reading the Gita in its original Sanskrit form provides a deeper connection to Krishna's teachings, as each Sanskrit word carries layers of meaning that often cannot be fully captured in translation. Our comprehensive guide helps you learn proper Sanskrit pronunciation while appreciating the beauty and precision of the original text.
.>.> *>#M!5>6MH5 ?.A0M5$ 8M/e
Pronunciation Guide:
dharma-kchetre: DHAR-ma KSHE-tre | kuru-kchetre: KU-ru KSHE-tre
samavet: sa-ma-VE-taa | yuyutsava%: yu-yut-SA-vah
Why Study Sanskrit Bhagavad Gita?
Sanskrit is not just a language; it's a precise system of communication designed to convey spiritual and philosophical concepts with absolute accuracy. Each Sanskrit word in the Bhagavad Gita is carefully chosen to convey specific meanings, often containing multiple layers of interpretation that enrich our understanding of Krishna's teachings.
Authentic Experience
Connect directly with the original words spoken by Krishna, experiencing the text as it was meant to be received by devotees for millennia.
Deeper Meaning
Sanskrit words often contain multiple meanings and associations that provide richer understanding than any single translation can convey.
Spiritual Vibration
Chanting Sanskrit verses creates specific sound vibrations believed to have transformative spiritual effects on consciousness.
Cultural Heritage
Learning Sanskrit connects you to the vast cultural and spiritual heritage of India and the wisdom traditions of ancient sages.
Sanskrit Pronunciation Guide
Proper Sanskrit pronunciation is essential for understanding and appreciating the Bhagavad Gita. Sanskrit follows specific phonetic rules that ensure each sound is pronounced consistently and clearly.
Basic Pronunciation Rules
Vowel Sounds
| Devanagari | Transliteration | Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| a | as in "but" (short) | 0MA( (arjuna) | |
| as in "father" (long) | $M.> (tm) | ||
| i | as in "bit" (short) | $? (iti) | |
| + | as in "beet" (long) | @$> (g+t) | |
| u | as in "put" (short) | $M$. (uttama) | |
| k | as in "boot" (long) | 0B* (rkpa) |
Important Consonants
| Devanagari | Transliteration | Pronunciation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| k | as in "kite" | Unaspirated | |
| kh | as in "blockhead" | Aspirated | |
| ch | as in "chair" | Always palatal | |
| j | as in "joy" | Always palatal | |
| 0 | r | rolled "r" | Slightly rolled |
| / | y | as in "yes" | Semi-vowel |
Key Pronunciation Tips
- Equal Syllable Stress: Unlike English, Sanskrit gives equal stress to all syllables
- Clear Vowels: All vowels are pronounced clearly and distinctly
- Aspirated Consonants: Letters like 'kh', 'gh', 'th' include a puff of air
- Conjunct Consonants: Combined consonants are pronounced as single units
- Final 'a' Sound: The final 'a' in Sanskrit words is pronounced, unlike in Hindi
-M/A$M%>(.'0M.8M/ $&>$M.>( 8C>.M/9.Me
Word-by-word breakdown:
yad yad: YA-daa YA-daa (whenever) | hi: hi (indeed)
dharmasya: DHAR-ma-sya (of righteousness) | glni%: GLAA-nih (decline)
All 18 Chapters in Sanskrit
Access the complete Sanskrit text of all 18 chapters with verse-by-verse transliteration and pronunciation guides.
'M/>/ g
Arjuna Vishada Yoga
'M/>/ h
Sankhya Yoga
'M/>/ i
Karma Yoga
'M/>/ j
Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga
'M/>/ k
Karma Sannyasa Yoga
'M/>/ l
Atma Samyama Yoga
'M/>/ m
Paramahamsa Vijnana Yoga
'M/>/ n
Akshara Brahma Yoga
'M/>/ o
Raja Vidya Guhya Yoga
'M/>/ gf
Vibhuti Vistara Yoga
'M/>/ gg
Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga
'M/>/ gh
Bhakti Yoga
'M/>/ gi
Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yoga
'M/>/ gj
Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga
'M/>/ gk
Purushottama Prapti Yoga
'M/>/ gl
Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga
'M/>/ gm
Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
'M/>/ gn
Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Begin Your Sanskrit Journey
Start reading the Bhagavad Gita in original Sanskrit with our comprehensive learning tools
Chapter 1 Sanskrit Audio Pronunciation