Each chapter of the Bhagavad Gita addresses specific aspects of spiritual and practical wisdom. Here's a detailed overview of all 18 chapters:
Chapter 1
Arjuna's Dilemma
अर्जुनविषादयोग (Arjuna Vishada Yoga)
Arjuna faces moral crisis on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Overwhelmed by the prospect of fighting his own relatives and teachers, he experiences complete despair and refuses to fight. This sets the stage for Krishna's profound teachings.
Key Themes: Moral conflict, duty vs emotion, dharmic crisis
Verse Count: 47 verses
Chapter 2
The Eternal Soul
सांख्ययोग (Sankhya Yoga)
Krishna explains the fundamental nature of the soul (atman) as eternal and indestructible. He introduces concepts of dharma, karma yoga, and the importance of performing one's duty without attachment to results.
Key Themes: Soul immortality, detached action, steadfast wisdom
Verse Count: 72 verses
Chapter 3
Path of Action
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga)
Detailed exposition of karma yoga - performing actions without attachment to results. Krishna explains the cosmic order maintained through action and the importance of fulfilling one's duties selflessly.
Key Themes: Selfless action, cosmic duty, sacrifice
Verse Count: 43 verses
Chapter 4
Divine Knowledge
ज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोग (Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga)
Krishna reveals the ancient lineage of this knowledge and explains the concept of avatar - divine incarnation. He teaches about the relationship between knowledge and action, and the nature of inaction within action.
Key Themes: Divine incarnation, ancient wisdom, transcendent action
Verse Count: 42 verses
Chapter 5
Action and Renunciation
कर्मसंन्यासयोग (Karma Sannyasa Yoga)
Comparison between the path of action (karma yoga) and the path of renunciation (sannyasa). Krishna clarifies that both paths lead to the same goal, but karma yoga is more practical for most people.
Key Themes: Balanced approach, practical spirituality, inner renunciation
Verse Count: 29 verses
Chapter 6
Meditation and Self-Control
आत्मसंयमयोग (Atma Samyama Yoga)
Detailed instructions on dhyana yoga (meditation). Krishna provides practical guidance on meditation techniques, mind control, and the characteristics of a realized yogi. Addresses the fate of unsuccessful yogis.
Key Themes: Meditation practice, mind control, yogic lifestyle
Verse Count: 47 verses
Chapter 7
Knowledge of the Absolute
परब्रह्मपरमात्मयोग (Para Brahma Paramatma Yoga)
Krishna reveals his divine nature and explains how to know him in truth. He describes the material and spiritual energies, and why people fail to recognize the divine due to maya (illusion).
Key Themes: Divine nature, material vs spiritual, overcoming illusion
Verse Count: 30 verses
Chapter 8
The Eternal Brahman
अक्षरब्रह्मयोग (Akshara Brahma Yoga)
Explanation of fundamental concepts: Brahman (absolute reality), adhyatma (individual soul), karma (action), adhibhuta (material manifestation), and adhidaiva (cosmic intelligence). Describes the importance of remembering Krishna at death.
Key Themes: Ultimate reality, death and rebirth, cosmic principles
Verse Count: 28 verses
Chapter 9
Royal Knowledge
राजविद्याराजगुह्ययोग (Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga)
Krishna reveals the most confidential knowledge - his all-pervading nature and how everything exists within him. He explains devotional service and how even simple offerings made with love are accepted by him.
Key Themes: Divine omnipresence, devotional service, simple devotion
Verse Count: 34 verses
Chapter 10
Divine Glories
विभूतियोग (Vibhuti Yoga)
Krishna describes his various manifestations and glories in the material world. He explains how he can be perceived in the most excellent aspects of creation, encouraging devotees to see the divine everywhere.
Key Themes: Divine manifestations, seeing God in creation, divine excellence
Verse Count: 42 verses
Chapter 11
Universal Form
विश्वरूपदर्शनयोग (Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga)
The climactic chapter where Krishna reveals his cosmic universal form to Arjuna. This awe-inspiring vision shows Krishna as the source and destroyer of all creation, demonstrating his infinite and transcendent nature.
Key Themes: Divine vision, cosmic form, ultimate reality
Verse Count: 55 verses
Chapter 12
Devotion
भक्तियोग (Bhakti Yoga)
After showing his universal form, Krishna focuses on bhakti yoga - the path of devotion. He explains the superiority of devotional service and describes the qualities of his dear devotees.
Key Themes: Pure devotion, devotee qualities, love of God
Verse Count: 20 verses
Chapter 13
Nature and the Soul
क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञविभागयोग (Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga)
Distinction between the field (body/matter) and the knower of the field (soul/consciousness). Krishna explains the relationship between prakriti (nature), purusha (soul), and Paramatma (Supersoul).
Key Themes: Body vs soul, consciousness, material nature
Verse Count: 35 verses
Chapter 14
Three Modes of Nature
गुणत्रयविभागयोग (Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga)
Detailed explanation of the three gunas (modes) of material nature: sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance). Krishna describes how these modes influence behavior and consciousness.
Key Themes: Three gunas, transcending material modes, spiritual freedom
Verse Count: 27 verses
Chapter 15
The Supreme Person
पुरुषोत्तमयोग (Purushottama Yoga)
Krishna describes the cosmic tree of material existence and how to transcend it. He explains his position as Purushottama - the Supreme Person beyond both the fallible and infallible aspects of creation.
Key Themes: Cosmic tree, transcendence, supreme personality
Verse Count: 20 verses
Chapter 16
Divine and Demonic Natures
दैवासुरसम्पद्विभागयोग (Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga)
Contrast between divine and demonic qualities in human nature. Krishna lists the characteristics of both types and explains how divine qualities lead to liberation while demonic qualities lead to bondage.
Key Themes: Divine vs demonic qualities, spiritual progress, moral development
Verse Count: 24 verses
Chapter 17
Three Types of Faith
श्रद्धात्रयविभागयोग (Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga)
Analysis of faith according to the three gunas. Krishna explains how the mode of goodness, passion, or ignorance influences one's faith, worship, food preferences, charity, and spiritual practices.
Key Themes: Faith and gunas, worship types, spiritual practices
Verse Count: 28 verses
Chapter 18
Liberation and Surrender
मोक्षसंन्यासयोग (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga)
The concluding chapter that synthesizes all previous teachings. Krishna gives his final instruction to surrender completely to him, promising liberation from all sins. This chapter emphasizes the ultimate goal of spiritual life.
Key Themes: Complete surrender, final liberation, synthesis of all yogas
Verse Count: 78 verses