Bhagavad Gita Chapter Study Plans

Complete 18-Chapter Study Program

Systematic study guides for mastering each chapter's teachings, verses, and life applications

How to Use These Study Plans

Each chapter study plan provides a structured approach to deeply understand Krishna's teachings. Whether you're studying on your own or with a group, these plans guide you through key verses, core concepts, and practical applications.

Read & Reflect

Study the chapter overview and key verses with their translations and commentary.

Contemplate

Use the reflection questions to deepen your understanding of the teachings.

Apply

Practice the life applications to integrate wisdom into daily living.

Review

Complete the chapter before moving to the next for progressive learning.

Part 1: Karma Kanda (Chapters 1-6)

The foundation of Gita wisdom - understanding the soul, duty, and paths of action

1

Arjuna Vishada Yoga

The Yoga of Arjuna's Despair

Arjuna's crisis on the battlefield sets the stage for Krishna's teachings. This chapter explores the human condition of confusion, attachment, and the need for divine guidance.

47 Verses Setting the Scene

Key Topics:

Moral Dilemma Attachment Confusion Surrender
2

Sankhya Yoga

The Yoga of Knowledge

The summary of the entire Gita. Krishna reveals the eternal nature of the soul, introduces karma yoga, and teaches equanimity in action.

72 Verses Gita Summary

Key Topics:

Eternal Soul Karma Yoga Equanimity Sthitaprajna
3

Karma Yoga

The Yoga of Action

Deep dive into selfless action. Why action is superior to inaction, how to work without attachment, and the nature of desire as the enemy.

43 Verses Selfless Action

Key Topics:

Nishkama Karma Yajna Spirit Desire Control Svadharma
4

Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga

Knowledge & Renunciation of Action

Divine incarnation and transcendental knowledge. Krishna reveals His eternal nature and how knowledge burns all karma.

42 Verses Divine Knowledge

Key Topics:

Avatar Doctrine Jnana Yoga Types of Yajna Guru Importance
5

Karma Sannyasa Yoga

The Yoga of Renunciation

Reconciling action and renunciation. True renunciation is mental, not physical. The state of Brahman realization.

29 Verses True Renunciation

Key Topics:

Inner Renunciation Brahma-nirvana Equal Vision Supreme Peace
6

Dhyana Yoga

The Yoga of Meditation

Complete guide to meditation practice. Posture, breath, mind control, and the state of samadhi. The yogin's path to self-realization.

47 Verses Meditation Guide

Key Topics:

Meditation Practice Mind Control Yogin's Fate Supreme Yoga

Part 2: Upasana Kanda (Chapters 7-12)

The heart of devotion - knowing God and developing loving relationship with Krishna

7

Jnana Vijnana Yoga

Knowledge & Realization

Complete knowledge of God's nature. Krishna reveals His lower and higher energies, and why rare souls surrender to Him.

30 Verses Divine Nature

Key Topics:

Para & Apara Prakriti Types of Seekers Maya
8

Aksara Brahma Yoga

The Imperishable Absolute

The science of death and beyond. How to remember Krishna at death, cosmic cycles, and attaining the supreme destination.

28 Verses Cosmic Wisdom

Key Topics:

Death Consciousness Cosmic Cycles Om Meditation
9

Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga

The Royal Knowledge

The king of knowledge and secrets. Krishna's relationship with creation, the power of devotion, and His equal love for all.

34 Verses Supreme Secret

Key Topics:

Divine Immanence Simple Devotion Equal Vision of God
10

Vibhuti Yoga

Divine Manifestations

Krishna's divine glories in creation. Seeing God in the best of everything, from mountains to rivers to warriors to sages.

42 Verses Divine Glory

Key Topics:

Vibhutis Seeing God Everywhere Divine Source
11

Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga

The Cosmic Vision

Arjuna's vision of Krishna's universal form. The most dramatic chapter, revealing the totality of existence in God.

55 Verses Cosmic Revelation

Key Topics:

Universal Form Divine Awe Time as Destroyer
12

Bhakti Yoga

The Yoga of Devotion

The complete path of devotion. Personal vs impersonal worship, progressive practices, and the 36 qualities of a true devotee.

20 Verses Pure Devotion

Key Topics:

Personal vs Impersonal Devotee Qualities Progressive Path

Part 3: Jnana Kanda (Chapters 13-18)

The pinnacle of wisdom - discrimination, the three gunas, and ultimate liberation

13

Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga

Field & Knower of Field

Distinction between body and soul. The 20 qualities of true knowledge and understanding Prakriti and Purusha.

35 Verses Body-Soul Analysis

Key Topics:

Body vs Soul 20 Knowledge Qualities Prakriti-Purusha
14

Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga

The Three Qualities

Complete understanding of sattva, rajas, and tamas. How the gunas bind and how to transcend them.

27 Verses Guna Science

Key Topics:

Sattva-Rajas-Tamas Guna Effects Transcendence
15

Purushottama Yoga

The Supreme Person

The metaphor of the cosmic tree and the Supreme Person beyond the perishable and imperishable.

20 Verses Supreme Truth

Key Topics:

Ashvattha Tree Three Purushas Purushottama
16

Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga

Divine & Demonic Natures

The 26 divine qualities vs demonic traits. Self-assessment of one's nature and the path to liberation.

24 Verses Self-Assessment

Key Topics:

Divine Qualities Demonic Traits Three Gates of Hell
17

Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga

Three Types of Faith

Faith according to the gunas - sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic. Application to food, worship, charity, and austerity.

28 Verses Faith Analysis

Key Topics:

Three Faiths Food Types Om Tat Sat
18

Moksha Sannyasa Yoga

Liberation Through Renunciation

The grand conclusion. Summary of all teachings, the famous surrender verse, and Arjuna's transformation.

78 Verses Grand Finale

Key Topics:

Tyaga vs Sannyasa Varna Dharma Complete Surrender Charama Shloka

Tips for Effective Chapter Study

Study in Order

The Gita builds progressively. While each chapter can be studied independently, studying in order reveals the logical development of Krishna's teaching.

Take Notes

Keep a journal of insights, questions, and personal reflections. Write down verses that particularly resonate with your current life situation.

Memorize Key Verses

Each study plan highlights essential verses. Memorizing these in Sanskrit or English deepens your connection to the teaching.

Apply Daily

Knowledge becomes wisdom through application. Practice one teaching from each chapter in your daily life before moving to the next.

Study with Others

Join a study group or find a study partner. Discussing the teachings with others reveals perspectives you might miss alone.

Revisit Regularly

The Gita reveals new depths with each reading. Return to chapters periodically - they will speak differently at different life stages.

Experience the Wisdom of the Gita

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