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Popularly known as the Gita, it is believed to be part of the smritis. The poem consists of 18 chapters divided into three sections of six chapters each, and contains about 700 verses. It is believed to have been composed around 300 AD by an unknown Brahmin. However, its authorship, or its revision, is sometimes ascribed to Shankaracharya. Although now considered part of the Mahabharata, it was composed later, and therefore added to the epic later.
The poem is in the form of a dialogue between two major characters in the Mahabharata: Arjuna and Krishna. Just before the epic battle at Kurukshetra, Arjuna asks Krishna, his charioteer, to take his chariot forward to enable him to size up the opposition. When he looks at them, he sees that their army consists of his cousins, uncles, gurus, and others whom he reveres. Arjuna is suddenly struck with remorse at the thought of attempting to gain the kingdom by killing his kinsmen. He tells Krishna that he cannot fight them. Krishna tells him that a warrior's duty is to fight and not question the wisdom of war. Everyone born is destined to die, but it is god or destiny that destroys. The slayer is only an instrument in the hands of god or destiny. Krishna's advice and guidance to Arjuna constitute the text of the Gita.
The first section deals with Karma Yoga or the philosophy of action. Nishkama karma, or an action performed without thought for any compensation and without fear of the consequences, is the central teaching of this section. It explains that one must perform one's karma, which is decided at birth depending on which caste (see Varna) one is born into. A Brahmin's duty is upholding righteousness, a Kshatriya's is protection, a Vaishya's, agriculture and trade, and a Shudra's, service.
The second section considers Gyana Yoga or the philosophy of knowledge. It teaches that although good work is important, most of one's time should be devoted to attaining knowledge of the Supreme. It says that knowledge dispels delusion, destroys sin, and purifies the one who attains it.
The third section, Bhakti Yoga, explains the philosophy of devotion. This portion of the Gita teaches that every form of worship, even if apparently crude is a stepping stone towards a higher form and therefore should be respected. Different forms of worship are compared to different roads that lead to the same destination.
The philosophy behind the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, therefore, is: not mere knowledge, nor mere action, but action with perfect knowledge, without any desire for its fruit and consecrated to God.
A philosophical work on the meaning of duty, the Gita has been translated into almost all the languages in the world, and is the second most-widely translated book after the Bible. Most literate families have a copy of the Gita at home, while those who are not formally educated are still well versed in this scripture and can quote liberally from it. This work is revered by all and while testifying in a court of law, it is on the Gita that a Hindu must place her or his right hand and swear to tell the truth.
