GCSE Hinduism Bhagwat Gita

Definition = Song of the Divine

It is a DISCOURSE given by KRISHNA to ARJUN, delivered at a very crucial point in the battle

of the Mahabharat (Battle between Kauravs & Pandavas) . It is delivered on the battlefield of

Kurukshetra.

Krishna teaches Arjun the ESSENCE of the Upanishads. Krishna tells him how to translate their

complicated message into simple practical advice for life. Religion in daily life..

700 shlokas inside the Mahabharat (Ithyaas Section of Smruti)

Key Points

1) Action is better than Inaction. The action must be performed without expectation of a

reward.

2) Do your Duty – Dharma.

3) Worship of supreme Lord in the form of Krishna. It is also a personal God, so you can talk to

Him and act like He is “your God”

4) One word to sum up the Bhagwat Gita (BG) is RENUNCIATION. This is achieved through any

of the four yogas. The four Yogas are Karma, Bhakti, Jnana, Raja.

Krishna emphasises the importance of 2 of these in the BG: Bhakti Yoga & Karma Yoga.

Karma Yoga – Selfless Action , without expecting reward. (Action >inaction)

Bhakti Yoga – Devotion, especially devotion to the supreme God ( Para-Bhakti). Those who

believe Krishna to be supreme God, see the BG as giving ways to offer the Supreme God

(Krishna) bhakti, not just bhakti to other avatars. This is regarded as the Sweetest & Easiest

pathway to God.

Raj Yoga – self control - less important here

Jnana Yoga – Intellect – less important here

As above remember the key teaching is about Renunciation! All these pathways lead to

renunciation, which lead to detachment and hence Moksha.

5) Theories Explained in the BG

a) Samsara, b) Karma, c) Gunas

Remember anything God says is eternal truth. So if God is giving guidance, it is the truth. Here

Krishna (God ) is giving advice to Arjun. This means God is giving knowledge – Shruti . Even

though the BG is found in the Mahabharat, a Smruti; Because God is giving knowledge it is also

regarded as a Shruti as well. (I know confusing eh? Shruti & Smruti ). Because Krishna is

explaining the essence of the Upanishads, the BG is sometimes also called – The SYNTHESIS OF

THE UPANISHADS

6) The 5 Teachings of the BG

1. Soul is immortal – so stop worrying 2. Past has gone, live in the present to change your

future

3. Trustee not an owner, use don’t abuse. 4. Remove Selfishness

5. 5 elements of the body – fire, air, earth, water, space

Practise questions answered

Why is Devotion Important to Krishna in the Gita?

• Easiest pathways to Moksha, & to God

• He restored righteousness and hence defeated evil, therefore should be respected &

devoted

• Allows devotion targeted to the supreme Lord, not just avatars (para-bhakti)

• No caste/cultural barriers, all are Atmas in front of God.

Outline the Story of the Bhagwat Gita

• Kauravs vs Pandavs – Battle on Kurukshetra – Mahabharat

• Arjun dismayed at thought of killing old Guru and cousins

• Krishna convinces him of his Duty, and the need to uphold Dharma

Outline the teachings of Karma in the BG

Main teaching in BG is Renunciation. This is via 4 pathways/yogas (Jnan, Bhakti, Karma, Raj) to

moksha. Karma Yoga is taught in the BG as action is better than inaction. This includes the

selfless acts or deeds without expecting any rewards. This is karma yoga. The theory of Karma is

told by Krishna in the BG. It states how the soul is immortal (1 of the 5 teachings..), and on the

soul, karma is carried on it to the next life. When it is your duty or dharma to do a particular

deed, karma law states you must do it. As you a soul, your real self won’t get hurt, whatever you

are doing, as you are really the soul. The Ultimate Selfless act, was performed by Arjun who

risked his life, for the sake of Dharma, at the command of God. He didn’t expect any return, but

did show the karma law in practise.