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Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga
The Yoga of Arjuna's Grief
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna sees his family and teachers on the opposing side and is overcome with grief. He refuses to fight, dropping his bow.
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता
Complete Guide to the Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It is the most universally read of all Hindu scriptures, containing the essence of Vedic wisdom on karma, dharma, bhakti, and moksha.
18
Chapters
700
Verses (Shlokas)
4
Yoga Paths
Sanskrit
Language
Mahabharata
Part of
Lord Krishna
Speaker
All 18 Chapters of the Bhagavad Gita
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Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga
The Yoga of Knowledge
Krishna begins his divine teaching, explaining the immortal soul, the nature of duty, and introducing the core concept of performing action without attachment to results.
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Chapter 3: Karma Yoga
The Yoga of Action
Krishna teaches that action is unavoidable — even inaction is a form of action. One must perform one's duty (svadharma) selflessly, as a sacrifice to the Divine.
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Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga
The Yoga of Wisdom & Action Renunciation
Krishna reveals his divine nature and explains how action performed with divine wisdom purifies the soul. He introduces the concept of avatars — divine descents.
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Chapter 5: Karma Sanyasa Yoga
The Yoga of Renunciation
Both action and renunciation lead to liberation. The wise person acts without personal desire, experiencing the world while remaining internally free.
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Chapter 6: Dhyana Yoga
The Yoga of Meditation
Krishna describes the practice of meditation — controlling the mind, sitting in stillness, and gradually dissolving the individual self into universal consciousness.
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Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga
The Yoga of Knowledge & Wisdom
Krishna reveals his divine nature as the foundation of all creation and explains the four types of devotees who seek him — the distressed, the curious, the seeker of wealth, and the wise.
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Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yoga
The Yoga of the Eternal Brahman
Krishna explains the nature of Brahman, karma, rebirth, and what one must contemplate at the time of death to achieve liberation and not return to rebirth.
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Chapter 9: Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga
The Yoga of Royal Knowledge
The most confidential teaching: Krishna declares that all beings rest in him, yet he does not rest in them. Unwavering devotion to Krishna is the supreme path.
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Chapter 10: Vibhuti Yoga
The Yoga of Divine Manifestations
Krishna enumerates his divine manifestations — he is the sun among lights, the Himalayas among mountains, the Ganga among rivers, the Bhagavad Gita among scriptures.
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Chapter 11: Vishwaroopa Darshana Yoga
The Yoga of the Cosmic Form
Arjuna receives divine sight and beholds Krishna's universal form (Vishwarupa) — the entire cosmos contained within one divine being. It is the most visually spectacular chapter.
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Chapter 12: Bhakti Yoga
The Yoga of Devotion
Devotion (bhakti) is declared the highest path. Krishna describes the qualities of the ideal devotee — equal in joy and sorrow, free from ego, compassionate to all beings.
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Chapter 13: Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga
The Yoga of the Field & Knower of the Field
Krishna distinguishes between the body (kshetra/field) and the soul (kshetrajna/knower of the field). True wisdom is recognizing the imperishable soul within the perishable body.
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Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga
The Yoga of the Three Qualities
All of nature operates through three modes (gunas): Sattva (purity), Rajas (passion), and Tamas (inertia). Liberation comes from transcending all three.
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Chapter 15: Purushottama Yoga
The Yoga of the Supreme Person
Krishna describes the cosmic Ashvattha tree (world-tree) and reveals himself as Purushottama — the Supreme Person, beyond both the perishable and the imperishable.
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Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga
The Yoga of Divine & Demonic Qualities
Krishna lists the divine qualities (fearlessness, purity, non-violence, truth) and the demonic qualities (arrogance, anger, greed). One must cultivate the divine.
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Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
The Yoga of the Threefold Faith
Faith, food, sacrifice, and charity are each categorized into sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic types. The quality of one's faith determines the quality of one's spiritual life.
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Chapter 18: Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
The Yoga of Liberation & Renunciation
The culminating chapter. Krishna summarizes all teachings and delivers the highest secret: "Abandon all dharmas and take refuge in Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sins." Arjuna's doubt is dissolved — he picks up his bow and prepares to fight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chapters does the Bhagavad Gita have?
The Bhagavad Gita has 18 chapters (called Yoga) and 700 verses (shlokas). Each chapter covers a distinct path to liberation.
What is the main teaching of the Bhagavad Gita?
The central teaching is "perform your duty without attachment to results" (Nishkama Karma). Krishna also teaches that the soul is eternal, that devotion (bhakti) is the highest path, and that true wisdom lies in recognizing the divine within all beings.
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains the Karma Yoga teaching?
Chapter 3 of the Bhagavad Gita is called Karma Yoga. The most famous verse is 2.47: "You have the right to perform your actions, but never to the fruits of your actions." (कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन)
How long does it take to read the entire Bhagavad Gita?
Reading all 700 shlokas with translations takes approximately 6–8 hours. Each of the 18 chapters can be read in 20–30 minutes. Many practitioners read one chapter per day over 18 days.
Is the Bhagavad Gita available online for free?
Yes. Adhyatmas provides the complete Bhagavad Gita online for free — all 18 chapters with Sanskrit text, transliteration, Hindi, and English meanings. You can also ask questions and get AI-guided explanations.