Bhagavad Ghita Summary

Here is a synopsis on Bhagavad Gita. The book is a representation of a conversation between a man and a God. Arjuna’s chariot driver is a God Vishnu, who has taken the form of Krishna. Krishna watches as Arjuna quits and decides to persuade him to stick to his warrior duties and engage his enemies. This is a quick summary of the text that provides the main points and ideas in the book. It can help guide in writing the book review

Here Is a Detailed Summary of Bhagavad Gita

Now let us look at the plot overview. The book begins with Dhritarashtra asking Sanjay, his secretary to tell him the events of the battle between (The Kauravas) his sons and Pandavas their cousins.

Arjuna is a Pandava Prince. He prepares for war at Kurukshetra which is current Northern India. Krishna, (the supreme personality of the Hindu) agrees to become Arjuna’s charioteer. Arjuna takes his bow in preparation of battle. He spots Dhritarashtra’s sons preparing for battle. Arjuna realizes that he will be fighting his near relatives in this war as opponents.

Krishna guides the chariot to the center of the war between the two armies. This was according to the wishes of Arjuna. Arjuna is upset after foreseeing much death of people who had been close to him such as his friends, relatives and also teachers. He decides he will not be part of the battle and throws don his bow and also the arrows. He swears he will not participate in this fight or any other battle if it requires him to fight people who were once close to him.

Arjuna does not realize the full nature of his charioteer. He only knows that Krishna is very well informed in matters of life. He does not even know that Krishna is an avatar of the Hindus’ supreme being Vishnu.

Krishna shows his power to Arjuna. He shows him his four-armed forms. The prince is surprised but also impressed by the power his charioteer held. He realizes that Krishna is all powerful. This meant that he not only held the reins of the Chariot but also the reins of the universe as a whole.

Arjuna comes realizes that Krishna should not only be respected but also worshipped. His perspective of him changes completely. Arjuna put the bow and arrows so that he would not harm his friends and relatives as it would be sinful. After Krishna reveals his power to him, Arjuna learns that Krishna would also not encourage him to engage in this fight if it would end in sinful actions. Arjuna understands the teachings of Krishna. He leans that truly knowing Krishna would require a person to commit to him fully and surrender to Krishna as part of devotional service.

Krishna tells Arjuna to become his devotee, to always think of him, the act of him, worship him and also offer homage to him. Also, he is not to be afraid of adverse reactions. After hearing all of this, Arjuna decides to fight. He fetches his bow and arrows and fires at the opposition.

Sanjay predicts Arjuna’s victory. This is because the price was not only a very skilled archer, but he had also surrendered himself to Krishna. So how could he possibly lose? The prediction becomes true, and Arjuna is victorious.

In the absence of Krishna’s support, Arjuna could not even fight the battle of Kurukshetra. Now that he had Krishna on his side and driving his chariot he could do more than fighting. He could choose to live a better life.

The Bhagavad Ghita embodies the reasoning of a mind and the ability to choose a purpose over living by desire. If Arjuna just failed to fight due to his lack of desire, he would not learn anything. Krishna informs him to continue with his duty, purpose, dharma to fight the good fight. He is informed that his opposition already have it coming to them and therefore he is the instrument of Karma.

Krishna explained that there were three ways in which one can do what they have to without getting any bad karma. The first is the way of knowledge whereby one chooses to accept that selfhood is an illusion.

The second is through devotion. Here, by totally surrendering your will to Krishna he will take upon himself any bad karma that befalls one.

The third way is the Karma yoga also known as the way of action. The main idea here is to act without attachment. This means not worrying about the outcome of one’s actions. According to this view, sometimes emotions interfere with the outcome of the steps. By acting without attachment or emotions such as fear, love, embarrassment, and anxiety, one is more effective in their work.