This chapter provides the setting for “Gita”.

The setting is a battlefield of Kurukshetra (India) and the entire book is a conversation between Arjun (human) and Shri Krishna (Avatar of God ). Avatar in Hinduism means God taking birth in an earthly form.

Symbolically, the battlefield is within each of us when we are confused and uncertain about right and wrong, about our stance, our beliefs, our actions and various other things.

Arjun is plagued by doubts and confusion and is having trouble figuring out the right course of action for him. He is looking for guidance from Shri Krishna.

Arjun symbolizes us humans and Shri Krishna symbolizes God.

Just as Arjun turns to Shri Krishna, we need to turn to God for guidance when we are in a confused state of mind. Guidance provided by Shri Krishna is as applicable to us as it was to Arjun. And it is as relevant today as it was more than 5000 years ago when this dialog took place.

The next chapter starts this guidance. I have selected a few key verses that convey the teachings of each of the 17 chapters.

I have simplified, paraphrased and picked instructive content from these verses based on my limited knowledge of Sanskrit and the sources cited.

Similar teachings are repeated and elaborated on in multiple chapters. That is how the chapters are written in the original Bhagavad Gita. I have tried to stay true to them. The chapter headings are entirely mine since the original Gita does not have them.

Total Verses in this Chapter: 46

REFERENCES:

“Bhagavad Gita As It Is” by Swami Prabhupada

https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/

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