Summary of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1

Bhagavad Gita First chapter shows, the problem of samsaara. This can be said to be
the problem of attachment (raga), grief (soka) and delusion (moha).
When one is not happy with oneself, one has to seek external aids. This leads to
dependence and attachment. Since the conditions of the depended factors are
unpredictable, the very peace of mind of that person is in trouble. A disturbed mind
can make only faulty judgments complicating the matters further. This, in short is the
problem of samsaara.

Verses 1 to 20 – We find in these verses, a vivid description of the armies and the
preparations. After a brief instruction of Duryodhana to his commanders, Bhisma,
Lord Krsna, Arjuna, and others blow their conches, signaling the commencement of
the battle.
Verses 21 to 25 – Arjuna’s chariot being placed in the middle of the armies on his
request, to scrutinize the enemy-forces. The mischievous Lord brings the chariot in
front
of Bhisma and Drona and asks Arjuna to survey the army.
Verses 26 to 28 – Arjuna’s change of mind leading to attachment (raaga). In a
moment of weakness, Arjuna slips down from reason to relation. Instead of seeing the
violators of dharma, he sees his beloved kith and kind. Naturally, Arjuna is
overpowered by attachment. Then follow the twin offshoots of attachment viz. grief
and delusion.
Verses 25 to 34 – Arjuna’s grief (Shok) – Arjuna is expressing his intense grief
which shakes him completely. This indicates the extent of his attachment he currently
has
Verses 35 to 47 – Arjuna’s delusion (moha) – Veiled by attachment, his
discriminative power becomes inoperative and he commits a series of false judgments.
Interestingly enough, Arjuna even quotes the scriptures to support his unreasonable
stand. In this way, Arjuna finds himself in the deep sea of attachment, sorrow, and
delusion. Arjuna sincerely wants to get out of this problem. He thinks that solution is
to drop the battle. But, he is not convinced that dropping the battle is the right thing to
do. At the
same time, he has not realized that the problem is so deep for him to solve
independently.
Chapter 4 – Transcedental Knowedge / Gyan Yog

Now, in the Fourth Chapter, Krishna explains that jïäna-yoga—elevation to God

consciousness through the cultivation of spiritual knowledge—is higher, because
both karma-yoga and yajïa culminate in such transcendental knowledge.
Transcendental knowledge—knowledge concerning God, the jéva (individual soul) and
their eternal relationship—is elaborated in this chapter of the Gitä.
Verse 1-3 - History of Gitä: Krishna first mentions the history of the oral transmission of
the Gétä (originating with Himself) through disciplic succession (paramparä). Because
in time the succession was broken, Krishna is now speaking the Gétä again to Arjuna,
who, as Krishna’s devotee, is qualified to understand "the transcendental mystery of this
science." (1–3)
Verse 4-8 - Reason for His periodic descents: In the following verses, Krishna explains
His transcendental nature as the Supreme Lord and the reason for His periodic descents
to the mundane realm (to reestablish dharma, or religious principles) (4–8).
Verse 9-11 - Transcendental nature of Krishna: One who understands the
transcendental nature of His appearance and activities attains liberation (9). Those who
take refuge in Him are purified by such knowledge and achieve love for Him (10). Krishna
reciprocates with the jévas in accordance with their degree of surrender unto Him (11).
Verse 14-24 Intricacies of action: In verses 14 through 24, Krishna again explains the
intricacies of action and how, by being situated in transcendental knowledge, one
becomes free from karmic reactions. The learned man, in full knowledge that his self is
spiritual and subordinate to the Supreme, renounces self-interested actions and acts only
for the Supreme. Giving up all sense of proprietorship over his possessions and acting
only for the bare necessities of life, he is unaffected by the reactions of work.
Verse 25-32 - Types of sacrifice: Krishna describes different types of sacrifice
recommended in the Vedas (25–32) and states that they all culminate in transcendental
knowledge (33).

Verse 34-35 – Process of Attaining Transcendental Knowledge - He then reveals the

process for attaining transcendental knowledge (by approaching a self-realized guru),
and He explains what that ultimate knowledge is (that all jévas are part of Krishna) (34–
35).
Verse 36-42 - Supreme spiritual peace: Transcendental knowledge destroys karmic
reactions and brings attainment of "the supreme spiritual peace" (36–39). Those without
faith in transcendental knowledge, however, attain neither happiness nor God
consciousness (40). In conclusion, Krishna commands Arjuna to destroy his doubts by
spiritual knowledge: "Armed with yoga," he tells Arjuna, "stand and fight." (41–42).