Key idea: The main plot involves a dispute between cousins over land. The idea of going to war and killing your own family is unbearable to a warrier named Arjuna. Just before the battle begins, Arjuno turns to Krishna, his charioteer and teacher, and begins asking him deep, philosophical questions. The rest of the book is a conversation between the two during the course of which, Arjuna is transformed into a confident man filled with knowledge, ready to go to war and win.
And Arjuna, standing between the two armies, saw fathers and grandfathers, teachers, uncles, and brothers, sons and grandsons, in-laws and friends. Seeing his kinsmen established in opposition, Arjuna was overcome by sorrow. Despairing, he spoke these words:
O Krishna, I see my own relations here anxious, to fight, and my limbs grow weak; my mouth is, dry, my body shakes, and my hair is standing on, end. My skin burns, and the bow Gandiva has, slipped from my hand. I am unable to stand; my, mind seems to be whirling. These signs bode evil, for us. I do not see that any good can come from, killing our relations in battle. O Krishna, I have no desire for victory, or for a kingdom or pleasures.
Of what use is a kingdom or pleasure or even life, if those for whose sake we desire these things – teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, uncles, in- laws, grandsons, and others with family ties – are engaging in this battle, renouncing their wealth and their lives?...
How can we gain happiness by killing members of our own family?
Overwhelmed by sorrow, Arjuna spoke these words. And casting away his bow and his arrows, he sat down in his chariot in the middle of the battlefield.
As one abandons worn-out clothes and acquires new ones, so when the body is worn out a new one is acquired by the Self, who lives within.
The Self cannot be pierced by weapons or burned by fire; water cannot wet it, nor can the wind dry it. The Self cannot be pierced or burned, made wet or dry. It is everlasting and infinite, standing on the motionless foundations of eternity. The Self is unmanifested, beyond all thought, beyond all change. Knowing this, you should not grieve...
You have heard the intellectual explanation of Sankhya, Arjuna; now listen to the principles of yoga. By practicing these you can break through the bonds of karma...
For yoga is perfect evenness of mind.
When your mind has overcome the confusion of duality, you will attain the state of holy indifference to things you hear and things you have heard.
When you are unmoved by the confusion of ideas and your mind is completely united in deep samadhi, you will attain the state of perfect yoga...
When you keep thinking about sense objects, lust of possession that burns to anger. Anger clouds the judgment; you can no longer learn from past mistakes. Lost is the power to choose between what is wise and what is unwise, and your life is utter waste. But when you move amidst the world of sense, free from attachment and aversion alike, there comes the peace in which all sorrows end, and you live in the wisdom of the Self...
They are forever free who renounce all selfish desires and break away from the ego- cage of “I,” “me,” and “mine” to be united with the Lord. This is the supreme state. Attain to this, and pass from death to immortality...
They live in freedom who have gone beyond the dualities of life. Competing with no one, they are alike in success and failure and content with whatever comes to them. They are free, without selfish attachments; their minds are fixed in knowledge. They perform all work in the spirit of service, and their karma is dissolved...
Have you listened with attention? Are you now free from your doubts and confusion?
You have dispelled my doubts and delusions, and I understand through your grace. My faith is firm now, and I will do your will.