Bhagavad Gita - ‘FAQ’
In what rhythmic meter is the Bhagavad Gita chanted?
The meter is called “Anushtup” and it contains 32 syllables in each verse. The general theme is in four lines of eight syllables each..
In particular verses, a “Trishtup” metre is used, which contains four lines of 11 syllables each. This is used in various poignant slokas in the Gita including Chapter 2, Chapter 8, Chapter [...]Where can I get good audio versions of the shlokas?
One of the best chanting of the Geeta in tape form is that by Swami Brahmananda.It is produced by the Central Chinmaya Mission Trust,Deenabandhu Devastanam,CMH Road, Indiranagar, Bangalore 560038.There is very little music in it,and the pronounciation is very clear.
Many sources are now available in the internet including this site.Is a Gita dictionary available on the internet?
Yes. It is available in various encoded (itx) and devanaagarii postscript (ps) versions with meanings by Srila Prabhupada. Please see bgwords files for various versions on http://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_giitaa/
An English dictionary is also available here Click to Download PDF, courtesy http://www.advaitin.net/When was the Bhagavad Gita first translated into English?
The first English edition of the Bhagavad-Gita was released in 1785 by Charles Wilkins in London, England. This was only 174 years after the translation of the King James Bible in 1611.
Is there any special Gita day during the year?
Lord Krishna mentions in the Gita that `among the months I am the maargashiirshha, maasaanaaM maargashiirsho.aham.h.‘ maargashiirshha shuddha ekaadashii is noted as Gitajayanti and is celebrated in December. Perhaps, the Gita conversation, in whatever form, took place during this time of the year. At least, it is an occasion to remember, religous or otherwise, the [...]
Has any one done non traditional research on the Gita?
The following are references of some of the non traditional research done on the Gita. By no means can this list be considered exhaustive.
THE SOCIAL ROLE OF THE GITA: HOW AND WHY, was published in Delhi by Urmila Agarwal in 1993. The book is available from Motilal Banarsidass.
UPANISHADS, GITA, AND BIBLE : A [...]Is the Gita an upanishad?
The Gita is often referred to as an upanishhad, and according to some it contains the truth of all of them.The fundamental thoughts of the upanishads, the conclusions and theories are expounded in the Gita. The Gita has been given the status of a Upanishad as enunciated in the following verse:
sarvopanishhado gaavo dogdhaa gopaalanandanaH
paartho [...]Why do some books say that the Gita contains 701 shlokas?
There is an extra sloka because of the inclusion of Arjuna’s question in the beginning of chapter 13. This was done to add continuity and is omitted in some texts.
How many chapters and shlokas does the Gita contain?
The Gita contains 18 chapters and 700 shlokas. Of the 700 shlokas, 1 (first) shloka is of Dhritarashtra, 40 are of Sanjaya, 84 of Arjuna and 575 of Lord Krishna.
For Short summaries of all these chapters click here
The kashmiri version of Gita contains some additional shlokas, and some words are different.What is the greatness of the Gita ?
The Mahabharata says “sarva shaastramayii giitaa” meaning that the Gita comprises all the scriptures. Sage Vyaasa has said that the Gita alone should be sung, heard and assimilated and there is no use of any other scripture when one has the Gita because it has originated from the lips of the Lord Himself in the [...]
