The Bhagavad Gita
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On the field of Kurukshetra, Dhritarâshtra asks Sañgaya to relate what the armies did; Sañgaya recounts Duryodhana's survey of the Pândava forces, the sounding of conchs, and Arguna's request that his chariot be stationed between the armies, whereupon, overcome with pity at the sight of kinsmen, Arguna casts aside his bow (Chapter I). Declaring himself a disciple, Arguna asks to be instructed, and the remaining dialogue unfolds between him and the Deity—addressed as Krishna, Kesava, Govinda, Hrishîkesa, and Vâsudeva. The Deity teaches the eternal indestructible self and action without attachment to fruit (II), the twofold path of Sânkhyas and Yogins and the sin born of desire and wrath (III), the succession by which the teaching descended and the sacrifice of knowledge (IV), renunciation compared with pursuit of action (V), and the practice of abstraction and the fate of one who fails (VI). He expounds his eightfold lower and higher natures and classes of worshippers (VII), the terms Brahman, Adhyâtma, and others and the two paths at death (VIII), and a mysterious knowledge whereby even lowly-born devotees attain him (IX). He names his chief emanations (X) and, granting Arguna a divine eye, shows his universal form devouring the warriors, declaring himself death (XI). Arguna asks which worshippers best know devotion (XII). The Deity distinguishes Kshetra and Kshetra gña (XIII), the three qualities (XIV), the Asvattha tree and himself as best of beings (XV), godlike and demoniac endowments (XVI), and threefold faith, food, penance, and gift (XVII). Explaining renunciation, abandonment, and the duties of the four castes, he urges Arguna to fight; Arguna's delusion is destroyed. Sañgaya, recounting the dialogue through Vyâsa's favour, affirms victory where Krishna and Arguna are (XVIII).
The Deity states that one who performs prescribed actions without regard for their fruit is the devotee and renouncer, not one who discards fires or acts. Renunciation is called devotion. Action serves as a means to rise to devotion, tranquillity thereafter. The Deity describes self-restraint, equanimity toward cold and heat, sod, stone, gold, and toward friends and enemies. Instructions follow for practising abstraction in a secret place, seating, posture, gazing at the nose-tip, fixing the mind on the Deity, and moderation in food and sleep. Devotion is likened to a windless flame. Arguna objects that the mind is fickle, difficult as restraining wind. The Deity affirms it may be restrained through practice and indifference. Arguna asks the fate of one who fails; the Deity answers such a person meets no ruin, is reborn among the meritorious, and eventually attains perfection. The devotee is esteemed highest.
Chapter VI, Section 1aChapter VI, Section 1bChapter VI, Section 1c