The Bhagavad Gita

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).