Bhagavad Gita facts for kids
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The Bhagavad Gita is a very important holy book in Hinduism. It was written a long time ago, about five thousand years, as part of a much bigger story called the Mahabharata.
This book shares teachings from Lord Sri Krishna, who many Hindus believe is the Supreme God. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna talks to Arjuna, a skilled Archer, right before a big battle called the Kurukshetra War.
Arjuna feels unsure about fighting because his own family members are on the other side. But Krishna tells him that he must do his dharma, which means his duty. In this case, Arjuna's duty is to fight. Even though it's hard, Arjuna listens to Krishna. The book teaches that by following his duty, Arjuna will not face bad consequences for his actions.
Many people see the Bhagavad Gita as a guide for how to live a good life, following the principles of Sanatana Dharma (another name for Hinduism).
Contents
What is the Bhagavad Gita?
The Bhagavad Gita is a special part of the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata. It is like a conversation between a warrior prince named Arjuna and his charioteer, Lord Krishna. This conversation happens right before a huge battle.
The book is full of wisdom and teachings. It helps people understand their duties and how to live a meaningful life. It talks about courage, doing what is right, and understanding who you are.
The Story of Arjuna and Krishna
The main story of the Bhagavad Gita takes place on a battlefield. Arjuna is a great warrior, but he is sad and confused. He has to fight against his own cousins and teachers. He doesn't want to hurt them.
Krishna, who is also Arjuna's friend and guide, helps him. Krishna explains why Arjuna must fight. He teaches Arjuna about duty, action, and the soul. Krishna tells Arjuna that fighting for what is right is his duty as a warrior.
Key Teachings from the Gita
The Bhagavad Gita teaches many important lessons. One big idea is about "dharma," which means your duty or what is right for you to do. It says everyone has a role to play in life.
Another teaching is about doing your work without always thinking about the results. This means focusing on your effort and actions, not just what you will get from them. It also talks about the soul, saying it is eternal and never truly dies.
The book also explains different paths to spiritual understanding. These include the path of knowledge, the path of devotion, and the path of action. Many people find these teachings helpful for living a peaceful and purposeful life.
Images for kids
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The Bhagavata Gita is attributed to the sage Vyasa.
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A manuscript illustration of the battle of Kurukshetra, fought between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, recorded in the Mahabharata.
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Krishna recounts Gita to Arjuna during Kurukshetra War, in Mahabharata; c.1820 painting.
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A didactic print from the 1960s that uses the Gita scene as a focal point for general religious instruction
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A 19th-century Sanskrit manuscript of the Bhagavad Gita, Devanagari script
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The thematic story of Arjuna and Krishna at the Kurukshetra War became popular in southeast Asia as Hinduism spread there in the 1st-millennium CE. Above, an Arjuna-Krishna chariot scene in Jakarta center, Indonesia.
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A frieze in the early 8th-century Virupaksha temple (Pattadakal) depicting Mahabharata scenes involving Arjuna-Krishna chariot. Pattadakal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Adi Shankara with Disciples, by Raja Ravi Varma (1904); Shankara published 700 verses of the Gita (800 CE), now the standard version.
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Vāsudeva-Krishna, on a coin of Agathocles of Bactria, c. 180 BCE. This is "the earliest unambiguous image" of the deity.
See also
In Spanish: Bhagavad-gītā para niños
