Approaching the Srimad Bhagavad Gita

Approaching the Śrīmad Bhagavad Gītā

Let us first offer our respects to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the divine speaker of the Bhagavad Gītā; to Sañjaya, through whose vision and narration this sacred conversation was revealed; and to Śrīla Vyāsadeva, the great sage who compiled the Gītā within the epic of the Mahābhārata.

It is important to recognize that the Bhagavad Gītā is a part of the Mahābhārata, and to truly grasp its teachings, one should endeavor to study the Mahābhārata as a whole. By understanding the broader context—particularly the lives, values, and beliefs of the key personalities with whom Śrī Kṛṣṇa engages—we gain deeper insight into the urgency and relevance of His message.

In studying the Gītā, one must pay careful attention to the original Sanskrit verses, ensuring that any translation remains faithful to the true intent of the text. The meanings of words should not be altered or tailored to fit the views of any specific institution or ideology. Rather, the Gītā should be approached with the aim of receiving Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s teachings as He originally conveyed them, unaltered and untwisted.

Most importantly, one must seek to apply these teachings sincerely, without distortion or compromise for personal or organizational convenience. Only through such honest and dedicated study can one receive the transformative wisdom of the Bhagavad Gītā.

Om Tat Sat