Bhagavad Gītā — Foundations

The Bhagavad Gītā is one of the most famous scriptures of the Hindu tradition. This short 700-verse dialogue between Arjuna and Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa distils key Vedic ideas into a cohesive picture of the nature and purpose of existence.

This course will provide the baseline context to be able to understand more advanced courses and Satsangs on the Gītā. We will start with a brief explanation of what the text is and where it comes from, as well as a clear structure to follow the flow of ideas from one chapter to the next. Then, chapter by chapter, we will highlight the most important verses and the key ideas they reveal, including famous teachings like the renunciation of the fruit of action, the supremacy of the path of bhakti, and the importance of complete surrender to the Divine. Along the way, extensive quiz questions will help you gauge your understanding and integrate what you are learning.

By the end of the course, you will be able to explain the core message of the Gītā and how it is developed over the eighteen chapters.