The Srimad Bhagavad Gita is a sacred book derived from the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata, an epic poem of Hinduism comprising 18 chapters and around 125,000 verses. Approximately 5,000 years ago, at the onset of the Kali Yuga, Krishna imparted the teachings of the Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Maharishi Ved Vyasa recorded this discourse in a question-and-answer format between Sanjaya and Dhritarashtra.
The Bhagavad Gita consists of 18 chapters and 700 verses in the Sanskrit language, primarily employing the Anushtup Chhand. It holds a significant position within Hinduism, as it is considered the culmination of the Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas. While the Vedas, namely Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda, are the primary religious texts, the Upanishads represent their philosophical essence. The Upanishads, in turn, have given rise to 18 Puranas. The Bhagavad Gita is regarded as the ultimate essence and conclusion of these sacred scriptures.
The Mahabharata contains numerous events that lay the foundation for the profound teachings of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. In the Bhishma Kanda, which unfolds after the culmination of various narratives, the Gita emerges as a profound discourse delivered by Lord Krishna to Arjuna who becomes overwhelmed by doubt and moral dilemma on the eve of the battle and hesitates to fight, as he sees his relatives, teachers, and loved ones on the opposing side. In response to Arjuna's confusion, Krishna imparts spiritual wisdom, guidance, and philosophical insights to him, addressing his doubts and providing him with clarity about duty, righteousness, and the nature of life and death. The timeless knowledge of Gita covers various aspects of human existence, ethics, devotion, self-realization, and the paths to liberation which is equally relevent in present context.