Bhagavad-Gita

Religion and spirituality

First published: 1954
Print length: 128 pagesBarnes and Noble Books, 1995

Description

The Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu philosophical scripture embedded in the Mahabharata. Centered on the warrior Arjuna and Krishna, his charioteer and teacher, it brings together teachings on duty, action, knowledge, yoga, and devotion. Rather than treating these themes in isolation, the text places them within a shared philosophical and spiritual framework. Traditionally associated with Veda Vyasa, it is regarded by scholars as a composite work. Its influence reaches broadly across Hindu traditions, with particular importance in Vedanta and Vaishnavism. This edition offers readers one of the most influential works of Hindu thought.

Reading profile

About this profile

Collected’s assessment, not reader ratings. Complexity runs from 1 (least demanding) to 5 (most demanding).

Writing: How much attention the sentences and language require.
Ideas: How much interpretation or abstract reasoning the book asks of you.
Structure: How much you need to keep track of speakers, timelines and connections.
Background knowledge: Prior knowledge needed to follow the book, beyond what it explains.
Emotional intensity: Emotional pressure, from gentle (1) to intense (5). Separate from difficulty.

Writing style

Academic · Dense · Poetic

Pace

Measured

Tone

Cerebral · Earnest · Philosophical · Reflective

Structure

Framed

Focus

Argument · Ideas

Emotional intensity

3 / 5

Reading complexity

1–5 · higher means more demanding

Writing: 4 / 5
Ideas: 5 / 5
Structure: 3 / 5
Background knowledge: 3 / 5

Themes

Knowledge and truthMoralityReligion and faithTransformationWork

About Vyasa

Vyasa is the traditional author-figure of the Mahabharata, not a securely identifiable sole historical composer. The epic developed over centuries from bardic traditions and makes Vyasa both its originating poet and a character within its world. Its nested recitations turn authorship, memory, and performance into part of the form: Vyasa teaches the poem to disciples, Vaishampayana recites it to a king, and Ugrashravas retells what he heard to sages. Dynastic conflict expands into mythology, theology, romance, and philosophical instruction, repeatedly moving from action into sustained teaching. The Bhagavad Gita concentrates this method in Arjuna’s battlefield crisis and Krishna’s response, drawing action, knowledge, and devotion into a dialogue about duty without attachment to reward. Even the epic’s righteous heroes win through acts that complicate their stated dharma.

Book details

For the print edition listed above.

Publisher: Barnes and Noble Books
Language: English
ISBN: 9781566198530

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