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The Mahabharata is a famous, ancient epic and one of the two Sanskrit texts revered in Hinduism. Today, the most adored part of the Mahabharata is the Bhagavad Gita, translating to “Sacred Song”, which is a dialogue on the ethics of war.
Since the 1800s, the Bhagavad Gita has functioned as a Hindu New Testament of sorts. It’s centered around the idea of dharma, or duty, as well as law, truth, order, virtue, justice, ethics, and righteousness.
You can press here to learn more about dharma, sangha, and Buddha. Else, note Dharma is rooted in the Sanskrit term “dhr”, meaning to hold or support, and thus dharma can be thought as that which fosters and maintains cosmic order.
Now, here’s a quick rundown going deeper into the Bhagavad Gita:
Origins: it’s a 700-verse portion of the epic Mahabharata, found in the Bhishma Parva (Book of Bhishma).Setting: it takes place on the battlefield of Kurukshetra immediately before the start of a war, whereas Prince Arjuna is counseled by Lord Krishna.Characters: the main characters are Arjuna, a warrior prince, and Lord Krisha, who dispels spiritual guidance.Main themes: dharma (duty), yoga, moksha (liberation), karma (action), and Jnana (knowledge).Influence: it’s been translated into over 100 languages, widely studied, and referred to by Gandhi as his “spiritual dictionary.”Most famous verses: Chapter 2, Verse 47: “You have the right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.” Chapter 4, Verse 7–8: “Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, O Arjuna, at that time I manifest Myself on earth.”
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