श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता (Shrimad Bhagavad Gita)
Chapters 1–4 contain all 47, 72, 43 and 42 numbered shlokas respectively; Chapter 1 also includes a separate colophon, while Chapters 2–4 omit their separate printed colophons with disclosure. Chapters 5–18 remain selected readings. The Bhagavad Gita contains 700 traditional numbered shlokas; the current Valkala collection contains 218 numbered records with Devanagari, Roman reading and English meaning.
Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga (अर्जुनविषादयोग)
Observing the Armies & Arjuna's Despondency. Arjuna observes the two opposing armies on the battlefield of Kurukshetra and becomes overwhelmed with grief and compassion.
Shloka 1.1
धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः।
मामकाः पांडवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत संजय॥Dharmakshetre Kurukshetre Samaveta Yuyutsavah |
Mamakah Pandavashchaiva Kimakurvata Sanjaya ||Dhritarashtra said: O Sanjaya, assembled on the sacred field of Kurukshetra, eager to fight, what did my sons and the sons of Pandu do?
Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga (सांख्ययोग)
Contents of the Gita Summarized / Eternal Soul. Lord Krishna reveals the eternal nature of the soul (Atman), duty (Dharma), and the qualities of a self-realized soul (Sthitaprajna).
Shloka 2.1
तं तथा कृपयाविष्टमश्रुपूर्णाकुलेक्षणम्।
विषीदंतमिदं वाक्यमुवाच मधुसूदनः॥Tam Tatha Kripayavishtamashrupurnakulekshanam |
Vishidantamidam Vakyamuvacha Madhusudanah ||Sanjaya says that Madhusudana spoke to Arjuna as he stood overcome by compassion, his eyes troubled and full of tears, sunk in grief.
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (कर्मयोग)
Path of Selfless Action. Lord Krishna explains the path of selfless duty performed without attachment to the fruits of action.
Shloka 3.1
ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन।
तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव॥Jyayasi Chetkarmanaste Mata Buddhirjanardana |
Tatkim Karmani Ghore Mam Niyojayasi Keshava ||Arjuna asks why Krishna directs him toward a dreadful action if Krishna considers understanding superior to action.
Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga (ज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोग)
Path of Divine Knowledge & Action. The eternal science of yoga, Lord Krishna's divine incarnations (Avatars), and the fire of transcendental knowledge.
Shloka 4.1
इमं विवस्वते योगं प्रोक्तवानहमव्ययम्।
विवस्वान्मनवे प्राह मनुरिक्ष्वाकवेऽब्रवीत्॥Imam Vivasvate Yogam Proktavanahamavyayam |
Vivasvanmanave Praha Manurikshvakave'bravit ||Krishna says he taught this enduring yoga to Vivasvan, who taught Manu, who in turn told Ikshvaku.
Chapter 5: Karma Sanyasa Yoga (कर्मसंन्यासयोग)
Action and Renunciation. Comparing outward renunciation with selfless service, revealing that selfless action leads naturally to liberation.
Shloka 5.18
विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि। शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिताः समदर्शिनः॥
Vidyavinayasampanne Brahmane Gavi Hastini | Shuni Chaiva Shvapake Cha Panditah Samadarshinah ||
The wise view with equal vision a learned Brahmin, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater.
Chapter 6: Dhyana Yoga (Atmasanyama) (आत्मसंयमयोग)
Path of Meditation & Mind Control. The practice of Ashtanga yoga, controlling the mind through meditation, and the supreme status of a true yogi.
Shloka 6.5
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्। आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥
Uddharedatmanatmanam Natmanamavasadayet | Atmaiva Hyatmano Bandhuratmaiva Ripuratmanah ||
Elevate yourself through your own mind, not degrade yourself; for the mind is the friend of the soul, and also its enemy.
Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga (ज्ञानविज्ञानयोग)
Knowledge of the Ultimate Truth. Lord Krishna describes His material and spiritual energies, and the four types of pious souls who surrender unto Him.
Shloka 7.7
मत्तः परतरं नान्यत्किञ्चिदस्ति धनञ्जय। मयि सर्वमिदं प्रोतं सूत्रे मणिगणा इव॥
Mattah Parataram Nanyat Kinchidasti Dhananjaya | Mayi Sarvamidam Protam Sutre Manigana Iva ||
There is nothing superior to Me, O Dhananjaya. Everything rests upon Me as pearls strung on a thread.
Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yoga (अक्षरब्रह्मयोग)
Attaining the Supreme Imperishable. The science of remembering Lord Krishna at the time of death and attaining the eternal spiritual realm.
Shloka 8.5
अन्तकाले च मामेव स्मरन्मुक्त्वा कलेवरम्। यः प्रयाति स मद्भावं याति नास्त्यत्र संशयः॥
Antakale Cha Mameva Smaranmuktva Kalevaram | Yah Prayati Sa Madbhavam Yati Nastyatra Samshayah ||
Whoever at the time of death leaves the body remembering Me alone, immediately attains My nature; of this there is no doubt.
Chapter 9: Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga (राजविद्याराजगुह्ययोग)
The Sovereign Knowledge & Secret. The royal knowledge and most confidential wisdom of unalloyed devotion (Bhakti) to the Supreme Lord.
Shloka 9.26
पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति। तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः॥
Patram Pushpam Phalam Toyam Yo Me Bhaktya Prayachchhati | Tadaham Bhaktyupahritamashnami Prayatatmanah ||
If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, I accept that offering of a pure mind.
Chapter 10: Vibhuti Yoga (विभूतियोग)
The Opulence of the Absolute. Lord Krishna describes His divine manifestations and glorious opulences pervading the entire cosmos.
Shloka 10.20
अहमात्मा गुडाकेश सर्वभूताशयस्थितः। अहमादिश्च मध्यं च भूतानामन्त एव च॥
Ahamatma Gudakesha Sarvabhutashayasthitah | Ahamadishcha Madhyam Cha Bhutanamanta Eva Cha ||
I am the Soul, O Arjuna, seated in the hearts of all living beings. I am the beginning, middle, and end of all entities.
Chapter 11: Vishwaroopa Darshana Yoga (विश्वरूपदर्शनयोग)
The Universal Form. Lord Krishna grants Arjuna divine vision to behold His awe-inspiring Universal Cosmic Form (Vishwaroopa).
Shloka 11.15
पश्यामि देवांस्तव देव देहे सर्वान्स्तथा भूतविशेषसङ्घान्। ब्रह्माणमीशं कमलासनस्थमृषींश्च सर्वानुरगांश्च दिव्यान्॥
Pashyami Devamstava Deva Dehe Sarvamstatha Bhutavisheshasanghan | Brahmanamisham Kamalasanasthamrishimshcha Sarvanuragamshcha Divyan ||
O Lord, in Your body I behold all the gods, all living beings, Lord Brahma seated on the lotus, Lord Shiva, and divine serpents.
Chapter 12: Bhakti Yoga (भक्तियोग)
The Path of Devotion. The supreme path of loving devotional service and the sacred qualities that make a devotee dear to Lord Krishna.
Shloka 12.2
मय्यावेश्य मनो ये मां नित्ययुक्ता उपासते। श्रद्धया परयोपेतास्ते मे युक्ततमा मताः॥
Mayyaveshya Mano Ye Mam Nityayukta Upasate | Shraddhaya Parayopetaste Me Yuktatama Matah ||
Those who fix their minds on Me and worship Me constantly with supreme faith are considered by Me to be the highest yogis.
Chapter 13: Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga (क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञविभागयोग)
Field and Knower of the Field. Distinguishing between the physical body (Field/Kshetra), the Soul (Knower/Kshetrajna), and the Supersoul.
Shloka 13.2
इदं शरीरं कौन्तेय क्षेत्रमित्यभिधीयते। एतद्यो वेत्ति तं प्राहुः क्षेत्रज्ञ इति तद्विदः॥
Idam Shariram Kaunteya Kshetramityabhidhiyate | Etadyo Vetti Tam Prahuh Kshetrajna Iti Tadvidah ||
This physical body, O son of Kunti, is called the Field; and one who knows this body is called the Knower of the Field by sages.
Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga (गुणत्रयविभागयोग)
The Three Modes of Material Nature. Understanding the three Gunas (Sattva - Goodness, Rajas - Passion, Tamas - Ignorance) and rising above them.
Shloka 14.5
सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणाः प्रकृतिसम्भवाः। निबध्नन्ति महाबाहो देहे देहिनमव्ययम्॥
Sattvam Rajastama Iti Gunah Prakritisambhavah | Nibadhnanti Mahabaho Dehe Dehinamavyayam ||
Goodness, Passion, and Ignorance are the three modes born of material nature, which bind the imperishable soul to the body.
Chapter 15: Purushottama Yoga (पुरुषोत्तमयोग)
The Supreme Divine Person. The allegory of the inverted banyan tree of material existence and the transcendental nature of Purushottama.
Shloka 15.1
ऊर्ध्वमूलमधःशाखमश्वत्थं प्राहुरव्ययम्। छन्दांसि यस्य पर्णानि यस्तं वेद स वेदवित्॥
Urdhvamulamadhashakham Ashvattham Prahuravyayam | Chhandamsi Yasya Parnani Yastam Veda Sa Vedavit ||
They speak of an eternal banyan tree with its roots above and branches below, whose leaves are Vedic hymns. One who knows it knows the Veda.
Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga (दैवासुरसम्पद्विभागयोग)
Divine and Demoniac Natures. Contrasting divine virtues leading to liberation with demoniac traits leading to bondage.
Shloka 16.1
अभयं सत्त्वसंशुद्धिर्ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः। दानं दमश्च यज्ञश्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम्॥
Abhayam Sattvasamshuddhir Jnanayogavyavasthitih | Danam Damashcha Yajnashcha Svadhyayastapa Arjavam ||
Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge, charity, self-control, sacrifice, study of scriptures, austerity, and simplicity.
Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga (श्रद्धात्रयविभागयोग)
The Three Divisions of Faith. How faith, food, sacrifice, austerity, and charity are categorized according to the three modes of nature.
Shloka 17.2
त्रिविधा भवति श्रद्धा देहिनां सा स्वभावजा। सात्त्विकी राजसी चैव तामसी चेति तां श्रृणु॥
Trividha Bhavati Shraddha Dehinam Sa Svabhavaja | Sattviki Rajasi Chaiva Tamasi Cheti Tam Shrinu ||
The faith of embodied beings is of three kinds according to their innate nature: Sattviki (Goodness), Rajasi (Passion), and Tamasi (Ignorance).
Chapter 18: Moksha Sanyasa Yoga (मोक्षसंन्यासयोग)
Ultimate Liberation through Surrender. The climax of the Gita: synthesis of all yoga paths and Lord Krishna's final command of absolute surrender (Sarva-Dharman Parityajya).
Shloka 18.66
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज। अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः॥
Sarvadharman Parityajya Mamekam Sharanam Vraja | Aham Tva Sarvapapebhyo Mokshayishyami Ma Shuchah ||
Abandon all varieties of duties and simply surrender unto Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sins; do not fear!