The Bhagavad-Gita: The Song Celestial

The Gita is set in a narrative framework of a dialogue between Pandava prince Arjuna and his guide and charioteer Krishna. Facing the duty as a king to war between pandava and Kaurava, Arjuna is counselled by Krishna to "fulfill his Kshatriya (warrior) duty as a warrior and Establishing Dharma." Inserted in this appeal to kshatriyadharma (heroism) is "a dialogue between diverging attitudes concerning and methods toward the attainment of liberation (moksha)." 'This famous and marvellous Sanskrit poem occurs as an episode of the Mahabharata, in the sixth--or "Bhishma"--Parva of the great Hindoo epic. It enjoys immense popularity and authority in India, where it is reckoned as one of the Five Jewels,"--pancharatnani--of Devanagiri literature. In plain but noble language it unfolds a philosophical system which remains to this day the prevailing Brahmanic belief, blending as it does the doctrines of Kapila, Patanjali, and the Vedas. So lofty are many of its declarations, so sublime its aspirations, so pure and tender its piety, that Schlegel, after his study of the poem, breaks forth into this outburst of delight and praise towards its unknown author...' -- EDWIN ARNOLD