SRIMAD BHAGAVAD-GITA

rsir uvacha
gitayas chaiva mahatmyam, yathavat suta me vada
pura narayana-ksetre, vyasena muninoditam [1]

1 The sage said: O Suta, please tell us of the glories of Srimad Bhagavad-Gita, as expressed long ago at Narayana Ksetra by the great sage Srila Vyasadeva.

suta uvacha
bhadram bhagavata prstam, yaddhi guptatamam param
sakyate kena tad vaktum, gita-mahatmyam uttamam [2]

2 Suta Goswami said: O venerable one, your request is most auspicious. Indeed, who can describe the transcendental glories of Sri Gita, the most hidden of all treasures?

krsno janati vai samyak, kinchit kunti-sutah phalam
vyaso va vyasa-putro va, yajnavalkyo 'tha maithilah [3]

3 Certainly Lord Sri Krishna is in full knowledge of those glories; and so Arjuna, the son of Kunti, knows of them; and Vyasadeva, Sukadeva, Yajnavalkya and the saintly King Janaka, too.

anye sravanatah srutva, lesam sankirtayanti cha
tasmat kinchid vadamy atra, vyasasya syan maya srutam [4]

4 Others too, who have heard but a little of the glories of Sri Gita are engaged in singing them. And so I shall now speak of the glories of Sri Gita as I heard them from Vyasadeva:

sarvopanisado gavo, dogdha gopala-nandanah
partho vatsah sudhir bhokta, dugdham gitamrtam mahat [5]

5 All the Upanisads are personified as the cow, Sri Krishna is milker of the cow, Arjuna is the calf, the nectar of the Gita is the milk, and the fortunate devotees are the enjoyers of the milk.

sarathyam arjunasyadau, kurvan gitamrtam dadau
loka-trayopakaraya, tasmai krsnatmane namah [6]

6 I first offer my obeisances unto Lord Sri Krishna who accepted the position of the chariot driver of Arjuna, just to distribute this nectar of the Gita for the benefit of the three worlds.

samsara-sagaram ghoram, tartum ichchhati yo narah
gita-navam samasadya, param yati sukhena sah [7]

7 A person desiring to cross over the treacherous ocean of material suffering can do so very easily by taking refuge in the boat of the Bhagavad-gita.

gita-jnanam srutam naiva, sadaivabhyasa-yogatah
moksam ichchhati mudhatma, yati balaka-hasyatam [8]

8 A foolish person who desires liberation by constant yoga practice without hearing the wisdom of the Gita, is to be considered childish.

ye srnvanti pathanty eva, gita-sastram ahar nisam
na te vai manusa jneya, deva-rupa na samsayah [9]

9 Persons who day and night hear and sing the Gita are never to be taken as mere human beings. Without doubt, they are as gods in this world.

gita-jnanena sambodham, krsnah praharjunaya vai
bhakti-tattvam param tatra, sa-gunam vatha nirgunam [10]

10 To enlighten Arjuna with the wisdom of the Gita, Lord Krishnachandra has revealed the supremacy of devotion, either in this world or in the transcendental plane.

sopanastadasair evam, bhukti-mukti-samuchchhritaih
kramasas chitta-suddhih syat, prema-bhakty adi karmasu [11]

11 Thus, the wisdom of the Gita is a ladder of eighteen chapters, ascending which one rises above sense enjoyment and liberation (bhukti-mukti), and gradually attains purification of the heart and the qualification of loving devotional service to the Supreme Lord.

sadhor gitambhasi snanam, samsara-mala-nasanam
sraddha-hinasya tat karyam, hasti-snanam vrthaiva tat [12]

12 Bathing in the pure waters of the Gita, the devotees are liberated from the contamination of the mundane world. However, persons lacking faith in the Lord may attempt this, but in vain, like an elephant's bathing. (The elephant immediately rolls in the dust after bathing).

gitayas cha na janati, pathanam naiva pathanam
sa eva manuse loke, mogha-karma-karo bhavet [13]

13 A person who knows nothing of learning and teaching the Gita fails in the duty of the human being.

tasmad gitam na janati, nadhamas tat paro janah
dhik tasya manusam deham, vijnanam kula-silatam [14]

14 Therefore, there is none more fallen than he who is ignorant of the teachings of the Gita. Shame on his human birth, his learning, his dignity and his entire family.

gitartham na vijanati, nadhamas tat paro janah
dhik sariram subham silam, vibhavantad grhasramam [15]

15 There is none more fallen than he who is ignorant of the meaning of the Gita. Shame on his bodily beauty, his character, his wealth and his home.

gita-sastram na janati, nadhamas tat paro janah
dhik prarabdham pratistham cha, pujam danam mahattamam [16]

16 There is none more fallen than he who is ignorant of the scripture Bhagavad-gita. Shame on his undertakings, his reputation, his worship, his charity and his honour.

gita-sastre matir nasti, sarvam tan nisphalam jaguh
dhik tasya jnana-dataram, vratam nistham tapo yasah [17]

17 A person who does not care for the Gita scripture is to be known as a failure in all respects. Shame on his teacher, his vows, his faith, his austerity and his renown.

gitartha-pathanam nasti, nadhamas tat paro janah
gita-gitam na yaj jnanam, tad viddhy asura-sammatam
tan mogham dharma-rahitam, veda-vedanta-garhitam [18]

18 There is none more fallen than he who does not study the purport of the Gita; and that knowledge which is not glorified in the Gita should be known as demoniac, futile, unvirtuous, and rejected by the Vedas and the Upanisads.

tasmad dharma-mayi gita, sarva-jnana-prayojika
sarva-sastra-sara-bhuta, visuddha sa visisyate [19]

19 Therefore, the holy Gita is universally respected as the compilation of the essence of all scriptures and the source of all wisdom.

yo 'dhite visnu-parvahe, gitam sri-hari-vasare
svapan jagrat chalan tisthan, satrubhir na sa hiyate [20]

20 One who studies the Gita on the holy festival days of the advent of the Supreme Lord, and on the holy fasting days, especially Ekadasi—such a person, whether awake or asleep, moving or still, is never defeated by enemies.

salagrama-silayam va, devagare sivalaye
tirthe nadyam pathed gitam, saubhagyam labhate dhruvam [21]

21 One who sings the Gita before the Salagram-sila deity, or in a temple of the Supreme Lord, or in a temple of Lord Siva, at a holy place of pilgrimage or on the bank of a holy river—certainly such a person attains to all good fortune.

devaki-nandanah krsno, gita-pathena tusyati
yatha na vedair danena, yajna-tirtha-vratadibhih [22]

22 Neither the singing of the Vedas, nor the performance of charity, sacrifice, pilgrimage, or vows, can bring such satisfaction to Krishna, the son of Devaki, as does the singing of the Gita.

gitadhita cha yenapi, bhakti-bhavena chetasa
veda-sastra-puranani, tenadhitani sarvasah [23]

23 The study of the Vedas and Puranas, verily the study of all the scriptures, is fulfilled in all respects by one who studies the Gita with devotion.

yoga-sthane siddha-pithe, silagre sat-sabhasu cha
yajne cha visnu-bhaktagre, pathan siddhim param labhet [24]

24 The highest perfection of life is attained by one who sings the Gita at a place of yoga meditation, at a place of worship, before the Salagram-sila, in the association of saintly persons, during a sacrifice, and before a devotee of Visnu.

gita-patham cha sravanam, yah karoti dine dine
kratavo vajimedhadyah, krtas tena sa-daksinah [25]

25 One who daily hears and sings the Gita is to be considered as having accomplished the performance of all sacrifices such as the Asvamedha and others, including the receiving of the sacrificial gifts.

yah srnoti cha gitartham kirtayaty eva yah param
sravayech cha parartham vai, sa prayati param padam [26]

26 One who attentively hears and sings the glories of the purport of the Gita, or reiterates it to others, attains to the supreme destination.

gitayah pustakam suddham, yo 'rpayaty eva sadarat
vidhina bhakti-bhavena, tasya bharya priya bhavet [27]

27 One who, with respect and devotion, and according to scriptural directives makes a gift of this holy book, the Gita—such a person's wife will be devoted.

yasah saubhagyam arogyam, labhate natra samsayah
dayitanam priyo bhutva, paramam sukham asnute [28]

28 And without a doubt, he shall enjoy fame, fortune and good health. He shall enjoy the affection of those dear to him, he shall know the highest happiness.

abhicharodbhavam duhkham, vara-sapagatam cha yat
nopasarpati tatraiva, yatra gitarchanam grhe [29]

29 The sorrow caused by a terrible curse or black rites can never enter the home where the Gita is worshipped.

tapa-trayodbhava pida, naiva vyadhir bhavet kvachit
na sapo naiva papam cha, durgatir narakam na cha [30]

30 0 In that house there is never suffering of the threefold miseries, nor fear of any illness, curse, sin, misfortune or hellish existence.

visphotakadayo dehe, na badhante kadachana
labhet krsna-pade dasyam, bhaktim chavyabhicharinim [31]

31 In that house, no one is ever afflicted with infectious diseases, and the residents attain undeviating devotion in service to the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna.

jayate satatam sakhyam, sarva-jiva-ganaih saha
prarabdham bhunjato vapi, gitabhyasa-ratasya cha [32]

32 A person devoted to singing the Gita acquires a friendly disposition to all living beings, despite the desirable or undesirable reactions of his previous actions.

sa muktah sa sukhi loke, karmana nopalipyate
maha-papati-papani, gitadhyayi karoti chet
na kinchit sprsyate tasya, nalini-dalam-ambhasa [33]

33 He is liberated, he is happy. He is never implicated by his actions. Even if perchance that person who studies the Gita commits terrible sin, he is as unaffected as the lotus leaf that remains untouched by even a drop of water.

anacharodbhavam papam, avachyadi-krtam cha yat
abhaksya-bhaksajam dosam, asprsya-sparsajam tatha [34]
jnanajnana-krtam nityam, indriyair janitam cha yat
tat sarvam nasam ayati, gita-pathena tat-ksanat [35]

34, 35 Whether the inauspiciousness of wrong action or malevolent speech, of eating unacceptable food or touching the untouchable, or sin knowingly or unknowingly contracted through the senses in the course of daily activities—all evils are immediately dispelled by singing the Gita with devotion.

sarvatra pratibhokta cha, pratigrhya cha sarvasah
gita-patham prakurvano, na lipyeta kadachana [36]

36 One sincerely devoted to singing the Gita is never implicated despite accepting food in all places or gifts in all kinds of circumstances.

ratna-purnam mahim sarvam, pratigrhyavidhanatah
gita-pathena chaikena, suddha-sphatikavat sada [37]

37 One who takes unlawful possession of the entire earth full of jewels—he, too, will be innocent; by singing the Gita but once, his heart will be as clear as crystal.

yasyantahkaranam nityam, gitayam ramate sada
sa sagnikah sada japi, kriyavan sa cha panditah [38]

38 A person whose heart is ever joyfully absorbed in the Gita is to be considered fully accomplished in sacrifices, always in prayer, perfect in his actions, and truly learned.

darsaniyah sa dhanavan, sa yogi jnanavan api
sa eva yajniko yaji, sarva-vedartha-darsakah [39]

39 All are benefitted simply by seeing him. He is glorious, he is a yogi, and he is wise. He is a knower of sacrifice, he is engaged in sacrifice, and he is a knower of the purport of all the Vedas.

gitayah pustakam yatra, nitya-pathas cha vartate
tatra sarvani tirthani, prayagadini bhutale [40]

40 0 All the holy places in this world, such as Prayag and others, are present wherever the holy book of the Gita is present and sung constantly.

nivasanti sada dehe, deha-sese 'pi sarvada
sarve devas cha rsayo, yogino deha-raksakah [41]

41 For one who constantly studies the Gita, the demigods, sages and yogis all preside as guardians in the body, even at the time of death.

gopalo bala-krsno 'pi, narada-dhruva-parsadaih
sahayo jayate sighram, yatra gita pravartate [42]

42 Wherever the Gita is sung, the gracious cowherd boy Sri Krishna swiftly appears as a friend, accompanied by His associates Narada, Dhruva and others.

yatra gita-vicharas cha, pathanam pathanam tatha
modate tatra sri-krsno, bhagavan radhaya saha [43]

43 Wherever the Gita scripture is discussed, studied and taught, the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna comes with great joy, accompanied by Srimati Radharani.

sri-bhagavan uvacha
gita me hrdayam partha, gita me saram uttamam
gita me jnanam aty ugram, gita me jnanam avyayam [44]

44 The Supreme Lord said, O Partha, the Gita is My heart, the Gita is My supreme essence, and the Gita is the most powerful, imperishable knowledge of Me.

gita me chottamam sthanam, gita me paramam padam
gita me paramam guhyam, gita me paramo guruh [45]

45 The Gita is My supreme place, the Gita is My supreme plane, the Gita is My most hidden treasure, the Gita is My supreme teacher.

gitasraye 'ham tisthami, gita me paramam grham
gita-jnanam samasritya, trilokim palayamy aham [46]

46 I am present within the Gita, and the Gita is My supreme abode. I maintain the three worlds by the eternal wisdom of the Gita.

gita me parama-vidya, brahma-rupa na samsayah
ardha-matra-hara nityam, anirvachya-padatmika [47]

47 The Gita is My transcendental wisdom, My own Self, conveyed by every letter and comprised of eternally ineffable verses.

gita-namani vaksyami, guhyani srnu pandava
kirtanat sarva-papani, vilayam yanti tat-ksanat [48]

48 O Pandava, I shall tell you the holy names of the Gita. By singing these names, one is immediately absolved of all sins. Hear now those confidential names from Me:

ganga gita cha savitri, sita satya pativrata
brahmavalir brahma-vidya, tri-sandhya mukta-gehini [49]
ardha-matra chidananda, bhava-ghni bhranti-nasini
veda-trayi parananda, tattvartha-jnana-manjari [50]

49, 50 Ganga, Gita, Savitri, Sita, Satya, Pativrata, Brahmavali, Brahmavidya, Trisandhya, Mukta-gehini, Ardhamatra, Chidananda, Bhavaghni, Bhranti-nasini, Vedatrayi, Parananda and Tattvartha-jnana-manjari.

ity etani japen nityam, naro nischala-manasah
jnana-siddhim labhen nityam, tathante paramam padam [51]

51 One who, with unflickering mind regularly chants these confidential holy names, achieves perfection in divine knowledge, and finally reaches the supreme destination.

pathe 'samarthah sampurne tad ardham patham acharet
tada go-dana-jam punyam, labhate natra samsayah [52]

52 If one is unable to sing the entire Gita, half of it should be sung. Then, without doubt, the piety gained by making a gift of cows will be attained.

tri-bhagam pathamanas tu, soma-yaga-phalam labhet
sad-amsam japamanas tu, ganga-snana-phalam labhet [53]

53 One will achieve the fruit of the Soma sacrifice by singing one third of the Gita, and the result of bathing in the Ganges is achieved by chanting a sixth of it.

tathadhyaya-dvayam nityam, pathamano nirantaram
indra-lokam avapnoti, kalpam ekam vased dhruvam [54]

54 One who unfailingly sings two of its chapters every day will surely attain residence in the abode of Lord Indra for one millenium.

ekam adhyayakam nityam, pathate bhakti-samyutah
rudra-lokam avapnoti, gano bhutva vasech chiram [55]

55 One who sings with devotion one chapter daily will be recognized as an associate of Lord Siva, and he will attain residence in the abode of Lord Siva for immeasurable time.

adhyayardham cha padam va, nityam yah pathate janah
prapnoti ravi-lokam sa, manvantara-samah satam [56]

56 A person who daily sings one half or only one quarter of a chapter will achieve residence in the abode of the sun for the time of one hundred Manus.

gitayah sloka-dasakam, sapta pancha chatustayam
tri-dvy-ekam-ardham athava, slokanam yah pathen narah
chandra-lokam avapnoti, varsanam ayutam tatha [57]

57 A person who faithfully sings ten, seven, five, four, three, two verses, one or only half a verse of the Gita, will attain residence on the moon for ten thousand years.

gitardham eka padam cha, slokam adhyayam eva cha
smarams tyaktva jano deham prayati paramam padam [58]

58 One who, at the time of leaving the body, remembers half the Gita, a quarter of the Gita, one chapter or only one verse of the Gita—he reaches the supreme destination.

gitartham api patham va, srnuyad anta-kalatah
maha-pataka-yukto 'pi, mukti-bhagi bhavej janah [59]

59 By singing or hearing the purport of the Gita at the time of death even a greatly sinful person qualifies for liberation.

gita-pustaka-samyuktah, pranams tyaktva prayati yah
sa vaikuntham avapnoti, visnuna saha modate [60]

60 One who is touching the holy book of the Gita at the time of leaving the body will attain to Vaikuntha and joyfully reside in the association of the Supreme Lord Visnu.

gitadhyaya-samayukto, mrto manusatam vrajet
gitabhyasam punah krtva, labhate muktim uttamam [61]

61 One whose concentration is intent on just one chapter of the Gita will attain a human birth after death. Then, again studying the Gita, he achieves the ultimate liberation.

gitety-uchchara-samyukto, mriyamano gatim labhet [62]

62 One who utters the word 'Gita' at the time of death attains his life's fulfillment.

yad yat karma cha sarvatra, gita-patha-prakirtimat
tat tat karma cha nirdosam, bhutva purnatvam apnuyat [63]

63 All actions performed along with the singing of the Gita become purified and successful.

pitrn-uddisya yah sraddhe, gita-patham karoti hi
santustah pitaras tasya, nirayad yanti svargatim [64]

64 A person who sings the Gita during the performance of obsequial ceremonies satisfies his forefathers, who, being liberated from a hellish existence, ascend to heaven.

gita-pathena santustah, pitarah sraddha-tarpitah
pitr-lokam prayanty eva, putrasirvada tat parah [65]

65 Satisfied by the offerings accompanied by the singing of the Gita, the ancestors offer their descendant their blessings and ascend to the heavenly plane known as Pitr-loka.

gita-pustaka-danam cha, dhenu-puchchha-samanvitam
krtva cha tad dine samyak, krtartho jayate janah [66]

66 A person who makes a gift of a book of the Gita with a yak-tail whisk achieves success in all his endeavours that day.

pustakam hema-samyuktam, gitayah prakaroti yah
dattva vipraya viduse, jayate na punar bhavam [67]

67 One who makes a gift of a book of the Gita along with a presentation of gold to a learned brahmana, never takes birth in the material world again.

sata-pustaka-danam cha, gitayah prakaroti yah
sa yati brahma-sadanam, punar-avrtti-durlabham [68]

68 One who makes a gift of one hundred copies of the Gita attains to the plane of the Absolute wherefrom rebirth practically never occurs.

gita-dana-prabhavena, sapta-kalpa-mitah samah
visnu-lokam avapyante, visnuna saha modate [69]

69 By the potency of making a gift of the Gita, one attains residence in the abode of Lord Visnu for seven milleniums and joyfully associates with the Supreme Lord Visnu.

samyak srutva cha gitartham, pustakam yah pradapayet
tasmai pritah sri-bhagavan, dadati manasepsitam [70]

70 0 One who attentively hears the purport of the Gita and makes a gift of that book to a brahmana—he brings satisfaction to the Supreme Lord, who blesses him with the fulfillment of all his aspirations.

na srnoti na pathati gitam-amrta-rupinim
hastat tyaktvamrtam praptam, sa naro visam asnute [71]

71 A person who neither sings nor hears the nectarean Gita is like one who has nectar in his hand yet leaves it aside to drink poison.

janah samsara-duhkharto, gita-jnanam samalabhet
pitva gitamrtam loke, labdhva bhaktim sukhi bhavet [72]

72 When persons suffering in this world of death discover the wisdom of the Gita and drink the nectar of the Gita, they take refuge in devotion for the Supreme Lord and become truly happy.

gitam asritya bahavo, bhu-bhujo janakadayah
nirdhuta-kalmasa loke, gatas te paramam padam [73]

73 Many saintly kings such as King Janaka and others took shelter in the wisdom of the Gita, and becoming purified of all sins, achieved the supreme destination.

gitasu na viseso 'sti, janesuchchavachesu cha
jnanesv eva samagresu, sama brahma-svarupini [74]

74 Neither high nor low birth qualifies or disqualifies a faithful person in the singing of the Gita, since of all kinds of knowledge, the Gita is the embodiment of Brahman and equal to all.

yo 'bhimanena garvena gita-nindam karoti cha
sa yati narakam ghoram, yavad ahuta-samplavam [75]

75 A person who out of egoism and pride blasphemes the Gita will have to reside in terrible hell up to the time of the universal annihilation.

ahankarena mudhatma, gitartham naiva manyate
kumbhi-pakesu pachyeta, yavat kalpa-ksayo bhavet [76]

76 That foolish person who, deluded by egoism disregards the purport of the Gita must remain boiling in oil in the hell known as Kumbhipaka until the annihilation at the end of the millenium.

gitartham vachyamanam yo, na srnoti samasatah
sa sukara-bhavam yonim, anekam adhigachchhati [77]

77 One who makes much of speaking about the purport of the Gita yet never properly hears about it, repeatedly takes birth as a hog.

chauryam krtva cha gitayam, pustakam yah samanayet
na tasya saphalam kinchit, pathanam cha vrtha bhavet [78]

78 A person who obtains the book of Gita by theft is unsuccessful in all his endeavours, and even his attempt to sing the Gita will be in vain.

yah srutva naiva gitam cha, modate paramarthatah
naiva tasya phalam loke, pramattasya yatha sramah [79]

79 One who, hearing the Gita, does not experience spiritual joy—his life is fruitless, like the labour of one deluded.

gitam srutva hiranyam cha, bhojyam pattambaram tatha
nivedayet pradanartham, pritaye paramatmanah [80]

80 To please the Supreme Lord, after hearing the Gita one should offer gold, food and silken cloth to a Vaisnava brahmana.

vachakam pujayed bhaktya, dravya-vastrady upaskaraih
anekair bahudha pritya, tusyatam bhagavan harih [81]

81 To satisfy the Supreme Lord Hari, one must worship the speaker of the Gita with devotion, offering him cloth and many worshipful presentations.

suta uvacha mahatmyam etad gitayah, krsna-proktam puratanam
gitante pathate yas tu, yathokta-phala-bhag bhavet [82]

82 Suta Goswami said: These eternal glories of the Gita are sung by the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna Himself. One who sings the glories of the Gita on completion of singing the Gita can partake of the fruits of the Gita as mentioned herein.

gitayah pathanam krtva, mahatmyam naiva yah pathet
vrtha patha-phalam tasya, srama eva udahrtah [83]

83 The attempt to sing the Gita is but fruitless labour for a person who neglects to conclude with singing the glories of the Gita.

etan mahatmya-samyuktam, gita-patham karoti yah
sraddhaya yah srnoty eva, paramam gatim apnuyat [84]

84 One who with heart's faith hears or sings the Gita, complete with the glories of the Gita, reaches the supreme destination.

srutva gitam artha-yuktam, mahatmyam yah srnoti cha
tasya punya-phalam loke, bhavet sarva-sukhavaham [85]

85 One who with faith hears this meaningful Gita—Song Divine, and hears in conclusion the glories of the Gita, shall reap the fruits of virtue in this world, and his life will be filled with joy.

iti sri-vaisnaviya-tantra-sare srimad-bhagavad-
gita-mahatmyam sampurnam.
sampurno 'yam granthah.
sri krsnarpanam astu.

Thus is completed The Glories of Sri Gita
from the Sri-Vaisnaviya-tantra-sara.
Thus is completed Srimad Bhagavad-gita,
The Hidden Treasure of the Sweet Absolute.
May Sri Krishna mercifully accept this offering.

• Mangalacharanam
• Preface
• Introduction
1 Observing the Armies
2 The Constitution of the Soul
3 The Path of Action
4 The Path of Knowledge
5 The Path of Renunciation of Action
6 The Path of Meditation
7 Knowledge and Realization of the Supreme
8 The Merciful Absolute
9 The Hidden Treasure of Devotion
10 The Divine Glories of the Lord
11 The Vision of the Universal Form
12 The Path of Devotion
13 Distinction Between Matter and Spirit
14 The Three Divisions of Material Nature
15 The Supreme Person
16 The Godly and Ungodly Natures
17 The Three Types of Faith
18 The Path of Liberation
• The Glories of the Gita
• The Glories of Srimad Bhagavad-gita from Sri Vaisnaviya-tantra-sara