Bhagavad Gita - Yoga Teacher's guide to most important Yoga Book

Introduction

Introduction: The Soul of Yogic Wisdom

The Bhagavad Gita, often called The Gita, is not just another spiritual book - it is the heart of Yogic philosophy. Revered as both Shruti (divine revelation) and Smriti (sacred tradition), the Gita is a core part of the Mahabharata, offering timeless wisdom that blends metaphysics, ethics, and the psychology of self-realization.

Every serious Yoga practitioner and teacher eventually finds themselves drawn to this sacred dialogue. Why? Because the Gita isn’t just about ancient warfare. It’s about the battle within - a mirror held up to the soul.

The Setting: A Battlefield of the Mind and Soul

The scene unfolds on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, moments before the great war. Arjuna, the mighty warrior prince, is overcome by confusion and sorrow. He sees himself fighting his family, his teachers, and his friends. His weapons drop. His mind collapses.

And right there, at the edge of collapse, his charioteer - none other than Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu - guides him not just with strategy but with spiritual wisdom that becomes the Bhagavad Gita.

Why the Gita Still Matters Today

Arjuna's dilemma is timeless. Whether you’re a yoga teacher, a student, a parent, or a leader - you’ve likely faced situations where your values clashed with your emotions. The Gita teaches us how to act with clarity amidst chaos.

In a world flooded with choices and confusion, the Gita offers:

• Dharma (Righteous Duty) over personal comfort

• Action without attachment to results

• Clarity over emotional paralysis

• Self-awareness over external validation

What Does the Gita Teach? Core Concepts Simplified

1. Karma Yoga – The Yoga of ActionPerform your duties sincerely, but let go of attachment to the outcome. The Gita insists: “You have the right to action, but not to its fruits.”

2. Bhakti Yoga – The Yoga of DevotionSurrender with love and faith. Bhakti is not blind obedience—it is seeing the Divine in all.

3. Jnana Yoga – The Yoga of KnowledgeUnderstand the difference between the real Self (Atman) and the changing world (Prakriti). Knowledge leads to liberation.

4. Sankhya Philosophy - The Gita integrates Samkhya Darshana, teaching the distinction between Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter) - the foundation of Yogic metaphysics.

5. Detachment (Vairagya)True freedom comes not from running away but by being fully present and unattached within the action itself.

The Gita in Your Life as a Yoga Teacher

As a Yoga teacher, the Gita becomes more than a text—it becomes your compass. It helps navigate:

• Ethical dilemmas in teaching

• The ego of achievement

• Challenges of serving different students

• The temptation of praise and fear of criticism

It helps you act without expectation, teach without attachment, and serve from a place of devotion.

How to Study the Bhagavad Gita Effectively

Start slow. The Gita isn’t meant to be “read” like a novel. It must be contemplated, practiced, and lived.

Tips for Gita Study:

• Study one shloka (verse) a day, reflecting on its meaning

• Read with commentaries, preferably from teachers rooted in the tradition

• Learn basic Sanskrit to get closer to the spirit of the verses

• Discuss with your peers or join a guided course

At Samyak Yoga, we dive into the Gita during our Advanced Yoga Teacher Training, exploring each chapter in its traditional depth while connecting it to modern life.

Recommended Books on the Bhagavad Gita

Choosing the right Gita commentary is crucial. Here are top picks based on where you are in your journey:

For Beginners:

• My Gita by Devdutt Pattanaik – Modern and accessible

• Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation by Stephen Mitchell – Simple yet deep

For Intermediate Seekers:

• Universal message of the Bhagavad Gita - Swami Ranganathananda

• Essays on the Gita by Sri Aurobindo – Profound and visionary

For Traditional Students:

• Swami Chinmayananda’s The Holy Geeta

• Swami Sivananda’s Commentary on the Bhagavad Gita

• BhagavadGita Shankara-Bhashyam (for Sanskrit readers)

What Do Great Minds Say About the Gita?

The Gita has inspired thinkers, scientists, leaders, and philosophers worldwide:

• Mahatma Gandhi: “When doubts haunt me and disappointments stare me in the face... I turn to the Bhagavad Gita.”

• Albert Einstein: “When I read the Bhagavad Gita and reflect about how God created this universe, everything else seems so superfluous.”

• Carl Jung: “The Gita is the best spiritual text ever written.”

• J. Robert Oppenheimer (Father of the Atomic Bomb): Quoted the Gita upon witnessing the first nuclear explosion: “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”

• Aldous Huxley: “The most systematic statement of spiritual evolution of end and means ever formulated.”

Conclusion: Why the Gita Is Invaluable for All

The Bhagavad Gita is not about religion - it is about wisdom. It teaches us how to live with meaning, how to act with clarity, and how to love with devotion. It doesn’t ask you to withdraw from life but shows how to live it fully, with awareness and freedom.

In every doubt, the Gita offers clarity. In every struggle, it shows the way. In every fear, it plants courage.

Whether you’re a Yoga teacher, a seeker, or just someone curious about the depth of life, the Bhagavad Gita remains a light that never fades.