Bhagavad Gita

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The Bhagavad Gita is the part of the Mahabharata in which the three paths to salvation (duties, knowledge, and devotion) are described. The main characters are Krishna, one of the avatars of Vishnu, Arjuna, a master archer, and Dhritarashtra, the blind king and father of the evil Kaurava brothers.

Summary: The Kauravas were jealous of Arjuna's family so they cheated them out of their portion of the kingdom and forced them into exile for 13 years. After the thirteen years had passed, Arjuna's family tried to peacefully get their land back, but the Kauravas wouldn't accept the deal. Arjuna's family decided to go to war in order to get their land back. Before the battle, Arjuna, with his maternal cousin Krishna by his side, looked across the battlefield and saw his teachers, friends, and familiar faces. He did not want to fight his friends, and Krishna tried to convince him to act and not think about the outcome of his actions. Unsettled, Arjuna asked Krishna for advice. Krishna explained the Arjuna would not be able to truly kill anyone's soul, only the body. He said that the body always changed, and death is change, but the soul is immortal. He also said to detach yourself from the physical body and attach to your soul, and you will detach yourself from the emotions of action. Detaching will make you aware that you are just an instrument of the Ultimate, the God almighty. Krishna then gave Arjuna divine sight so he could see Krishna's real form. Seeing this, Arjuna realized he must fulfill his duty. Arjuna shot a bow and started up his army, and the war began.

"India Epics." Manual for Cultural Foundations of Ancient Civilizations. By Rosie Beniretto and Clay Elliott. Vol. 2. Houston: St. John's School, 2012. 153. Print.

For a more detailed rendition watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTZFolAfels

-Bailey Slawin