Glossary of Key Terms in the Bhagavad Gita

Dharma: The fundamental law of righteousness, order, and duty. Fulfilling one’s Dharma is essential for spiritual progress and maintaining cosmic balance.

Karma: The law of cause and effect. Every action, good or bad, has consequences that one must face.

Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. It is the ultimate goal of human existence according to the Gita.

Atman: The eternal Self, the unchanging essence within each individual. It is distinct from the physical body and the ego.

Brahman: The ultimate reality, the absolute, the source of all existence. It is often described as impersonal and all-pervasive.

Krishna: The divine charioteer and guide of Arjuna in the Gita. He is often seen as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver god in the Hindu trinity.

Arjuna: The valiant warrior prince who receives the teachings of the Gita from Krishna. He represents the human struggle with doubt, fear, and ethical dilemmas.

Bhakti Yoga: The path of devotion, characterized by love, faith, and surrender to a higher power.

Karma Yoga: The path of selfless action, where one performs their duties without attachment to the outcome, offering every action as an offering to the divine.

Jnana Yoga: The path of knowledge, emphasizing self-realization, understanding the true nature of Atman and Brahman through introspection and seeking wisdom.

Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, which is driven by karma and fueled by desires and attachments.

Gita: Abbreviation for Bhagavad Gita, which translates to “Song of the Divine” or “Song of God.” It is a central text in Hinduism, considered part of the epic Mahabharata.

Maya: The illusion or veil that obscures our true nature and the ultimate reality of Brahman. It creates attachment to the material world and keeps us trapped in the cycle of Samsara.

Duryodhana: The antagonist of the Mahabharata, a cousin of the Pandavas (including Arjuna) who represents greed, injustice, and unrighteousness.

Pandavas: The righteous side of the conflict in the Mahabharata, led by Yudhishthira, Arjuna’s elder brother. They represent the upholding of Dharma.

Expanding the Bhagavad Gita Glossary:

Building upon the previous list, here are some additional key terms and concepts encountered in the Bhagavad Gita:

Gunas: The three qualities that constitute the material world and influence our actions and perceptions. These are:

• Sattva (goodness): Characterized by purity, wisdom, calmness, and selflessness.
• Rajas (passion): Marked by activity, ambition, ego, and attachment.
• Tamas (darkness): Associated with ignorance, lethargy, inertia, and negativity.

Kshetra and Kshetrajna: These terms represent the field and the knower of the field, respectively. Kshetra refers to the body, mind, and senses, while Kshetrajna refers to the eternal Atman, the true self.

Bhagavad Dharma: The universal Dharma, the overarching principles of righteousness that apply to all beings, regardless of their caste, class, or social status.

Mumukshutva: The ardent desire for liberation (moksha), often described as the first step on the spiritual path.

Gita Upadesha: The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, specifically the discourse between Krishna and Arjuna.

Yoga: Often translated as “union,” it refers to the various spiritual practices aimed at uniting the individual Atman with the universal Brahman.

Nirguna Brahman: The impersonal Brahman, beyond the limitations of qualities (gunas) and attributes.

Saguna Brahman: Brahman with attributes, often visualized in the form of a personal deity like Krishna.

Maya Shakti: The divine power of illusion wielded by Maya, responsible for creating the phenomenal world and keeping us bound to it.

Bhakti Rasa: The different flavors or emotions experienced in the path of Bhakti Yoga. These include love, devotion, surrender, and awe.

Jnana Marga, Karma Marga, and Bhakti Marga: These are alternative names for the three paths of yoga (Jnana, Karma, and Bhakti) mentioned earlier. They emphasize the specific methodology of each path.

Shloka: A verse in the Bhagavad Gita, consisting of two lines with a specific meter and rhyme scheme.

Moksha Marga: The path to liberation, encompassing all the different yogas and spiritual practices leading to moksha.

Swadharma: One’s individual Dharma, based on their specific circumstances, caste, and social duties.

Samkhya: An ancient Indian philosophical school that lays the foundation for many concepts explored in the Gita, such as the gunas and the distinction between Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (material world).

Bhagavad Bhakti: The specific type of devotion focused on Krishna as the supreme being.

Delving Deeper into the Bhagavad Gita: Advanced Glossary

As you delve deeper into the Bhagavad Gita, here are some additional nuanced terms and concepts to explore:

Karmayoga: While “Karma Yoga” is generally understood as the path of selfless action, it also has various nuances within the text. These include:

• Nishkama Karma: Performing actions without attachment to the fruits of the action, focusing solely on fulfilling one’s duty.
• Sakama Karma: Performing actions with a desire for a specific outcome, which can create karmic bondage.
• Samarpan: The act of offering one’s actions as a selfless offering to the Divine.

Bhakti Yoga: Bhakti, the path of devotion, has diverse expressions within the Gita. These include:

• Prapatti: Complete surrender to the Divine, letting go of ego and control.
• Bhakti Rasa: As mentioned earlier, the various devotional emotions experienced in Bhakti Yoga, such as Madhurya (sweetness), Shanta (peace), and Veera (heroism).
• Bhakti Marga: The different paths within Bhakti Yoga, such as Jnana Bhakti (devotion through knowledge) and Karma Bhakti (devotion through selfless action).

Jnana Yoga: The path of knowledge also has layers of complexity:

• Viveka: Discernment, the ability to distinguish between the real (Atman) and the unreal (Maya).
• Vairagya: Non-attachment, letting go of desires and attachments to the material world.
• Atma Jnana: The direct realization of the true Self, achieved through various Jnana Yoga practices like meditation and self-inquiry.

Other concepts:

• Mumukshu: An individual actively seeking liberation, characterized by a burning desire for moksha.
• Leela: The divine play of God, the cosmic drama that unfolds according to the will of the Divine.
• Avatar: A divine incarnation, such as Krishna, who descends to earth to restore Dharma and guide humanity.
• Maya Charcha: The intricate discussion about the nature of illusion (Maya) and its role in the world.

This expanded glossary provides further insight into the rich tapestry of concepts and ideas woven into the Bhagavad Gita. Remember, this is just a starting point, and deeper exploration of these terms through further reading, reflection, and discussions can lead to a more profound understanding of this timeless text.

Remember, the Bhagavad Gita is a vast and multifaceted text. Exploring these concepts through different interpretations, scholarly works, and spiritual practices can provide a deeper understanding and personal connection to its timeless wisdom.