by NikoRad

Created on: October 27, 2009

The Bhagavad Gita, on the surface, is a conversation between Arjuna and Sri Krishna before a battle of epic proportions in which Arjuna hopes to regain the land that is rightfully his and claim the throne. Within the conversation and the guidance of Sri Krishna, however, is a deep network of allegories and proverbs that are responsible for many core Hindu beliefs. Going into the book, one might prepare to experience something like a sacred text, but, in all truth, the story reads like an epic poem such as Beowulf or The Odyssey. The book is a perfect way to get a good overview of Hinduism and clear up any confusion concerning many of its foundational principles. Also, it is a way to compare and contrast the beliefs of modern Hinduism and ancient Hinduism.

Arjuna is a prince that is fighting for his land, and Sri Krishna is an incarnate of Lord Vishnu-an aspect of God who takes care of the universe in opposition to the forces that constantly seek to corrupt and destroy it. To the uninformed, the Bhagavad Gita would then appear to be a conversation between a mortal and an immortal. But here we encounter one of the first major points of Hinduism and of the Gita. Since Arjuna knows that his life could very well be forfeit in the coming days, he begins to ask questions of great depth and wonder. He inquires about death and what it holds for those it finally overcomes. Sri Krishna explains to Arjuna the workings of what he calls the Atman. It is very interesting to see this idea of a constant life force that underlies all living things, connecting and binding us so that we are all in unity, in such an early text of Hinduism. It really shows how Hinduism has stayed true to its roots. This is just one example of how little the religion has changed through the ages, making it truly unique in comparison to other religions.

Arjuna's questions are very much down-to-earth and real. That is what makes the Bhagavad Gita such an appealing story-the questions are the very same that we struggle with today. Questions of the morality of war, what is to come after death, and how to bring out the very best in ourselves and help to make the world a better place. The irony is that Arjuna asks all these questions right before he is about to go into battle. Only with the prospect of death does he finally have the opportunity to seek out the answers to some of life's most difficult questions. It seems that the greatest crises bring out some of the greatest moments of our lives, moments

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