“What type of book is Bhagavad Gita?”- Have you ever thought of reading the Bhagavad Gita? Well, let’s understand which kind of book it is.
The Bhagavad Gita is a unique book in Hinduism. But in reality, this book is not just related to Hindu people who believe in the Hindu religion but anyone can read it. It teaches the way of life to lead a peaceful life.
Now I’m in my 20s and I have been reading this book. In my current blog, I would like to share what type of book is Bhagavad Gita.
What Type of Book is Bhagavad Gita?
Bhagavad Gita is a holy scripture of Hindus. In Hinduism, it’s a holy book that includes Sanskrit verses. So, it is a kind of holy book. But this is not just a religious book, it’s more than that.
Many people have their own reviews about the Bhagavad Gita. Some say that it’s a religious book, some say that it’s a philosophy etc.
And yes, all of them are true because it’s all about the perspective that how you look at the book and what you understand from it.
What Kind of Book is Bhagavad Gita? – All in One Book
The Bhagavad Gita book is a source of knowledge that we need in our lives. Let’s see here what type of book is Bhagavad Gita and how reading it will help you.
Is Bhagavad Gita Philosophy?
Yes, the Bhagavad Gita is a philosophy of life. It teaches you the reality of life and existence. So, many people read the Bhagavad Gita as a philosophy to understand life better.
Bhagavad Gita is a conversation between 2 people that is, Lord Krishna and Arjuna. As philosophy is all about questions and seeking answers. In Gita, Krishna answers all the questions of Arjuna and gives him the right direction.
So, you can consider the Bhagavad Gita as a philosophic learning experience.
Is Bhagavad Gita a holy book?
Yes, the Bhagavad Gita is a holy book of Hindus. Hinduism is a religion in which people consider the Gita as a holy book.
But this book is not just about religion. This book is unique and teaches everyone about the art of living. I feel that it’s a holy book for humanism that will benefit humankind.
This is a holy book that any can relate to one’s basic life principles while reading it.
Is Bhagavad Gita mythology?
No, the Bhagavad Gita is not just mythology. The people or personalities like Krishna and Arjuna are excited in real. The conversation in the Bhagavad Gita between Krishna and Arjuna is not mythology.
Some people say that it’s mythology but according to Indian archaeologists, it’s not mythology.
And no matter if you read the Bhagavad Gita as mythology or not, you will learn more about life and the art of living by reading it.
Is Bhagavad Gita a self-help book?
Yes, according to me the Bhagavad Gita is the best self-help book that teaches about life, karma and way of living.
I like reading self-help books. And the Bhagavad Gita is also helping me as a self-help book. I’ve learned so many things from the Bhagavad Gita.
You can read the Bhagavad Gita by considering it as a self-help book. Also, implement what you have learned in your life through this book to make your life meaningful.
Is Bhagavad Gita part of Mahabharat?
Yes, definitely. The Bhagavad Gita is a part of the Mahabharat.
Well, the Mahabharata is an ancient epic of Hindus. And the Bhagavad Gita is part of this epic. But you can read the Bhagavad Gita without reading the Mahabharata.
The Bhagavad Gita is a particular part of this epic where Lord Krishna shares knowledge and guides Arjuna. You will find more characters in the Mahabharata but in the Bhagavad Gita Krishna and Arjuna are the main character.
Is Bhagavad Gita fiction?
No, the Bhagavad Gita is not a fiction story. Many Hindus believe that it’s non-fiction and happened in real.
And the verses of the Bhagavad Gita are ancient scriptures in Hinduism. So, Hindus do not consider this book as fiction.
But rather than thinking about the genre of the book as fiction or non-fiction, you can read it like a self-help book to learn.
Is Bhagavad Gita an Upanishad?
Yes, the Bhagavad Gita is Upanishad in its own way. I can say that the Bhagavad Gita also teaches about the same kind of spirituality as Upanishads do.
Upanishads are the Hinduism ancient scripture that teaches us about spirituality. The word ‘Upanishad’ means getting spiritual knowledge by sitting down near the Guru. And in the Bhagavad Gita also Lord Krishna gives knowledge to Arjuna.
We can say that the Bhagavad Gita itself is the complete Upanishad because Upanishad is a large Hindu scripture that one should study and read separately if one wants to. But Bhagavad Gita helps beginners to know about spirituality.
Is the Bhagavad Gita a poem?
Yes, the original Bhagavad Gita is in a poetic form in the Sanskrit language. This is called Slokas. Sloka means a couplet of Sanskrit verses.
Now there are many books and different versions that include translated meaning in different languages along with the Sanskrit verses. So, you can read such a book to know the deeper meaning of verses.
The Bhagavad Gita includes 700 verses. That means approximately 700 slokas are there in the Gita.
Is Bhagavad Gita scientific?
Yes. I can say yes, the Bhagavad Gita is related to science as well. I can say this with my experience of reading the Gita.
In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna has spoken about things like Karma and also food habits. Which I personally feel that it’s related to science.
We all know about the physics law like every action has an equal and opposite reaction. In the same way, Krishna has talked about Karma. Every Karma will have the result according to our actions. So, we should do good things without worrying about results.
What Type of Knowledge will I get after reading the Bhagavad Gita?
After reading the Bhagavad Gita you will understand how to live a simple, peaceful life and do good karma.
Gita teaches about simplifying your life in all the areas of life. And you will start to understand spirituality as a beginner. You will understand that every human being is a spiritual being and has more potential.
The Bhagavad Gita also teaches us about how to be objective in life and take the right decisions. Arjuna was having self-doubt and was confused but Krishna taught him about objectivity and guided him well.
I feel that the Bhagavad Gita is a source of spiritual knowledge as well as guidance for living life. It all teaches about creating a balanced life. You can start reading it whenever you feel like reading.
Types of Bhagavad Gita Book
You should choose the right book for you if you want to read the Bhagavad Gita. Let’s see some types of Bhagavad Gita books.
1. The Bhagavad Gita in Sanskrit
As the original scripture is in Sanskrit you can get the small Bhagavad Gita book that includes only Sanskrit verses.
But you should know the Sanskrit language to read and understand if you prefer reading only verses. You will not get meaning in such books.
If your intention is just to recite slokas then you can buy such a type of Bhagavad Gita book. This can also be called the Bhagavad Gita pocket edition.
2. The Bhagavad Gita with Translated in Different Languages
You will get the Bhagavad Gita book in the translated language. In such type of book, you can get the Sanskrit verses and also exactly translated lines with English or Hindi or in regional language.
This will help you to read the Bhagavad Gita in your own language in which you feel comfortable. But you may not understand the deeper meaning of the verses.
You will get exact verses in translated languages but without any details and explanations. If you want to read the Bhagavad Gita quickly without deep meaning then you can read this type of version.
3. Bhagavad Gita As It Is
This book is available in English, Hindi and many other regional languages like Kannada, Telugu, Tamil etc. I prefer reading this type of book.
This book includes Sanskrit verses with translated lines in particular languages like English or Hindi or regional language. Then it includes the detailed meaning of each verse. I’m reading this type of Bhagavad Gita.
I find this kind of version useful for me to understand better. So, you can choose the “Bhagavad Gita as it is” book in your own language.
Which Type of Bhagavad Gita Book should I Read?
If you read the “Bhagavad Gita as it is” in English then that will benefit you. This book includes Sanskrit slokas along with the explained meaning of each verse in English.
So, if you are comfortable with reading in English and if you usually read English books then choose the “Bhagavad Gita as it is – in English” book.
But if you are comfortable reading in the Hindi language then choose “Bhagavad Gita as it is – in Hindi” book. And of course, you can choose your regional language as well.
Bhagavad Gita is Different from other Gitas
Bhagavad Gita is also known as Gita. But you should know that there are many Gitas in Hindu scripture. So, if you want to read the Bhagavad Gita then choose a particular one.
In Hindu scripture, there are 300 and ever more Gitas are there. So, if you look for reading Gita then specifically pick up the Bhagavad Gita (conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna)
23 Popular Types of Gita in Hinduism
The Bhagavad Gita is more popular in Hinduism but let’s see some other types of Gita here.
1. Bhagavad Gita
2. Anu Gita
3. Avadhutha Gita
4. Bhikshu Gita
5. Brahma Gita
6. Gopika Gita
7. Devi Gita
8. Uddhava Gita
9. Ishvara Gita
10. Hari Gita
11. Manki Gita
12. Parasara Gita
13. Rama Gita
14. Ribhu Gita
15. Sruti Gita
16. Sampaaka Gita
17. Suta Gita
18. Uttara Gita
19. Vasishta Gita
20. Vicakhnu Gita
21. Vritra Gita
22. Vyaasa Gita
23. Ashtavakra Gita
So, the list will go on like this. As there are so many types of Gita are there in Hinduism. Here I have mainly focused on the Bhagavad Gita that I’ve been reading.
If you are a beginner then start reading the Bhagavad Gita.
Should I read the other types of Gita Books along with Bhagavad Gita?
It’s not necessary to read any other Gita books along with the Bhagavad Gita. When you read the Bhagavad Gita you will feel that it’s complete in itself. You don’t need to read anything extra.
But if you wish then you can read the Mahabharat to know the whole story. As the Bhagavad Gita is a part of Mahabharat you will get to know details about it if you read it.
And to read any other Gitas, that will be completely your choice. If you want to know more about different Gita scriptures of Hinduism and if you are interested then you can read them.
I feel that the Bhagavad Gita is a concise knowledge of spirituality and other scriptures in Hinduism. And many people prefer reading the Bhagavad Gita.
Decide to Read the Bhagavad Gita to See Changes in Your Life
The Bhagavad Gita offers knowledge to everyone who reads it. Anybody, at any age, can start reading the Bhagavad Gita. You can see the changes in your life if you understand the philosophy of life by reading it.
When you understand life and the art of living you can make necessary changes in your life, you will understand what is right and wrong. Your perspective towards looking at life will change. This is how growth happens in life.
You don’t need to think about what type of book is Bhagavad Gita. It acts as all one book that makes you aware of life, spirituality, action, objectivity etc. Read it and focus on each of these things to bring changes in your life.
Hare Krishna.
I belong to a lovely Hindu family. I'm more spiritual and less religious.
Hindu culture has its own beauty as every other culture has.
I would like to share about Hinduism through my blogs.
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