The Bhagavad Gita is a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna. It is narrated in the bhiishhma parva of the Maha Bharata and was subsequently recorded by Vyasa for the benefit of humanity. It comprises 701 verses in 18 chapters. The Mahabharata has given us many great values, but the two most significant ones are the Bhagavad Gita and Vishnu Sahasranama. Ironically, both of them are presented in the battlefield, the Bhagavad Gita being presented just before the onset of the war of Kurukshetra and the Vishnu Sahasranama, after the war. The Gita stands as a guiding manual for the daily conduct of life, spiritual uplift and Self-realization.

Arjuna, hero of the Pandavas, is about to confront the army of the Kauravas on the battlefield of Kuruksetra. Among the opposing army are his Gurus, elders, relatives and friends. Arjuna became despair and he lays down his weapons and declares that he will not fight.

The Lord Vishnu, incarnated as Krishna who is Arjuna's charioteer', explains that Arjuna should do his duty and do battle. The human soul, which is part of the universal soul, is immortal - therefore no-one is actually die. If people perform the duties appropriate to their position, without attachment to success or failure, then they cannot be stained by action. Gita provides the full philosophy underlying this insight.

The Gita states that God is in all things, and all things are in God. But the visible universe springs from only a fraction of Vishnu's glory. There is also a hidden part of God which extends beyond the universe.

Bhagavad Gita is also hailed as Brahma vidya (Knowledge of the Absolute), which is the highest knowledge that a spiritual aspirant seeks. Bhagavad Gita is also hailed as yoga shaastra since it deals with the practice of the highest ideals in all walks of life. (Actually each of the chapters of the Gita is named as yoga such as bhakti yoga, karma yoga, GYaana yoga, etc.).

Bhagavad Gita is the song of God and it is the absolute truth.