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Chapter 1
Vishada Yoga
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The distress of Arjuna. Arjuna has requested Krishna to move his chariot between the two armies as he fears losing friends and relatives as a consequence of war.
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Chapter 2
Sankhya Yoga
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After asking Krishna for help, Arjuna is instructed into various subjects such as, Karma yoga, Gyaana yoga, Sankhya yoga, Buddhi yoga and the immortal nature of the soul.
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Chapter 3
Karma Yoga
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Virtue of actions. Krishna explains how Karma yoga, i.e. performance of prescribed duties, but without attachment to results, is the appropriate course of action.
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Chapter 4
Jnana Yoga
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The path of knowledge. Krishna reveals that he has lived through many births, always teaching yoga for the protection of the pious and the destruction of the impious and stresses the importance of accepting a guru.
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Chapter 5
Karma Vairagya Yoga
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Renouncing the fruits of action. Arjuna asks Krishna if it is better to forgo action or to act.
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Chapter 6
Abhyasa Yoga
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Krishna describes the difficulties of the mind and the techniques by which mastery of the mind might be gained.
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Chapter 7
Vijnana Yoga
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Discrimination. Krishna describes the absolute reality and its illusory energy Maya.
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Chapter 8
Aksara Brahma Yoga
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The importance of the last thought before death, differences between material and spiritual worlds, and light and dark paths that a soul takes after death are described.
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Chapter 9
Raja Vidya Raja–Guhya
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Krishna explains how his eternal energy pervades, creates, preserves, and destroys the entire universe.
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Chapter 10
Vibhuti Vistara Yoga
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Arjuna accepts Krishna as the Supreme Being, quoting great sages who have also done so.
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Chapter 11
Visvarupa Darsana Yoga
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On Arjuna's request, Krishna displays his "universal form" Viśvarūpa.
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Chapter 12
Bhakti Yoga
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Krishna explains that both paths lead to liberation, but the path of Bhakti Yoga, where one worships the personal form of God with love and surrender, is easier for most people to follow.
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Chapter 13
Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yoga
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Separation of Matter and Spirit. The difference between transient perishable physical body and the immutable eternal soul is described.
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Chapter 14
Gunatraya-Vibhaga Yoga
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Krishna explains the three modes (gunas) of material nature pertaining to goodness, passion, and nescience. Their causes, characteristics, and influence on a living entity are also described.
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Chapter 15
Purusottama Yoga
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Attaining the Supreme. Krishna identifies the transcendental characteristics of God such as, omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence.
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Chapter 16
Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga
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The Separateness of the Divine and Undivine Krishna identifies the human traits of the divine and the demonic natures.
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Chapter 17
Sraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
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Attaining the Supreme. Krishna identifies the transcendental characteristics of God such as, omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence.
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Chapter 18
Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
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Deliverance and Renunciation. The conclusions of previous seventeen chapters are summed up. Krishna asks Arjuna to abandon all forms of dharma and simply surrender unto him and describes this as the ultimate perfection of life.
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