18 Chapters of Bhagavad Gita: Names and Simple Summary

How many chapters are in the Bhagavad Gita?

The Bhagavad Gita has 18 chapters and traditionally 700 verses. Each chapter is called an adhyaya. Together, they cover action, wisdom, meditation, devotion and duty. The text is a conversation between Arjuna and Sri Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It forms part of the Mahabharata.

Below you can find all 18 Sanskrit chapter names, audio recordings and a plain-English guide. English spellings of the Sanskrit names vary across translations. Read the overview first, then use the chapter list to choose what to study next.

In this guide

• 18 chapters and audio
• Why Chapter 1 matters
• Main teachings of the Gita
• Frequently asked questions
• All 18 chapters at a glance

Names of the 18 Bhagavad Gita chapters and audio

The names below follow the traditional order. Each chapter is a part of Krishna’s teaching to Arjuna. Chapters 1 and 2 begin with Arjuna’s doubt and Krishna’s reply. Later chapters discuss selfless action, clear knowledge, meditation, devotion and freedom. The audio recordings are kept with their original chapters.

1. Arjunavishaadayog
2. Sankhyayoga
3. Karmayoga
4. Gyaan-Karmasanyasayoga
5. Karmasanyasayoga
6. Atmasanyamayoga
7. Gyaana-Vigyaanayog
8. Aksarabrahmayoga
9. Rajavidya- Rajaguhyayoga
10. Vibhutiyoga
11. Visvarupadarshanayoga
12. Bhakti yoga
13. Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhagayoga
14. Gunatraya Vibhagayoga
15. Purusottamayoga
16. Daivasura Sampad Vibhagayoga
17. Sraddhatraya Vibhagayog
18. Moksha Sannyasa Yoga

Each chapter has a different focus. The first, Arjuna Vishada Yoga, describes Arjuna’s sorrow. It helps readers understand why Krishna begins his teaching. For an introduction to the wider story, read our guide to the Bhagavad Gita. You can then continue with our explanation of Chapter 2.

Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yoga

Vishada means sorrow or deep distress. In Chapter 1, Arjuna sees his relatives, teachers and friends on both sides of the battlefield. He worries about the loss and suffering the war may cause. His grief makes it hard for him to choose what to do.

Arjuna puts down his bow, Gandiva, and says he does not want to fight. His question is difficult: how should we act when duty and our feelings pull us in different directions? His doubts lead to Krishna’s teachings in the chapters that follow.

What are the main lessons of the Bhagavad Gita?

The chapters teach several connected paths. Karma yoga is action without clinging to rewards. Jnana yoga asks us to examine what is real and lasting. Bhakti yoga is loving devotion. Dhyana yoga is meditation and training the mind. Krishna draws these ideas together as he responds to Arjuna’s doubts.

What happens in the 47 verses of Chapter 1?

Chapter 1 has 47 verses. The opening verse is spoken by Dhritarashtra, who asks Sanjaya what is happening at Kurukshetra. Sanjaya describes the armies and their leaders. Arjuna then asks Krishna to place his chariot between the two sides so he can see those gathered to fight.

Arjuna sees people he loves and respects. He fears the harm the battle may bring to their families. Overcome by grief, he sets aside his bow. This crisis prepares the reader for Chapter 2, where Krishna begins to answer his questions about duty, life and wise action.

Further reading about yoga

• Yoga and inner peace
• What yoga means in the Bhagavad Gita
• Introduction to Kriya Yoga

How can you apply the Bhagavad Gita’s teachings?

The Bhagavad Gita teaches readers to think before acting and to care about how they treat others. Karma yoga asks us to carry out our duties without becoming fixed on rewards. Bhakti yoga centres on devotion. Jnana yoga uses study and reflection to question our assumptions. These ideas belong to a philosophical and religious text, and teachers explain them in different ways. Read the original verses and a clear translation before applying them to daily life.

For a simple way to study, try the following routine. This is a reading practice, not a substitute for a full translation or guidance from a qualified teacher.

1. Read five verses from one chapter using a reliable translation.
2. Write down one unfamiliar Sanskrit word and look up its meaning.
3. Ask what Krishna is explaining to Arjuna in that part of the conversation.
4. Write one example from daily life, without treating the verse as a rule for everyone.
5. Return to the chapter the next day and check your understanding.

Continue reading the Bhagavad Gita

• Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita
• Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 summary
• Definition of yoga in the Bhagavad Gita

Frequently asked questions

How many chapters does the Bhagavad Gita have?

The Bhagavad Gita has 18 chapters, known as adhyayas. Each chapter carries a different part of the conversation between Arjuna and Krishna. Chapter 1 presents Arjuna’s grief. Later chapters discuss duty, knowledge, meditation and devotion. The final chapter brings many of these teachings together. You can start with the chapter table below and read the full translation to understand each teaching in context.

How many verses does the Bhagavad Gita contain?

The widely used Bhagavad Gita has 700 verses in 18 chapters. Different editions may number or count some verses differently, so check the edition you are reading. Chapter 1 has 47 verses and Chapter 18 has 78. A verse is a short unit of the Sanskrit text. Read the verses with their surrounding chapter rather than treating a single line as the whole teaching.

Where should beginners start reading the Gita?

Start with Chapter 1 to understand why Arjuna asks Krishna for help. Continue to Chapter 2, where Krishna begins his answer. Use a translation with plain-English notes and read a few verses each day. Words such as karma (action), bhakti (devotion) and dhyana (meditation) become clearer when you meet them in context. It also helps to compare translations when the meaning is unclear.

All 18 Bhagavad Gita chapters at a glance

The table below lists all 18 chapters in order, with short descriptions of their subjects. Sanskrit names can have several English spellings. Read the summaries with the original audio recordings above. For a closer study, see our Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 guide.

What does each of the 18 chapters mean?

The chapters form a connected teaching. Krishna begins by listening to Arjuna’s fear. He then explains action, knowledge, meditation and devotion in stages. These simple descriptions help you find a subject, but they cannot replace reading the original verses with a reliable translation.

Chapters 1 to 6: Sorrow, action and meditation

1. Arjuna Vishada Yoga: Arjuna is troubled by the coming battle. 2. Sankhya Yoga: Krishna starts teaching about the self, wise choices and duty. 3. Karma Yoga: Acting without attachment to rewards becomes central. 4. Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga: Krishna brings knowledge and action together. 5. Karma Sannyasa Yoga: He compares renunciation with responsible action. 6. Dhyana Yoga: He explains meditation and steady practice.

Chapters 7 to 12: Knowledge of the divine and devotion

7. Jnana Vijnana Yoga: Krishna speaks about knowledge and divine reality. 8. Akshara Brahma Yoga: He discusses the imperishable and remembrance of the divine. 9. Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga: Faith and heartfelt devotion are central. 10. Vibhuti Yoga: Krishna describes divine expressions in the world. 11. Vishvarupa Darshana Yoga: Arjuna sees Krishna’s universal form. 12. Bhakti Yoga: Devotion and the qualities of a devoted person take focus.

Chapters 13 to 18: Nature, character and freedom

13. Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga: The text describes the field and its knower. 14. Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga: It explains sattva, rajas and tamas, the three gunas. 15. Purushottama Yoga: Krishna describes the highest reality. 16. Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga: He compares constructive and harmful traits. 17. Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga: Faith and conduct are viewed through the gunas. 18. Moksha Sannyasa Yoga: Krishna brings the teachings together as Arjuna prepares to act.