Friday, March 28, 2025

Exhaustive List of Questions Asked by Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita

Chapter 1 – Arjuna’s Dilemma (Arjuna Vishada Yoga)

  1. O Krishna, seeing my kinsmen arrayed in battle, my limbs fail, my mouth dries up. How can I fight this war? (1.28-29)

  2. Why does my body tremble, my bow slip from my hands, and my skin burn? (1.29-30)

  3. O Keshava, I see only omens of misfortune. What good can come from killing my own people? (1.31)

  4. What joy will we gain by killing our own relatives? (1.32-33)

  5. Why should we, who can see the sin of destroying our family, not turn away from such a great crime? (1.38)

  6. If the family is destroyed, will dharma (righteousness) not perish? (1.39)

  7. Will the destruction of dharma not lead to the corruption of future generations? (1.40)

  8. How can we be happy by slaying our own people, even if we gain sovereignty over the three worlds? (1.35)

  9. Would it not be better if the sons of Dhritarashtra, armed, killed me unarmed and unresisting? (1.46)

Chapter 2 – The Path of Knowledge (Sankhya Yoga)

  1. How shall I fight against Bhishma and Drona, who deserve my reverence? (2.4)

  2. Would it not be better to live as a beggar than to kill these great teachers? (2.5)

  3. I am confused about my duty. Please instruct me clearly—what is truly beneficial for me? (2.7)

  4. What is the nature of the soul? Does it perish when the body dies? (2.17-25)

  5. If the soul is eternal, why should I grieve over death? (2.26)

  6. What is the defining characteristic of a person of steady wisdom (Sthitaprajna)? (2.54)

  7. How does such a wise person speak, sit, and move? (2.54)

  8. If performing duty is superior, why do people renounce the world in pursuit of knowledge? (Implied from 2.49)

Chapter 3 – The Path of Action (Karma Yoga)

  1. If knowledge is superior to action, why do you urge me to engage in this terrible war? (3.1)

  2. Why am I confused by Your mixed instructions? (3.2)

  3. By what force is a person compelled to commit sin, even against his own will? (3.36)

  4. What is the role of sacrifice (Yajna) in life? Why should we perform it? (Implied from 3.9-16)

Chapter 4 – The Path of Knowledge & Renunciation (Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga)

  1. You were born recently, but You say You taught the eternal knowledge to Vivasvan (Sun god) in ancient times. How is this possible? (4.4)

  2. What is the connection between knowledge and action? (Implied from 4.16)

Chapter 5 – The Path of Renunciation (Karma Sannyasa Yoga)

  1. Which is better—renunciation of action (Sannyasa) or performing action with detachment (Karma Yoga)? (5.1)

Chapter 6 – The Path of Meditation (Dhyana Yoga)

  1. Who is superior—a renunciate or one who performs action with devotion? (6.1)

  2. What happens to a person who starts on the spiritual path but fails to reach the goal? Is he lost? (6.37)

  3. Does such a fallen yogi perish like a broken cloud? (6.38)

Chapter 7 – The Path of Knowledge & Wisdom (Jnana Vijnana Yoga)

  1. How can I know You, O Krishna, and in what forms should I meditate upon You? (7.17-18)

  2. How do people worship You in different ways, and why do some turn to other gods? (Implied from 7.20-23)

Chapter 8 – The Path of the Imperishable Brahman (Akshara Brahma Yoga)

  1. What is Brahman (Supreme Reality)? (8.1)

  2. What is the self (Adhyatma)? (8.1)

  3. What is Karma (Action)? (8.1)

  4. Who is the Lord of sacrifice (Adhiyajna)? (8.2)

  5. How can one remember You at the time of death and attain liberation? (8.5-6)

  6. What is the significance of remembering the Supreme at the time of death? (Implied from 8.5-6)

Chapter 10 – Divine Glories (Vibhuti Yoga)

  1. How can I know You constantly, O Krishna? In what aspects should I meditate on You? (10.17)

  2. Tell me again about Your divine manifestations. I can never be satisfied hearing about You. (10.18)

Chapter 11 – The Universal Form (Vishwaroopa Darshana Yoga)

  1. I have heard about Your divine glories, but can You show me Your Universal Form? (11.3)

  2. Who are You in this terrible form, and what is Your mission? (11.31)

Chapter 12 – The Path of Devotion (Bhakti Yoga)

  1. Who is superior—those who worship You with form or those who worship the formless Brahman? (12.1)

Chapter 13 – The Field & the Knower (Kshetra Kshetragya Yoga)

  1. What is the difference between the Field (Prakriti) and the Knower of the Field (Purusha)? (13.1)

Chapter 14 – The Three Gunas (Guna Traya Vibhaga Yoga)

  1. What are the characteristics of a person who has transcended the three gunas? (14.21)

  2. How can one go beyond the influence of the three gunas? (14.22)

Chapter 15 – The Supreme Person (Purushottama Yoga)

  1. What is the eternal Ashvattha tree (cosmic tree)? What is its nature? (15.1)

Chapter 16 – The Divine & the Demonic (Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga)

  1. What are the qualities of the divine (Daivi) and the demonic (Asuri) nature? (16.1-4)

Chapter 17 – The Threefold Faith (Shraddha Traya Vibhaga Yoga)

  1. What happens to those who worship with faith but do not follow the scriptures? (17.1)

Chapter 18 – The Path of Liberation (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga)

  1. What is the difference between renunciation (Sannyasa) and selfless action (Tyaga)? (18.1)

  2. How can one attain the Supreme through devotion and selfless action? (18.55-57)

  3. What is the ultimate duty of a seeker? (18.66)

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