The Bhagavad Gita, or "Song of the Lord," is one of Hinduism's most revered texts. This 700-verse dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra has inspired countless commentaries over the centuries. These commentaries (bhashyas) not only interpret the Gita's teachings but also serve as vehicles for expressing diverse philosophical perspectives within Hinduism.
Historical Development of Gita Commentaries
Early Period (700-1200 CE)
The earliest known systematic commentary on the Bhagavad Gita is attributed to Shankara (8th century CE), though references to the text appear in earlier works. This period established the Gita as a foundational text worthy of serious philosophical exegesis.
Classical Period (1200-1700 CE)
This era saw the development of major commentarial traditions as the heads of various Vedantic schools used the Gita to articulate their philosophical positions. Ramanuja, Madhva, Nimbarka, and Vallabha all composed influential commentaries during this period.
Modern Period (1700 CE-Present)
Modern commentaries have emerged both from traditional lineages and from reform movements. This period has also seen the internationalization of the Gita, with commentaries appearing in multiple languages and traditions.
Major Philosophical Commentaries
Advaita Vedanta Commentaries
Adi Shankaracharya's Bhashya
- Date: c. 8th century CE
- Perspective: Non-dualistic (Advaita)
- Key Features:
- Emphasizes jnana (knowledge) as the primary path to liberation
- Interprets Krishna as Saguna Brahman (Brahman with attributes)
- Views the world as ultimately illusory (maya)
- Reads the Gita through the lens of the Upanishads
- Influence: Established the Gita as a cornerstone of Vedantic philosophy
Other Advaita Commentaries
- Anandagiri's Tika: Elaboration on Shankara's commentary
- Madhusudhana Saraswati's Gudhartha Dipika: Reconciles devotion with non-dualism
- Sadananda Yogindra's Subodhini: Simplified presentation of Advaita ideas
Vishishtadvaita Commentaries
Ramanuja's Gitabhashya
- Date: c. 11th-12th century CE
- Perspective: Qualified non-dualism (Vishishtadvaita)
- Key Features:
- Emphasizes bhakti (devotion) leading to surrender (prapatti)
- Presents Krishna as the Supreme Personal God
- Interprets the relationship between soul and God as that between body and soul
- Affirms the reality of the world as God's body
- Influence: Established devotional theism as a legitimate interpretation of the Gita
Other Vishishtadvaita Commentaries
- Vedanta Desika's Tatparya Chandrika: Expands on Ramanuja's interpretations
- Rangaramanuja's Gitarthasangraha: Condenses Ramanuja's commentary
Dvaita Commentaries
Madhvacharya's Gita Bhashya
- Date: c. 13th century CE
- Perspective: Dualistic (Dvaita)
- Key Features:
- Emphasizes the eternal distinction between God, souls, and matter
- Presents Krishna as the supreme independent reality
- Highlights the doctrine of inherent differences (svabhava)
- Interprets the Gita as supporting predestination and divine grace
- Influence: Provided a strictly theistic interpretation emphasizing God's transcendence
Other Dvaita Commentaries
- Jayatirtha's Prameyadipika: Commentary on Madhva's Bhashya
- Raghavendra Tirtha's Bhavadipa: Further elucidation of the Dvaita perspective
Other Vedantic Commentaries
Nimbarka's Gitatattvaprakashika
- Date: c. 12th-13th century CE
- Perspective: Dvaitadvaita (dualistic non-dualism)
- Key Features:
- Focuses on the dual-non-dual nature of reality
- Emphasizes devotion to Radha-Krishna
Vallabhacharya's Tattvadipika
- Date: c. 15th-16th century CE
- Perspective: Shuddhadvaita (pure non-dualism)
- Key Features:
- Presents the path of pushti (divine grace)
- Emphasizes loving service (seva) to Krishna
Sridhara Svami's Subodhini
- Date: c. 14th century CE
- Perspective: Synthesis of Advaita and devotionalism
- Features: Widely accepted across various Vedantic schools
Non-Vedantic Commentaries
Abhinavagupta's Gitarthasangraha
- Date: c. 10th-11th century CE
- Perspective: Kashmir Shaivism
- Key Features:
- Interprets the Gita through the lens of Tantric non-dualism
- Identifies Krishna with Shiva-Shakti
- Emphasizes the practice of recognition (pratyabhijna)
Jnaneshwar's Jnaneshwari (Bhavartha Dipika)
- Date: c. 13th century CE
- Language: Marathi
- Perspective: Nath tradition with Advaitic influence
- Key Features:
- Poetic expansion rather than literal commentary
- Accessible to common people, not just scholars
- Synthesizes yoga, bhakti, and jnana approaches
Yogic Commentaries
- Sri Aurobindo's Essays on the Gita: Interpreted through integral yoga perspective
- Paramahansa Yogananda's God Talks with Arjuna: Views the Gita as an allegory for internal spiritual battle
Modern Commentaries
Traditional Scholars
- Swami Chinmayananda's Commentary: Accessible presentation of Advaita philosophy
- Swami Tapasyananda's Commentary: Ramakrishna Mission perspective
Reform Movement Leaders
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak's Gita Rahasya: Emphasizes karma yoga and social action
- Mahatma Gandhi's The Bhagavad Gita According to Gandhi: Non-violent interpretation
International Perspectives
- A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's Bhagavad Gita As It Is: Gaudiya Vaishnava interpretation
- Eknath Easwaran's Translation and Commentary: Universalist approach for Western audience
Thematic Analysis Across Commentaries
Interpretations of Key Concepts
The Nature of Krishna
- Advaita: Supreme Brahman appearing with attributes
- Vishishtadvaita: Supreme Personal God with infinite auspicious qualities
- Dvaita: Absolute independent sovereign beyond all other beings
- Kashmir Shaiva: Manifestation of the supreme consciousness (Paramashiva)
The Path to Liberation
- Advaita: Self-knowledge (jnana) as primary, with action performed without attachment
- Vishishtadvaita: Loving devotion (bhakti) culminating in surrender (prapatti)
- Dvaita: Devotional service according to one's inherent nature
- Modern Interpretations: Balanced integration of knowledge, devotion, and action
The Meaning of Dharma
- Traditional: Emphasis on varnashrama duties and universal moral law
- Reformist: Social justice and national independence
- Yogic: Inner psychological duties and spiritual disciplines
Hermeneutical Approaches
Textual Methods
- Concordance with Shruti: Interpreting the Gita in harmony with Vedic revelation
- Inter-textuality: Reading the Gita alongside other texts in the same tradition
- Word Analysis: Detailed examination of Sanskrit terms and their meanings
- Contextual Reading: Understanding verses within their narrative context
Philosophical Strategies
- Hierarchical Integration: Organizing seemingly contradictory teachings into a hierarchy
- Dialectical Resolution: Resolving apparent contradictions through philosophical analysis
- Symbolic Interpretation: Reading the battlefield narrative as internal spiritual struggle
Comparative Studies
Similarities Across Traditions
Despite philosophical differences, most commentaries agree on:
- The divine status of Krishna
- The importance of detachment from results
- The value of disciplined action
- The possibility of liberation
Points of Contention
Areas of significant disagreement include:
- The ultimate nature of reality (monistic vs. dualistic)
- The relationship between individual souls and God
- The relative importance of different yogic paths
- The status of the manifest world
Contemporary Relevance
Academic Study
Modern scholarship on the Gita examines:
- Historical development of commentarial traditions
- Cross-cultural interpretive approaches
- Textual history and manuscript traditions
- Philosophical comparisons with Western thought
Practical Application
Commentaries continue to serve as guides for:
- Personal spiritual practice
- Ethical decision-making
- Understanding Hindu philosophy
- Cross-cultural dialogue
Related Pages
- Bhagavad Gita - Core text being commented upon
- Advaita Interpretations - Non-dualistic readings of Vedantic texts
- Vishishtadvaita Interpretations - Qualified non-dualistic readings
- Dvaita Interpretations - Dualistic readings
- Mahabharata - The epic containing the Bhagavad Gita