The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (371 page)

 
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(Skt., ‘the song of the
Bhagav
’). A fundamental text for Hindus—for many, the most sublime. It forms part of book vi of the
Mah
bh
rata
, and in eighteen sections of 700 verses, it explores the situation which has brought the warrior Arjuna to a crisis of conscience: he is opposed in battle by members of his own family; should he attack and perhaps kill them? Offered the assistance of
K
a
Devak
putra, he accepts and receives instruction on appropriate conduct and attitudes. The main part of the
G
t
records this instruction. K
a points Arjuna to the three paths (
marga
), of knowledge (
jñ
na-marga
), of action with detachment (
karma
-marga), and of devotion to God (
bhakti
-m