All 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita, summarised

The Bhagavad Gita has 700 verses in 18 chapters, each called a “yoga”. Below is every chapter with its name, number of verses and essence. Open any chapter for a full summary, its key verses and how to apply it today.

• Chapter 1: Arjuna Vishada Yogaअर्जुनविषादयोग · 47 versesFacing his own family in battle, Arjuna collapses in grief and doubt.
• Chapter 2: Sankhya Yogaसांख्ययोग · 72 versesThe self is eternal; act with an even mind, without clinging to results.
• Chapter 3: Karma Yogaकर्मयोग · 43 versesNo one can avoid action; do your duty selflessly, for the good of all.
• Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yogaज्ञानकर्मसंन्यासयोग · 42 versesKnowledge frees action from bondage; the divine appears whenever dharma declines.
• Chapter 5: Karma Sanyasa Yogaकर्मसंन्यासयोग · 29 versesTrue renunciation is inner: act in the world yet stay untouched, like a lotus leaf on water.
• Chapter 6: Dhyana Yogaध्यानयोग · 47 versesTrain the restless mind through meditation, balance and steady practice.
• Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yogaज्ञानविज्ञानयोग · 30 versesKrishna describes his nature: everything is strung on him like pearls on a thread.
• Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yogaअक्षरब्रह्मयोग · 28 versesWhat we remember at the end shapes where we go; so remember the divine always.
• Chapter 9: Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yogaराजविद्याराजगुह्ययोग · 34 versesThe royal secret is devotion; even a leaf offered with love is accepted.
• Chapter 10: Vibhuti Yogaविभूतियोग · 42 versesWherever there is excellence and glory, see a spark of the divine.
• Chapter 11: Vishvarupa Darshana Yogaविश्वरूपदर्शनयोग · 55 versesArjuna sees Krishna’s cosmic form — all of creation and time at once.
• Chapter 12: Bhakti Yogaभक्तियोग · 20 versesThe qualities of a true devotee: kind, forgiving, steady and free of ill will.
• Chapter 13: Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yogaक्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञविभागयोग · 34 versesThe difference between the body (the field) and the one who knows it.
• Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yogaगुणत्रयविभागयोग · 27 versesThe three qualities — sattva, rajas and tamas — and how to rise above them.
• Chapter 15: Purushottama Yogaपुरुषोत्तमयोग · 20 versesThe world as an upside-down ashvattha tree, and the Supreme Person beyond it.
• Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yogaदैवासुरसम्पद्विभागयोग · 24 versesDivine and demonic qualities; desire, anger and greed are the gates to ruin.
• Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yogaश्रद्धात्रयविभागयोग · 28 versesThree kinds of faith, and of food, sacrifice, austerity and charity.
• Chapter 18: Moksha Sanyasa Yogaमोक्षसंन्यासयोग · 78 versesThe summary: act without attachment, take refuge, and “do not grieve” — Arjuna rises to act.

How the 18 chapters fit together

A traditional way of reading the Gita divides it into three sets of six chapters:

• Chapters 1–6 — action (karma). Arjuna’s crisis, the eternal self, and how to act without attachment, ending with the training of the mind in meditation.
• Chapters 7–12 — devotion (bhakti). The nature of the divine, the cosmic vision, and the path of love, ending with the qualities of a true devotee.
• Chapters 13–18 — knowledge (jñāna). The body and its knower, the three gunas, divine and demonic qualities, and the final summary of the whole teaching.

These are emphases rather than strict divisions — action, devotion and knowledge appear throughout. Chapter 2 in particular contains the seed of almost everything that follows.

Where to start

If you are new, read chapter 2 (the core teaching), then chapter 12 (devotion, only 20 verses), chapter 6 (the mind) and chapter 3 (action). For the whole message in a few lines, see the Geeta saar.

Frequently asked questions

How many chapters are in the Bhagavad Gita?

18 chapters with 700 verses in total. Each chapter is called a “yoga”, such as Karma Yoga (chapter 3) or Bhakti Yoga (chapter 12).

Which is the longest chapter of the Gita?

Chapter 18, Moksha Sanyasa Yoga, with 78 verses. Chapter 2 is next with 72.

Which is the shortest chapter of the Gita?

Chapters 12 (Bhakti Yoga) and 15 (Purushottama Yoga) each have 20 verses.

Which chapter of the Gita should I read first?

Most teachers suggest chapter 2, which contains the core teaching. Chapter 12 is a good second choice because it is short and practical.