Do You Know How Many Chapters Are There in Bhagavad Gita?

How many chapters are there in Bhagavad Gita? What does each chapter of Bhagavad Gita include?

These are the common questions when you think of starting to read the Bhagavad Gita. So, as somebody who has started to read Bhagavad Gita in my 20s, I would like to share details about it in my current blog.

How Many Chapters Are There in Bhagavad Gita?

There are 18 chapters in the Bhagavad Gita. These 18 chapters are divided into 3 main sections. Each section consists 6 chapters.

The total of 18 chapters include 700 verses (Shlokas). That means, the entire Bhagavad Gita includes 1,400 Sanskrit lines in the form of couplets.

18 Chapters of Bhagavad Gita

Let’s see all the 18 chapters of Bhagavad Gita and their important messages.

Chapter 1 – The Grief of Arjuna (Arjuna Vishad Yoga)

This is the first chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This chapter explains Arjuna’s sorrows. This is also considered as ‘the war within’.

This chapter helps one to focus on one’s own sorrows and war within the mind. Every time human beings face such conflicts in mind. So, you will understand how to face such situations in life by reading the Bhagavad Gita.

Chapter 2 –  The Way of Knowledge (Sankhya Yoga)

This chapter is all about self-realization. This is a philosophical discussion that begins in this chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This includes 72 verses.

Reading this part of the Bhagavad Gita helps you to introspect your own life and the purpose of life.

Chapter 3 – The Way of Action (Karma Yoga)

This chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is one of my favourites. This includes 43 verses. You will learn about the law and the effect of work by reading this.

Lord Krishna explains selfless services and the results of our work in this chapter.

Chapter 4 – The Way of Renunciation of Action in Knowledge (Jnana Yoga)

This chapter has 42 verses. This chapter is all about wisdom in action. And Krishna talks about motiveless action and the need to determine the right action.

You will see and realize that a combination of knowledge and action is important. This is about wisdom.

Chapter 5 – The Yoga of Reunciation (Karma Sanyasa Yoga)

The 5th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita includes 29 verses. Sanyasa means becoming a monk and living a monk life.

Arjuna asks Krishna if one should choose a monk life or one should live a worldly life. And Krishna explains no matter what we choose both paths have the same goal. This chapter helps to overcome internal contradictions.

Chapter 6 – The Way of Meditation (Atma Samyama Yoga)

This chapter is also known as Dyana Yoga. That means, the practice of meditation. It has 47 verses.

This chapter of the Bhagavad Gita explains Yoga and Meditation in a simplified way. You will understand mediation by reading this.

Chapter 7 – The Way of Knowledge with Realization (Vijnana Yoga)

In this chapter, Krishna explains wisdom from realization. This is a set of 30 verses. You will understand about universal principles that are Prakriti and Purusha in this chapter.

It explains that ignorance will lead to an evil result.

Chapter 8 – The Way to The Imperishable Brahman (Aksara ParaBrahma Yoga)

Eternal self is the concept of this Bhagavad Gita’s chapter. You will get 28 verses in this.

Krishna says that everyone has a body that is not permanent but everyone has an eternal self. This chapter explains the ultimate destiny of humanity.

Chapter 9 – The Kingly Knowledge and the Kindly Mystery (Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga)

Krishna talks about the supreme energy that runs all of us in this chapter. It’s all about sovereign science and sovereign secrets. There are 34 verses in this chapter.

You will understand that the driving force is in unmanifested form, everywhere and in everything by reading this chapter of the Bhagavad Gita.

Chapter 10 – The Yoga of Divine Manifestations (Vibhuti Vistara Yoga)

In this chapter, Krishna explains in detail about spirituality and he explains that he is present in every being.

In this 10th chapter, there are 42 verses that explain the Yoga of Divine Manifestation.

Chapter 11 – The Cosmic Vision (Vishwarupa Darshana Yoga)

The cosmic vision is the concept of this chapter. It includes 55 sets of verses.

You will come to know deep knowledge about cosmic vision in this chapter.

Chapter 12 – The Yoga of Devotion (Bhakti Yoga)

Here Lord Krishna shares knowledge about love, faith and devotion. You will find 20 verses in this chapter.

You will know the importance of compassion in life by reading this chapter.

Chapter 13 – The Yoga of the Difference Between Field and the Field-Knower (Ksetra Ksetrajna Vibhaga Yoga)

This is about the physical body and the eternal self. There are 34 verses in this.

If you want to know who you actually are, read this and understand. This chapter explains the difference between the body and the spirit.

Chapter 14 – The Forces of Evolution (Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga)

The 14th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita talks about the qualities of human beings. You will find 27 verses in this Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga chapter.

Here Krishna talks about ego. It also talks about the different personalities of human beings.

Chapter 15 – The Supreme Self (Purushottama Prapti Yoga)

Know about the Supreme Self in this chapter. Krishna explained it in 20 verses in this chapter.

This chapter talks about a fundamental element that is present in all of us.

Chapter 16 – The Separateness of the Divine and Undivine (Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga)

This chapter is about the separation of divine and undivine. In this Lord Krishna explains which types of human traits are divine and which are not.

There are 24 verses in this particular chapter of the Bhagavad Gita

Chapter 17 – The Power of Faith (Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga)

This chapter explains the power of faith. This chapter has 28 verses.

Here you will come to know about the division of faith. Also, Krishna explains thoughts and deeds in this chapter.

Chapter 18 – The Yoga of Liberation and Renunciation (Moksha Sanyasa Yoga)

This is the last chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This chapter explains liberation and renunciation. There are 78 verses in this last chapter.

You can find a discussion of spiritual pursuit at the beginning of this chapter. This chapter included many topics and offered a final summary of all the lessons.

FAQs About Bhagavad Gita Chapters

1. How many slokas are there in Bhagavad Gita?

There are 700 slokas in the Bhagavad Gita.

2. Who Translated Bhagavad Gita in English?

Charles Wilkins translated the Bhagavad Gita into English for the first time in the year 1785.

3. Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains the most verses?

The 18th (last chapter) of the Bhagavad Gita contains the most verses. It contains total 78 verses.

4. Arjuna’s dilemma is described in which chapter of Bhagavad Gita?

In the first chapter of the Bhagavad Gita Arjuna’s dilemma is described.

5. Leadership in Bhagavad Gita is in which chapter?

The 7th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita explains about leadership in the 11th verse.

6. Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is the longest?

The last 18th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is the longest.

7. Which chapter in Bhagavad Gita talks about healthy eating habits?

Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita talks about healthy eating habits.

I hope now you have gained clarity about how many chapters are there in Bhagavad Gita. You can also start reading Bhagavad Gita to learn the essence of life.