The song celestial, or, Bhagavad-gîtâ: from the Mahâbhârata

I. The distress of Arjuna -- II. The book of doctrines -- III. Virtue in work -- IV. The religion of knowledge -- V. Religion of renouncing works -- VI. Religion by self-restraint -- VII. Religion by discernment -- VIII. Religion by service of the supreme -- IX. Religion by the kingly knowledge and the kingly mystery -- X. Religion by the heavenly perfections -- XI. The manifestations of the one and manifold -- XII. Religion of faith -- XIII. Religion by separation of matter and spirit -- XIV. Religion by separation from the qualities -- XV. Religion by attaining the supreme -- XVI. The separateness of the divine and undivine -- XVII. Religion by the threefold faith -- XVIII. Religion by deliverance and re-nunciation. First published in 1909, this book presents an English translation of chapters 25-42 of the Bhishma Parva from the epic Sanskrit poem Mahabharata — better known as the Bhagavad-Gita, reckoned as one of the "Five Jewels" of Devanagari literature. The plot consists of a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Krishna, the Supreme Deity, in a war-chariot prior to a great battle. The conversation that takes place unfolds a philosophical system which remains the prevailing Brahmanic belief, blending the doctrines of Kapila, Patanjali, and the Vedas. Building on a number of preceding translations, this highly-regarded poetic interpretation provides a major work of literature in an accessible popular form.