FAQs

Frequently asked questions about the Gita and Shri Krishna, with simple answers.

Why was the Bhagavad Gita spoken? – Shri Krishna spoke the Gita to free Arjuna from grief and confusion on the battlefield and to show him his true duty.
Who wrote the Bhagavad Gita? – The Gita was spoken by Shri Krishna and set down by the sage Vedavyasa as part of the Mahabharata.
How many shlokas are in the Bhagavad Gita? – Traditionally the Gita has 700 verses; some editions count 701 by including Arjuna's question at the start of chapter 13.
When was the Bhagavad Gita spoken? – According to tradition, on Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, the first day of the Kurukshetra war; this day is celebrated as Gita Jayanti.
How should a beginner read the Gita? – Read a few verses with their meaning at a fixed time each day, reflect on them, and try to live one idea through the day.
What are the four yogas of the Gita? – Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Dhyana Yoga and Bhakti Yoga are the four main paths taught in the Gita, and they complement one another.
Who is Shri Krishna? – Shri Krishna is revered as the complete avatar of Lord Vishnu, and many devotional traditions worship him as the Supreme Lord himself.
Why is Krishna shown with a blue or dark complexion? – The scriptures describe Krishna as shyam, dark like a rain cloud; in paintings this is shown with shades of blue.
Who is Shri Radha? – Shri Radha, daughter of King Vrishabhanu of Barsana, is Krishna's dearest beloved, honoured in devotional tradition as the highest form of pure love and devotion.
How many wives did Krishna have? – Krishna had eight principal queens, the ashta-bharya, and he also gave the honour of marriage to 16,100 princesses he freed from Narakasura.
Who was Krishna's guru? – Krishna and Balarama studied with the sage Sandipani at his ashram in Ujjain (Avanti); their naming ceremony was performed by the sage Garga.
How is the Janmashtami fast observed? – Commonly devotees fast or take only fruit through the day and break the fast after the midnight birth puja; customs vary by family and tradition.
How can I worship Krishna at home? – A simple, loving puja at home can include lighting a lamp, offering bhog with a tulsi leaf, aarti and chanting the Lord's name.
Why does Krishna wear a peacock feather and carry a flute? – The peacock feather and flute mark Krishna as the cowherd of Vraja, and tradition gives them many beautiful symbolic meanings.
What is bhakti? – Bhakti is selfless love for God and complete surrender to him, described in the Gita and the Bhagavatam as the simplest and highest path.
How did Krishna leave the world? – After the end of the Yadavas at Prabhasa, a hunter named Jara's arrow struck Krishna's foot as he sat beneath a pipal tree, and he returned to his abode; the place is known as Bhalka Tirth.