How to Read the Bhagavad Gita: A Modern Yogi’s Guide

Have you ever picked up a spiritual text, read the first page, and thought… I have no idea what’s going on here?

Yeah. Me too.

For years, I felt that way about the Bhagavad Gita. I wanted to love it (and trust me, it is now one of my favorite yogic texts). I knew it was important. It’s often described as “the jewel of yogic wisdom.” But every time I tried to dive in, I felt overwhelmed. Where was I supposed to begin? What was I supposed to get out of it?

If this is you, welcome. You’re in exactly the right place.

This blog (and podcast episode!) is your invitation to begin a relationship with the Gita that feels approachable, grounded, and even fun. No Sanskrit degree required. Whether you’re a yoga teacher-in-training, a curious seeker, or someone who’s just heard the word “Dharma” tossed around in yoga class — this guide is for you.

What Is the Bhagavad Gita?

Let’s break it down simply.

The Bhagavad Gita (translated as “The Song of God”) is a 700-verse dialogue between a warrior named Arjuna and his chariot driver—who turns out to be Krishna, a divine incarnation.

But here’s the plot twist: this conversation takes place on a battlefield. A real one. With swords, soldiers, war cries, and, yes, tons of moral tension. And the war? It’s between cousins. (Yep. Family drama goes way back.)

This all unfolds within a much larger ancient Indian epic called the Mahabharata — which you can think of as India’s version of the Iliad, Odyssey, and Game of Thrones combined. It’s over 100,000 verses long and includes everything from mythology and philosophy to politics, family feuds, and battles between righteousness and chaos. If the Mahabharata is the full epic, the Bhagavad Gita is its glowing spiritual heart.

Quick Summary of the Bhagavad Gita Story

Here’s the story in a nutshell — so you know what’s actually happening:

It’s less about war and more about the battle within — the one we all face when the right path isn’t easy or clear.

Why a Battle? Isn’t This Supposed to Be About Yoga?

Great question.

When you first open the Gita and realize it’s about a war, you might be tempted to slam the book shut. I get it. It doesn’t exactly scream inner peace.

But the battlefield is a metaphor.

It represents the chaos of your life. Your inbox. Your to-do list. That conversation you’re dreading. The decision you don’t want to make. The Gita is about that moment — when your heart is torn, your options are terrible, and you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place.

That’s Arjuna. And that’s why his story is so relatable.

He doesn’t want to fight. His family is on both sides of the war. He’s spiraling into self-doubt. And just when he’s about to completely shut down, Krishna (a.k.a. the divine wisdom within) begins to speak.

And what he says? That’s the Bhagavad Gita. That’s how you live your yoga.

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Bhagavad Gita vs. Yoga Sutras: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve taken a yoga teacher training, chances are you’ve been introduced to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. They’re beautiful. They’re precise. They’re a list of 195 short aphorisms about calming the mind and finding liberation.

But they’re also… kind of abstract. And quiet. The Yoga Sutras are like Yoda on his swamp planet — all contemplation, no drama.

In contrast, the Bhagavad Gita is cinematic. It’s alive with conflict and dialogue and tension. There’s a story. Characters. Emotions. Ethical gray areas. It’s less about retreating from the world, and more about how to show up in it fully — with integrity, clarity, and heart.

Where the Yoga Sutras guide you to silence, the Gita guides you to action. Even messy, imperfect action.

Not only that but the context of the two are very different. The Yoga Sutras were written for young boys entering the priesthood or elderly men readying for the next life. The Bhagavad Gita was written for everyone to relate to.

Why Read the Bhagavad Gita?

Because you’re already living it.

The Gita isn’t just about a war thousands of years ago. It’s about your inner battle — between your higher self and your fear, your purpose and your procrastination, your calling and your comfort zone.

It’s a mirror. A map. A reminder that real yoga doesn’t just happen on a meditation cushion. It happens in traffic. In family tension. In heartbreak. In the kitchen at 6:30 p.m. when you’re trying not to lose it over dinner.

Reading the Gita helps you see those moments not as distractions from your path — but as the path itself.

Spoiler alert: This also relates to The Gunas. Read about how in this post => What are the Gunas? 

How to Actually Read the Bhagavad Gita (Without Getting Overwhelmed)

Okay, so you’re curious. You’re in. You’re ready. But… now what?

Here’s how I recommend approaching the Gita, especially if this is your first time:

1. Pick the Right Translation (for you)

Not all versions of the Gita are created equal. Some read like poetry. Some feel like textbooks. Some include heavy commentary from a specific lineage or teacher. Here are a few I love:

• Eknath Easwaran – Very accessible. Grounded. Clear.
• Stephen Mitchell – More poetic and philosophical.
• Swami Prabhupada – Traditional with Sanskrit transliteration and commentary.
• Barbara Stoler Miller – An introductory view to Eastern philosophy.

✨ Pro tip: I often read two translations side-by-side. The same verse can hit completely differently depending on the language used. You’ll intuitively feel which words resonate most with your heart.

2. Read It Like a Conversation, Not a Manual

Remember, the Gita is a dialogue. It’s one soul speaking to another — not a lecture. When you read it, imagine Krishna is speaking directly to you. And imagine that you’re Arjuna — scared, confused, unsure. (Because, let’s be honest… aren’t we all?)

Read a few verses. Then pause. Reflect. Don’t rush.

3. Let the Big Themes Guide You

Here’s where the Gita gets juicy. There are some recurring ideas that will absolutely rock your worldview in the best way:

• Dharma – Your sacred duty, purpose, soul-aligned action.
• Karma Yoga – Action without attachment to results.
• Jnana Yoga – The yoga of knowledge.
• Bhakti – Loving devotion and surrender.
• Atman – Your eternal Self.

These themes swirl through every chapter. Lord Krishna says of the three paths of yoga, Karma yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti is the supreme path to God. 

But that doesn’t mean you need to change your practice and become a devout Bhakti practitioner. Just let these themes wash over you. You don’t have to “get” it all. Let the meaning unfold over time — just like a yoga practice.

4. Don’t Try to “Finish” the Book

There’s no gold star for speed-reading spiritual texts. 😉 This isn’t a beach read. It’s a lifelong companion. Some days, one verse is enough. Let it marinate. Let it speak to you across time.

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What Is Dharma, Really?

Ah yes, Dharma. The word that shows up everywhere… and yet often feels confusing AF.

In the context of the Bhagavad Gita, Dharma means your sacred duty — not in a rigid, performative way, but in a soul-level, aligned-with-the-universe kind of way.

For Arjuna, Dharma means stepping into battle, even though everything in him resists. For you, Dharma might mean having that hard conversation, starting that new project, or letting go of what no longer serves you.

📿 “It is better to live your own Dharma imperfectly than someone else’s perfectly.” — Bhagavad Gita 3.35

This line hits deep.

The Gita reminds us that living authentically — even when it’s messy — is more spiritually aligned than performing someone else’s version of “success.”

Why the Gita Still Matters (Especially Now)

We’re all on a battlefield of some kind.

Maybe not with swords or war elephants, but with inner critics, self-doubt, societal pressure, burnout, and heartbreak. The Gita teaches us how to find stillness in the chaos, how to take action without attachment, and how to make choices from a place of inner alignment instead of fear.

Unlike the Yoga Sutras, which ask us to still the mind, the Bhagavad Gita meets us in the mess — and teaches us how to navigate it with grace.

Your Invitation: Read One Chapter

That’s it. Just one.

Pick a translation that resonates. Brew some tea. Light a candle. And read the first chapter of the Gita as if Arjuna’s struggle is your own. (Spoiler alert: it probably is.)

Even better? Journal after. What feels familiar? What do you resist? What questions come up?

The Gita isn’t a textbook. It’s a mirror.

Bonus Resources to Support Your Journey

If you want to keep going, here are some resources I’ve created that pair beautifully with your Bhagavad Gita exploration:

• 📚 History of Yoga Course – A deep dive into yogic texts, including the Gita, Ramayana, and Yoga Sutras.
• 🎧Podcast: Gita vs. Yoga Sutras – Listen to this exact conversation in audio form.
• 📖 Online Yoga Teacher Training – We explore these texts in depth, from a yogi’s point of view.
• 🧘‍♀️Free Guided Meditation for Higher Self – A perfect practice to help you reflect and receive the Gita’s teachings.

Final Thoughts

I believe this book finds us when we’re ready.

If it’s calling to you, even just a little — follow the nudge. You don’t need to understand everything. You just need to begin.

And if this post helped demystify the Bhagavad Gita even a little bit, would you let me know? Send me an email or DM me on Instagram @LarkinYogaTV. I’d love to hear from you.

From my heart to yours 🙏