The Bhagavad Gita by Eknath Easwaran

╭ glossary
Holy Word, taught in the Upanishads, which signifies Brahman,
the divine ground of existence.
Pāndavas “The sons of Pāndu,” a collective name for Arjuna and his
four brothers, Yudhishthira, Bhīma, Nakula, and Sahadeva.
The Pāndavas are in conflict with the Kauravas; both claim
the ancient throne of Hastināpura. The Gītā is placed on the
eve of the battle that will decide this conflict. The Pāndavas
are looked upon as the forces for good and the Kauravas as
wicked usurpers.
Pārtha “Son of Prithā,” a name for Arjuna – or for his brothers
Bhīma and Yudhishthira.
Patanjali The author of the Yoga Sūtras , a classic description of the
way to Self-realization through meditation. Patanjali lived
around the second century B.C., and his method is sometimes
referred to as rāja yoga .
Pāvaka “The purifier,” a name for the god of fire.
Prahlāda A demon prince who was greatly devoted to Vishnu.
Prajāpati “Lord of offspring,” the creator of all beings. Indian myth
encompasses many creation stories, and sometimes one
great Father, or Prajāpati, is mentioned; sometimes there
are seven or more fathers or sages who created all living
creatures.
prajnā [from jnā “to know” ] A transcendental mode of knowing
developed in deep meditation.
prakriti The basic energy from which the mental and physical
worlds take shape; nature.
prāna Breath; vital force.
Prithā Arjuna’s mother (also called Kuntī). Arjuna is called Pārtha,
“son of Prithā.”
Purusha [“person”] The soul; the spiritual core of every person. In
the Gītā, the terms Ātman and Purusha are virtually interchangeable.
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