The Bhagavad Gita by Eknath Easwaran

chapter one
╭ The War Within
SRI KRISHNA consoles and
instructs Prince Arjuna as he is about to go into battle against
family and friends to defend his older brother’s claim to the
ancient throne of the Kurus. Thus the great scripture called
Bhagavad Gita, the “Song of the Lord,” begins. Sri Krishna
is Bhagavan, “the Lord,” the mysterious incarnation of Lord
Vishnu, the aspect of God who fosters and preserves the universe
against the forces constantly working to destroy and
corrupt it. Krishna has appeared on earth as a royal prince
of the house of the Yadavas; thus he combines earthly majesty
with a hidden spiritual power. Most know him only as
an unimportant prince, but the wise have seen him reveal his
power to destroy evil and protect the good.
The battle of the Bhagavad Gita is not Krishna’s fight, however;
it is Arjuna’s. Krishna is only Arjuna’s charioteer and
advisor. He has promised Arjuna that he will be with him
throughout the ordeal, but much as he passionately hopes
for Arjuna’s victory, he has sworn to be a noncombatant in
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