Jñāna Vijñāna Yogaḥ

The Bhagavad Gītā begins on the sacred battlefield of Kurukṣetra, where the Pāṇḍavas and Kauravas have gathered for battle. As the armies stand ready, Arjuna asks Śrī Kṛṣṇa to place their chariot between the two armies so that he can see those with whom he must fight.

When Arjuna sees his teachers, relatives, friends and loved ones on both sides, he is overcome with sorrow and compassion. He begins to question the purpose of the battle and whether victory is worth the suffering it will cause. His mind becomes confused, his strength leaves him and he no longer knows what he should do.

This deep inner conflict becomes the starting point of the Bhagavad Gītā, as Arjuna turns to Śrī Kṛṣṇa for guidance.