Shrimad-Bhagavad-Gita: Textual and Philosophical Explorations

By Dr.Siddhidatri Bhardwaj | Banaras Hindu University

Learners enrolled: 128

ABOUT THE COURSE:

The course, “Shrimad-Bhagavad-Gita: Textual and Philosophical Explorations,” provides a comprehensive, verse-by-verse study of the Bhagavad Gita, delving into its profound philosophical teachings, spiritual wisdom, and practical applications. Spanning all 18 chapters, the course covers central themes such as Dharma (duty), Karma (action), Bhakti (devotion), and Moksha (liberation), exploring their relevance in both ancient and contemporary contexts. Through detailed textual analysis, participants will gain insights into the Gita's deep philosophical concepts, uncovering its timeless wisdom and understanding of human nature and existence.

This course is designed for anyone interested in learning the Bhagavad Gita, Sanskrit, or Indian culture. It provides an opportunity for both intellectual engagement and personal growth, offering a space for reflection on how the Gita's teachings can be applied to everyday life. Students will be guided not only in understanding the philosophical and spiritual aspects of the text but also in cultivating inner transformation and spiritual awareness. By the end of the course, participants will have a thorough understanding of the Gita’s teachings and its enduring impact on personal and spiritual development.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: UG, PG, Ph.D and anyone interested in Indian Philosophy and Sanatan dharma

Summary

Course Status :	Upcoming
Course Type :	Elective
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit Points :	3
Level :	Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Start Date :	21 Jul 2025
End Date :	10 Oct 2025
Enrollment Ends :	28 Jul 2025
Exam Registration Ends :	15 Aug 2025
Exam Date :	25 Oct 2025 IST
NCrF Level	4.5 — 6.0

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.

Page Visits

Course layout

Week 1: Chapter 1 – Arjuna Vishada Yoga (47 Verses)

Lecture 1: Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita
Lecture 2: The dilemma of Arjuna begins (Chapter 1, Verses 1–15)
Lecture 3: Observation of armies on the battlefield (Chapter 1, Verses 16–30)
Lecture 4: Arjuna's moral conflict and despair (Chapter 1, Verses 31–42)
Lecture 5: Arjuna seeks guidance from Krishna (Chapter 1, Verses 43–47)

Week 2: Chapter 2 – Sankhya Yoga (72 Verses)

Lecture 6: Krishna’s teachings commence (Chapter 2, Verses 1–15)
Lecture 7: Immortality of the soul (Chapter 2, Verses 16–30)
Lecture 8: Duty and righteous action (Chapter 2, Verses 31–47)
Lecture 9: Yoga of equanimity (Chapter 2, Verses 48–61)
Lecture 10: Liberation through detachment and wisdom (Chapter 2, Verses 62–72)

Week 3: Chapter 3 – Karma Yoga (43 Verses) and Chapter 4 – Jnana Yoga (42 Verses)

Lecture 11: Philosophy of action (Chapter 3, Verses 1–15)
Lecture 12: Renunciation through action (Chapter 3, Verses 16–30)
Lecture 13: Elimination of ignorance (Chapter 3, Verses 31–43)
Lecture 14: Eternal knowledge of yoga (Chapter 4, Verses 1–20)
Lecture 15: Liberation through knowledge and sacrifice (Chapter 4, Verses 21–42)

Week 4: Chapter 5 – Karma Sannyasa Yoga (29 Verses) and Chapter 6 – Dhyana Yoga (47 Verses)

Lecture 16: The path of renunciation (Chapter 5, Verses 1–15)
Lecture 17: Liberation through action and wisdom (Chapter 5, Verses 16–29)
Lecture 18: The importance of meditation (Chapter 6, Verses 1–15)
Lecture 19: Techniques and benefits of meditation (Chapter 6, Verses 16–30)
Lecture 20: Attaining perfection in yoga (Chapter 6, Verses 31–47)

Week 5: Chapter 7 – Jnana Vijnana Yoga (30 Verses)

Lecture 21: Krishna’s divine wisdom (Chapter 7, Verses 1–10)
Lecture 22: The nature of devotion (Chapter 7, Verses 11–20)
Lecture 23: Paths to liberation and devotion (Chapter 7, Verses 21–30)
Lecture 24: Summary and significance of Chapter 7
Lecture 25: Practical application of knowledge

Week 6: Chapter 8 – Akshara Brahma Yoga (28 Verses)

Lecture 26: Eternal truth and meditation (Chapter 8, Verses 1–10)
Lecture 27: The path of the soul after death (Chapter 8, Verses 11–20)
Lecture 28: Liberation through devotion (Chapter 8, Verses 21–28)
Lecture 29: Reflection on Chapter 8
Lecture 30: Meditating on the eternal Brahman

Week 7: Chapter 9 – Raja Vidya Yoga (34 Verses)

Lecture 31: The most secret knowledge (Chapter 9, Verses 1–10)
Lecture 32: Krishna’s omnipresence (Chapter 9, Verses 11–20)
Lecture 33: The path of devotion (Chapter 9, Verses 21–34)
Lecture 34: Key insights from Chapter 9
Lecture 35: Application of Raja Vidya Yoga in life

Week 8: Chapter 10 – Vibhuti Yoga (42 Verses) and Chapter 11 – Vishwaroopa Darshana Yoga (55 Verses)

Lecture 36: Krishna’s divine opulence (Chapter 10, Verses 1–21)
Lecture 37: Understanding Krishna’s omnipotence (Chapter 10, Verses 22–42)
Lecture 38: Arjuna witnesses Krishna’s cosmic form (Chapter 11, Verses 1–20)
Lecture 39: Transformation through the vision of the cosmic form (Chapter 11, Verses 21–40)
Lecture 40: Krishna’s final revelation (Chapter 11, Verses 41–55)

Week 9: Chapter 12 – Bhakti Yoga (20 Verses) and Chapter 13 – Kshetra-Kshetragna Vibhaga Yoga (35 Verses)

Lecture 41: The qualities of true devotees (Chapter 12, Verses 1–10)
Lecture 42: Liberation through devotion (Chapter 12, Verses 11–20)
Lecture 43: Understanding the field and the knower (Chapter 13, Verses 1–10)
Lecture 44: The relationship between Purusha and Prakriti (Chapter 13, Verses 11–25)

Week 10: Chapter 14 – Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga (27 Verses) and Chapter 15 – Purushottama Yoga (20 Verses)

Lecture 46: Influence of the three gunas (Chapter 14, Verses 1–15)
Lecture 47: Liberation beyond the gunas (Chapter 14, Verses 16–27)
Lecture 48: Realization of the Supreme Person (Chapter 15, Verses 1–10)
Lecture 49: Renunciation of the tree of life (Chapter 15, Verses 11–20)
Lecture 50: Key takeaways from Chapters 14 and 15

Week 11: Chapter 16 – Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga (24 Verses) and Chapter 17 – Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga (28 Verses)

Lecture 51: Divine and demonic qualities (Chapter 16, Verses 1–12)
Lecture 52: The path of liberation (Chapter 16, Verses 13–24)
Lecture 53: Types of faith and their impact (Chapter 17, Verses 1–15)
Lecture 54: The significance of faith in life (Chapter 17, Verses 16–28)
Lecture 55: Summary of Chapters 16 and 17

Week 12: Chapter 18 – Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (78 Verses)

Lecture 56: Division of karma and renunciation (Chapter 18, Verses 1–20)
Lecture 57: The essence of renunciation (Chapter 18, Verses 21–40)
Lecture 58: Krishna’s ultimate teachings to Arjuna (Chapter 18, Verses 41–60)
Lecture 59: The ultimate path to liberation (Chapter 18, Verses 61–78)
Lecture 60: Course conclusion: Reflections and final thoughts

Books and references

Bhagavad Gita. Gita Press, 2021.
Shankara, Adi. The Bhagavad Gita with the Commentary of Sri Sankaracharya. Translated by Mahadeva Sastry, Samata Books, 1998.
Ramanujacharya. Sri Ramanuja Gita Bhasya. Translated by Swami Adidevananda, Sri Ramakrishna Math, 2004.
Easwaran, Eknath. The Bhagavad Gita. Nilgiri Press, 2007.
Radhakrishnan, S. The Bhagavadgita: With an Introductory Essay, Sanskrit Text, English Translation, and Notes. HarperCollins, 1993.
Gandhi, Mahatma. The Bhagavad Gita According to Gandhi. Edited and translated by Mahadev Desai, Navajivan Publishing House, 1946.
Aurobindo, Sri. Essays on the Gita. Sri Aurobindo Ashram, 1997.
Prabhupada, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. Bhagavad-gītā As It Is. Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 1986.

Instructor bio

Dr.Siddhidatri Bhardwaj

Banaras Hindu University

Dr. Siddhidatri Bhardwaj is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sanskrit at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Delhi and has previously taught at Hansraj College, Vivekanand College, and Mata Sundri College under Delhi University. A gold medalist from BHU, Dr. Bhardwaj has authored three books in Sanskrit and published numerous research papers in both national and international journals. Her research interests encompass Indian Philosophy, Kashmir Shaivism, and Sanskrit Journalism.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Dr. Bhardwaj has contributed as a Sanskrit news anchor for DD News, presenting programs such as 'Vaarta' and 'Vartavali.' She also provided the voice-over for the English translation of the "Sri Siddhant-Shikhamani Mobile App," which was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, on February 16, 2020.

Course certificate

The course is free to enroll and learn from. But if you want a certificate, you have to register and write the proctored exam conducted by us in person at any of the designated exam centres.

The exam is optional for a fee of Rs 1000/- (Rupees one thousand only).

Date and Time of Exams: 25 October 2025 Morning session 9am to 12 noon; Afternoon Session 2pm to 5pm.

Registration url: Announcements will be made when the registration form is open for registrations.

The online registration form has to be filled and the certification exam fee needs to be paid. More details will be made available when the exam registration form is published. If there are any changes, it will be mentioned then.

Please check the form for more details on the cities where the exams will be held, the conditions you agree to when you fill the form etc.

CRITERIA TO GET A CERTIFICATE

Average assignment score = 25% of average of best 8 assignments out of the total 12 assignments given in the course.
Exam score = 75% of the proctored certification exam score out of 100

Final score = Average assignment score + Exam score

Please note that assignments encompass all types (including quizzes, programming tasks, and essay submissions) available in the specific week.

YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CERTIFICATE ONLY IF AVERAGE ASSIGNMENT SCORE >=10/25 AND EXAM SCORE >= 30/75. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >= 40/100.

Certificate will have your name, photograph and the score in the final exam with the breakup. It will have the logos of INI and BHU.

Only the e-certificate will be made available. Hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy learning.

- INI team