Bhagavadgita Parayana

Overview

The Bhagavadgita Parayana text contains the Dhyana Shlokas — a set of Sanskrit meditation verses traditionally recited as a prelude before beginning a parayana (complete recitation) of the Bhagavad Gita. These verses invoke Lord Krishna and summarize the Gita's teaching and transmission lineage. They are not part of the original Bhagavad Gita but are a later traditional addition used across multiple Hindu lineages.

What are the benefits of chanting Bhagavadgita Parayana (Dhyana Shlokas)?

• Recitation is said to prepare the mind for attentive and effective study of the Bhagavad Gita.
• It is chanted to invoke divine grace for a focused and meaningful parayana.
• Devotees use it to remove distractions and mental obstacles before recitation.
• Regular use is associated with deepening one's connection to the Gita's teachings.
• It is believed to purify the reciter and set the correct intention for study.

When is the best time to recite this?

These shlokas are recited immediately before beginning a Bhagavad Gita parayana session, at any time of day. They are particularly used during periods of regular spiritual study or when undertaking a complete recitation of the Gita.

What is the historical and traditional background?

The Bhagavad Gita itself is part of the Bhishma Parva of the Mahabharata, attributed to Veda Vyasa. The Dhyana Shlokas are traditional verses that became associated with the Gita's devotional study across various Hindu sampradayas, though they are not universally standardized and vary slightly between traditions. Their authorship and exact date of composition are unknown. The practice of prefacing a parayana with meditation verses is common across Sanskrit devotional literature, serving to frame the recitation as an act of worship.

Available scripts

This text is available in 14 scripts: devanagari, tamil, telugu, kannada, malayalam, gujarati, bengali, iast, gurmukhi, oriya, assamese, sinhala, itrans, hk. Use the script selector above to switch between them.

Related Texts

• Vishnu Sahasranama — traditionally recited at the conclusion of a Bhagavad Gita parayana in many Vaishnava traditions.
• Gita Mahatmya — verses found in the Padma Purana and Varaha Purana describing the spiritual merit of reciting each chapter of the Bhagavad Gita.