- By Kashish Rai
- Fri, 14 Jun 2024 05:13 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The word "Gita" refers to a general phrase used to denote melodies that are contained inside longer ancient Sanskrit writings to identify the words that are meant to be sung, not spoken. While we are only aware of "Shrimad Bhagavad Gita", there are other Gitas in Hinduism as well.
Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is just one of the several gitas found in the Mahabharata, which, in conjunction with the Ramayana and Mahapuranas, comprises around 60 gitas in all. In addition, there are solo gitas, including the Ashtavakra, Gayatri, and Pingala Gitas, which exist separately from longer texts. Let us check out the names and significance of these Gitas in Hinduism.
60 Gitas In Hinduism
1. Guru Gita: The dialogue between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in the Guru Gita. It praises the magnificence of the Spiritual Teacher (Guru) and emphasises the necessity and significance of doing so. Skanda Purana gives a description of it.
2. Ashtavakra Gita: A dialogue between King Janaka and Sage Ashtavakra. It discusses self-realization, bondage, and Advaita Vedanta. As represented by Ashtavakra, it highlights how superior the Indwelling Atma is to the limitations of the human body and its ailments. The Mahabharata's Vana Parva contains a description of it.
3. Avadhuta Gita: This Gita describes a dialogue between Skanda, the Lord Kartikeya, and Sage Dattatreya. It declares the ultimate realisations of a realised soul, or Jivanmukta.
4. Shrimad Bhagavad Gita: The conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra is found in the Shrimad Bhagwad Gita. This is the most widely read version of the Gita, which illuminates many facets of life.
5. Anu Gita: Lord Krishna and Arjuna's conversation in the Anu Gita. Arjuna begs Lord Krishna to recite the Bhagavad Gita to him as he has forgotten it. But, Lord Krishna responds that it is not possible to repeat and proceeds to tell the story of this sequel to the original.
6. Brahma Gita: A dialogue between Sri Rama and Sage Vasishtha. It is explained in Yoga-Vasishtha's Nirvana Prakarana. This Gita provides a detailed explanation of the nature of Brahman, the universe, and the soul.
7. Janaka Gita: A soliloquy spoken by King Janaka in response to the Siddhas singing a tune close to his castle.
8. Rama Gita-I: A discussion between Sri Rama and Sri Lakshmana, his brother. It explains the many Advaita-Vedanta principles—Jiva, Avidya, Isvara, Maya, etc.—as well as the method by which the Eternal Being, Brahman, is realised. The Adhyatma Ramayana details it.
9. Rama Gita-II: Sri Rama and Lord Hanuman's conversation in Rama Gita-II. It is a text written by the Anubhavadvaitins that emphasises knowledge acquisition above seclusion from the outside world. Tattva Sarayana gives a description of it.
10. Ribhu Gita: This Gita contains the teachings that Sage Ribhu gave his pupil Nidagha. This well-known Gita addresses Advaita Vedanta and serves as the foundation for the Shivarahasya Purana, one of the Upapuranas that discusses the worship of Shiva and Shaivite.
11. Siddha Gita: A song performed by several Siddhas close to King Janaka's castle. Essentially, it says that the negation of the subject-object relationship and self-control are the keys to expanding awareness into infinity. The Yoga-Vasishtha's Upashanti-Prakarana contains a description of it.
12. Uttara Gita: The Bhagavad Gita is expanded upon in the Brahmanda Purana. It covers Jnana, Yoga, and related subjects.
14. Baka Gita: In this dialogue between Lord Indra and Sage Baka, the Sage describes the depressing state of the universe that a long-lived individual must witness. That is what the Mahabharata says.
15. Bhikshu Gita: Sayings from Lord Krishna to Uddhava, portrayed as an avaricious Brahmin who subsequently turns into a sage and sings a song that carries a message about mind control. In the Shrimad Bhagavatam, it is explained.
16. Gopi Gita: The song of the Gopis' breakup with Sri Krishna. The highest level of devotion to the all-powerful Lord is shown throughout this Gita. The source is the Shrimad Bhagavatam.
17. Hamsa Gita: A discussion between the sons of Brahma and Lord Vishnu, who appears as a swan. According to this Gita, the Atman is the only thing that endures eternally and the universe is an illusion. The Shrimad Bhagavatam has it. Another name for it is Uddhava Gita.
18. Jivanmukta Gita: The essence of the Jivanmukta (realised soul) is explained by Sage Dattatreya.
19. Kapila Gita: Teachings of Sage Kapila to his mother Devahuti, found in the Kapila Gita. Srimad Bhagavatam gives a description of it.
20. Nahusha Gita: Nahusha and Yudhishthira's conversation is found in Nahusha Gita. That is what the Mahabharata says.
There are several other Gitas in Hinduism apart from Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. (Image Source: Canva)
21. Narada Gita: A dialogue between Narada and Sri Krishna. The general requirements for someone aspiring to spirituality are covered. It emphasises how important the spiritual guide, or guru, is.
22. Pandava Gita: An assortment of diverse supplications made to the Almighty Lord (Narayana) by diverse followers. Another name for it is the Prapanna Gita. This Gita is known as the surrender hymn. It is an assortment of lovely poetry drawn from many sources. The Pandavas sang this song, which is mentioned in the Gita, since it is said to wipe away all sins and bring about freedom.
23. Rishabha Gita: The teachings of Sage Rishabha to his offspring on the everlasting truths and the path to emancipation for the good of the entire world. It is explained in the Shrimad Bhagavatam and teaches people the meaning of existence, how to free themselves from mental slavery, and how to become free.
24. Shaunaka Gita: Wisdom from Sage Shaunaka to Yudhishthira on the mysteries of the universe's inhabitants' common existence. The Mahabharata's Aranya-Parva contains a description of it.
25. Sruti Gita: The Srutis' prayer to Lord Narayana. In the Shrimad Bhagavatam, it is explained.
26. Yugala Gita: The Gopis' account of Shri Krishna's radiance. Srimad Bhagavatam gives a description of it.
27. Vyadha Gita: A discourse given to Sage Kaushika by a Vyadha (Hunter). That is what the Mahabharata says.
28. Yudhishtira Gita: Yudhishthira and Yaksha's conversation is found in Yudhishtira Gita. It is what the Mahabharata says. The fundamental ethics covered in this Gita serve as the cornerstone of morality and heavenly existence.
29. Moksha Gita: Swami Sivananda's song of freedom, the Moksha Gita.
30. Ramana Gita: This Gita, written by Sri Vasishtha Ganapati Muni, is a compilation of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi's teachings.
31. Ishwara Gita: The Kurma Purana describes the teachings of Lord Shiva. With Lord Shiva as its central figure, the Ishvara Gita is a Shaivite teaching system that, like the Bhagavad Gita, adheres to the same Advaita Vedanta precepts of devotion, oneness, and submission to Lord Shiva in order to transcend the ocean of Samsara and experience heavenly happiness and freedom.
32. Ganesha Gita: King Varenya hears Lord Ganesha's speech. The Ganesha Purana's Kridakanda contains a description of it.
33. Devi Gita: This Gita, which is a portion of the Devi Bhagavatam, tells Himalaya about The Devi's basic forms at her desire.
34. Parashara Gita: The epic Mahabharata's Shanti Parva describes a dialogue between King Janaka of Mithila and Rishi Parasara, the father of Vyasa.
35. Pingala Gita: This Gita is about the knowledge and enlightenment that Pingala, a prostitute and dancing girl, experienced. It is told in the Shanti Parva of the epic Mahabharata.
36. Bodhya Gita: A conversation between King Yayati and Rishi Bodhya. It is extracted from the Mahabharata's Moksha Parva as a portion of the Shanti Parva.
37. Yama Gita: Describes in great depth what it means to be a devotee of Vishnu, what the self is really like, what Brahman is, and how to break free from the cycle of birth and death and achieve moksha, or freedom. The Vishnu, Agni, and Narasimha puras all describe it.
38. Vichakshyu/Vicakhnu Gita: Bhishma's teachings to Yudhishthira in the Mahabharata's Shanti Parva emphasise the value of sacrificing all of the animalistic or violent aspects of humanity, as opposed to focusing on the outward aspects of sacrifice and committing sins by killing animals.
39. Manki Gita: In the Mahabharata's Shanti Parva, Bhishma tells Yudhishthira the tale of a Muni named Manki.
40. Vyasa Gita: Brahma Purana describes Rishi Vyasa's discourse with the Rishis. Though its teachings are intended for any seeker who aspires to realise Brahman and is prepared to meticulously perform yogic practices, study the texts thoroughly, and practise discriminating, the Vyasa Gita is extremely conceptual and oriented mainly towards yogis and advanced seekers.
41. Vritra Gita: Described in the Mahabharata's Shanti Parva, this is a conversation between the assassin Shukracharya and the vicious demon Vritrasura.
42. Shiva Gita: The Padma Purana describes Lord Shiva's lessons to Lord Rama.
43. Sampaka Gita: In this text, the knowledgeable and devout Brahmin Sampaka imparts the wisdom that the only way to achieve eternal bliss is via renunciation. It is told in the Mahabharata's Shanti Parva as a dialogue between Yudhishthira and Bhishma.
44. Suta Gita: Yagya Vaibhava Khanda, Skanda Purana, has it. It disputes dualism and promotes monism.
45. Surya Gita: In this dialogue, Lord Brahma and Lord Dakshinamurty relate the tale of Lord Surya's speech to his charioteer, Aruna. It may be found in Tattva Sarayana's Guru Gyan Vasishta.
46. Harita Gita: According to Bhishma, the teachings of Sage Harita on Sanyasa dharma include the characteristics that must be possessed in order to attain moksha, or freedom, as well as the real path of a sadhaka. It is told in the Mahabharata's Shanti Parva as a dialogue between Yudhishthira and Bhishma.
47. Vibhishana Gita: This is the Ramayana's account of the conversation between Lord Rama and Vibhishana. The classic Hindu epic Ramayana's Yuddha Kanda contains a description of it. The Vibhishana Gita gives us the strength to endure life's hardships by reminding us of Lord Rama's spiritually uplifting advice to Vibhishana.
48. Hanumad Gita: The Hanumad Gita is the speech that Lord Rama and Goddess Sita delivered to Hanuman upon their return to Ayodhya and the destruction of Ravana.
49. Agastya Gita: In this text, Sage Agastya elucidates the principles of Moksha dharma and describes how dedication, renunciation, and the guru's favour enable a Jivatma to achieve Paramatma. Varaha Purana gives a description of it.
50. Bharata Gita: As told in the Shrimad Bhagavat Purana, this Gita illustrates the greatness of Bharata, whose name is aptly given to this magnificent country of India known as Bharata Varsha, while also exquisitely extolling the glories of the Lord and explaining the dangers that a seeker faces if the mind is uncontrolled.
51. Bhishma Gita: This Gita, which is told in the Mahabharata, is claimed to bestow happiness, tranquilly, and prosperity to the seeker. It comprises hymns that Bhishma chanted while reciting the names of Maheshwara, Vishnu, and Narayana.
Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is the widely known Gita or the song of the Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. (Image Source: Canva)
52. Brahmana Gita: This Gita, which is described in the Mahabharata, is a conversation between a knowledgeable Brahmana and his spouse about how to break free from the chains of delusion and maya and reach the ultimate state of liberation, which is the aim of all human life.
53. Rudra Gita: In the Bhagavat Purana, Rudra offers praises to Lord Vishnu in exchange for freedom. The Varaha Purana has a song dedicated to Vishnu and explains the identities of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva as revealed by Rudra.
54. Sanatsujata Gita: Located in the Udyoga Parva of the Mahabharata, this text is essentially a conversation between Rishi Sanatsujata and Dhritarashtra, the Kaurava monarch. It discusses the ideas of mind, intellect, and Brahman as well as how to reach Brahman.
55. Yogi Gita: This is a compilation of prayers and spiritual guidance from Shri Yogiji Maharaj, Swaminarayan's fourth spiritual heir. It describes all the qualities that a seeker needs in order to become a Brahmarup, or realise God, and reach spiritual realisation.
56. Vallabh Gita: Also known as Shodasha Granthas, this collection of sixteen writings by Shri Vallabhacharya covers a wide range of topics. He instructed his followers to pursue moksha, or emancipation, as the ultimate aim of life.
57. Vidura Gita: Also known as Vidura Neeti, this epic of Hinduism has a discussion between King Dhritarashtra and Vidura that embodies the principles of moral behaviour, justice, and political art.
58. Vidya Gita: This narrative, which Lord Dattatreya tells about Parashurama, is included in the Tripura Rahasya. The reason it is named the Vidya Gita is because Vidya, or the ultimate wisdom, is Tripura, the Divine Mother who rules over the three Puras, or cities.
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59. Bhramara Gita: Gopis and Uddhava had a conversation with one another via the middleman, Bhramara, a "bee." The source is the Shrimad Bhagavatam.
60. Venu Gita: This text records the private conversations of the Gopis during their intense emotional upheaval upon hearing Sri Krishna's flute (Venu). The source is the Shrimad Bhagavatam.