Introduction xxi As we saw above a correct understanding of the nature of the Self is the basis for undertaking proper action, in connection of which an advice is sought after by Arjuna.¹ Hence, Śrī Kṛṣṇa is obliged to explain at length, the nature of the Self; the creation of the world and its connection with the Self; the question of bondage and liberation; the methodology to attain the latter; and other related items. In diff. erent contexts of the teachings of Sri Krsna on these topics, the teachers of different schools of philosophies find some cardinal principles of their respective schools. Basing on that, they write commentaries upon the entire BG text in such a manner as to suit to their respective view-points. The GS may also be considered in a way a commentary of similar nature. But at the same time it is to be noted that the GS cannot be called a commentary of the usual nature. For, it is too short and too mystic and it leaves many verses of the BG unexplained. Word-by-word expla- nation we find very seldom here. Hence the GS appears to show us, in a way, how the great mystic, (F. n. 4 Contd. from p. xx) gives quotations from it. But according to both these authors (ch. XVIII, 73), the pupil Arjuna had Self-reali- sation, thanks to Sri Krsna's teaching. 1. Ch. II, 7. 2. The very name Gitärthasan graha perhaps suggests that Ag. is interested in giving us a gist of the BG rather than in writing a word-for-word regular commentary on it. The brevity of expression and the unwillingness to write long (See below) perhaps indicate the author's maturity. Possibly Ag. wrote GS in his later days. We have an- other Gitarthasangraha that belongs to the Visiṣṭadvaita school and is generally in the form of word-by-word com- mentary.
