Anugita in English
Whenever Indian philosophy and the Sanatana tradition are discussed, the Bhagavad Gita is the first name that comes to mind. But very few people know that there is another profound text in the Mahabharata called the Anugita. The Anugita is often considered a sequel to the Bhagavad Gita. This text not only unravels the profound mysteries of life but also teaches how a person should live after the war, after victory, and during times of peace.
Read here in one click ~ Anugita in Hindi
The Anugita is part of the Ashwamedhika Parva of the Mahabharata. This discourse was given by Lord Krishna to Arjuna after the end of the Mahabharata war. ‘Anu’ means again or afterwards, and ‘Gita’ means discourse or teaching. Thus, the literal meaning of Anugita is – the discourse given afterwards. While the Bhagavad Gita was given on the battlefield, amidst the crisis of action and duty, the Anugita is a teaching given in times of peace, with a spirit of introspection and detachment.
After the Mahabharata war, a doubt arises in Arjuna’s mind. He tells Lord Krishna that he cannot fully recall the divine knowledge he received on the battlefield. He wants to hear the same teachings again. Then Lord Krishna replies that the knowledge given at that time was in a state of yogic trance, which cannot be repeated verbatim. However, he explains the same philosophical principles to Arjuna again through simple stories and examples. This discourse is called the Anugita. This episode itself illustrates the truth that hearing knowledge is easy, but embodying it in life is extremely difficult.
In the Anugita, the soul is described as immortal, indestructible, and eternal. The body is perishable, but the soul is beyond birth and death. A person who understands this truth becomes free from fear and attachment. The Anugita repeatedly states that the senses are the cause of human bondage. A person who cannot control their senses, no matter how knowledgeable they may be, strays from the path of liberation. While the Bhagavad Gita emphasizes Karma Yoga (the path of action), the Anugita stresses the necessity of detachment alongside action. Action performed without attachment is the path to self-realization. According to the Anugita, a Brahmin is not defined by birth, but by qualities, actions, and knowledge. The one who is established in truth, austerity, forgiveness, and self-knowledge is the true Brahmin. The Anugita clarifies that liberation is not attained through external rituals, sacrifices, or outward displays. The path to liberation lies in self-knowledge, detachment, and self-control.
The Anugita contains numerous dialogues, stories of sages, and symbolic examples. This style makes it more accessible to general readers. It is not merely a philosophical treatise, but a guide to the art of living. The Anugita’s core message is that winning a battle is not enough; true liberation lies in conquering oneself. The person who gains control over their desires, senses, and ego is truly free.
The Anugita is a spiritual gem that, even after the Bhagavad Gita, continues to guide human life. It reminds us that knowledge is not a fleeting acquisition, but a subject of continuous practice. If the Bhagavad Gita teaches us how to act, the Anugita teaches us how to live after performing those actions. Reading the Anugita is not merely studying scripture, but a profound journey of self-discovery.
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