Kurukshetra war is significant in Hindu mythology. During this war, Lord Krishna, as the charioteer of prince Arjuna came to Pandava's side and asked Kaurava to take his entire force. The choice of selecting Krishna or his army was given to Kauravas and Pandava princes. Duryodhana chose Lord Krishna's army and prince Arjuna chose Krishna. It was in this important war that Lord Krishna revealed truths on life to prince Arjuna. Those insights about life are collectively called as Gita.

Gita

The main content of Gita is advises given by Krishna to Arjuna as he was very perplexed about fighting a combat with his friends, elders and teachers. Lord Krishna speaks about the responsibilities he has to perform as a warrior and a prince. He also describes on karma and dharma. This text contains a lot of doctrines, examples and references. It is in Kurukshetra war that Lord Krishna reveals his identity as the supreme god by displaying his Vishwarupa. Krishna tells Arjuna that Kurukshetra combat is a Dharma Yudha, meaning a war to let Dharma prevail.

Gita explains the important truths about life as Ishwara, Kaala, Jiva, Prakriti and Dharma. This universe is controlled by the ultimate power Ishwara. Prakriti is the fundamental nature of intelligence by which the universe functions. All beings in the universe are created on this base. The meaning of Kaala is time or age. Dharma is nature's law, which holds all the forces together.

Bhagavat Gita basically gives emphasis on the idea that one has to grow beyond the physical limitations of self and connect oneself with the supreme soul. Bhagavat Gita is a part of the Hindu epic Mahabharata and it contains 700 verses totally.

Important Verses

One of the most important verses in Gita is 'Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya…¦ Srijamyaham'. Krishna informs Arjuna that he will reincarnate in order to safeguard Dharma and to avoid Adharma from spreading in the world. It is his duty to take care of the universe and protect it from evil spirits. Another verse 'Paritranaya Sadhunam… Yuge Yuge' also holds important meaning. In order to safeguard the sages from evil forces, to kill evil forces and to make Dharma spread in the world, Krishna will incarnate in all the epochs.

The truths about life contained in Gita were also heard by Sanjaya (helper of Dhritarashtra). Sanjaya got Divya Drishti from Veda Vyasa so that he can explain the combat to Dhritarashtra. Lord Hanuman and Barbarika, Ghatotkacha's son were also recipients of these messages.

Bhagavat Gita is also known as Gitopanishad, suggesting that this Holy Scripture is equal to an Upanishad. But as it has the essence of messages of all the Upanishads, it is also called Upanishad of the Upanishads.