Different types of Gita and my comment

Different types of Gita (as per an email, dated: June 13, 2020):

When we talk about Gita , The first name comes in our mind is “ Bhagavad Gita”, but the surprising fact is there are around 60 different types of “Gita” , which exist in our rich Indian tradition and each has got it’s own special place in our cultural heritage and devotee’s heart.. Gita is song or verse that appeals directly to our hearts. Let’s take a look about different kinds of Gita :

1. Guru Gita :  It is described in Skanda Purana. The conversation between Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati jotted here. It emphasises the need for and  importance of seeking Spiritual Guru and extols his greatness.

2. Ashtavakra Gita: It is described in the Vana Parva, Mahabharat. The conversation between sage Astavakra and king Janaka. It speaks about Aditya Vedanta, bondage and self-realisation. It does not mention any morality or duties, and therefore is seen by commentators as 'godless'. It also dismisses names and forms as unreal and a sign of ignorance.

3. Avaduta Gita: Avadhuta Gita has been one of the most important texts of the Natha Yogi tradition of Hinduism. The title means “ Songs of Soul”. It is based on the conversation between sage Dattatreya and Lord Kartikeya. The text's poetry is based on the principles of Advaita and Dvaita schools of Hindu philosophy.[2][3][4][5]. It asserts the highest realisation of a Jivanmukta or realised soul.

4. Bhagavad Gita: The most popular Gita.Conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna on the eve of Mahabharat war.  It consists around 700 verses and explains various aspects of life.

5. Anu Gita: Anu-Gita is a part of the “Ashwamedha Parva” in the magnum opus Mahabharata.Conversation between Shree Krishna and Arjuna. The chapters are recited because Arjuna tells Krishna that he is unable to recollect the wisdom of Bhagavad Gita in the time of peace, and would like to listen to Krishna's wisdom again.

6. Brahma Gita: The Brahma Gita is contained in chapter 35, slokas 96 & 97 of Chapter 37, and Chapter 38 of Brahmapurana (Part I). Conversation between sage Vaisistha and Lord Rama. It is described in Niravana and Prakarana of Yoga -Vaisistha. In this Gita the nature of Brahmana, the world and the soul is clearly expounded.

7. Janaka Gita: Soliloquy by king Janaka after his hearing the song sung by Siddhas near his palace.

8. Sri Rama Gita I :It consists 64 verses. It is described in Adhyatma Ramayana.Rama Gita condenses Vedantic teaching in the form of a dialogue between Sri Rama and Lakshman. It expounds the Avaida Vedanta with it’s different principles of Jiba, Avidya, Maya, Ishwar etc. and the process of the realisation of being Eternal being, the Brahman..

9. Sri Rama Gita II : It is described in Tattva Sarayana. It is conversation between Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman. This Gita stresses upon the acquirement of knowledge and not retirement from world.

10. Ribhu Gita: The Ribhu Gita based on the teachings of Sage Ribhu to his disciple Nidagha. It is acclaimed Gita dealing with Advaita Vedanta and it forms the heart of Shivarahashya Purana which is one of the upapurans based on Shiva and Shivite worship.

11. Siddha Gita : Song sung by Siddhas near the palace of king Janaka.It is described in the Upashsnti Prakarana of the Yoga Vaisistha. The expansion of consciousness into infinity is effected to self control and the negation of the subject-object relationship is the essence of this Gita.

12. Uttara Gita: It is Suppliment to the Bhagavad Gita described in Bramhananda Purana.It emphasises on jnana and yoga and allied topics.

13. Vaisistha Gita: Introduction of sage Vaisistha to Shree Rama on the eternal truths. It is described in the Nirvana-Prakarana of Yoga Vaisistha.

14. Baka Gita: This Gita is based on the conversation between Lord Indra and sage Baka.. It is described in Mahabharat. In this Gita the sage is described the sorrowful condition of the world which a person has to see and face, if he lives for a long time.

15. Bhikshu Gita: It is described in Srimat Bhagavatam.The Bhikshu-Gita is contained in chapter 5 of Skandha XII of Srimad Bhagavata. The Gita is based on the conversation between Lord Shree Krishna and Uddhav inform of a greedy Brahmin who becomes sage later and sings song which has its  burden the method of the control of the mind.

16. Gopi Gita: It is described in Srimat Bhagavatam.The song of Gopi’s of separations from Shree Krishna.This Gita is replete with the highest kind of devotion to the supreme lord.

17. Hamsa Gita or Uddhava Gita: This Gita is based on the conversation between Lord Vishnu in the form swan and the sons of Bramha. This Gita considers the world as an illusion and the Atman as alone the permanent reality.

18. Jivanmukta Gita: In this Gita sage Dattatreya explains the nature of the realised souls.( Jivanmukta).

19. Kapila Gita: It is described in Srimat Bhagavatam. The Gita is based on the teachings of sage Kapila to his mother Devahuti.

20. Nahusha Gita: It is described in Mahabharat based on the conversation between Yudhisthira and Nahusha.

21. Narada Gita: This Gita is based on the conversation between Lord Krishna and Narada.It treats of the general requisites of the spiritual aspirants. It stresses the supremacy of the Guru.

22. Pandava Gita: This Gita is also known as Prapanna Gita.This Gita based on various prayers offered by different devotees to the supreme god; lord Narayan.This Gita is referred to as the songs of surrender.It is the collection of different beautiful verses taken from different sources. The  hymn described in this Gita was sung by the Pandavas as it is described that it destroys all the sins and grant libations.

23. Rishabha Gita:It is described in Srimat Bhagavatam.Based on the instructions given by Sage Rishabh to his children on the eternal truths and the way to liberation for the benefits of the world.This Gita teaches mankind the purpose of human life,how to remove the vagaries of mind and release oneself from bondage and attain liberation.

24. Shaunaka Gita: This Gita is described in Ariana Parva, Mahabharat. This Gita is based on the instructions given by sage Shaunaka to Yudhisthira on the secrets of the General life of the beings of the universe.

25. Sruti Gita: It is described in Srimat Bhagavatam.This Gita is based on the prayers offered by Srutis to lord Narayana.

26. Yugala Gita: It is described in Srimat Bhagavatam.This Gita is based on the Gopis’ description on the glories of Lord Shree Krishna.

27. Vyada Gita: This Gita is described in Mahabharat. A sermon delivered by Sermon ( a Hunter) to sage Kaushika.

28. Yudhisthira Gita: This Gita is described in Mahabharat.This Gita is based on the conversation between Yudhisthira and Yaksha. This Gita teaches the basics of the ethics which forms the bedrock of virtues and divine life.

29. Moksha Gita: This Gita is song of liberation written by Swami Sivananda.

30. Ramana Gita: This Gita is composed by Shri Vasistha Ganapati Muni , embodies the teachings of Bhagavan Shri Ramana Maharshi.

31. Ishwara Gita: This Gita is based on teaching of Lord Shiva described in Kurma Purana. The Ishwara Gita is Shaivite teaching philosophy with Lord Shiva as the focal point but similar to the Bhagawad Gita , following the principals of Avaita Vedanta, devotion,one pointed ness and surrender to Lord Shiva to cross the ocean of samsara and to attain the divine bliss.

32. Ganesha Gita: It is from the Ganesha Purana. It is an upapurāṇa,( Krida Khanda) that includes mythology, cosmogony, genealogy, metaphors, yoga, theology and philosophy relating to Ganesha. It was told to a king called Varenya by Lord Ganesha himself.

33. Devi Gita: Devi Gita is part of Devi Bhagavata Purana. It is also known as the Shrimad Devi Bhagvatam and the Devi Bhagavatam. In this Gita Devi describes her essential forms to Himalaya to keep his request.

34. Parashara Gita: This Gita is described in Mahabharat in Shanti Parva. This Gita is based on the conversation between Sage Parashara, father of Vedh Vaysa and King Janaka.

35. Pingala Gita: This Gita is described in Mahabharat in Shanti Parva.The message of the Gita is enlightenment and the wisdom that dawned on a prostitute named Pingala.

36. Bodhya Gita: This Gita is described in Moksha Parva in Mahabharat as a part of Shanti Parva.. This is based on the conversation between Saint Bodhya and king Yayati.

37. Yama Gita: The Yama Gita is said to be contained in three texts, in the Vishnu Puran Book 3 Chapter 1 to 7, Chapter 382, Book 3 of the Agni Puran and Chapter 8 of the Narasimha Puran. This Gita explains the qualities of Vishnu devotees and the nature of self, concept of Brahmana and the method of freeing oneself from the cycle of life and death and attain Moksha.

38. Vichakshyu Gita: This Gita is described in Mahabharat in Shanti Parva.This Gita is based on the Bhraman’s narration to Yudhisthira about non violence and emphasises on sacrificing all the animals qualities present in man rather than external aspects of sacrifice and committing sins by slaughtering animals.

39. Manki Gita: This Gita is described in Mahabharat in Shanti Parva. This Gita is based on the story of a day dreaming trader Manki told by Bhishma to Yudhisthira.

40. Vyasa Gita: This Gita is described in Bramha Puran. It is based on the discourse of Rishi Vyasa to the Rishis. This Gita is highly conceptual and directed more towards the yogis and advanced seekers though it’s concepts are meant even for the seekers who want to attain Brahman and is ready to follow Yogic practice and ready to study the scriptures diligently and practice discrimination.

41. Vritra Gita:  This Gita is described in Mahabharat in Shanti Parva. It is based on the conversation between demon Vitrahsura and demon guru Sukhracharya.

42. Shiva Gita: The Siva-Gita is a text of Vedantic Saivism that comes to us from the latter portion (uttara kanda) of the Padma Purana. In many ways, it is a text not unlike the Bhagavad-Gita, except the focus is fully on Siva. In the Siva-Gita, the teacher is Lord Siva and the disciple is Sri Rama, and the narrator is Suta.

43. Sampaka Gita: This Gita is described in Mahabharat in Shanti Parva. It is based on the conversation between Bhishma and Yudhisthira. Sampaka, a learned Bhramhin gives the message that one can attain everlasting happiness only through renunciation.

44. Suta Gita: It is contained in Skanda Puran,Yagya Bhaibhav Kanda. It advocates monism and refutes dualism.

45. Surya Gita: It is found in guru gyan Vaisistha in Tattava Sarayana. It is based on the conversation between Lord Bramha and Lord Dakshinamurthy,in which the latter unfolds the story of Lord Surya’s discourse to Aruna, his charioteer.

46. Harita Gita: This Gita is described in Mahabharat in Shanti Parva. It is based on the conversation between  Bhishma and Yudhisthira.The teachings that were said to be taught by sage Harita on Sanyasha Dharma according to Bhishma on the true path of a shadhaka and the qualities to be posed to attain Moksha.

47. Vibhishana Gita: This is described in Yuddha Kanda in Ramayana.It is discourses between Lord Ram and Vibhishana described in Ramayana..This Gita teaches us to go through trails and tribulations of life keeping in mind the spirituality ennobling words of Lord Rama to Vibhishana.

48. Hanumad Gita: This Gita is based on the discourse given by Lord Rama and Devi Sita to Hanuman after the defeat of Ravana and their arrival of Ayodhya.

49. Agastya Gita: This Gita is described in Varah Purana. In this Gota Sage Agastya described the concept of Moksha and the ways in which Jibatma can attain Paramatma through devotion, renunciation and by the grace of guru.

50. Bharata Gita : The Bharata-Gita is contained in chapters 11 to 14 of Skandha V of Srimad Bhagavata.This Gita extols the glories of the Lords and explains the pitfalls the seekers face if the mind is uncontrolled and in this process shows us the greatness of Bharata whose name is fittingly bestowed on this great country of India known as Bharatvarsha.

51. Bhishma Gita: This Gita is described in Mahabharat. This Gita contains the hymns of Bhishma chanting the various names of Maheswar, Vishnu, and Narayana and chanting these hymns with full faith and devotion is said to confer peace, bliss, prosperity and happiness to the seekers.

52. Brâhmana Gita: This Gita is described in Mahabharat. It is based on the conversation between  a learned Brahman and his wife about how to escape from the bond of Maya (illusion) and attain highest state of liberation which is the ultimate goal of all human existence.

53. Rudra Gita: This Gita is described in Varaha Puran and Bhagavat Puran . In Varaha Puran it describes the identity of Bramha,Vishnu and Maheswar given by Rudra including the hymns on Vishnu. In Bhagavat Puran it describes the hymns of Lord Vishnu expounded by Rudra for liberation.

54. Sanatsujata Gita: This Gita is described in Mahabharat in Udhyog Parva. This Gita is based on the dialogues between saint Sanatsujata and King Dhitarastra - the Kaurav king. It explains the concept of Brahman, intellect,mind and the methods of attaining Brahman.

55. Yogi Gita: This Gita is based on the collections of prayers and spiritual teachings of the fourth spiritual successor of Swaminarayan, Shree Yogiji Maharaj. It explains all about the attributes that are needed for a seekers to attain spiritual realisation and become Brahmarup or attain the God realisation.

56. Vallabh Gita: This Gita is also referred to as Shodhasa Granthas and is the collection of sixteen works of Shri Vallabhacharya in which all the range of subjects have been discussed . He taught his disciples to seek the true goal of life which is Moksha.

57. Vidura Gita: This Gita is described in Mahabharat. This Gita is also known as Vidhura Neeti. This Gita is based on the conversation between Vidhura and King Dhitarastra. It comprises of maxims of conducts, fair play and the art of governing and politics.

58. Vidya Gita: This Gita is contained in the Tripura Rahashya and in the form of a story which Lord Dattatreya relates to Parashurama. It is called Vidya Gita as Tripura or the divine mother who presides over the three puras or cities is Vidya or the highest wisdom herself.

59. Bhramara Gita: This Gita is from  Srimad Bhagawatam. This Gita is based on the conversation between Gopis and Uddhava through a Bharama ( bee) as an intermediary.

60. Venu  Gita: This Gita is from Srimad Bhagawatam. It contains the confidential talks of the Gopis in their deepest emotional turmoils upon hearing the Krishna’s flute (Venu).

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MY COMMENT BRIEFLY: (June 14, 2020)

While the Bhagavad Gita is a great philosophical text and an important part of the Mahabharata, emphasizing on doing one's duty and establishing karma (action) as the path to Salvation, other Gitas are generally the copycats of the original Bhagavad Gita (which had come before the rest and gained much public acceptance and scholarly admiration). Moreover, the other Gitas appear to have been created later mainly to divert and dilute the original message of the Bhagavad Gita, such as from karma in the Bhagavad Gita to bhakti etc. in other Gitas.