Introduction
Gītā Dhyanam, also known as Gītā Dhyāna or the Dhāyana Ślokas, is a traditional nine-verse Sanskrit hymn recited before the study of the Bhagavad Gītā. Though its precise origin is uncertain, it is widely attributed to the great scholar Madhusūdana Sarasvatī. The verses offer deep reverence to several sacred sources: the Gītā itself, lovingly personified as a compassionate mother; Vyāsa, the sage who compiled the Mahābhārata; Lord Kṛṣṇa, the divine teacher of the Gītā; the Mahābhārata as the larger epic that houses this sacred dialogue; and ultimately the Supreme Divine, the highest, formless reality. While devotional in tone, Gītā Dhyanam also serves a meditative purpose—calming, purifying, and preparing the mind so that the seeker can absorb the teachings of the Gītā with humility, focus, and inner clarity. Click Here To Access more other text.
Benefits of Reciting / Studying the Gītā Dhyanam
Some of the key benefits and reasons to recite Gītā Dhyanam (as highlighted in the introduction from the PDF and traditional commentary):
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Helps cultivate a respectful, meditative attitude before studying the Gītā.
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Purifies the mind, making it more receptive to the “nectarine philosophy” (the Gītā’s wisdom).
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Acts as a “spiritual nourishment”: the Gītā is seen as a mother figure who gives the milk of wisdom.
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Removes guilt (from past wrong actions) and guides one not to repeat them.
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Provides inner strength to face life’s ups and downs (duḥkha, sukha) by anchoring in higher knowledge.
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On a metaphysical level, it affirms the non-dual (advaita) teaching: that there is a single underlying reality (ātman / Brahman) beyond the changing world. Click view PDF.
Gītā Dhyanam: Verses 1-9 (Sanskrit + Translation + Meaning)
Here are the first 9 verses (i.e., the full Gītā Dhyanam), with meanings and reflections.
Verse 1 (Sanskrit + Translation + Meaning)
Sanskrit (verse 1):
ॐ पार्थाय प्रतिबोधितां भगवता नारायणेन स्वयम्
व्यासेन ग्रथितां पुराणमुनिना मध्ये महाभारतम् ।
अद्वैतामृतवर्षिणीं भगवतीमष्टादशाध्यायिनीम्
अम्ब त्वामनुसन्दधामि भगवद्गीते भवद्वेषिणीम् ॥ 1॥
Translation / Meaning:
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Translation: “Om. O Bhagavad Gītā, with which Partha (Arjuna) was enlightened by Lord Narayana Himself, and which was composed by Vyasa, the ancient sage, in the middle of the Mahābhārata; O divine Mother (you who constantly shower) the nectar of non-duality (advaita), in your eighteen chapters — I meditate on you, O Gītā, the destroyer of the fear of repeated birth (samsāra).”
Meaning (bullet points):
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The Gītā is addressed as a mother (a nurturing, loving figure).
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It acknowledges that Gītā was taught by the divine (Narayana) to Arjuna — giving it supreme legitimacy.
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Recognizes Vyāsa as the compiler, placing the text within the Mahābhārata.
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Emphasizes that the Gītā’s teaching is advaita (non-dual): it’s not about duality but an underlying unity.
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The Gītā helps in transcending samsāra (the cycle of birth and death) — it is “bhavadvēṣiṇī” (one who removes the fear associated with worldly existence). Click view PDF.
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Verse 2
Sanskrit:
नमोऽस्तु ते व्यास विशालबुद्धे फुल्लारविन्दायतपत्रनेत्र ।
येन त्वया भारततैलपूर्णः प्रज्वालितो ज्ञानमयः प्रदीपः ॥ 2॥
Translation / Meaning:
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Translation: “Salutations to you, O Vyāsa of immense intellect, whose eyes are like the petals of a fully blossomed lotus, by whom the lamp of knowledge, filled with the oil of the Mahābhārata, was kindled.”
Meaning:
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Respect and gratitude to Vyāsa as the author/compiler who preserved the Gītā in the Mahābhārata.
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The metaphor of a lamp: Vyāsa kindled the “lamp of jñāna (knowledge)” — Mahābhārata is the “oil” that fuels this lamp.
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The lotus-eyed description is symbolic: it suggests purity, spiritual beauty, and deep wisdom. Click view PDF.
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Verse 3
Sanskrit:
प्रपन्नपारिजाताय तोत्रवेत्रैकपाणये ज्ञानमुद्राय कृष्णाय गीतामृतदुहे नमः ॥ 3॥
Translation / Meaning:
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Translation: “Salutations to Krishna, the giver of all desires (Parijata tree), who holds the cane (or whip) in one hand (to guide) and the knowledge-seal (jnāna mudrā) in the other; to him who milked the nectar of Gītā, I bow.”
Meaning:
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Krishna is compared to Parijata / Kalpataru, a wish-fulfilling tree — symbolizing that he fulfills spiritual desires.
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The “cane” (whip) is a reference to his role as charioteer, guiding Arjuna (and by extension the student) — also discipline.
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The “jnāna mudrā” (knowledge gesture) shows his role as teacher of the highest wisdom.
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“Gītā-amṛta-duhe” means Krishna is the one who “milked” (drove out) the nectar of the Gītā — Krishna brought out the eternal wisdom. Click view PDF.
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Verse 4
Sanskrit:
सर्वोपनिषदों गावो दोग्धा गोपाल नन्दनः।
पार्थो वत्सः सुधीर्भोक्ता दुग्धं गीतामृतं महत् ॥ 4॥
Translation / Meaning:
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Translation: “All the Upaniṣads are cows; Krishna, the son of the cowherd, is the milker; Partha (Arjuna) is the calf; those of pure intellect are the drinkers; and the great nectar is the Gītā.”
Meaning:
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The Upaniṣads (ancient spiritual texts) are likened to cows — rich in spiritual milk.
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Krishna is the milker — he draws out the wisdom (milk) from the Upaniṣads.
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Arjuna (Partha) is the calf — his presence / relationship makes Krishna “milk” the Upaniṣadic wisdom.
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Those wise souls (sudhīr) are the ones who drink this milk — meaning, spiritually mature and pure minds receive the Gītā’s teachings.
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The Gītā itself is the “great nectar” — the distilled, supreme teaching. Click view PDF.
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Verse 5
Sanskrit:
वसुदेवसुतं देवं कंसचाणूरमर्दनम्।
देवकीपरमानन्दं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम् ॥ 5॥
Translation / Meaning:
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Translation: “I salute Krishna, the divine son of Vasudeva, the destroyer of Kamsa and Chanura, the supreme joy of Devaki, and the world-teacher.”
Meaning:
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This verse praises Krishna by his lineage (son of Vasudeva) and his divine deeds.
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It acknowledges his role in defeating evil (Kamsa, Chanura) — symbol of overcoming ignorance / adharmic forces.
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Krishna as the “supreme joy of Devaki” underlines his divine, loving nature.
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Calling him “world-teacher” (jagad-gurur) emphasizes that his teaching (Gītā) is universal and meant for all. Click view PDF.
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Verse 6
Sanskrit:
भीष्मद्रोणतट जयद्रथजलागन्धारीनीलोत्पलाः।
कर्णाश्वत्थामा विकर्णा तथा दुर्योधन घोरप्लवनम् ॥ 6॥
Translation / Meaning:
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Translation: “With Keshava (Krishna) as helmsman, the Pāṇḍavas crossed (the river) whose banks were Bhishma and Droṇa, whose waters were Jayadratha, whose blue lotus was the king of Gandhara, whose crocodile was Salya, whose current was Kripa, whose waves were Karna, whose crocodiles were Aśvatthāma and Vikarna, and whose whirlpool was Duryodhana.”
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Meaning:
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Here “the river of battle” is metaphorical: refers to the Mahābhārata war (or life’s challenges) — and Krishna is the ferryman (guide).
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The various characters (Bhishma, Droṇa, Karna, etc.) are symbolically the obstacles / “dangerous currents” in life.
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This verse expresses dependence on Krishna’s divine guidance to “cross” the tumultuous river of worldly existence. Click view PDF.
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Verse 7
Sanskrit:
पुनः पुनः श्रोतुमर्हः सारङ्गपुष्पप्रवाशिनः।
विश्वामित्रो यथार्थसमकन्यकर्षितफलाहारः॥
(Note: There are slightly varying versions of verse 7 in different sources — some describe the Mahābhārata as a lotus, fragrance, etc.)
In the PDF you shared, verse 7 is given differently:
“May this lotus of the Mahābhārata … born in the waters …” etc.
Meaning summary:
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The Mahābhārata is compared to a lotus born in the waters of Vyāsa’s words.
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The “fragrance” is the meaning / wisdom of the Gītā.
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The pure / good people (“bees of the world”) drink this nectar daily — meaning, seekers should engage with the text again and again.
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Through this, we hope for “supreme good” and liberation, especially in the age of Kali (spiritual decline). Click view PDF.
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Verse 8
Sanskrit:
मूकं करोति वाचालं पङ्गुं लङ्घयते गिरिम् ।
यत्कृपा तमहं वन्दे परमानन्दमाधवम् ॥ 8॥
Translation / Meaning:
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Translation: “I bow to that Supreme Bliss, Lord Madhava, whose grace makes the mute eloquent and enables the lame to cross over mountains.”
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Meaning:
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This verse expresses gratitude for divine grace: Krishna (Madhava) can transform those who are spiritually unable (mute, lame) into capable seekers.
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Spiritual “mountains” (difficulties) can be overcome with his compassion.
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“Supreme Bliss” refers to the joy of realization, which is the result of receiving his grace. Click view PDF.
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Verse 9
Sanskrit:
यं ब्रह्मा वरुणेन्द्ररुद्रमरुतः स्तुन्वन्ति दिव्यैः स्तवैः ।
वेदैः साङ्गपदक्रमोपनिषदैः गायन्ति यं सामगाः ।
ध्यानावस्थिततद्गतेन मनसा पश्यन्ति यं योगिनो
यस्यान्तं न विदुः सुरासुरगणा देवाय तस्मै नमः ॥ 9॥
Translation / Meaning:
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Translation: “To that supreme divine being, whom Brahmā, Varuṇa, Indra, Rudra, and the Maruts praise with divine hymns; whom the chanters of the Sāma Veda sing about through the Vedas and Upanishads in the proper sequence; whom yogis perceive with their minds absorbed in meditation; and whose bounds (end) are not known even to the hosts of gods or demons — to that Lord I offer my salutations.”
Meaning:
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This is a universal invocation — not just to Krishna in his historical form, but to the Supreme Brahman (ultimate Reality).
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All major deities (Brahmā, Indra, etc.) praise this supreme being — indicating his transcendence.
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The Vedas and Upanishads also sing of this being, in their structured and profound way.
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Yogis (those who meditate) see / realize him within; he is not merely external.
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His true “extent” or “limit” is beyond comprehension — even gods (suras) or demons (asuras) don’t fully know him. Click view PDF.
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Why Study Gītā Dhyanam
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To set the right tone before reading the Gītā: it’s a prayer that aligns the mind to receive wisdom.
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It anchors the student in devotion, reverence, and humility — acknowledging that the Gītā is not just a text but a living spiritual guide.
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Helps internalize the idea that the Gītā is not separate from the Upanishads, Vyāsa, or Krishna — it’s deeply connected to Vedic wisdom.
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It’s also a meditative practice: by reciting and reflecting on these verses, one’s mind becomes calmer, more centered. Click view PDF.
How Many Times to Recite / Study the Gītā Dhyanam
There is no rigid rule, but here are common traditional / practical suggestions:
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Before every Gītā study session: Many people recite the Gītā Dhyanam each time they begin a reading or class, to invoke a proper mindset.
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Daily practice: Some may choose to chant it daily, even outside readings, as a short prayer.
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Meditative recitation: One can recite it slowly in the morning or evening as part of one’s spiritual sadhana. Click view PDF.
Conclusion
The Gītā Dhyanam is a profound invocation that unites devotion, contemplation, and scriptural study into a single sacred practice. It offers reverence to the Gītā, to sage Vyāsa, to Lord Krishna, and to the highest Reality, recognizing the deep connection among the text, its author, its teacher, and the ultimate truth it reveals. Reciting the Dhyanam serves to quiet the mind, purify the heart, and cultivate the inner receptivity needed to truly absorb the Gītā’s teachings. More than a ritual opening, it represents a spiritual attitude—an alignment of humility, devotion, and clarity. For any dedicated student of the Bhagavad Gītā, incorporating the Dhyanam into one’s study greatly enriches the learning experience and prepares the mind for deeper understanding.
