How to read Bhagavad Gita?

You should not read Bhagavad Gita to enhance your material activities, but, to go closer to Krishna.

Bhagavad Gita must be read allotting sufficient time for it. Because, it should not be read casually like reading a novel. So, if you read it sparing time for that, it will be very beneficial for you.

You are advised to read the Bhagavad Gita As It Is translated by A.C.Bakthi Vedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada that is available in all ISKCON centres. Because, many authors have written the translations for Bhagavad Gita mixing their own views that deviates from the words of Krishna. As a pure devotee, Srila P)rabhupada has written as said by Krishna.

You can read Bhagavad Gita at any time whenever you feel comfortable. However, if you read in the early morning, your mind will be in Satva guna more and hence, you can understand it well.

Read daily one or two or three slokas with translation and purport. Don’t read it casually like reading a novel. Because, they are the ACTUAL WORDS OF KRISHNA HIMSELF. So, read with full confidence and devotion with Krishna.

I followed a method that was very beneficial. I read Bhagavad Gita 3-4 slokas a day. After completing such reading for a single chapter, I read the entire chapter on that wek end in fast track again. This helped me to keep the links between slokas and chapters in mind when we go to the next chapter. So, while reading sloka by sloka attentively, you can also do fast track revision of all previous chapters every month atleast.

Bhagavad Gita speaks of four yogas. 1. Karma yoga; 2. Gnana Yoga; 3. Dhyana Yoga and 4. Bakthi yoga.

Karma Yoga means connecting with Krishna through duties.

Gnana Yoga means means connecting with Krishna through knowledge.

Dhyana yoga means connecting with Krishna through dhyan.

Bakthi yoga , that is the highest level, means connecting with Krishna through surrender of ourselves to Krishna in devotion.

Bhagawan has also explained about all the four yogas one by one in sequence.

If you are unable to understand fully in your first reading, read again. Bhagavad Gita will give a new meaning every time you read it.

It is better to have the guidance of a senior devotees because if you have any doubts you can ask the devotees in the nearest ISKCON centres. Also attend the sunday Bhagavad Gita class in those centres where the speakers will give you tips to read and understand Gita.

My another advice to you is, read all the small books written by Srila Prabupada that will give an introduction to the concepts given in Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures. If you read Bhagavad Gita after reading those small books, you can easily understand it.

So, start reading those small books followed by Bhagavad Gita As It Is today itself.