Gita, short for Bhagvad Gita, 'the Divine Song', is a philosophical dialogue in the Mahabharata. The setting is the start of a great war between the cousins, the Kauravas and Pandavas. Arjuna, the Pandava hero, finds himself facing his close kin, elders and teachers.

The thought of piercing them with his arrows deeply disturbs him. Distraught, he breaks down, throws away his bow and declares he will not fight. It is Krishna's task to counsel his friend about life as well as his duty as a warrior so that he can fight the war with full moral conviction.