Transmission of Knowledge: The Lineage of the Bhagavad Gita
How to study the Bhagavad Gita
The wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita is not a static text but a living stream of knowledge known as Parampara—the unbroken chain of transmission from teacher to student. At the heart of this lineage is the belief that God is the sole author of this "imperishable yoga," first expounded by Sri Krishna at the dawn of time.
Under the expert guidance of Pedro Nonell, a specialist in Vedanta and the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, we explore how this sacred fire was kept alive by sages like Veda Vyasa and revived in the modern era to reach every corner of the world.
The Lord as the Original Source of Imperishable Yoga
The Lord is the sole author of this Knowledge, He expounded “this imperishable yoga at the beginning of time” (Bhagavad Gita 4- The Yoga of Knowledge-1).
“When evil lurked” (Bhagavad Gita 4.7) before the imminent battle of Kurukshetra, Sri Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu, the Master of Yoga (Bhagavad Gita 18- The Yoga of Liberation through Renunciation -78), transmitted this wisdom to Arjuna for the benefit of all humanity.
It was later compiled by the great sage Veda Vyasa. For several centuries this knowledge was transmitted by the great Rishis, Acharyas, Swamis and Mahatmas such as Lokamanya Tilak, Sri Sridhara, Sri Shankara, Sri Ramanuja, Sri Madhava, Valmiki, Kapila and many others. Thanks to all of them!
The Modern Revival: Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda
In the 19th century, when “the evil” of the British Empire was ravaging India, Paramahamsa, The monk who saw God initiated the spiritual revival of India, managing to unite dualists and non-dualists under Hinduism, with his vision “Yato mat, tato path” (So many religions, so many paths), was considered as an incarnation by Gandhi and as the prophet of harmony between religions.
His disciple Swami Vivekananda, one of the greatest sages and philosophers of humanity, understood that he must explain Hindu spirituality to all the Indian masses and to the West. If today we know the Raja Yoga and the Bhagavad Gita in the West, it is thanks to him.
“The essence of the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita could be summarized in: whoever perceives the Supreme Lord dwelling equally in all beings, he truly sees” Swami Vivekananda.
The Chain of Transmission: From Ancient Sages to Modern Teachers
The wisdom of Sri Ramakrishna and devotion to the work of Swami Vivekananda illuminated Mahatma who achieved the peaceful independence of India, based on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. His translator, Mahadev Desai, contributed wise comments to his version.
Later the doctor and later monk , inspired by the previous figures, continued to propagate the Bhagavad Gita throughout the World.
wrote his own interpretation, the Gita Makaranadam, with his comments on each shloka and later reflections by Ramakrishna and Vivekananda were included .
Swami Vivekananda, Gandhi (with the translation and comments of Mahadev Desai), Swami Sivananda and Swami Vidya Prakashananda made their own interpretations of the Bhagavad Gita (Philosophy of Yoga), and they are the ones worked on in the Gita Institute courses. Our model of transmitting this sacred knowledge is based on these great figures, and on Sri Ramakrishna's principle of harmony between religions.
The Lord can be called in different ways: God, Allah, Sat-Chit-Ananda or Brahma; The Bhagavad Gita offers all humanity profound wisdom independent of any religion, sex, social condition, place or time. It also implies that the essence of this wisdom has been transmitted several times in history to humanity through reincarnations of the Lord in Sri Krishna, Jesus, Muhammad, Mahavira or Buddha.
As we can understand, the responsibility of both the Gita Institute and the teachers is enormous, and they must be absolutely faithful to this chain of transmission of the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita. From this responsibility derives the training methodology that we will use based on the concepts of the Bhagavad Gita.
Transmisión del Conocimiento del Bhagavad Gita 
Transmissão do Conhecimento Bhagavad-Gita.
Listen to the video of Pedro Nonell with English subtitles
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Parampara in the context of the Bhagavad Gita?
Parampara refers to the "disciplic succession" or the unbroken chain of masters and students through which the sacred knowledge of the Gita has been preserved for thousands of years.
Why is Sri Ramakrishna considered a "Prophet of Harmony"?
Sri Ramakrishna taught that all religions lead to the same God, famously stating "As many faiths, so many paths." This principle is fundamental to the transmission of the Gita's universal message today.
Who brought the knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita to the West?
While many scholars studied it, Swami Vivekananda is largely credited with introducing the practical application of the Gita and Raja Yoga to the Western world during his travels in the late 19th century.
Is the Bhagavad Gita restricted to Hindus?
No. As the Gita itself states, the knowledge is for all humanity. It provides a "Spiritual Science" that is independent of any specific religion, social status, or time period.
Conclusion
The transmission of the Bhagavad Gita is a testament to the enduring power of Truth. From the ancient battlefield of Kurukshetra to the modern digital classroom, the message remains the same: the realization of the indwelling God and the performance of one's duty with detachment.
By following the path laid down by masters like Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, and interpreted today by experts like Pedro Nonell, students can access a wisdom that is both ancient and eternally new. The responsibility of the Gita Institute is to remain a faithful link in this chain, ensuring that the "imperishable yoga" continues to illuminate the path for all humanity.
How do you believe the principle of "harmony between religions" taught by Sri Ramakrishna can help modern seekers navigate the complexities of the Bhagavad Gita?
Versions, Para-Vidya, Self-Knowledge, General overview, modalities
Study guide, chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, reading, one to one, Exercises, Teachers, Should we believe in something?, dogmas
Course: Bhagavad Gita (according to Gandhi)
Advanced training
(c) Gita Institute & Pedro Nonell
