Karma & Dharma

Bhikshu Gita (Alternative Version from Mahabharata)

Radical Poverty and Psychological Freedom

Source
Mahabharata (Shanti Parva, Chapter 320)
Dialogue
King Janaka and various wandering mendicants

Significance

Complements the Bhagavata's Bhikshu Gita with an emphasis on statecraft-free asceticism.

From the supplementary & esoteric Gita literature collection—regional, narrative, and specialized wisdom-songs.

Key concepts

  • The psychological freedom that comes from owning nothing and depending entirely on divine providence
  • Ending the internal fever of anxiety by refusing to hoard material goods
  • Equanimity toward praise, blame, hunger, and abundance

Popular shlokas

← All Gita songs