Bhagavad Gita reading guides

Straight answers to the questions people ask before opening the Gita: which chapter to start with, how the translations differ, and how long eighteen chapters really take.

How to Start Reading the Bhagavad Gita
A practical first pass through the Bhagavad Gita: which chapter to open, how much to read a day, and what to do when a verse stops making sense.
Which Bhagavad Gita Translation to Read First
How Bhagavad Gita translations differ in style and purpose, from plain prose to verse-by-verse commentary, and how to pick one for a first read.
How Long Does It Take to Read the Bhagavad Gita?
Reading times for the Bhagavad Gita at ordinary and fast paces, chapter by chapter, plus realistic daily schedules for finishing all 18 chapters.
What Is the Bhagavad Gita About? A Plain Summary
What the Bhagavad Gita is, where it sits in the Mahabharata, and how its 18 chapters move from a soldier refusing to fight to a decision.