GURU GITA

FAQs

Q1. How many verses are there in Guru Gita?

Guru Gita, a conversation between Shiva and Parvati, is a revered scriptural text in the Siddha Yoga tradition. It is a part of the Skanda Purana in which Goddess Parvati asks Lord Shiva how a person can achieve liberation from the material world. There are many versions of the Guru Gita that are presented in around 100 to 400 verses.  The most renowned version is the one written by Swami Muktananda in which he chose 182 verses. Exotic India has a wide collection of commentaries on Shri Guru Gita by different authors that emphasize the importance of a bona fide spiritual master in one’s life.

Q2. Who has written Guru Gita?

Since Guru Gita is a sacred text that is a part of the Skanda Purana (a Vedic scripture), it has been authored by Vyasadeva who is the compiler of all Vedic literature. The Guru Gita is considered a necessity for chanting in some Sampradayas such as the Siddha Yoga tradition. There are many commentaries written on it by different spiritual Gurus, the most famous being the Guru Gita written by Swami Muktananda in which there are 182 verses.

Q3. What is Shri Guru Gita?

Shri Guru Gita is considered a Vedic scripture that is a part of the larger Skanda Purana. The text of the Guru Gita describes a conversation between Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati. When the Goddess asked the Lord how a conditioned soul can receive spiritual wisdom and thus achieve liberation, he told her the necessity of approaching a spiritual master (Guru) in order to get out of darkness (ignorance). This principle of accepting a Guru and serving him by following his instructions is the key wisdom of Guru Gita.

Q4. When was the Guru Gita written?

Guru Gita is not an individual scriptural text but is a part of the Skanda Purana in which Lord Shiva converses with his consort Parvati Devi about the importance of accepting the shelter of a Guru. The Vedic literature was compiled by Srila Vyasadev, the literary incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krishna, at the beginning of the age of Kali (Kaliyuga). It was then passed on to the general people through disciplic succession (Guru-Shishya Parampara).