Song of God
Krishna’s voice guiding the soul
Author
Gopal's Studio
Narrator
William J
Language
English
Song of God is an intimate, devotional audiobook experience that translates divine philosophy into living emotion. Rooted in Krishna’s presence, it weaves timeless wisdom, love, and inner conflict into a quiet, contemplative journey—less a narration and more a remembrance. Through gentle pacing and reflective tone, it guides the listener from human fragility toward clarity, surrender, and stillness, allowing the voice of the divine to be felt rather than explained.
Chapters
18 chapters available
Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra
The Gita opens on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, where Arjuna surveys both armies and recognizes friends, teachers, and relatives on opposing sides. Overwhelmed by sorrow, fear, and moral confusion, he questions the righteousness of war and foresees social collapse, sin, and personal guilt. His body weakens, his mind reels, and his famed warrior confidence collapses. Arjuna lays down his bow and refuses to fight. This chapter establishes the human condition of inner conflict, attachment, and paralysis in the face of duty, forming the emotional and philosophical ground on which Krishna’s teachings unfold.
Contents of the Gita Summarized
Krishna begins his instruction by correcting Arjuna’s confusion. He teaches the immortality of the soul, explaining that the self is unborn, eternal, and indestructible, while the body is temporary. Death is merely a transition, not annihilation. Krishna introduces key ideas of karma, duty, and equanimity, urging Arjuna to act without attachment to results. This chapter lays the philosophical foundation of the Gita, blending Sankhya (knowledge of reality) with Karma Yoga. It emphasizes self-mastery, inner balance, and acting according to one’s dharma.
Karma-yoga
Krishna explains that action is unavoidable; no one can remain truly inactive. The solution to bondage is not renunciation of action, but renunciation of selfish desire. He teaches Nishkama Karma—action performed as duty, without attachment to results, and offered as sacrifice. Work done in this spirit purifies the mind and supports cosmic order (yajna). Krishna also warns against the dangers of desire and anger, born of passion, which cloud judgment. The chapter establishes disciplined action as a spiritual path accessible to all.
Transcendental Knowledge
Krishna reveals the divine origin of this wisdom, passed through an ancient lineage. He explains his own divine incarnations, declaring that he descends whenever dharma declines and adharma rises. The chapter harmonizes action, knowledge, and renunciation, showing that true renunciation lies in inner detachment, not outward withdrawal. Knowledge burns karma like fire, freeing one from bondage. Different forms of sacrifice are described, culminating in the sacrifice of ignorance through wisdom. Faith and humility are emphasized as essential for spiritual realization.
Karma-yoga-Action in Krsna Consciousness
Krishna clarifies the apparent conflict between renunciation and action. He teaches that Karma Yoga and renunciation lead to the same goal, but selfless action is easier and safer for most people. The true renunciate is one who is inwardly detached, free from hatred and desire, while still acting in the world. The chapter highlights inner peace, self-control, and seeing the same divine essence in all beings. Liberation is attained through balanced action guided by knowledge and devotion.
Dhyana-yoga
This chapter focuses on meditation and self-discipline. Krishna describes the qualities of a true yogi and provides practical guidance on posture, environment, moderation, and mental focus. The restless mind is acknowledged as difficult to control, but conquerable through sustained practice and detachment. Meditation leads to inner stillness, self-realization, and freedom from sorrow. Krishna reassures that spiritual effort is never wasted; even one who falters progresses across lifetimes. The chapter emphasizes perseverance and self-compassion on the spiritual path.
Knowledge of the Absolute
Krishna reveals his nature as both the material and spiritual cause of the universe. All creation arises from his lower (material) and higher (conscious) energies. He explains why people fail to recognize him—due to illusion (maya) and attachment. Four types of devotees approach God, with the wise devotee being the dearest. The chapter deepens understanding of divine reality, blending metaphysical insight with devotion, and establishes Krishna as the ultimate truth underlying all existence.
Attaining the Supreme
Krishna explains Brahman, the eternal soul, karma, and the process of rebirth. He emphasizes the importance of one’s final thoughts at death, as they determine the next state of existence. Remembering God at the time of death leads to liberation. The chapter describes cosmic cycles of creation and dissolution, and contrasts the path of light (leading to liberation) with the path of darkness (leading to rebirth). Constant remembrance of the divine is presented as the highest spiritual practice.
The Most Confidential Knowledge
Krishna reveals the most confidential knowledge: devotion (bhakti). He explains his all-pervading presence while remaining unattached to creation. Simple offerings made with devotion—leaf, flower, fruit, or water—are accepted by him. Even those considered sinful can attain liberation through sincere devotion. This chapter emphasizes God’s grace, compassion, and accessibility. Bhakti is presented as the easiest and most powerful path, transcending social distinctions and intellectual complexity.
The Opulence of the Absolute
Krishna describes his divine manifestations throughout the universe. He is the essence of all excellence—the strongest, the wisest, the most beautiful, and the most powerful. From gods and sages to natural phenomena and human achievements, all greatness arises from a spark of his glory. This chapter trains the devotee’s vision to see the divine in everyday life. By recognizing God’s presence in all forms of greatness, devotion deepens into constant remembrance and reverence.
The Universal Form
Krishna grants Arjuna divine vision to behold his universal form. Arjuna sees the entire cosmos—creation, preservation, and destruction—within Krishna. Time itself appears as an all-devouring force. Overwhelmed by awe and fear, Arjuna realizes Krishna’s supreme power and inevitability of destiny. Krishna declares Arjuna an instrument in the cosmic plan. This chapter powerfully conveys God’s transcendence, sovereignty, and the insignificance of ego before divine will.
Devotional Service
Krishna compares devotion to the formless absolute with devotion to the personal God, declaring bhakti as the easier and more compassionate path. He describes the qualities of a true devotee: humility, compassion, contentment, self-control, and freedom from hatred. Such devotees are dear to him. The chapter presents devotion as a way of life rooted in love, surrender, and ethical conduct, making spirituality accessible to ordinary householders.
Nature, the Enjoyer and Consciousness
Krishna distinguishes between the body (the field) and the soul (the knower of the field). True knowledge is understanding this distinction. He describes the qualities of wisdom, the nature of matter, and the supreme soul present in all beings. Liberation comes from realizing the difference between prakriti (nature) and purusha (consciousness). This chapter deepens metaphysical understanding and reinforces self-inquiry as a path to freedom.
The Three Modes of Material Nature
Krishna explains the three gunas—sattva (purity), rajas (activity), and tamas (inertia)—which bind the soul to the body. Each guna shapes behavior, knowledge, and destiny. Liberation comes from transcending all three, not merely cultivating sattva. The chapter provides insight into human psychology and spiritual growth, encouraging awareness of inner tendencies and detachment from their influence.
The Yoga of the Supreme Person
Using the metaphor of an inverted tree, Krishna describes the material world as rooted in the divine but sustained by attachment. Detachment and self-knowledge are needed to cut its binding roots. Krishna reveals himself as Purushottama, the Supreme Being beyond the perishable and imperishable. Remembering him leads to liberation. This chapter integrates metaphysics, devotion, and ethics into a clear vision of ultimate reality.
The Divine and Demoniac Natures
Krishna contrasts divine qualities—fearlessness, compassion, self-control—with demonic qualities—pride, anger, greed, and cruelty. These inner traits determine one’s destiny: liberation or bondage. He warns against acting purely from desire and ego, and emphasizes scripture as a guide for right conduct. The chapter serves as a moral mirror, urging self-examination and conscious cultivation of virtuous qualities.
The Divisions of Faith
Krishna explains that faith corresponds to one’s dominant guna. Food, worship, austerity, and charity are also classified as sattvic, rajasic, or tamasic. Actions done without faith are fruitless. The sacred syllable “Om Tat Sat” represents dedication to the divine. This chapter emphasizes intention, inner attitude, and purity of faith over external form.
The Perfection of Renunciation
Krishna concludes by summarizing the entire Gita. He explains true renunciation, karma, duty, free will, and divine grace. Acting according to one’s nature while surrendering results to God leads to liberation. Krishna urges Arjuna to abandon doubt, surrender fully, and act courageously. Arjuna’s confusion dissolves, and he resolves to fight. The Gita ends with clarity, surrender, and alignment with divine will.