Why This Text Matters | Bhagavad Gita | Anand Venkatkrishnan

Religious studies courses can feature a broad range and variety of texts, including anything from The Daodejing, to The Mishnah, to Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov, to Mary Douglas’s Purity and Danger, to Said’s Orientalism. The Marty Center partnered with the Undergraduate Religious Studies Program to design “Why This Text Matters” as a series of videos to help faculty prepare for courses, their students, and anyone generally curious about important texts in the study of religion. In the space of about 30 minutes, viewers can gain a deeper understanding of the context, themes, and significance of texts taught by experts at the University of Chicago Divinity School.
About the Text:
The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most important and influential Hindu scriptures today. It was read, recited, and commented on for hundreds of years before becoming virtually synonymous with Hinduism in the modern world. This video discusses the historical context, religious themes, and diverse interpretations of the text over time.