The Bhagavad Gita
Wisdom for Daily Life
with Rukmini Chaitanya
12-WEEK LIVE ONLINE CERTIFICATION COURSE
August 26 – November 11, 2025 on Tuesdays 3:00 – 4:30 pm ET
Approved by Yoga Alliance for Continuing Education Hours
Begin Where the Journey Truly Begins
Take your seat on the battlefield of Kurukshetra—the field of inner conflict, choice, and awakening, the moment where certainty dissolves, and a deeper search for truth begins.
In this transformative 12-week course, join Rukmini Chaitanya for a profound and personal exploration of Chapter One of the Bhagavad Gita, supported by an overview of the Gita’s entire structure and teachings. Far from being a mere prelude, this chapter is a mirror for every seeker—a vivid portrait of the soul standing at a crossroads, torn between duty and doubt, action and avoidance, fear and faith. Together, we will examine Arjuna’s crisis not as a historical event, but as a universal inner moment—the precise place where the spiritual path begins. You’ll learn how this vulnerable turning point sets the stage for the entire teaching of the Gita and reflects our own lived struggles with meaning, purpose, and clarity.
Rooted in tradition and illuminated by lived insight, the course will draw from traditional commentaries, including the Advaitic perspective of Adi Shankaracharya’s introduction to the Gita, and the illuminating interpretations of Madhusudana Saraswati.
Why Focus on Chapter One?,
Before Krishna utters a single teaching, the Gita opens with silence, confusion, and despair. Arjuna, the great warrior, collapses—his bow slipping from his hand, his resolve shattered. And yet, this is not weakness. This is the threshold of transformation.
– The Bhagavad Gita, 18.66
Chapter One invites us to:
- Witness the unraveling of ego and the emergence of true inquiry
- Understand the symbolic battlefield as the inner landscape of dharma (duty), karma (action), and moksha (liberation)
- Prepare the inner ground for receiving spiritual knowledge
- Explore our own resistance, fear, and longing for clarity
What You’ll Receive in This Course
- An Overview of the Gita’s 18 Chapters Understand the structure and progressive teaching of the Bhagavad Gita and how Chapter One sets the stage for all that follows.
- Lineage-Based Teachings Study the Gita through the lens of traditional commentators, including Madhusudana Saraswati and Adi Shankaracharya.
- Weekly Live Classes with Rukmini Chaitanya Join a vibrant spiritual community for weekly 90-minute sessions including teaching, guided reflection, and live Q&A.
- Practical Application Relate the teachings of Chapter One to the challenges and decisions in your own life—seeing Arjuna’s questions as your own.
- Study Materials and Reflections Receive guided reading, journaling prompts, and optional contemplative practices to deepen your study.
- Recordings of All Sessions Can’t attend live? Watch anytime and connect with Rukmini directly for support and insight.
Core Themes You’ll Explore:
The Inner Meaning of the BattlefieldHow the setting of Kurukshetra symbolizes the field of life where spiritual decisions are made.
Arjuna’s Collapse as Catalyst
Why true wisdom often begins with the courage to say “I don’t know what to do.”
The Nature of Dharma and Doubt
How confusion about duty is a necessary doorway to transformation.
The Gita as a Universal Scripture
Why this sacred text continues to guide seekers across traditions, times, and cultures.
The Role of the Teacher
How Krishna’s silent presence in Chapter One prepares the ground for divine instruction.
What people are saying about Rukmini Chaitanya…
Who This Course Is For?
- You are drawn to the Bhagavad Gita but don’t know where to start
- You want to explore the Gita’s teachings in a structured, step-by-step way
- You’ve read the Gita before but feel something deeper is waiting
- You long to connect spiritual wisdom to the emotional and ethical challenges of real life
- You value a traditional, lineage-based approach, made accessible for modern seekers
Take the First Step Toward Liberation
The Gita does not begin with answers. It begins with a breakdown.
This is your invitation to start where all real growth begins—not with certainty, but with
sincerity.
Register Now and Begin Your Journey from Confusion to Clarity, from Conflict to Freedom
Installment plans and discounts for webinar participants available.
Additional Information:
Offered as 12 weekly sessions – Tuesday August 26, Sept 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4 & 11 from 3:00 – 4:30 pm ET
This program is offered live through Zoom webinar with the availability for students to interact through Q&A with the presenter.
For enrolled students, a video recording will be available after each class in the event you miss a class or would like to review the content.
It is possible to register and take the course at any time. You can catch up on any classes you miss with the recordings.
Requirements and Recommendations:
- No experience necessary. This program is open to beginners as well as advanced practitioners.
- Viewing Device: Desktop or laptop computer will provide the best experience, although you can also connect via a tablet or smartphone.
- Internet connection: High-speed broadband wired or wireless is best.
- Video: Download Zoom to your computer, or install the Zoom app to your device. For interactive group sessions, a webcam or integrated camera will allow others to feel more connected with you.
- Audio: Headphone speakers are recommended. If you wish to participate vocally, a headset with a microphone will be ideal.
Course Includes:
- 18 hours of live video courses
- Bhagavad Gita – translation and commentary by Swami Sivananda
- Course Manual
More praise for Rukmini Chaitanya…
“Rukmini Chaitanya presents online courses in a variety of areas, based on the sublime scriptures and monistic non-dual Vedanta tradition in a clear, consistent, uplifting and most important loving way. Highly recommended for seekers of all walks of life.”
– Menas C. Kafatos, Quantum Physicist, Philosopher, Writer
Rukmini Chaitanya
Rukmini Chaitanya is a senior staff member of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas, and the personal assistant to Swami Swaroopananda, the Acharya, or spiritual director of the Ashram. She regularly teaches the Bhagavad Gita during the Sivananda Yoga Teacher training as well as other courses on the Bhagavad Gita, Vedanta, positive thinking, meditation, and yoga philosophy.
Rukmini Chaitanya is known for her enthusiastic and inspiring teaching style as well as for her devotion to the lineage and the scriptures. She is dedicated to each of her students and has an innate desire to share knowledge with them. She brings a great deal of clarity to every topic and is highly appreciated for her capacity to unfold complicated topics and present them in a coherent and pure way.