Arguing for a Devotional Reading of the Gītā

Abstract The Bhagavad Gītā is a highly influential Hindu text. There are two prominent broad interpretations of the Gītā . One interpretation, known as the ladder approach, states that the Gītā privileges one yoga system over others, while also holding that other yoga systems are effective to a certain degree. A second interpretation, known as the wheel approach, states that all the yoga systems of the Gītā are equally effective. In this paper, I defend a particular ladder approach that takes the yoga of devotion ( bhakti - yoga ) to be the most effective yoga system. Specifically, I argue that this view best aligns with the various verses of the Gītā , specifically verses 6.46–47. I also address the challenges a devotional ladder approach faces. After doing so, I conclude that a devotional ladder approach is the best interpretation of the Gītā .