Chiranjivi

Chiranjivi (As per Itihas-Purana literature)

Most elders bless younger ones as ‘Chiranjivi bhava’. In all memorial services people say ‘’XXX amar rahe’.What is this Chiranjivitva?

The word is a combination of "chiram" (permanent) and jivi (lived) means immortal or eternal. Shastras accept that all living entities are destined to die, all the life forms shall become extinct at the end of the Kalpa (day of Brahma), and all physical bodies are destined to become immaterial along with the creator, Brahma himself at the end of Para ie Mahakalpa (life time of Brahma-100 Brahma years).  Chiranjivi therefore only means- one with very long life.

All humans face uncertainty and finite span of life, though every being yearns for immortality or long life. A few, through their great achievements, become ‘long lived’ in the memories of many generations. A few others can’t be forgotten because they symbolize certain aspects of human characters. They perhaps also can be called Chiranjivi. Our Itihasa-Puranas mentions seven (or eight) Chiranjivis.  

A verse recited by many in the morning

Ashwathaama Balirvyaaso Hanumanshach Vibhishanha I

Krupascha Parshuramascha Saptaitey Chiranjivinaha II

names seven Chiranjivis. There is an addendum to this verse which includes sage Markandeya:

‘Saptaitaan Samsmareynnityam Markandeymathaashtamam I

Jivedvarshshatam Sopi Sarvavyadhivivarjit II

Chronologically the sequence of Chiranjivis is perhaps: Markandeya, Bali, Parashurama, Hanuman, Bibhishana, Vyasa, Krupacharya and Ashvatthma.

Hiranyakashipu, Ravana, Kumbhakarna and many other demons tried to become immortal through boons sought from Shiva or Brahma without success.

Chiranjivis shall live long life till the end of Yuga, Manvantara or Kalpa (Markandeya survived last Kalpaant by grace of boon received from Shiva, he is special).  Most of them achieved chiranjivitva through boons whereas some were born Chiranjivis.

The list perhaps demonstrate rise and fall of human nature starting from Bali evolving through Parshuram and Vibhishan to Hanuman and Vyas and then falling through Kripa to Ashvatthama completing the cycle.

They epitomize certain basic truths, laws and standards of ethical behaviour which transcend time, space, generation and causation. They are eternal, immutable and universal. Their chiranjivitva is therefore not mere long life, it underscores each divine principle they stood for and upheld even in the face of adversity and stress.

May be they represent seven swabahvas or traits of human mind which can be found in every age, all times, irrespective of culture, religions, race, society or erudition.

Name, Parents, Kula and present location (belief)	Character Boon or curse	Events
Ashwatthama born with blessings of Shiva, his Anshavatara. Son of Dronacharya and Kripi. Bhardwaja Kula Present-Wandering forests (Asirgadh fort in MP) asking for butter to apply on his wounds	Hatred, Anger, Indiscretion Eternal suffering, consequences of immoral behaviour (Born Chiranjivi blessed by Shiva & Drona. Boon converted to curse by Shri Krishna)	Born with a gem on his forehead which gave him power over all living beings lower than humans Dronacharya taught all Shastras and Astras, the foremost among warriors. Brahmavidya from Parasurama, Durvasa, Ved Vyasa, Bhishma, Kripa Deeply hurt by father’s death, used Narayanastra, Brahmastra, etc. Killed sleeping warriors Draupadeyas and tried Bhrunahatya (Parikshita in Uttara’s womb) Arjuna defeated and bound him, released by Draupadi. Gem cut from his forehead and Krishna’s words converted boon of immortality in curse.  The gem on Ashwatthama’s forehead removed. the wound caused by the removal of this gem never healed, serving as a reminder of your abhorrent crimes. For 3,000 years thou shalt wander over this earth, without a companion and without being able to talk with anyone. Alone and without anybody by thy side, thou shalt wander, O wretch, thou shalt have no place in the midst of men. The stench of pus and blood shall emanate from thee, and inaccessible forests and dreary moors shall be thy abode!  Ashwatthama will be in search of death every moment, and yet he will never die. In Kaliyuga, his name will be "Suryakanta". At the end of Kali Yuga, Ashwatthama shall meet Sri Kalki, the tenth and final avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Mahabali Grandson of Pralhad son of Virochana & Devamba Linage of Kashyapa-Diti Meghavanshi Asura Present-Rules Patala and visits his Kerela on Onam day	Valour, charity, (Envy?) devotion, courage, truth and charity (Vamana’s boon)	Fought and defeated Devas. Participated in Amritamanthana and lost the war Again won trilokas Performing Ashvamedha Yadnya at Bhrigukaccha Vamana, the 5th incarnation of Lord sought three steps of land in alms. He granted ignoring advice of Guru Shukracharya. Was sent to rule Paathala the 14 Loka and granted boon as he surrendered his head for the third step. He would rule patala and then became Indra in 8th Manvantara, before final liberation.
Vyasa, Vishnu’s Anshavatara, Great grandson of Vashistha, son of Parashar and Satyavati. Present- Badarikashrama in Himalayas	Scholarship, knowledge, wisdom, vision. (BORN or BLESSED ?)	Vyasa, collated Vedas and gave it to four disciples and Puranas to Suta, composed Mahabharata, Bhagavatam, Brahmasutra, etc Father of Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Shukadeva Active participation in Mahabharata Every dwapar yug has its own Vyas and   brahma is 1st Vyasa Seen by Shankaracharya and other Acharyas
Hanuman,Anshavatara of Lord Shiva, son of Anjani and Kesari, also called Vayuputra Vanara Present Hanuman is still the caves near Manasarovar and attends Raamakatha wherever narrated	Modesty, selflessness, valour, devotion, power, might, courage, energy, strength intellect, and righteous conduct, Celibacy. Sankatamochana (Blessed by Brahma to live long. When Rama decided to leave Prithwiloka, he asked Hanuman his desire, accordingly was granted a boon to stay on earth to listen Ramakatha. Sitaji also bestowed on him the boon of ever-youthful and energetic  immortality)	Kaikayis payasa snatched by a kite and dropped in the hands of Anjana who ate it and Hanuman born As a child, believing the sun to be a ripe mango, tried to grab it to eat. Indra hit him with Vajra and consequent events earned him so many boons. Surya was his Guru and as Gurudakshina helped Sugriva. Mischievous in his childhood. bothered sages who placed a mild curse on him, by which he became unable to remember his own ability unless reminded by another person. Jambavantha reminds Hanuman of his abilities to go and find Sita Meets Rama during the Rama's 14th year of exile. As Sugriva’s emissary brings about alliance between Rama and Sugriva Searches Sita, flies across the ocean, outwits Surasa, kills Simhika, reaches Lanka, Finds Sita and talks to her, Destroys Ashoka Vatika, Kills Jambumali, Akshaya Kumara, Lanka Dahan. Fetches Dronagiri mountain from the Himalayas for Sanjivani, kills Kalanemi, honours Bharata’s arrow. Killing of illusory Sita by Indrajita Kills Mahiravana/Ahiravan (Panchamukha Hanuman to rescues Rama and Lakshmana) Killed Trishira, Devantaka, Dhumraksha, Akampana, Nikumbha Lakshmana on the shoulder of Hanuman to kill Indrajita  Subdue arrogance of Bhima, Arjuna and Satyabhama During the great battle of Kurukshetra on the flagpost of Arjuna
Vibheeshana son of sage Vishravas and Kaikasi (or Keshini) and Ravana’s brother. Paulastya Brahmin –Rakshasa Present-?	Righteousness, Conviction in what he believed, fearless counselor for right conduct, Devotion (Traitor?). The close relative of powerful enemy can be biggest gain for your strategy to victory. (Blessed by Rama to chiranjeevatva )	Bibhishana advised Ravana to return Sitaji, on getting insulted joined Shri Rama in the great battle. He was crowned at Kelaneeya, Sri Lanka.
Kripacharya son of Shardwana and Janapadi, Gautama extraordinary birth Kripi twin sister Present-?	Generally impartial, truthful, ethical, erudite, teacher of high standards, good warrior, followed sacred laws & principles but mute spectator of injustice-weakness (Blessed by Krishna?)	Adopted and nurtured by Shantanu. Taught Kaurava and Pandava princes Mute spectator of Draupadi-vastraharaana, etc Participated in Virata and Kurukshetra wars Assisted Ashvatthama in night-time massacre Krishna’s boon and guru for Parikshit later of Kalki.
Parashurama, 6th Avatara of Lord Vishnu, son of Jamadagni and Renuka, nephew of Vishvamitra Bhrugu Kula Present- Mahendragiri, Kerla	Guru of martial arts and the knower of all Astras (weapons), Sastras (weapons with program) and tactics of warfare. A great warrior he never wished to be an emperor, eliminated unlawful kshatriyas, never hesitated to admit a mistake. excellence and strength, tempered by humility. Cruel Revenge (Rama blocked his path to heavens, so immortal)	By sage Ruchika’s arrangement his grandson Parashurama had Kshatriyalike qualities Beheaded mother on the order of father and sought her revival Aquired weapons from Shiva Destroyed Kartaviryarjuna to avenge father’s killing and annihilated kshatriyas 21 times. Performed ashvamedha and gave away all the land to sage Kashyapa Reclaimed west-coast from sea and stayed there Challenged Rama, got defeated. Rama  destroyed merit of his penance and blocked his realms of heavens and rendered him chiranjivi to live on Mt Mahendra
Markandeya, son of Mrikunda and Marudmati Bhrigukula Wrote Purana near Yamunotri born in Thirukkadavoor in Tamilnadu Present-?	Devotion (Shiva’s blessing)	Parents worshipped shiva for son and chose to have son with more knowledge and less life span. Studied everything. Became a great devotee of Shiva and on the day of his destined death continued his worship of Shiva in his form of Shivalingam with Mamahamrutyunjaya mantra. After defeating Yama in battle to the point of death, Shiva then revived Markandeya and blessed with immortality. Shiva-Kaalakalaya or Kalantaka meaning 'one who brought death, to death himself'.  Sage Narayana showed him Maya

·        Ashvatthama, Vyasa, Kripa, Parasurama shall help Kalki, 10^th incarnation of Lord     Vishnu at the end of Kali Yuga and shall be Saptarshis of 8^th Manvantara (along with Diptimat, Galava and Rishyasringa). Bali shall be the next Indra.

·        Ashwaththama is also to become the next Ved Vyas in 8^th  Dwapar Yuga once he is alleviated of his sins committed in Mahabharata by the Kalki

·        Amrita obtained through Samudra Manthana rendered devas amar (?) and Shukracharya’s ‘Sanjivani Vidya’ rekindled life in dead daityas-but theses extensions seem to be limited.

·        Jambavan: The king of rikshas (bears) born from Brahma (created by Vishnu?). He was present at the churning of the ocean, and is supposed to have circled Vamana seven times when he was acquiring the three worlds from Mahabali. He was the King of the Himalayas, who incarnated as a bear in order to serve Rama. He had received a boon from Lord Rama that he would have a long life, be handsome and would have the strength of ten million lions. He fought Krishna for twenty-eight days, realizing who Krishna was, Jambavan submitted. He gave Krishna Syamantaka Mani and also presented him his daughter Jambavati, who became one of Krishna's wives.

·        Devapi: Elder brother of Shantanu who retired to the forest took to the path of mystic yoga, lives in Kalapa-grama and will revive the Candra vamsha in the next Satya-yuga

·        Maru: A king of the Iksvaku dynasty, the father of Prasusruta and son of Shighra. He had become chiranjivi by his yogic power. He will revive the Surya Vamsha in the next Satya-yuga. In the meantime he lives in Kalapa-grama

·        Kaka-Bhusunda: An arrogant pupil of the Sage Lomash. Inspite of his ill manners, arrogance and habit of lying, He was Sage Lomash's favorite. Once when he insulted Sage Lomash, Shiva cursed him to be born as the lowest form of creation and be trapped by immortality. Shiva was forced to modify his curse on Sage Lomash's insistence. A crow, Ramabhakta Kakabhushundi narrated Ramayana to Khagapati Garuda (According to another story he was vahana of Devi Alambusha and son of swans who were vahana of Devi Brahmi)

·        Banasur- Son of King Bali received Boon of Shiva for 1000 arms. Defeated by yLord Krishna, prayed Shiva for forgiveness and after bath in Papavinshini Tirtha joined Shiva’s Bhutagana

·        Lomesh maharshi: Boon from Shiva. After every kalpa his 1 body hair(rom) drops and shall live so many kalpas

·     Saptarshis are also very long-living they live for at least one manvantara during which they hold their posts. Current are Kashyapa, Atri, Vashistha, Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni and Bharadvaja. Yadnyavalkya also is to live long and going to be Guru to Lord Kalki.

·        The only eternals are Vishnu (along with Sheshanaaag) or Shiva or Devi-manifestations of Brahman and the four Vedas

Meaning of Yuga, Kalpa, etc

Satya, Treata, Dwapara and Kali Yugas together forms a Mahayuga (4.32 million solar years) after which Yuga Pralaya takes place

71 Mahayugas=Manvantara after each Manvantara Manvantara Pralaya takes place-Change of Manu

Kalpa=Day of Brahma=14 Manvantara (994 Mahayugas)+15 Sandhikalas-equivalent to 6 Mahayugas=1000 Mahayugas. Then Naimittika/Dina Pralaya takes place after Kalpa and the night of Brahma of equal length follows.

Mahakalpa/Para= Two Parardhas=Life of Brahma=100 Brahma years (100X360 Brahma days)- Mahapralaya/Prakrutika pralaya after 100 years of Brahma

Divine Repetition

Often expressions are repeated in scriptures to stress their importance or to unfold the meaning step by step.

Tat tvamasi-"thou art that"  is wellk-nown Mahavakya pronounced Nine times in Chhandogya Upanishad (Adhyaya 6 Khanda 9) by Uddalaka Aruni while unfolding Ultimate to his son Shwetaketu

Etad vai tat ‘This is indeed That’ is pronounced Twelve times by Yamadharma in Kathopanishad (Adhyay 2) while enlightening Nachiketa

These repetitions were not for any verbal acrobatics or aesthetics but pure necessity.

There is a line which repeats in Shrimad Bhagavad Gita.

man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaisyasi yuktvaivam
atmanam mat-parayanah (Bg 9-34)

Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, offer obeisances and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.

man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaisyasi satyam te
pratijane priyo 'si me (Bg 18-65)

Always think of Me and become My devotee. Worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.

It is an irrevocable commitment made by lord.

Bhagavadgita is essence of Upanishadas. It is natural they show similarity. Similarity in the following two verses is striking

Kathopanishad 1.2.18 & 19

na jayate mriyate va vipashchin

    nayam kutashchinna babhuva kashchit.

ajo nityah shashvatoayam purano

    na hanyate hanyamane sharIre .. 18..

The Spirit is not born; It does not die. It has not sprung from anything; nothing has sprung from It. Birthless, eternal, everlasting and ancient, It is not killed when the body is killed.

hanta chenmanyate hantun hatashchenmanyate hatam

ubhau tau na vijanIto nayam hanti na hanyate .. 19..

If the killer thinks he kills and if the killed man thinks he is killed, neither of these apprehends aright. The Self kills not, nor is It killed.

Bhagavad Gita 2.20 & 19

na jayate mriyate va kadachin

        nayam bhutva bhavita va na bhuyah

ajo nityah shashvato.ayam purano

        na hanyate hanyamane sharire .. 2\-20..

The Spirit is neither born nor does it die at any time. It does not come into being, or cease to exist. Birthless, eternal, everlasting and ancient, It is not killed when the body is killed.

ya enam vetti hantaram yashchainam manyate hatam

ubhau tau na vijanito nayam hanti na hanyate .. 2\-19..

The one who thinks that the he is a slayer, and the one who thinks the he is slain, both are ignorant. Because the Self neither slays nor is slain.

Two great poets Valmiki and Veda Vyasa expressed exactly same thing

Sulabhaah purushaa rajan satatam priya vaadinah

Apriyasya cha pathhyasya vakta shrota cha durlabah

(Persons pleasing in speech are easy to find; it is difficult to find one who speaks or listens to the bitter, but wholesome, truth).

Very good verse. What is special about it? 

It appears twice in Valmiki Ramayana- Maricha to Ravana in Aranya Kanda (Sarga 37, verse 2) and Bibhishana to Ravana in Yuddha Kanda (Sarga 16, Verse 21) and also in Mahabharata Vidura to Dhritarashtra in Udyoga Parva (Adhyaya 37, Verse 15)!! 

How many Gitas?

Generally with the term Gita we mean the Bhagavad-Gita. Bhagavad Gita literally means the ‘Song of God’ and appears as the dialogue between Krishna, the charioteer and Arjuna, the archer, on the eve of the battle at Kurukshetra. It is an upanishadic style conversation between Guru (enlightened) and his disciples (seeker). It is clear that Lord Krishna avoided the discourse till Arjuna fully surrendered saying ‘shishyasteham shadhi mam tvaam prapannam‘ (chapter 2, verse 7)- “Krishna, please instruct me. I am your surrendered disciple”.  Then Lord Krishna gave Srimad Bhagwad Gita only to Arjuna and the entire Kurukshetra was in suspended animation at that time. Nobody talked on Bhagavad Gita at any other time except Arjuna, who wanted to hear it again but the request was not accepted by Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna felt sad that Arjuna had not ‘owned it up’. But still Lord Krishna gave him Anugita-Such was ‘Sakhya Bhakti”.

Scholars date it to around 300 BC, though some date it to 800 BC, the period of the Upanishads or even 3100 BC. It is in Bhishma Parva of Mahabharata in chapters 23 to 40. It comprises of 700 verses in 18 chapters. It is written in Sanskrit, a language spoken by less than five percent of Indians in its long history-mostly the priests and kings, not the common folk. Yet, the ideas found in the Gita percolated into the masses and got imbibed in the Indian ethos.

Out of 700 verse of Gita 645 are composed in 32 syllable-2 line Anushtup/shloka Chhanda (Vipula or Pathyavaktra) and rest in 55 syllsble-4 line Trishtup (Upajati, Indravajra, Upendravajra, Viparita Purva) Chhanda. 700 Shlokas are spoken by Krishna – 574, Arjuna – 84, Sanjaya – 41 and Dhrita Rashtra – 1. 

The Bhagavad Gita is a part of the Prasthanatrayi- key texts for the Vedanta, along with the Upanishads and Brahma sutras. It is referred to in the Brahma Sutras and all acharyas wrote commentaries on it. The Bhagavad Gita is is accessible to all, in contrast to the Vedas, which are only to be read and heard by the higher castes.

Gita is one of the most sacred scriptures to the Hindus that convey the ultimate truth of life-essence of Hindu Wisdom, upanishadic teaching. It presents a synthesis of bhakti, jnana, karma, yoga, samkhya, etc. Numerous commentaries have been written on the Bhagavad Gita with widely differing views.

In past few centuries, it has been a great resource to the European and American intellectuals, for its mystical, theological as well as philosophical contents. Gita has been also accepted by the scholars as a fundamental source of the socio-political-economic scenario of the times.

‘Gita’ is commonly understood as the ‘Bhagavad Gita’, but there are more than hundred different Gitas in our tradition and each has got its own special place in the cultural heritage and the devotee's heart.  Most of them are a part of Itihasa or Puranas. There are more than twenty-five Gitas in the Mahabharata and many in other scriptures written by Vyasa Deva, three of which are in the of dialogue by Lord Krishna with Arjuna. There are few in Ramayana as well. Invariably each Gita is a conversation- philosophical enquiry.

The sacred books that are titled as Gita generally talk of Brahman and Atman; life, death, rebirth and liberation; dilemmas in life, choices we have about right and wrong and curiosity. They contain instructions or answers given by the enlightened ones (Jivanmuktas and Dnyanis) to the earnest seekers. The answers are given, in different ways, partly or totally.

Gita is song or verse that appeals directly to the human heart. Verse is easy to recite and memorize. Whenever someone sees the Truth, he either becomes silent as it is impossible to put in words his vision or he is inspired to depict his vision in a spontaneous poetic expression, that is Gita. Gitas are inspired  to enlighten other seekers. Hence like Upanishdas, Gitas are also Apourusheya, coming from higher sources, pious humans being only instruments.  This is one of the reasons that we have many Gitas. Many Gitas don’t confuse Hindus since Vedas proclaimation, ‘Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti- Existence is One, Sages express it in different ways’ has been accepted universally.

Gita has fascinated so many saints, poets and philosophers that there are many versions of this. Each one wrote Gita in his own language and style. Lord Krishna states in the Bhagavad-Gita 

 
shraddhayarchitum icchati 
tasya tasyacalam shraddham 
tam eva vidadhamy aham 

“Whichever divine form a devotee (craving for some worldly object) chooses to worship with reverence, I stabilise the faith of that particular devotee in that very form”.

The Bhagavad Gita has been extremely popular and highly revered across the world. No wonder even today the word is often used for similar unfoldments by enlightened saints. Every one of the Gita texts lead us to the same conclusion: Live with proper vision(darshan).  

I am trying to list a few Gitas in Mahabharata alone

Mahabharata 18 Parvas- Adi, Sabha, Van/Aranya, Virat, Uyog, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Shalya, Stree, Sauptika, Shanti, Anushasana, Ashwamedha,  Ashramavasika, Mausala, Mahaprasthana, Swargarohana, Harivansha 1 & 2

Name	Parva	Guru-Shishya	Comment
Vyadha Gita	MB, Vana Parva	Markandeya to Yudhishthira (Dharma Vyadha to sage Kaushika)		Arrogant monk Kaushika is humbled by the simple Vyaadha who teaches him ‘Nishkama Karma’
Shaunaka Gita	MB, VP	Shaunaka to Yudhishthira		The secrets of the general life of the beings of the universe.
Yudhishthira Gita	MB, VP	Yudhishthira to Yaksha		Treats of the basic ethics which forms the bedrock of virtue and divine life
Nahusha Gita	MB, VP	Yudhishthira to Nahusha (as python)
Baka Gita	MB, VP Ch 193	Baka to Indra		A description of the sorrowful condition of the world which a person who lives for a long time has to see.
Sanatsujat Gita (Sanatsujatiya)	MB, Udyoga Parva Ch 41-46	Vidura to Dhritarashtra (Sanatsujata to Dhritarashtra)		Explains the Concept of Brahman, mind, intellect and the methods of attaining the Brahman.  Adi Shankara has commented
Vidura Gita (Vidura Niti)	MB, UP  Ch  33-40	Vidura to Dhritarashtra		The science of governance, politics, values of right conduct, fairplay and truthfulness. Bhagavat Sk 3 Maitreya to Vidura
Shrimad Bhagavad Gita	MB, Bhisma Parva Ch 25-42	Bhagavan Krishna to Arjuna Sanjay to Dhritarashtra		Yoga Vasista reproduces it in full under the caption ` Arjunopakhyana and Varaha purana recounts the essence Hari Gita the name given by Sage Narada to the BG in the Shanti Parva, verse 10, chapter 346.
Bhishma Gita	MB, Bhishma Parva 65-68 & Anushasana Paarva 14,17 149	Bhishma & Vasudeva to Yudhishthira		The hymns of Maheshwara, Vishnu and Narayana
Asmaka Gita	MB, Shanti Parva Ch 28, Rajadharma	Bhishma to Yudhishthira
Utathya Gita	MB, SP Ch 90-91, Rajadharma
Vamadeva Gita	MB, SP Ch 92-94, Rajadharma
Rishabha Gita	MB, SP, Moksha P Ch 125-28
Pingala Gita	MB, SP, Moksha P Ch 168 or 174 (7 verses)	Prostitute Pingala		A beautiful story told by Shri Krishna to Uddhava about a prostitute Pingala and her liberation
(Shiva) Shampaka Gita	MB, SP, Moksha P Ch 176 (3?) 21 verses	A Brahmin on tyaga		Twenty one verses in which Sampaaka a learned and pious Brahmin gives the message that one could attain everlasting happiness only through renunciation
Manki Gita	MB, SP, Moksha P Ch 177 (171?)  51 verses	Sage Manki Story Bull & Camel		Storey of Saint Manki and his two bullocks. Give up desire and greed and develop compassion for all .
Bodhya Gita	MB, SP Ch 178, slokas 57-68	Bhishma to Yudhisthira (Risi Bodhya to king Yayati Six gurus)
Vichakhnu Gita	MB, SP, MokshaP Ch 264-5 (279-280)	King Vichakshnu on Ahinsa		Eleven verses King Vicakhnu’s visit to a yagna where animal sacrifice is to be performed and his moving pleas for Ahimsa.
Harita Gita	MB, SP, Moksha P Ch 277  (278 ?)	Harita Muni on Ahinsa		Sanyasa dharma to achieve moksha, speaks of non violence
Vritra Gita	MB, SP, Moksha P Ch 278 (279-280?)	Vritrasura and Shukracharya on defeat
Parashara Gita	MB, SP, Moksha P Ch 290-298	Rishi Parashara & king Janaka		Very long
Yajnavalkya Gita	MB, SP, Moksha P Ch 310-18
Hansa Gita	MB, SP, Moksha p Ch 299	Brahma as Paramahansa to Sadhyas/Bhsihma		Bhagavat Sk 11 Adhyaya13 Ashwamedha Parva too? Tejomayananda Talks
Shadja Gita	MB,SP Ch 161 or 167
Kama Gita	MB, Ashwamedha Parva Ch 13	Kama says
Anu Gita	MB, AP Ch 16-19	Bhagavan Krishna to Arjuna		Quoted in Bhashyas of Shankaracharya and Sankhya-sara of Vidnyana Bhikshu
Brahmana Gita, (Brahma Gita ?)	MB, AP Ch 20/21- 24/34			A dialogue between a learned Brahmana and his wife about how to escape from the bonds of maya and illusion and attain the highest state of liberation.
Pandava Gita or Prapanna Gita	Traditional. Mahabharata in background. Verses from several sources. But excellent Collection of Various prayers offered by different devotees to the Narayana, reference in Panchadashi
Gitaprapurti Bhagavata	Bhagavatam + Vishvasartantram extract
Laghu Gita	Perhaps 18 select verses from Bhagvadgita
Uttara Gita	Krishnarjuna Dialogue after BG & Anugita, 126 verses. Not found in Mahabharata. Commented by Gaudapada Ashvamedha Parva or Bhishma Parva? It is a supplement to the Bhagavad Gita described in Brahmanda Purana. It treats of Jnana and Yoga etc.
Chapter numbers vary in different recensions. Some sources place Ashtavakra Gita in Vana Parva of MB, I couldn’t trace it Garbha Gita  only 22 verses  Krishna-Arjuna dialogue depicting lament of unborn child being born in the world of Maya-couldn’t be traced in MB