Two friends have a conversation at the outset of an epic war. One of them, Arjuna, is sad and confused in the face of imminent doom; the other, Krsna, decides to cheer him up and clear his doubts. Through the course of their battlefield dialogue Krsna assumes the role of a mentor and inspires Arjuna, teaching him the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad-gitä. If one wants to know about India's grand heritage, religious traditions, ancient philosophy, and spirituality, the Bhagavad-gītā is a good place to start.