A Hindu philosophical poem inserted into the sixth book of the Mahabharata. The poem, which is the most famous religious text of Hinduism, consists of 700 Sanskrit verses divided into 18 chapters. It was probably written in the 1st or 2nd century ad. The Pandava prince Arjuna, revolted by the prospect of killing his kinsmen in battle, seeks guidance from Krishna, disguised as his charioteer. Krishna urges Arjuna to fulfil his caste duties as a warrior selflessly and, revealing his divinity, preaches absolute devotion (bhakti) to the all-loving Supreme Being incarnated from age to age to save mankind. This is the first clear presentation of this doctrine in Hindu texts, and represents a move away from the priestly sacrificial cult of the Vedas to a devotional Hinduism open to all.