Bhaskara—A Forgotten Commentator on the Gita

Summary

This paper brings to light the work of Bhāskara, an early commentator on the Bhagavad Gītā whose writings have been largely overlooked by later scholars. The author begins by noting that while Śaṅkara’s commentary is regarded as the earliest extant Gītā-bhāṣya, references in medieval texts point to older expositions. Bhāskara’s gloss, preserved in a Kashmirian recension, presents the Gītā as a text that harmonises ritualism, knowledge and devotion. Unlike Śaṅkara’s advaita interpretation, Bhāskara advocates a doctrine of bhedābheda (identity-in-difference), arguing that individual souls are neither entirely identical with nor wholly separate from Brahman. He emphasises the necessity of karma (actions) even for those pursuing liberation and insists that the discipline of devotion to Viṣṇu, combined with ethical action, leads to salvation. The article summarises Bhāskara’s views on key verses, highlighting his critique of rival schools and his reliance on Vedic authority. It also examines the historical context of his work, suggesting that Bhāskara belonged to the Bhāgavata tradition and predates the more systematic formulations of Rāmānuja and Madhva. By analysing manuscript evidence and comparing commentaries, the author argues that Bhāskara occupies an important position in the development of Gītā exegesis and deserves recognition alongside more famous commentators.