🇷🇺 Russian Spiritual-Philosophical Equivalents to the Bhagavad Gita
1. Tolstoy’s “The Gospel in Brief” (Толстой: Краткое изложение Евангелия)
Closest in essence to the Gita.
Leo Tolstoy rewrote the teachings of Christ in a pure philosophical way — focusing on:
inner morality
duty toward humanity
non-violence
truth
overcoming desires
universal love
Tolstoy himself considered it his “personal scripture.”
It influenced Gandhi deeply — just as the Gita did.
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2. “War and Peace” – Philosophical chapters
Though a novel, Tolstoy’s reflections on:
destiny
duty (dharma)
the real nature of power
surrender to a higher order
inner awakening
are Gita-like reflections in a Russian civilizational context.
Prince Andrei and Pierre undergo profound spiritual awakening that parallels Arjuna’s transformation under Krishna.
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3. “The Book of Veles” (Велесова книга) – Slavic ancient spirituality
Russia’s ancient Slavic spiritual text (disputed historically, but culturally significant).
It carries:
cosmic worldview
relationship between humans, nature, and divine forces
ancestral dharma-like values
spiritual guidance for life
It occupies the mythic-spiritual space similar to the Vedas and Puranas for India.
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4. Dostoevsky’s Moral-Spiritual Works
Especially:
“The Brothers Karamazov” – The Grand Inquisitor Chapter
Explores:
free will
suffering
moral choice
relationship between God and man
Dostoevsky deals with inner battle and conscience, similar to Arjuna’s battlefield of the mind.
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Summary: Closest Russian Equivalent to Bhagavad Gita
Country Spiritual Core Text Nature
India Bhagavad Gita Divine dialogue on duty, devotion, liberation
Russia Tolstoy’s “Gospel in Brief” (philosophical scripture) Moral-spiritual guidance similar to Gita
Russia (secondary) “War and Peace”, Dostoevsky’s works Existential and moral transformation
Russia (ancient) “The Book of Veles” Pre-Christian sacred worldview
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