Within Vaishnava practice, the Bhagavad Gita stands as a primary scriptural authority because it is revered as the direct teaching of Krishna, understood as the Supreme Lord, to Arjuna. It is treated as revealed scripture in which Krishna personally discloses spiritual truths and the path to liberation, and is often regarded as presenting the essence of the Vedas and Upanishads in a concise, accessible form. In this way, it provides a comprehensive theological framework that shapes how Vaishnavas understand God, the soul, and the ultimate goal of life.

A central feature of the Gita in this tradition is its systematic exposition of the various yogas—karma, jñāna, and especially bhakti. While acknowledging selfless action and spiritual knowledge, the text elevates devotion (bhakti-yoga) and wholehearted surrender to Krishna as the supreme means to liberation from sin and rebirth. Krishna’s instructions on offering all actions to Him, remembering Him constantly, and cultivating exclusive devotion form the doctrinal basis for Vaishnava understandings of loving surrender and devotional service.

The Gita also plays a crucial role in revealing the divine nature of Krishna and clarifying the relationship between the individual soul and the Supreme. Through its teachings and the revelation of Krishna’s cosmic form, it establishes Him as the ultimate object of worship and the one to whom the soul is eternally related. This vision undergirds the Vaishnava emphasis on seeing all duties, relationships, and inner struggles in the light of a personal relationship with Krishna, rather than as merely abstract philosophical concerns.

Beyond doctrine, the text functions as a practical manual for daily life and spiritual discipline. It instructs practitioners to perform their prescribed duties without attachment to results, to dedicate all work and its fruits to God, and to maintain a devotional attitude amid worldly responsibilities. In many Vaishnava communities, regular study, recitation, and meditation on its verses form part of the liturgical and personal rhythm of practice, with key passages memorized and reflected upon as ongoing guidance on dharma, devotion, and the pursuit of liberation.