The sacred text “Shrimad Bhagavad Gita”, a key philosophical dialogue within the Mahabharata, was originally composed in which language?

Introduction / Context:
The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is one of the most important and widely studied texts in Indian philosophy and spirituality. It appears as a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna within the epic Mahabharata. Many exams ask in which language the Gita was originally composed, because this connects literary history, religious studies, and the broader evolution of Indian languages.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The text under discussion is the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita.
• It forms part of the Mahabharata, one of the two great Sanskrit epics.
• The options include Sanskrit, Apabhramsa, Prakrit, and Pali.
• We assume basic familiarity with these language names and their historical periods.

Concept / Approach:
The Mahabharata is traditionally recognised as a Sanskrit epic, and the Bhagavad Gita is a section of this epic. Although translations into Prakrit, Pali, and modern Indian languages appeared much later, the original verses of the Gita were composed in classical Sanskrit. Apabhramsa refers to later vernacular forms of speech that developed long after the composition of the Mahabharata. Pali and Prakrit were important in Buddhist and Jain literature, but they are not the original language of the Gita.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Mahabharata, including the Bhagavad Gita, is described in tradition as a Sanskrit Itihasa or epic. Step 2: Recognise that the verses of the Bhagavad Gita use classical Sanskrit metre and vocabulary. Step 3: Understand that Prakrit and Pali were mainly used by early Buddhist and Jain authors, not by the composers of the Mahabharata. Step 4: Note that Apabhramsa is a much later stage in the evolution of Indo Aryan languages and arises centuries after the Gita. Step 5: Therefore, conclude that Sanskrit is the original language of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick look at any standard edition of the Bhagavad Gita shows that the text is presented in Sanskrit shlokas, followed by translations into modern languages. Scholars of Indian philosophy also treat the Gita as a Sanskrit text and analyse its grammar and metre using traditional Sanskrit grammatical rules. The consistency of this academic and religious treatment confirms Sanskrit as the original language.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Apabhramsa: Refers to late medieval vernaculars and is historically later than the era of the Mahabharata; not the language of the Gita.
• Prakrit: Used in many Jain and some Buddhist texts, but the Bhagavad Gita is not a Prakrit composition.
• Pali: The canonical language of Theravada Buddhist scriptures; it is unrelated to the original language of the Gita.

Common Pitfalls:
A common source of confusion is the fact that teachings from the Gita have been translated into many languages over time. Some learners may wrongly assume that because Prakrit and Pali are early Indian languages and are associated with other religious traditions, one of them might be the original. To avoid this, remember the simple rule: the two great epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, including the Bhagavad Gita, were composed in Sanskrit.

Final Answer:
The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita was originally composed in Sanskrit.