Dissemination of The Bhagavad Gita Through Digital Storytelling: A Thematic Analysis of Short Videos of Spiritual Leaders

Abstract

The Bhagavad Gita, a timeless philosophical and spiritual text, continues to offer guidance on morality, self-realization, and resilience. In the digital era, its dissemination has shifted from oral traditions and scriptures to short-form videos on platforms such as YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. This study investigates how the Gita’s teachings are reinterpreted and communicated through digital storytelling by popular Indian spiritual leaders/gurus. Addressing a research gap in the role of short-form content for sacred texts, the study employs a qualitative research design using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis framework. A purposive sample of 70 short videos (2022–2025) from five prominent spiritual leaders, Jaya Kishori, Gaur Gopal Das, Acharya Prashant, Swami Mukundananda, and Devi Chitralekha, was analyzed. The findings highlight twelve recurring themes, including ethical dilemmas, self-discipline, resilience, detachment, karma, and daily reflection, which were contextualized within contemporary challenges such as career stress, relationships, and mental health. Narrative strategies such as character portrayal, symbolic settings, and condensed plots, alongside multimedia elements like captions, music, and animations, were found to enhance accessibility and engagement while safeguarding the essence of the scripture. The study concludes that digital storytelling not only preserves the philosophical core of the Bhagavad Gita but also adapts it to modern attention spans, making it a relevant guide for personal and professional life in the digital age.