The traditional number of verses of the Gita is defined by the teacher
Sankara (788-820 CE) as being 700. However, a number of 745 verses
results from the Gitamana, an inserted stanza that gives the number of
verses spoken by each speaker in the Gita. The Gitamana is found mostly
in Kashmirian versions of the Mahabharata, inserted directly after the
Bhagavadgita, and is not found in Bengali and southern recensions.
The Gitamana is placed just before the 51 verses of the Gitasara, which is
the summary of the Gita. Adding the Gitasara to the Bhagavadgita extends
the Bhagavadgita, and can be made to comply with the specifications given
in the Gitamana. Perhaps this is the first translation into English of the
Gitasara, reveals thoughts not found in the Gita and worth meditating
on, even the passages that are difficult.