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Sanskrit for 'Song of the Lord', the Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse Hindu epic that constitutes part of the faith's vast cornerstone work, the Mahabharata. The book provides timeless truths and indispensable advice for believers trying to overcome internal tensions, doubt and indecision. The teachings are conveyed in the form of a dialogue between the Pandava general Arjuna and the deity Krishna, who helps Arjuna understand his position in the Kurukshetra War, and guides him towards the right course of action. The Gita's treatment of duty and devotion has inspired many, including the peaceful activist Mahatma Gandhi, who referred to it as his 'spiritual dictionary'.… (more)
Inspiring and disturbing. There are passages of beauty and insight. There are long descriptions of an obscure cosmology. And there are passages whose purpose seems to be social control: the perpetuation of a culture of war and exploitation. Consider these lines, from Krishna's side of the dialogue: "but he whose mind dwells beyond attachment...though he slay these thousands, he is no slayer" and "if I did not continue to work untiringly as I do...The result would be caste-mixture and universal destruction."
I understand that the Gita has been interpreted as an allegory. In such interpretations, the battlefield represents the struggle in the mind between good and evil, and the castes aren't the basis of a rigid social system, just inherent abilities. But after reading the Gita myself, those interpretations are hard to accept as the original intent of this work.
This is a compelling translation, with excellent chapter introductions, useful definitions of Sanskrit words, and an outstading introduction. The chapter introductions aren't by Easwaran, but are just as good. I've described the Gita in a review of Gandhi's version, but again, what strikes me are the similarities to Buddhism and Daoism. And of course the differences from Christianity. Altogether, a highly recommended and very rewarding read. ( )
CONTENTS: Foreword Translator’s preface The language of the Bhagavad gītā The setting of the Bhagavad gītā List of abbreviations used in the Vocabularies Epithets (nicknames) used in the Bhagavad gītā
I read the folio society edition. A beautiful book. This is holy scripture, so there isn't a whole lot I can say about it, especially for a work that is this well known. I do find it reassuring that holy scripture from other cultures is also largely composed of platitudes and the obscure. Also, unless I'm mistaken, Arjuna asks Krishna a particular question in the beginning - why should he go to war and slay his kinsmen, "Shall we not, who see the evil of destruction, shall we not refrain from this terrible deed?". But Krishna's best answers are only that it is Arjuna's duty to do so, that it doesn't matter if he kills or is killed since the soul is eternal, and that ultimately Arjuna should just give himself up to Krishna - much as Job is advised to quit complaining doesn't he realize who he is talking to. Anyway, many great people have found much in the Bhagavad Gita, and just as some do with Western holy scripture, some have claimed that it is allegorical (e.g. Ghandi). ( )
This came as a recommended translation of The Bhagavad Gita. This is a book that requires multiple readings and a serious study as there are so many nuggets of wisdom. I found the author’s explanation of each chapter, before the translated Gita chapter very helpful for my comprehension. Now that I have completed my first read, I intend to revisit each chapter more slowly and deliberate. ( )
To the memory of Swami Turiyananda who was regarded by his master Sri Ramakrishna as a perfect embodiment of that renunciation which is taught in the Bhagavad Gita
Nowadays, it is becoming fashionable to translate the world's great books into some form of Basic English, or everyday speech. (Translators' preface, 4th edition, 1987)
Several translations and commentaries on the Bhagavadgītā exist, many of them comprehensive and thorough.
Preface (Nabar/Tumkur edition).
The first translation from Sanskrit into English was a translation of the Bhagavad Gita.
Introduction (Penguin Classics ed., 1962).
The Bhagavadgītā in Indian Life:
The first thing about the Bhagavadgītā that any non-Hindu or non-Indian needs to understand is that it incorporates what may broadly be termed the Hindu view of life more than any other extant Hindu text.
Introduction (Nabar/Tumkur edition).
More than twenty-five centuries have passed since that which has been called the Perennial Philosophy was first committed to writing; and in the course of those centuries it has found expression, now partial, now complete, now in this form, now in that, again and again.
Dhritardshtra said: O Sanjaya, what did Pandu's sons and mine do when, desirous to fight, they assembled on the sacred plain of Kurukshetra?
Chapter 1 (Swami Nikhilananda translation, 1952).
DHRITA-RASHTRA On the field of Truth, on the battle-field of life, what came to pass, Sanjaya, when my sons and their warriors faced those of my brother Pandu?
Wherever is Krishna, the End of Yoga, wherever is Arjuna who masters the bow, there is beauty and victory, and joy and all righteousness. This is my faith.
Sanskrit for 'Song of the Lord', the Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse Hindu epic that constitutes part of the faith's vast cornerstone work, the Mahabharata. The book provides timeless truths and indispensable advice for believers trying to overcome internal tensions, doubt and indecision. The teachings are conveyed in the form of a dialogue between the Pandava general Arjuna and the deity Krishna, who helps Arjuna understand his position in the Kurukshetra War, and guides him towards the right course of action. The Gita's treatment of duty and devotion has inspired many, including the peaceful activist Mahatma Gandhi, who referred to it as his 'spiritual dictionary'.
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De Bhagavad Gita ('s Heren Lied) is een van de oudste en mooiste boeken uit de wereldliteratuur. Het is de bij bel voor de oosterling. De oorsprong van dit boek gaat terug tot voorboeddhistische tijden. De Gita en de belangrijkste Mahayana-geschriften hebben elkaar wederzijds beïnvloed, maar de ons bekende op schrift gestelde Gita-teksten dateren uit de tweede eeuw na Christus. De Bhagavad Gita is een deel van het beroemde Indische epos, Mahabharata. Het geeft het gesprek weer tussen Arjuna, de boogschutter, en zijn wagenmenner Krishna, de Heer. Arjuna staat vlak voor de grote veldslag tegen zijn bloedverwanten, leraren en vrienden. Bij het aanschouwen van de vijandelijke legerscharen, waaronder zich zo vele vrienden bevinden, raakt hij vertwijfeld. Hij wil de oorlog niet meer. Dan ontwikkelt zich het gesprek met Krishna. Arjuna ontvangt nu lering over het wezen van leven en dood. Door het inzicht wordt de strijder getransformeerd tot de wetende, de kenner, geheel toegewijd aan de Allerhoogste.
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I understand that the Gita has been interpreted as an allegory. In such interpretations, the battlefield represents the struggle in the mind between good and evil, and the castes aren't the basis of a rigid social system, just inherent abilities. But after reading the Gita myself, those interpretations are hard to accept as the original intent of this work.