Customer Reviews

The Bhagavad Gita

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This an especially natural and graceful translation somewhere between poetry and prose by a man who really understands the message of the Gita. This can be seen from reading Eknath Easwaran's wise and penetrating Preface written especially for this, the Vintage Spiritual Classics Edition, edited by John F. Thornton and Susan B. Varenne for Vintage Books.

Easwaran shows that the differing paths to self-realization and liberation that the Gita presents are a comprehensive whole. "The thread through Krishna's teaching, the essence of the Gita, can be given in one word: renunciation. This is the common factor in the four yogas" (p. xxxviii). Easwaran goes on to explain that what is being renounced is not material, although on first blush it seems that way. What is renounced are the fruits of action. Renunciation is not only the essence of karma yoga, but the essence of the bhakti, jnana and raja yogas that Krishna presents as well. The key is an amazing spiritual and psychological insight into human nature: we are miserable when we are concerned with the results of what we do, but we are freed when we devote the fruits of our work to God. What is renounced is also the delusion of a material self that acts, the famous slayer and the slain. Unlike some other, rather foolish, translations that try to find some artificial substitute for the word "yoga," an endeavor entirely alien to the Gita, Easwaran embraces the understanding. He writes, "the Gita is Brahmavidyayam yogashastra, a textbook on the supreme science of yoga" (p. xxxvi)

It is also clear from what Easwaran writes in the Preface that he understands meditation and the path of moksha gained when one is beyond the pair of opposites that dominate our material existence. Easwaran knows because he himself is a long time practitioner of meditation, which is one of the ways of liberation (raja yoga). So many writers on spirituality and on the practice of yoga really do not know meditation, but Easwaran clearly does. Easwaran also understands that the insights of the Gita can be found in other mystical traditions, including those of Meister Eckhart, St. Catherine of Genoa, Ruysbroeck, St. Augustine, St. Francis of Assisi, and others.

Easwaran also makes the important point that the Gita is not the sole property of any one point of view. "The Gita does not present a system of philosophy. It offers something to every seeker after God, of whatever temperament, by whatever path" (p. xxxv).

Easwaran writes, "to understand the Gita, it is important to look beneath the surface of its injunctions and see the mental state involved. Philanthropic activity can benefit others and still carry a large measure of ego involvement. Such work is good, but it is not yoga. It may benefit others, but it will not necessarily benefit the doer" (p. xxxix). This represents a profound insight into the nature of karma yoga, an understanding that comes only after years of study and practice.

Finally Easwaran knows something others don't know (even though this is central to Krishna's teaching), that the Gita, through the practice of yoga, frees one from the fear of death. When one "realizes that he is not a physical creature but the Atman, the Self, and thus not separate from God...he knows that, although his body will die, he will not die...To such a person, the Gita says, death is no more traumatic than taking off an old coat." (pp. xxiv-xxv).

There are ten pages of notes that follow the translation in which the shades of meaning of various concepts like dharma, karma, yoga, sannyasa, etc., and some other ideas are discussed. There is a guide to pronunciation and a glossary of Sanskrit words. This quality paperback is handsomely designed from cover to font, and the translation is one of my favorites.

The Bhagavad Gita must be the greatest spiritual book humanity possesses. Unlike other texts that purport to be the word of God, the Gita doesn't need to just be taken as authority because it's own merits are so strong. It completely condenses all of the important spiritual wisdom into a small, very readable book. No paragraph is wasted or repetitive.

I think that it is intended to be symbolic in setting. Whether there actually was a dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna (or even a historical Arjuna and Krishna) is neither provable, disprovable, nor important beyond historical curiosity. Arjuna represents man in his present state while Krishna is a representation of the Divine, or your True Self. It doesn't matter whether you literally accept Krishna or any other image of the Godhead, the knowledge still is real.

Though the authorship is unknown we cannot wonder much about the author's character. He must have been fully enlightened, if not an incarnation of Vishnu. He knew he was writing something eternal and transcendant. It is likely he realized that the Vedic scriptures were too copious and impenetrable to be popular, so he summarized them in a book for all mankind. He then placed it in the epic Mahabharata to ensure that it could be seen as a revelation in the midst of great struggle - whether that vast battle or every life.

Eknath Easwaran's translation is excellent. I have read quite a few versions and his is the best. There is an interesting introduction and chapter introductions, but no unnecessary Sanskrit or footnotes.

The Gita can always be read. Whatever your emotional condition it is amazing. This can be contemplated every day and still be inspiring. It is certainly the greatest sacred book. What Ben Jonson said of Shakespeare (the best of secular authors, an interesting comparison between East and West there) is true of this: "not of an age, but for all time".

This poetic translation is easy to read and presents the ideas of Hinduism and Buddhism well. As with most religious books, it is filled with lofty ideals that I find nearly impossible to follow. "Selfless service" is one of them in which a follower of Lord Krishna gives up selfish desire and takes action without trying to reap a reward from those actions. Also, one must be of a calm and balanced mind, not getting angry, and you should be able to treat friend and foe alike. Meditation is very important because by clearing the mind of chatter, you are able to achieve peace with the One and I suppose this helps you to follow lofty ideals and also helps you to avoid rebirth back into our madhouse planet. The book gives you an idea of what these religions are all about.

Folks, get the boxed set and save a little money. Easwaran's translation is so beautiful it can be read before going to sleep for a feeling of great peace. I've read a lot of these and this by far is as close as prose comes to enlightened poetry (OK, Stephen Mitchell's edition of the Tao te Ching comes close).

You will not be sorry! Editor commentary between chapters is great also.

Eknath Easwaran's translation is poetic and beautiful making it readable and inspiring and managing at the same time to clearly state Krishna' spiritual message. Easwaran's translation manages to prove its merit for both spiritual and scholarly study. Many of the other translations are very dry coming from scholars who just know how to translate Sanskrit to English mechanically.Whereas Easwaran was a professor of English and now a spiritual guru; so he has a grasp on both worlds. They do not properly help explain the various yogas Krishna tells Arjuna; reading this translation has been the best explanation of yoga I have ever read before. Each chapter has an introduction to it and there is a glossary of terms in the back. The other translations I think fail also to understand and clearly explain the heart of Krishnia's message which is essentially that one's atman, soul, higher self etc. is one with brahman, the divine, the universe, the source of everything etc and that this liberation can be discovered through the path of yoga. There is not just one path of yoga but many like Karma Yoga(path of selfless service) and Raja Yoga(path of meditation.) The beauty of the Bhagavad Gita is that it explains a way to enter the path to liberation, no matter what stage of spiritual awareness you are it. The Bhagavad Gita manages to explain and apply esoteric and mystical practices to ones everyday life.This is why I think The Bhagavad Gita is the most popular text from India's spiritual texts. Also according to our karma and dharma, we will die and be born again and again until he are liberated. The Bhagavad Gita is a text that I believe should be read by anyone on the "spiritual" path. It is by far one of the greatest "spiritual" text ever written and we are fortunate to share this gift because of Easwaran's brilliant translation.

This is a great accessable gita for all type of seekers. This translation is written in a very understandable form and flows very well.
It begins every chapter with a short analysis and detailed explanation of Sanskrit terms, spiritual principles and science behind them. It is also a nice size that makes for carrying it around with convenience.
This particular translation is will be appreciated by those open minded spiritual seekers since it is written as more of a spiritual guide than a religious text. Although religious types can also appreciate it.
The wisdom of the Gita is eternal and this one really does it justice.

The first translation from Sanskrit to English was a translation of the Bhagavad Gita. It was done by Charles Wilkins in 1785. Sanskrit literature encompass the entire spirituality of the human soul and the three central themes of this immortal poem-love, light and life which arise from the vision of God in all things and of all things in God.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches the true meaning of life. To cherrish thy life and to love all creatures, to respect happiness and nature for what they stand for. All in all to bare the ultimate knowledge of good vs. evil. "At the end of the night of time, all living things return to my nature; and when the new day of time begins, I bring them again into the light." To be in touch with ones spirituality.

Quote from the Krishna: "Wisdom is clouded by desire, the everpresent enemy of the wise, dedire in its innumerable forms, which like a fire cannot find satisfaction."

By Hoovy-Toot

The Vintage edition is the same translation as the Niligri Press, except they don't give you the individual chapter introductions by Diana Morrison. These introductions--as well as Easwaran's general introduction--were the primary reason to buy Easwaran's translation. Buy the Niligri Press version, or for beautiful language with no chapter introductions find another version. A sad case of dumbing down/cost savings by Vintage.

I found preface of the book more interesting than the text. The text is actually a translation of 18 Gita Chapters in English.

At times, the translation is little difficult but overall is easy to follow. If you know/read/understand a bit of Sanskrut, would be easy to read Sanskrut Chapter and then read the translaton to judge the quality yourself.

This translation of the Bhagavad Gita is very personal to me. Being a traditional, strictly vegetarian, ritual-performing hindu, in the USA for nearly ten years now, it has re-awakened my faith in hinduism's spiritual traditions, as well as started clearing away doubts that have crept in over the last decade about my faith, the purpose of life, the right action to take, and so on.