Bhagavad Gita

The Gita is a song-not just any song, but a very special song, the song of God-sung by the

Divine Being of infinite consciousness to His most beloved devotee, Arjuna. Arjuna in Sanskrit means clear white light, the brightness and clarity, the name of the man who manifested the clarity of pure devotion by which the Lord’s wisdom may be heard, and by which the universal form may be perceived. And what a song it is! A symphony of soul’s longing for divinity, of the search for clarity, the explanations of yoga-what constitutes divine union, and how one gets there. No

subject of spiritual evolution remains neglected by the Gita.

The Gita has been translated into more languages than any other literary work. In English

alone there are more renditions than can be counted. Each one has its own character, each one

a slightly different analysis. Some are poetic, some philosophical, some dogmatic, some universal.

This translation by Dr. Prasad is just beautiful-so simple and clear. He uses just enough sanskrit to convey the majesty and beauty of the language and the intensity of the dialogue, and yet does not leave the reader dumbfounded in an unintelligible maze of vocabulary. The universal principle of the philosophy he espouses are filled with poetic grace and style. He captures so much of the Grace of the Gita, even in the prose of English, that the orchestrations of wisdom cannot but help lull our hearts after every chapter.

From Confusion’s first desire to neglect one’s duty or responsibilities, to the infinite vision of

the Lord as a consequence of total surrender to the will of God, Prasad’s rendering takes the

reader from doubts and misgivings to perfect efficiency in all that one undertakes.

The Bhagavad-Gita has the original Sanskrit text with Roman transliteration, and a lucid English rendition. Concise and to the point commentaries on two hundred twenty-seven selected key verses are provided. One hundred thirty three verses are printed in red to enable the first-time readers to study these verses before delving deep into the vast ocean of transcendental knowledge. The teachings of saints and sages of major religious denominations as well as world leaders and scholars have been included. Quotations from the Vedas, Puranas, Upanisads, Smrtis, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhakti-sutras, Brahma-sutra, Yoga-sutra, as well as other major scriptures of the world such as the Bible, Dhammapad and Koran have been incorporated to underline the basic unity of all religious thoughts and to promote the universal brotherhood of mankind. Epilogue, references, Sanskrit transliteration and pronuciation guide, glossary and index are provided. A guide to meditation, beautiful pictures and Gita Calisa are included for daily Sadhana.

Review(s)

“The Gita is a doctrine of universal truth, the Sanatana dharma, commonly known as Hinduism. It has the capacity to come down to the level of the reader and raise him to peace of mind.” – The Adyar Library Bulletin-1996 – K.K. Raja

The originally of the author/compiler lies in providing a suitable glass on all the important stanzas. While doing this, he has drawn upon authentic sources of Indian philosophy and history, and has juxtaposed quotes from the teachings of other religions. – Prabuddha Bharata Vol.102, December 1997 – Dr. Narendranath B. Patil, Mumbai

About the Author(s)

The gita is a doctrine of universal truth, the Sanatana dharma, commonly known as Hinduism. It has the capacity to come down to the level of the reader and raise him to peace of mind. (The Adyar Library Bulletin-1996) -KK. Raja, The originality of the author/compiler lies in providing a suitable gloss on all the important stanzas. While doing this, he has drawn upon authentic sources of Indian philosophy and history, and has juxtaposed quotes from the teachings of other religions. (Prabuddha Bharata, Vol 102, Dec. 1997) -Dr. Narendranath B. Patil, Mumbai.

Gitamrtam is a concise and insightful discussion of the central themes of the Bhagavadgita. Beginning with the Gita’s teaching about the nature and role of the incarnation, Dr. Rambachan identifies kama, a state of desiring and wanting, as life’s fundamental problem. The proper resolution of this human dissatisfaction is to be found in the understanding of oneself to be the full and complete self (atman). Such knowledge, Dr. Rambachan vigorously argues, enables one to act in the world from a deep sense of inward peace and fulfilment. Self-knowledge transforms human motivation and liberates us from the narrow confines of selfish action to the freedom of serving others. Dr. Rambachan establishes that the Bhagavadgita ideal is not indifference to the world and the severing of human relationships, but

love and compassion born out of the identity of oneself with all beings. In a lucid and accessible style, Dr. Rambachan shows how the Gita’s teaching makes possible a love which embraces all and infuses each act with compassion.

Review(s)

About the Author(s)

ANANTANAND RAMBACHAN is an Associate Professor of Religion at St. Olaf

College in Minnesota. A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Rambachan earned

his Ph.D. at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. He was awarded

Trinidad’s second highest national honor, the Chaconia Gold Medal, for

public service in 1987.

Vimala Thakar gave a series of inspired talks on the Bhagavad Gita in three separate seminars, during 1992 and 1993 in Italy. To her Bhagavad Gita is very sacred because it deals with the organic wholeness of life; and the inbuilt complexity of life, It affirms the interplay between the micrecosm and macrocosm and persuadesus to remain united with the ultimate reality, not only to intellectual understanding, but through everything that we do, at every moment.

Review(s)

” The book is indeed a product of author’s realization and deep spiritual insights on the mental anguish and obstacles such as ego of Arjuna, which are specified timely by Krishna, as teacher, referring appropriate example from the holy Gita and his etern

About the Author(s)