The Bhagavad-Gita : Krishna's Counsel in Time of War (Bantam Classics)
Product ID: 225609
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The Bhagavad-Gita has been an essential text of Hindu culture in India since the time of its composition in the first century A.D. One of the great classics of world literature, it has inspired such diverse thinkers as Henry David Thoreau, Mahatma Gandhi, and T.S. Eliot; most recently, it formed the core of Peter Brook's celebrated production of the Mahabharata . Review: My Favorite Version of the Gita - This is probably the best version of the Gita to share with people, both Hindu and non-Hindu. Sure, it has some problems, as some other reviewers point out, but overall, this is my favorite version of the Gita. Sleek and slender, it is easy to carry around everyone and thankfully lacks the often biased and partisan commentary found in some other versions of the Gita. If you want to go deeper into the Gita and the philosophy of Hinduism, then there are other versions of the book which, as a student interested in religion and religious history, I have read, but those those versions are of a more academic nature. If you want a copy of the Gita to keep by your bedside or table, or to skim through when you're feeling contemplative, then this edition is the one for you. If you want a somewhat annotated but not fully academic version, then the Easwaran and Radhakrishan versions are what I would recommend to you. In any case, this version is excellent because it manages to keep the poetic consistency of the original Gita while doing away with jargon yet without doing away with the meaning, even in a subtle form, of the Gita. Ironically, the Gita is a text more rooted in Vedic Hinduism, Samkhya, and to an extent, Yoga than it is in later traditions such as Vedanta and Vaishnavism, of which it has become an essential text for the latter two. All of these are later debates in Hindu theology which ought to not have any effect on the core and fairly straightfoward meaning of the Gita itself. I often find it more enjoyable to read the Gita when I'm not under that shadow of these later commentaries which in my opinion, over-analyze the Gita. I would like to note that this version is not modified in any way or concepts changed to suit the modern or non-Indian reader. It is merely written in an elegant, simple, jargon free English. Excellent Gita: I highly recommend to both Hindus and non-Hindus. I have one problem with the translation: the Sanskrit word yoga, used extensively throughout the text is consistently translated as "discipline" in English. This can produce a significant distortion and misunderstanding of the meaning of the text. Review: Profound Beyond Words - The Bhagavad Gita is a Vedic Hymn that speaks to duty in time of war. To put it in Western terms it is a mix of the Psalms and Proverbs with a large measure of the concept of Fate thrown in. It speaks deeply to any action bent man. More so than the Bible. Yes: The Bhagavad Gita is one of those books that one should have if stuck on a deserted island. Yes: The Bhagavad Gita is summed up in Rudyard Kipling's poem "If." Yes: The Bhagavad Gita speaks to the most fundamental of spiritual truths. This book is also translated into simple, clear English. It is great reading for all.
| Best Sellers Rank | #26,025 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #6 in Bhagavad Gita (Books) #49 in Other Eastern Religions & Sacred Texts (Books) #153 in Eastern Philosophy (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 546 Reviews |
A**I
My Favorite Version of the Gita
This is probably the best version of the Gita to share with people, both Hindu and non-Hindu. Sure, it has some problems, as some other reviewers point out, but overall, this is my favorite version of the Gita. Sleek and slender, it is easy to carry around everyone and thankfully lacks the often biased and partisan commentary found in some other versions of the Gita. If you want to go deeper into the Gita and the philosophy of Hinduism, then there are other versions of the book which, as a student interested in religion and religious history, I have read, but those those versions are of a more academic nature. If you want a copy of the Gita to keep by your bedside or table, or to skim through when you're feeling contemplative, then this edition is the one for you. If you want a somewhat annotated but not fully academic version, then the Easwaran and Radhakrishan versions are what I would recommend to you. In any case, this version is excellent because it manages to keep the poetic consistency of the original Gita while doing away with jargon yet without doing away with the meaning, even in a subtle form, of the Gita. Ironically, the Gita is a text more rooted in Vedic Hinduism, Samkhya, and to an extent, Yoga than it is in later traditions such as Vedanta and Vaishnavism, of which it has become an essential text for the latter two. All of these are later debates in Hindu theology which ought to not have any effect on the core and fairly straightfoward meaning of the Gita itself. I often find it more enjoyable to read the Gita when I'm not under that shadow of these later commentaries which in my opinion, over-analyze the Gita. I would like to note that this version is not modified in any way or concepts changed to suit the modern or non-Indian reader. It is merely written in an elegant, simple, jargon free English. Excellent Gita: I highly recommend to both Hindus and non-Hindus. I have one problem with the translation: the Sanskrit word yoga, used extensively throughout the text is consistently translated as "discipline" in English. This can produce a significant distortion and misunderstanding of the meaning of the text.
B**Z
Profound Beyond Words
The Bhagavad Gita is a Vedic Hymn that speaks to duty in time of war. To put it in Western terms it is a mix of the Psalms and Proverbs with a large measure of the concept of Fate thrown in. It speaks deeply to any action bent man. More so than the Bible. Yes: The Bhagavad Gita is one of those books that one should have if stuck on a deserted island. Yes: The Bhagavad Gita is summed up in Rudyard Kipling's poem "If." Yes: The Bhagavad Gita speaks to the most fundamental of spiritual truths. This book is also translated into simple, clear English. It is great reading for all.
J**S
The Gita, the Whole Gita, and Nothing but the Gita (almost)
The author packs the text into a scant 125 or so pages (and small ones at that. ) If you've been wanting to read the Gita without a big commentary, perhaps to get your first taste and to see what the heck it is, this is it. I've had a beautiful 3-inch thick copy of the Gita (by a different translator/commentator/interpreter) by my bed stand forever, putting off the reading till I had the time to take on a huge project, not realizing that the poem itself relatively short. This edition enables me to get started, reading the whole thing from a short little book. Then I can explore the various commentaries down the road when I'm ready.
B**E
A Rare Gift
This translation gives us just the words of the Gita without commentary ... trusting the reader is wise enough to interpret and understand. I read through the night and couldn't put it down. I have picked it up many times throughout the years. It always offers something and has more to offer. I realize this because I recognize spiritual truths revealed I have both experienced and not yet experienced. In my opinion, God, via Krisha, wants to lead you himself. Buy this version that is not tainted my someone else's experience. Even though it is a spiritual treatise of Krishna guiding Arjuna ... it is also a treatise on war. It is a worthy companion to the Art of War by Sun Tzu and they sit side by side on my shelf.
J**R
Wore out my first copy -- came here to order another one [Muslim Reviewer]
Salaam to all, I can not claim to speak authoritatively regarding the accuracy and fidelity of the translator's work, but it speaks to me and I am *quite* fond of this translation of the Gita. I would like to address a few points raised by other reviewers. Lets start with the sub-title: The "war" is between the illusory world of senses (and delusional 'imagination') and The-Eternal-Absolute, aka Al-Samad to Muslims, and YHVY to Israelites. This book is an 'exposition' on the Greater Jihad (Greater Struggle) spoken of by The Prophet (ALLAH's Salaam and Blessings Be upon him, his house, his progeny, his companions, and his Umma.) The second item that needed to be addressed was implicitly addressed above. Is this 'book' congruent with the Religion of Abraham (ALLAH's Salaam and Blessings Be upon him and his progeny) and his Chosen Israel (ALLAH' Salaam and Blessing Be upon Israel) and HIS Anointed King of Israel, the Word made flesh (And ALLAH's Salaam Is Ever upon him) and *finally* with the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (ALLAH's Salaam and Blessings Be upon him, his house, his progeny, his companions, and his Umma)? In my 'reading' of The Book -- The Torah, The Pslams, The Gospels, and The Qur'an -- the answer is a resounding 'Yes'. Who is this book addressed to? This book is an 'exposition' of matters Divine by Al-Samad to HIS Friends, HIS Friends being those Sentient that wish to find an 'eternal abode' with HIM, The Un-Changing. (In The Qur'an, these Friends of ALLAH are called 'Those Who are Granted *Nearness to HIM*'.) Thus, in this manual of the Greater Jihad -- which is the Inner Striving to strip away that which is 'not' -- we have The-GOD manifesting HIM-Self to Arjuna as his "Friend", "Teacher", and "Pilot". Gandhi read this book every day. It certainly has a place in the daily reading list of any Friend of The-GOD, Who IS our Source and our Destiny. This book will help with the task of 'choosing' the manner in which you, my fellow Sentient, shall 'Return' unto HIM.
C**M
Very important inspiration - everyone should at least keep it in the personal library
I recently lost a loved one to pancreatic cancer. For 8+ months I was the primary care giver. My support group for care givers were discussing a particular topic and it was this particular translation by Barbara Miller the facilitator was using as reference. This transcendent story gave me the courage - just trust that Krishna/God/Universe/Creator - (whomever or whatever you want to call your higher being) - to trust that my 'chariot' is being driven by my higher self and relinquish my human self-talk/doubt and have some blind faith in knowing, much like Arjuna's teachings with Lord Krishna - it's predetermined and should our human self should not interfere - there is a master plan and our inner self/soul is the driver of that vehicle. In my case, I delivered care with unconditional love and compassion and now I mourn in the same fashion. This is apparently from all human perspectives, a significant event for my soul's journey I will still keep this book handy for inspiration as I am left to find a 'new normal' without my loved one.
S**V
Exceptional Reading--wish it was available in CD format
I have been listening to this recording for over 15 years. I first listened to it in 1998. Jacob Needleman has an excellent voice for this very well produced reading. I only wish it was available in CD format. I've been waiting for it to become re-mastered into a CD. But it looks like there's no intention to do so. After the first cassettes wore thin and staticky I purchased a 2nd set in 2005. Now those are wearing thin, and my cassette player is giving out. So now I'm looking for a new set, but this time I'm just going to buy a CD version....too bad it won't be Needleman's voice.
M**L
Excellent book and it's pocket size
The book is well written and I especially like that it is pocket size.
B**A
Five Stars
great read for beginners
S**R
सब के लिए
हक़ीक़त
A**ー
簡潔で詩的な美しさも感じさせる翻訳
Patanjali のヨーガ スートラの素晴らしい翻訳("YOGA:Discipline of Freedom") を読んで、Barbara Stoler Miller の見事な手腕に心を奪われてしまったが、このバガバッドギータの翻訳も決して期待を裏切らないテキストに仕上っている。簡潔で分かりやすい単語が選択され、しかもリズムや響きはあくまでも自然で美しく、へたな日本語よりよほど読みやすいと思えるほど(私は決して英語が得意というわけでない)。解説は少なめなので(序文と後書きだけ)、ギータを初めて読むという人には向かない面もあるかとは思うが、お勧めできる一冊。
T**F
Simple and straight forward
As poetic translations go, it is one of the best.It is simple and suitable for modern times. Much better than sir Edwin Arnold's.The spirit of the original is mostly captured.
Y**S
Best transaltion from Bhagavad Gita
I foudn this version easy to understand and easy to use
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