| Guide Picks - Top 10 Books
on the Gita |
 |
|
|
The Bhagavad Gita is universally regarded as the single most influential
philosophical text shaping spiritual thought and life. Spoken by Lord Krishna
to his devotee Arjuna, the Gita's seven hundred verses provide an
ultimate guide to self-realization. It reveals the essential nature of man,
his environment and his relationship with the Almighty, like no other work.
The teaching of the Bhagavad Gita is said to free you from all sense
of limitation.
|
|
| 1.
"Bhagavad-Gita
As It Is" |
 Of
all editions of this immortal classic, this one by Swami Prabhupada, founder
of ISKCON, conveys Lord Krishna's profound message as it is — with
the original Sanskrit text, Roman transliteration, English equivalents,
translation and elaborate purports. A good introduction and a glossary make
it even more handy!
|
|
| 2.
"Bhagavad-Gita
- Song of God" - Swami Prabhavananda |
 This
is regarded as one of the best English translations of the Gita. Aldous
Huxley provides a brilliant introduction to the 'Perennial Philosophy' that
lies at the base of all major religions. Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher
Isherwood translate the themes with élan.
|
|
3. "The
Teaching of the Bhagavad Gita" - Swami Dayananda
Without getting lost in a rigid verse-by-verse translation, Swami
Dayananda plunges with great verve and energy into the central theme
of the Gita, picking and choosing key verses to highlight its message. Sure
to appeal to every modern mind. |
|
4. "The
Gospel of Selfless Action" - The Gita According to Gandhi
In this translation and commentary on Arjuna's battlefield conversation
with Krishna, presented to his followers at prayer meetings over a nine-month
period in 1926, Gandhi addresses the concerns that most directly affect
the spiritual lives of common people. |
|
5. "Bhagavad
Gita & Its Message" - Shri Aurobindo
Rishi Aurobindo is a master of Vedic philosophy and he wrote extensively
on the Gita. In this commentary and exposition, he analyzes the causes
of human problems, and how to achieve peace. His interpretation of the Gita
is unmatched!
|
|
6. "Maharishi
Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad-Gita"
Maharishi's translation and commentary on the first six chapters of the
Bhagavad-Gita is meant to be "a complete guide to practical life, that
is needed to raise the consciousness of man to the highest possible level."
A useful pocket edition! |
|
7. "Bhagavad
Gita" (Penguin Classics)
This edition by Juan Mascaro, a sensitive Sanskrit scholar, is aimed "to
give, without notes or commentary, the spiritual message of the Bhagavad
Gita in pure English." A good translation that speaks clearly to the first-time
reader. |
|
8. "The
Bhagavad Gita" - Eknath Easwaran
A translation by an author who thinks the Gita is "a handbook
for self-realization and a guide to action" that "offers something
to every seeker after God, of whatever temperament, by whatever path. The
reason for this universal appeal is that it is basically practical..."
|
|
|
9. "The
Bhagavad Gita: A Walkthrough for Westerners"
Translator Jack Hawley uses everyday prose to walk the Western reader
through the difficult concepts of the Gita, covering a wide range
of topics, from healing inner pain to celebrating life. Engaging even
for the cursory reader!
|
|
10. "Our
Most Dear Friend: Bhagavad-Gita for Children"
This unique version by Jean Griesser employs a simple story line, coupled
with photographic montages and colorful paintings to illustrate the concepts
of the Gita for children above 4. A great way to introduce your children
to the eternal values and virtues.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 