The Bhagavad Gita According to Gandhi [Paperback]

Mahatma Gandhi (Author), John Strohmeier (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2000

This is the first volume in any language to include Gandhi's Gita text and commentary together in their entirety. Presented to his disciples at prayer meetings over a nine-month period in 1926, Mahatma Gandhi's commentaries on the Gita are regarded in India as among the most important of the century. In them Gandhi addresses the issues he felt most directly affected the spiritual lives of common people.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869—1948) was a preeminent political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian Independence movement. John Strohmeier has edited numerous books on Gandhi. Michael Nagler is Professor Emeritus of Classics and Comparative Literature at UC Berkeley. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 245 pages
• Publisher: Berkeley Hills Books; First Printing edition (September 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893163113
• ISBN-13: 978-1893163119
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #246,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts > Bhagavad Gita

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

93 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ancient wisdom meets modern wisdom, December 20, 2000

By 

Chad M. Brick (Ann Arbor, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Bhagavad Gita According to Gandhi (Paperback)

The Bhagavad Gita ("The Lord's Song") is a profound religious text and an essential part of the Hindu religion. For a westerner, however, it is almost impossible to understand without previous knowledge of Hindu philosophy or copious annotation.

This book, consisting of Gandhi's translation of the Gita, as well as commentary he presented to his followers at prayer meetings in 1926, is an important and highly-regarded version of the ancient text. Gandhi's commentary, actually comprising about two-thirds of the work, was lucid, profound, and clearly indicative of the deep wisdom of one of the twentieth-century's greatest men. It greatly enhanced my understanding of the Gita.

This is a great translation of a great relious work, with explanations by a great man. Not surprisingly, this adds up to a great book. Highly recommended.

62 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous book by a marvelous writer!, July 17, 2002

By 

M. J Jensen (Venice, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Bhagavad Gita According to Gandhi (Paperback)

One of the most frustrating things in finding a good translation of the Bhagavad Gita is also finding one not bogged down in an endless commentary. Editions with only the text of the Gita are very rare, and this book is no exception. Amazingly enough, however, this edition contains a commentary that's just as interesting and involving as the text itself--so much so that you don't even care that the commentary comprises the majority of the book!

One element that would always be helpful would be to include some (if not all) of the original text, but even still this a good translation, and relatively unbaised if you're aware of what the text originally says. Sadly, this version is not as popular as the Bhagavad Gita As It Is (published by Hare Krishna), although in my opinion it is certainly more spiritual and more reliable.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, October 18, 2003

By 

Kieran (Brisbane, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bhagavad Gita According to Gandhi (Paperback)

Ghandi's translation of the Bhagavad-Gita is fantastic. Unlike other translations, where you find yourself constantly flipping to a notes section, Ghandi inserts his commentary throughout the passages of this ancient poem. His comments are always direct and to the point, not so much offering an opinion on the meaning of the text, but fleshing out the message, often relating it to his own experiences. As for the Bhagavad-Gita itself, it's a wonderful insight into life, love, death and God. It is not a manual of dos and don'ts; rather it is a guide to the challenges we all face in our lives. Anyone can benefit from Krishna's words of wisdom, regardless of their religion, beliefs or background. Highly recommended.