Bhagavad-Gita As It Is [Hardcover]

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Author, Preface)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1997

The Bhagavad-gita is the main source-book on yoga and a concise summary of India's Vedic wisdom. Yet remarkably, the setting for this classic of spiritual literature is an ancient Indian battlefield. At the last moment, the great warrior Arjuna begins to wonder about the real meaning of his life. In the Bhagavadgita, Lord Krsna brings His disciple from perplexity to spiritual enlightenment. Bhagavad-gita As It Is is the largest-selling, most widely used edition of the Gita in the world.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 904 pages
• Publisher: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust; Revised edition (March 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892131233
• ISBN-13: 978-0892131235
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.6 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (152 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #82,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Hinduism > Bhagavad Gita

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

with such an important voice and style. It is a work of undoubted integrity. It will occupy a significant place in the intellectual and ethical life of modern man for a long time to come --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 904 pages
• Publisher: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust; Revised edition (March 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892131233
• ISBN-13: 978-0892131235
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.6 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (152 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #82,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Hinduism > Bhagavad Gita

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

132 of 161 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for beginners, but cautiously recommended October 4, 2006

By S. Srinivasan

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Several years back, this was one of the first few translations of the Bhagavad Gita that I read. Compared to other books I found the language of translation very simple to comprehend and I also loved the layout of the book. This book was certainly inspiring as any translation of Gita would be. However a word of caution!

People following the path of devotion or bhakti would find this book helpful. The Author beleives that Krishna is supreme god-head and in Kali yuga or dark age, worshipping krishna's form is the best and only path. However one is repeatedly distracted by the author's negative comments and attacks on those who meditate on the formless Brahman.

Not stopping with that the author would sometimes go to the extent of mis-translating the verses of the Gita if Krishna himself said anything positive about the absolute and formless conciousness i.e. Brahman.

For example for the verse 24, in chapter 4

The sanskrit verse is:

brahmarpanam brahma havir
brahmagnau brahmana hutam
brahmaiva tena gantavyam
brahma-karma-samadhina

The acceptable translation in most books is

"Brahman is the oblation,
Brahman is the clarified buttter,
The oblation is poured by Brahman into the fire of Brahman.
Brahman shall be realized by the one who considers everything
As an act of Brahman. "
(Meaning the actor, action, acted and act are all brahman, one who realizes this realizes brahman)

Whereas Prabhupada's Translation is
"A person who is fully absorbed in Krsna consciousness is sure to attain the spiritual kingdom because of his full contribution to spiritual activities, in which the consummation is absolute and that which is offered is of the same spiritual nature...."

However the word-by-word translation by srila prabupada is closer to truth
"brahma--spiritual in nature; arpanam--contribution; brahma--the Supreme; havih--butter; brahma--spiritual; agnau--in the fire of consummation; brahmana--by the spirit soul; hutam--offered; brahma--spiritual kingdom; eva--certainly; tena--by him; gantavyam--to be reached; brahma--spiritual; karma--activities; samadhina--by complete absorption. "

Notwithstanding all of these shortcomings,a beginner might still benefit from reading of "Bhagavad-Gita as it is", as I myself did considering the very reasonable price, word-by-word meaning and simple language. So this is "cautiously recommended" for beginners.

Edit: Please note, that not all editions of 'Bhagavad-gita as it is' have word by word English translations and Sanskrit transliteration. I understand the hard cover edition does have the word-by-word translation, but some paperbacks editions don't. Read more ›

47 of 56 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Representation of the Tradition September 3, 2006

By M. Wright

Format:Hardcover

In 1967 I was honored to type the second chapter of the Swami's Gita manuscript just as it was being edited by Prof. Howard Wheeler (Hayagriva). Since then I've been a student of the Gita, particularly Prabhupada's. For someone new to the Gita, his translation is excellent. Prabhupada communicates the passion, philosophy, enjoyment, and enlightenment available in the Vishnu (Vaishnava) culture. Although wise, elderly, and saintly, Prabhupada humbly consults centuries old commentaries to offer his readers the proper perspectives. For someone who knows the tradition, it is a joy to read Prabhupada's translation, because he communicates the millenia old principles with clarity. To understand the ancient, classical, and modern Vedantic (Hindu) culture one should investigate it from within the tradition. For example, one of the Upanisads says, "A great soul is enlightened by the Gita discussions through expressing affection for the Lord and the guru (not by external, detached study and research)." Prabhupada is most definitely a guru who can enlighten the reader; it is also easy to have affection for him. An advanced reader may be happy that Prabhupada's comments clarify the many themes or threads in the Gita. Some scholars find the various threads difficult to follow and reconcile. Many people will appreciate that in a world where industrial and modern cultures have created a violent rift between humanity and nature, Krishna's exposition provides a breath of fresh air. The Vedantic perspective is wonderfully communicated by Satish Kumar (in Ranchor Prime's Vedic Ecology): "Hindus say 'Om shanti, shanti, shanti' ('peace, peace, peace') before every prayer.... The first 'shanti' means peace with nature, ecological peace; the second means peace in society, between human beings, communities, nations and peoples; the third means shanti within oneself, spiritual peace." Therefore, Christians, scientists, and politicians should apply the Gita's principles in order to regain active respect for nature. Krishna's teachings are down to earth and practical. Along with principles and philosophy, Krishna emphasizes action as one of His central themes. He urges resistance to materialism by using the sword of active knowledge (jnana-asin), rather than weapons of steel. He describes a yati (spiritual struggler), who is similar to an Islamic mujahid (jihadist). Yet the yati is a college professor to the elementary school mujahid. Moslems should study Prabhupada's Gita to understand how to use the sword of knowledge instead of steel. Above all, every reader may benefit from the spiritual enjoyment that Krishna teaches in His yoga treatise, the Gita. Read more ›

27 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Nectar in Print October 7, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I've read a couple other translations of the Gita, and and they seemed ok, but not anything special. When I found Prabhupada's B.G As It Is (hardcover)in a used bookstore, I bought it because of its obvious scholarly value. (It has original Devangari text, Roman text, word-for-word translation, verse translation, and purport. I should also mention full color illustrations.) I had aready read about 50 yoga texts, and so I wasn't expecting to learn much more about yoga. Then this book blew my mind. I felt like a beginner, only this time with the right book. I'm reading it again now for the 8th time, and I read at least 1 verse every day. I wouldn't trade it for the whole world. If you accept the authority of Krsna and His bona-fide representative, Srila Prabhupada, there is no limit to the benefit you can receive from Bhagavad Gita As It Is.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars bhagwat gita as it is October 1, 2006

By Neel A. Shah

Format:Hardcover

This book is really great with indepth description of bhagwat gita. This book also says about conditions before mahabharat and I found that description very helpfull understanding mahabharat.

30 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Absolute Mystery - Vedas Wisdom September 24, 2002

By Ilaxi S. Patel

Format:Hardcover

With over two dozen languages and more than five million hardbound copies in print, undoubtedly, Bhagvad Gita As it is by Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is the best selling and widely read classic in world literature. It reflects the main literary support for the great religious civilization of India, the oldest surviving culture in the world. This sacred book is well explained, easy to read with sanskrit shlokas well translated and pronunciations made easier. The subject of Bhagvad Gita entails the comprehension of five basic truths. First, science of god is explained and than the position of living entities, jivas. The living entity is controlled by the controller 'God head krsna' and the material nature 'prakriti' and time, the duration of existence of the whole universe and karma 'activity' are discussed. Finally, its god's wish and he makes or breaks the world! Bhagvad gita is written with 18 chapters - the conversation of krsna with Arjun as brief below:

1. Chapter One: Arjun gives up determination to fight at the battlefield of kuruksetra out of grief n pity when he sees his intimate relatives, teachers and friends in both armies ready to fight and sacrifice their lives.
2. Chapter Two: Krsna begins his teachings to Arjun and explains the distinction bet. the temporary material body and eternal spiritual soul. Characteristics of self realized person is explained.
3. Chapter Three: Karma Yoga i.e. one must engage in activity where actions can bind one to the world or liberate. Perform for the pleasure of god's will without selfish motives and attain transcendental knowledge.
4. Chapter Four: Transcendental knowledge, spiritual knowledge of the soul, of god and their relationship.... Krsna explains history of Gita, purpose and significance of his periodic descents to the material world and the necessity of approaching a guru.
5. Chapter Five: Action performed and their fruits to attain peace, detachments, forbearance, spiritual vision and bliss.
6. Chapter Six: Controlling of the mind and senses and focus on concentration on god (lord is in heart)& explains the meaning of 'samadhi' full consciousness of supreme.
7. Chapter Seven: Knowledge of Absolute god. Krsna is the supreme truth and advanced souls surrender unto him in devotion.
8. Chapter Eight : Attaining the supreme god and remembering krsna in devotion whole life n at time of death, one can attain to his supreme abode, beyond material world.(This is one chapter that is always spoken in most Hindu families during ritual rites when someone dies)
9. Chapter Nine: The most confidential knowledge of bhakti - praying to godhead krsna.By reviving one's pure devotion, one returns to krsna in spiritual realm.
10.Chapter Ten: All power, beauty, grandeur or sublimity, in material or spiritual world are manifestation of krsna.
11.Chapter Eleven: Krsna grants Arjun the vision and reveals his form as cosmic universe and explains his own humanlike form is the original form of godhead and one can perceive only by pure devotion.
12. Chapter Twelve: Bhakti yoga to attain luv of krsna and they develop divine qualities.
13. Chapter Thirteen: Difference bet. body, the soul and supersoul beyond them both attains liberation from material world.
14. Chapter Fourteen:Souls are under the control of three modes i.e.qualities of material nature - goodness, passion and ignorance. How these modes act upon is well explained here.
15. Chapter Fifteen: Detaching oneself from material world and understand godhead. One who understand krsna surrenders to him and become devotional.
16. Chapter Sixteen: Difference of Divine and Demoniac nature is explained here. How to gain spiritual perfection.
17. Chapter Seventeen: Three types of faith evolving from three modes of material nature. Acts performed by those who have faith in passion and ignorance yield only impermanent, material results whereas acts performed in goodness, lead to pure faith in krsna.
18. Chapter Eighteen: The concluding part which explains the meaning of renunciation and effects of the modes of nature on human consciousness and acitivity. Surrendering to god which frees one from sins, bring enlightenment and be eternal spiritual mode.

Krsna says in Gita,
"Aham sarvasya prabhavo, Mattah sarvam pravartate
Iti matva bhajante mam, Budha bhava samanvitah" meaning "I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in my devotional service and worship me with all their hearts"

So, if you have read Bible or Koran or any religious book, Bhagvad Gita is a choice 'Absolute'to read about the 'Absolute Godhead' After all, God is a mystery and nobody ever knows who the real person is otherwise I feel, there would be no wars and only peace on earth if Bhagvad Gita Mahima (krsna's sayings) is followed by humans. A sure Pick. Read more ›