Customer Reviews

The Bhagavad-Gita (Galaxy Books, 389)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have read a couple other translations of this inspirational text, but I found R.C. Zaehner's to be a hidden treasure. A more literal and scholarly book than Barbara Stoler Miller's. He includes additional information from other classic Hindu writtings and transliteration of the sanskrit text. A very enjoyable read for those serious about philosophy and Hinduism.

I have greatly enjoyed, and benefitted from, the late Professor R.C. Zaehner's wonderful translation of, and extensive commentary upon, The Bhagavad-Gita. The book was originally published in 1969, but is still in print (which is quite a testimonial in itself).

I can't praise this book highly enough. The introduction alone is worth the price of the book, yet virtually every one of Dr. Zaehner's notes to his excellent translation brings a thrilling "Ah Ha!" of connection and understanding.

I especially appreciate that, instead of interpreting the Gita in such a way as to buttress his own spiritual/religious point of view, Zaehner explores the deeper meaning of each chapter and verse of the Gita in reference to the rest of the text, and to the totality of the Mahabharata, and to the great commentators on the Gita, including Ramanuja and Shankara. His intention is to tease out what the Gita itself is trying to say, rather than imposing his own views upon it; I greatly respect that. And his commentary also benefits from his broad and deep understansing of Sanskrit and of the great spiritual teachings of India and Persia--and so, of course, his readers benefit as well.

I am almost continually re-reading this book. Each time, I understand it a little more. It is a treasure.

Not having Sanskrit myself, I am not really qualified to judge the quality of the translation; what is so attractive about this version is that the translator strives, in his own admission, for accuracy, rather than the flights of poetic fancy often favoured by earlier translations; and even more importantly, this translation has an extensive and outstanding scholarly apparatus, which is an essential aid to understanding this complex work.

Robert Charles Zaehner does a nice job of translating the Sanskrit text. It's an in depth English translation.