Bhagavad Gita and Its Message [Paperback]

Sri Aurobindo (Author), Anil Baran Roy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 14, 1996

This translation and commentary also analyzes the causes of problems individual and collective, and how to achieve peace, unity and bliss.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 325 pages
• Publisher: Lotus Press (June 14, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941524787
• ISBN-13: 978-0941524780
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,309 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #66 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts > Bhagavad Gita

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for every human being on EARTH !, December 10, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Bhagavad Gita and Its Message (Paperback)

First, a few words about the scripture (Bhagawad Gita) itself so that the importance and usefulness of this particular book becomes more evident. Bhagwad Gita, although originating from the East (India, to be specific) contains the wisdom which is universal in nature transcending all the Time, Nation and Religion. It is not 'Time' specific because although written centuries back it still holds people in awe about its applicability to modern time of strife, of friction between people of different races, of friction between nations etc. - the problems are endless... It is not specific to a 'Nation' because the philosophical thoughts in Gita are immediately applicable to human being in general, you only have to go through this commentary and see how it holds your attention when it deals with the human nature, its behavior etc. you will feel that it is talking about you as if it has been in the depths of your mind... It is not (in my opinion) any Religion specific (meaning it does not serve the cause for a particular religion), although the thoughts here are influenced by the Hindu way of thinking. Certainly when it says that "you are a manifestation of the same Ultimate Divine but you act the way you act because of the play of 'Nature' in you and your spiritual purpose in this life is to be one with That" is not a religion specific. While just going through the translation of any particular verse in this book I felt many times that I understood the meaning of that particular verse, but when I read the commentary then it impressed me that I had grasped just the word meaning as opposed to the actual, intended, real meaning. Certainly, a scripture which deals with highly profound and sublime thoughts has to be very difficult to grasp, and that is where a person like Sri Aurobindo helps. I certainly subscribe to the comment at the back of the book that 'for one who is going through Gita (using this commentary) for the first time will find Gita unfolding itself in all its Beauty, Brilliance and Glory'. A masterful work !

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the better translations of the Gita, April 19, 2005

By 

A. Shankar "blue ego" (NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bhagavad Gita and Its Message (Paperback)

The Gita and the Qur'an both are texts which are in need of proper tranlsation and interpretation based on thier orthodox roots rather than the opinions of people from a time which is so far off from the original composition of these texts.

We all have our biases but one should try to censor that out when discussing a text such as the Gita as it would give a warped idea to another individual. We should give the same scope and chance for them to understand the Gita rather than provide our own conclusions as the deviation from the truth increases.

Aurobindo understood this and so gave the translation in its proper form and than pontificated on its meaning based on his understand which is seperated from the original text. This is important to note as the Gita is said to encapsulate the essence of Vedanta and Vedas which are texts that expanse a great magnitude in their literary form and no one individual can realistically claim to be the knower of their true quintessential meanings. Thus how can they generalize and make assumptions about a text which encapuslations and condenses the four vedas.

The Gita is considered the fifth Veda by many and is the most valid commentary on it (in terms of acceptance). It came from a being who taught the worship of the Cosmic Lord God who basically is not endemic to the semetic religion as one can see with this book. That is what gives this Holy Book the more beauty to those belonging to semetic religions as they see their own teachings within this book however its development (with respect to context) is independant of say texts like the Tanakh, Gospel or Qura'n.

Aurobindo composed a few other works which compare the innate nature of the religion of Gita with these semetic texts. I personally find this text an authority as he (Aurobindo) gives the Gita in its most pure and quintessential form without making the whole text deviate into another paradigm such as Yogananda did with his interpretation of Gita and Kundalini and Kriya.

Gita is not only about Yoga and Kriya, it is about a way of life. A relationship of Man and God in the context of this, the living environment. So one should not over generalize or over emphasize as that causes misinterpretation. Aurobindo's translation are free from these and he just accentuates the beauty of the Gita in its own respective context.

Truly a holy book and anyone who wants to come to terms with the Beauty of God should read this book.

As the Qur'an says, believe in the One God, the angels, the prophets, the holy books and the divine preordainment.

Therefore one should read this book along side their own respective text (if it isnt the Gita already) because it truly places a lot of issues in context of man, this world and God.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The quintessential Gita, January 2, 2010

By 

Souvik Mitra "S!" (Bangalore, India) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bhagavad Gita and Its Message (Paperback)

For those of you not exposed to Sri Aurobindo's writing, a quick word of caution - the text is not lucid & the flow of ideas anything but linear & compartmentalized. This is very much by design. So before you embark on this book, you have to brace yourself to encounter spiral, complex text.

And it will be worth it. For this work is not just a translation. Even, 'explanation' seems terribly reductionist. If there is way to holistically embody the complex, inter-connected ideas of the Gita & an attempt may be made to live these ideas - then this book, in my mind, may help you along.

Aurobindo also takes particular pains to ensure that the messages in the Gita are not understood as constructs in philosophy or a doctrine of conduct or an intellectual pursuit. The commentary that he provides is absolutely pivotal to start understandiing the core ideas, & even more so to connect the various ideas together. The Gita itself is organized in chapters & verses, but it is Sri Aurobindo's commentary that will start you off with grasping intellectually, at the very least, what the central ideas are & get you thinking about living in the spirit.

If you choose to read the Gita, I'd recommend this one very highly. And I'd advise patience. Plenty of it.