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Bhagavad-gita As It Is: Interactive

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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.

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.

I read so many commentaries on Gita. But this is the best!

This teaches the actual spirit of Gita, without compromising on principles. There are so many commentaries which mislead the readers. Like people with some basic knowledge of Sanskrit publish Gita Commentary, which is very bad. Since one can't understand Gita without being a devotee, similar to -one can't understand mathematics from a person who never liked mathematics. A devotee can understand Krishna better and his teachings than the people who understand some parts of Gita and proclaim to be gurus. Beware of those cheaters! I have seen some professors commenting on Gita. Krishna could have spoken Gita to Sanskrit scholars. He didn't do so, because he is interested in devotion not money, Phd, or some external designations.

The author doesn't loose the spirit of Gita anywhere.

You will have no doubts about the principles and applications of Gita after reading this.

Ultimate book for understanding soul, nature, karma and God!

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.

Further to my earlier message regarding the fact that many reviews here which condemn this book are obviously made by persons who are not experts nor scholars in the subject matter, well, here's another site where the sincere seeker can find the opnion of many learned scholars

A sincere reader of this book will find it reveals all mysteries of the self, of the universe, of God and of the nature of our relationship with him in a very accurate and wonderful way.

Do see the reviews at http://www.vedatrust.com/spreviews.htm

and the earlier mentioned one at www.asitis.com/reviews

may lord krishna bless you in your search for the Absolute Truth

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.

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.

It is very obvious from reading this version of Bhagavad Gita that the author has a deep reverence and devotion to Krishna. This is definately a religious version of Bhagavad Gita. If you are more of a liberal spiritual type looking for a neutral spritual book, this is not that. Swami Prabhupada was a very religious man, not a liberal or eclectic spiritual teacher. He, as most people know, founded the Hare Krishna movement in the USA and COMPLETELY writes the Gita from the perspective of Krishna the Supreme Being and using the Gita as the science for pure devotion to Krishna. He is very opposed to even the idea of substituting Krishna to mean "Being, Absolute Reality your True Self" or any such words that are used in impersonal teachings. One way or the other, that is a very private matter that each of us needs to explore on our own, I just want to inform readers of how specific Swami Prabhupada is in his teachings so that those out there looking for a more "open minded" teaching might want to know this. However with that said, I do feel that Swami Prabhupada did write a beautiful book that is EXTREMELY THOROUGH and detailed in his beliefs. Those more religious types will probably love this book. Swami Prabhupada lays out his Hare Krishna teachings here very eloquently and teaches a very pure form of spirituality that is not diluted with pop spirituality in any way.

Though I was born in a Hindu family, like many other Indians, I never actually read Shrimad Bhagwad Gita till quite late in life. When I started reading it, a friend advised me to first read only a simple translation (Sanskrit-Hindi), before getting into commentaries. That advice proved invaluable. I first read the Gita Press translation, several times.

Being quite comfortable with Hindi, this was much easier for me than it would be for others, as Hindi has lifted many complex words directly from Sanskrit. I then started delving deeper into various commentaries, for which I had a wide choice. Much later I came across Prabhupada's translation and commentary.

It is, therefore, easy for me to see why some people find Prabhupada's book a problem. Each of us perceives the world, including Shrimad Bhagwad Gita, from our own perspective. This is also recognized in Hindu philosophy - God is one, but people see him in many ways. The same is perhaps true of Shrimad Bhagwad Gita. For instance, Gandhi ji saw it as a book to quell our inner conflicts, and interpreted it as proscribing war, which appears to be a reflection of his own inner turmoil at the time.

This commentary and version helps us understand how Prabhupada saw Shrimad Bhagwad Gita. I have, therefore, no dispute with this. He was addressing a mainly Western audience; he had interacted with them for many years by the time he wrote this commentary. He had a tremendous influence on his disciples, but possibly the need to communicate effectively to them also influenced Prabhupada himself. To my mind, this is reflected very much in the commentary.

For instance, in this commentary, there is an overarching need to provide definitive guidance, to show a single path (Bhakti). My understanding is that Shrimad Bhagwad Gita describes many alternatives, and leaves us free to choose among them, depending on the guna (attribute, humour) that is influencing us most at the moment. All the paths described in Shrimad Bhagwad Gita lead to him - sooner or later.

If Prabhupada saw Bhakti as a shortcut to God, then probably that was valid for his disciples, just as Bhakti yoga was considered good for Arjuna by Shri Krishna himself. That Prabhupada is prescriptive in this regard is perhaps due to fact that a Western audience, used to the authoritative Biblical tradition, is more comfortable when dealing with certainties.

I would, therefore, say that this commentary on Shrimad Bhagwad Gita is as good (or as bad!) as any other, because no commentary can ever tell us what the Lord really meant, and what Arjuna understood.

Getting into Shrimad Bhagwad Gita is a deeply transforming and enriching experience - if you keep it up, it will gradually, subtly, alter the way you deal with life. Interestingly, Shrimad Bhagwad Gita itself is not sectarian as all deities are stated to be valid reflections of the ultimate truth, Brahman. Shrimad Bhagwad Gita, therefore, leaves you free to worship the divine in any way that you may choose, including praying in a church. [That, at least, is how I have interpreted Shrimad Bhagwad Gita!]

However, if possible, first study and meditate on a simple translation (without commentary) to develop a perception of how Shrimad Bhagwad Gita is relevant to you personally. Gita Press ([...]) has published translations in several Indian languages / scripts, and in English.

Get into Prabhupada's commentary or other commentaries only later on, when you can converse with the commentators in your own mind. Reading this commentary early is likely to mold you too much into Prabhupada's perspective, from which it may be difficult for you to come out again.

I'm very happy this version of Bhagavad-gita is now available on Kindle with chapters and diacritics. Very nice touches like hyperlinks to the slokas in the verse list at the back of the book is really appreciated. Only one issue I have is that the PC and Android versions don't display these marks properly, but I don't think that can be blamed on the book's production. This is definitely the key version of Bhagavad-gita to get with the wonderful word-for-word translations and purports. Everything is explained clearly by Sr'i'la Prabhupada.