Bhagavadgita (Dover Thrift Editions) [Paperback]

Sir Edwin Arnold (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Dover Thrift Editions | Publication Date: October 12, 1993

Written in the form of a poetic dialogue, it probes Hindu concepts of the nature of God and what man should do to reach him, providing a fascinating synopsis of the religious thought and experience of India through the ages. This edition offers the classic English verse translation by Sir Edwin Arnold (1832–1904). Explanatory footnotes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

(Sanskrit: "Song of the Lord") One of the greatest and most beautiful of the Hindu scriptures. It forms part of Book VI of the Indian epic the Mahabharata ("Great Epic of the Bharata Dynasty") and is written in the form of a dialogue between the warrior Prince Arjuna and his friend and charioteer, Krishna, who is also an earthly incarnation of the god Vishnu. The Bhagavadgita is of a later date than the major parts of the Mahabharata and was probably written in the 1st or 2nd century AD. The poem consists of 700 Sanskrit verses divided into 18 chapters. The dialogue takes place on the field of battle, just as the great war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas is about to begin. The two armies stand opposing each other, and, on seeing many of his friends and kinsmen among those lined up on the other side, Prince Arjuna hesitates. He considers whether it would not be better to throw down his arms and allow himself to be slain rather than to engage in a just, but cruel, war. Krishna points out to him that the higher way is the dispassionate discharge of his duty, performed with faith in God. The Bhagavadgita goes far beyond the ethical question with which it begins, to consider broadly the nature of God and the means by which mortals can know him. -- The Merriam-Webster Encylopedia of Literature

Language Notes

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

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (October 12, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486277828
• ISBN-13: 978-0486277820
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #323,631 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism > General
  • #39 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Eastern Religions > Eastern Philosophy
  • #51 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Philosophy > Eastern > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly the best commentary of Bhagavadgita every written, October 7, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Fukui, Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bhagavadgita (Paperback)

S. Radhakrishnan's is the best commentary I have ever read on the background to the meaning of the Gita and it's application to correct daily living. I own eleven translations of the Gita that I have read and studied for the past ten years and this is by far the most moving of them all. Each verse or group of verses is dealt with in a sensitive and often times inspiring manner. If one loves the Gita one will grow to love the God who inspired it even more by reading and rereading this text. A close second, in depth and feeling is Juan Muscaro's introduction to his translation of the Gita (Penguin Classics). If you want to learn to live a better life, this is a highly recommended source of wisdom.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He knew he was on the side of God, for God was at his side, August 29, 2003

By 

OAKSHAMAN "oakshaman" (Algoma, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Bhagavadgita (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

The Bhagavadgita (the Lord's Song) is the heart of the great classical Indian Epic, the Mahabharata. The hero of this epic is given the choice, just before a great war, whether to take the offer of a mighty army- or to choose a single charioteer. Of course, that charioteer is Krishna (the avatar of the god Vishnu on earth.) Krishna will not be able to intervene supernaturally in the conflict, but only offer teaching and advice. The hero, Arjuna, chooses Krishna and his advice over the mighty army, for he knows that to be in accord with God's will is all that truly matters. Besides, he also realises that Vishnu only incarnates on our plane of existence when things have deteriorated far out of control and it is time for Him to once again restore peace, justice, and harmony to the world. In other words, he KNOWS that he will be on the side of God, for God will literally be at his side.

This text represents the teachings that Krishna imparts to the hero, Arjuna. It is a message of how to put one's self and soul into accord, and in doing so, put one's self into mystic union with the divine. It is a message that one should do one's duty in the world without becoming too attached to one's actions or rewards (to be in the world but not of it.) It is also an assurance that the body is merely the body- to lose it is not to cease to exist. It is also a declaration that doing right for the sake of right is far more important that observing rigid rules and rituals of religious conduct.

This text is the excellent verse translation of Sir Edwin Arnold (1832-1904.) The Sanscrit terminology is all explained either in the forward, in footnotes, or immediately in the poetical, but highly comprehendable, text. I am not sure why this particular volume is listed as "abridged" for it is not. It is only abridged in the sense that the Bhagavadgita is an abridgment of the larger Mahabharata.

This is yet another marvelous selection in the highly affordable and tastefully selected Dover Thrift Editions collection.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Profound Influence in MY life, December 26, 1999

By 

"westfieldkrishnan" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bhagavadgita (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

Bhagvad Gita is a Wonderful Poem in Indian Literature (Sanskrit language). But given the fact that this language is no longer spoken (just like Latin), the contents of the great works such as Bhagvad Gita have to be read in translated forms.

Sir Arnold's translation is in poetic form, unlike most translations, which are mainly prose.

It makes for a concise reading, without really missing the the essence.

The Gita is my Manager, and I have personally benefitted immensely in dealing with main daily life sitiuations both in family and work. It has made a profound diference to my decision making ability qand leadership qualities.

I sincerely hope that every ambitious person takes time to read this and beenfit from the relevant parts of the text.