Customer Reviews

God Talks with Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita (2 vol's)

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Just as Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi has established itself as peerless and eternal among the masses of spiritual biographies and surveys published each century, God Talks to Arjuna is becoming recognized as that singular presentation of the Bhagavad Gita which will be studied and restudied by sincere seekers and scholars for ages to come. The handsome and lavishly illustrated 1200-page, two-volume set is available in both a finely bound slipcased hardcover edition ... and a surprisingly inexpensive paperback printing ... For a volume that will likely be reconsulted, Bible-like, many times over the years, the hardcover edition is to be recommended if your budget can possibly permit.

Each of the 700 Bhagavad Gita verses is presented in both Sanskrit and English. More importantly, each verse is followed by commentary and expansion that integrates your study of the Gita with the entire spiritual science of Raja (meditative) Yoga. Hundreds of thoughtful commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita have been published over the centuries; some have been finely crafted by brilliant intellects; only a handful have come from realized sages; in this long-awaited Self-Realization Fellowship edition we have the insights of a soul who has experienced and mastered all the spiritual heights extoled by this dearest of Indian scriptures.

Yogananda dictated his commentaries to his most trusted students during retreats to the southern California desert during the late 1940s. Those disciples related how the yoga master would, from his state of samadhi (conscious communion with God), pour out this uninterrupted stream of spiritual erudition throughout the night, surpassing the endurance of his much younger scribes. One close disciple vividly recalls today how merely to enter the room during these divine dictations had the feel of being ''in the very presence of The Divine.'' In meditating lovingly upon his words in these volumes the modern reader may again dip into that Presence.

READING RECOMMENDATION: These volumes are highly distilled spiritual liquor - unsuitable for casual guzzling. The extensive introduction alone provides a spiritual-eye-opening background to the Himalayan heights of India's most venerated scripture. Yogananda therein explains how he applied the special intuitive approach to scripture taught him by his guru, the Puri sage Sri Sri Swami Yukteswarji. From his ability to sustain the highest spiritual state of Nirbikalpa Samadhi, Yogananda would derive his Gita commentary by uniting his consciousness with that of the Gita's author, Vyasa, and of its principles, Bhagavan Krishna and disciple Arjuna. Your intellectual analysis of Yogananda's resulting masterpiece will immediately impress your mind with his ability to reveal multiple levels of meaning from the complexities of the Sanskrit verses; but it will require a gradual digestion of these meanings and quiet reflection (ideally: interspersed with periods of meditation) to begin to assimilate their spiritual potency. As an example of 'gradual' I will mention the approach our local study groups took: reading one page per day, then meeting weekly to meditate and share insights and questions. At this rate the two groups I facilitated each took three years to complete the two volumes - but provided us with our richest spiritual rewards ever. However you pace yourself, first of all SAVOR. Then, best of all, PRACTICE... the guidance offered by Krishna, Vyasa, Arjuna, Yogananda: meditate on The Divinity within and around you.

Namaste. --rp

Crystals, atheism, ecology, Seinfeild, TV dinners, Prozac, astrology, depth psychology, the rise and fall of the British Empire. But what about where we came from? What happens after death? Why do we suffer? Why are some people happy. Yogananda's life was impeccable. I have looked for dirt everwhere. Found only solid gold. This book is incredible. Atheism postulates a "peaceful nothingness" after death. And since this contradicts Newton's second law, the law of conservation, it too is a religion. In Buddhism, no matter how good a life you have lived, you may be reborn as a hell being if you die a violent death. In Christianity, if you are a wonderful human being, you will go to eternal hell if you are not a Christian. And if you are a rotten apple, don't worry. If you believe in Jesus then He will save you and eternal happiness will be yours. Where can we turn? Existentialism? Humanitarianism? Alcoholism? For answers that are congrruent with science, testimonies, reason, logic and faith. This book does it. Go heavily into psychic research for 10 years. Study comparitive religions for another 10. Meditate for 20 more years. Get a Ph.D in science. And finally, you will most likely end up saying, "Yes, now I understand" after reading and studying this book. It took me 30 years of meaningless searches and trips, and yogis, and psychologists, and scientists to find this book. It was like finding the Holy Grail. The only thing bad about this book is that, once read, you will always come back to it. Always. Even if you don't like what reality spells out for us. Truth can be very addicting. It is like quicksand. You can get stuck in it. And the more you struggle, the harder it becomes to get out of it. I recommend this book highly. So beautifully written. So enlivening. And a bit earth-shattering. Because the pieces fit. The notes rhyme. And you grimace as you say, "Yes. That rings true with everything I've ever experienced, read, or lived through." Enough said. Buy the book if you are one to open Pandora's box. And it is definitely not for people with weak knees.

Bill Butler (WBu6139496@AOL.COM)

I have enjoyed many noteable works of great inspiration, but reading "God Talks With Arjuna", was literally a breathtaking experience. Not just another Gita commentary - this work contains many original spiritual insights and practical, balanced, religious approaches to life that are desparately needed in to-days world. But most of all, PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA was a Living Example of that ideal Christlike perfection as taught in the Gita and has inspired millions with his "Autobiography of a Yogi". A rewarding in depth revelation awaits any serious, sincere seeker of truth. Especially recommended for the serious religious scholar and devotee. If you have not yet found a satisfying answers to lifes most profound questions, this would be a good place to find clear, simple, practical, spiritual direction and understanding. A complete reference book for living the Spiritual Life and guiding your journey to Self-Realization.

When one reads the Bhagavad Gita, some amazing things become quickly evident. First of all it is the coherence, integrity and completeness of this document, as well as the high level of spiritual message it contains. These are the words of the millennial messiah Lord Krishna (circa 3,000 BC) and there must be about 100 English translations of this work now existent. From Yogananda's Gita one will experience the essence and practical life application of the ancient Vedas. It is considered to be a divine revelation of universal and ecumenical appeal. Giving the serious followers of all religions (or no religion) deeper insights and understanding of the divine plan and purposes for humanity. It has given unsurpassed spiritual inspiration to many great souls of the East and the West for centuries.

When the Gita was first published in English in 1776, European scholars immediately recognized its' similarity to the teachings of Jesus and attempted to date it circa 300AD, suspecting the influence of Christian thought. However, it now assumes a date of about 800 BC when first put into written word. Many readers of the Gita have also recognized that this is the same teaching JC introduced into the Mediterranean area 2 millennia ago. Thus one need not decry the term "New Testament", as it was no doubt new to many persons in that era and area during J C's ministry.

Paramahansa Yogananda's translation and commentary is transforming to the heart, and refreshingly believable to the intelligent mind. It also stands as a remarkable and valued document of world spiritual literature.

"GOD TALKS WITH ARJUNA" is a unique reference document about the spiritual life (for those of all religions). With many previously unpublished and original insights about comparative religion, the human psyche, ecumenicity, the Science of Yoga, and esoteric spiritual teachings. His teaching mastery is displayed by the simple manner by which he expounds all practical matters about life. It also gives evidence as to the illustrious nature and talents of the author, a renowned Hindu Yogi who came to America in 1920, and opened the west to the science of Kriya yoga meditation and the higher mystical teachings of the Sanatana Dharma. In this unique synthesis, Yogananda presents of the teachings of Jesus and Krishna in a revelation of complimentary harmony and fresh insights that come from one who is a pure instrument Self-Realization. From one who has lived and demonstrated these sacred principles in this world of great life tests. Bringing the worlds' resources of spiritual wisdom and literature, both practical and mystical, to a new level of clarity and completeness. A level that fills in a lot of missing links and unanswered questions for the seeker, free of narrow or exclusive claims and pronouncements, or dogmatism. Another plus for those who know English is that this spiritual document was originally written in English and has not yet suffered the effects of time and language translations. The author, Paramahansa Yogananda, founded the Self-Realization Fellowship as the only authorized source for the publication of his writings and the dissemination of his teachings.

This is a veritable soul feast for the truth seeker, the student of comparative religion, and the serious philosopher. Your approach to the spiritual part of life may take on a surprisingly new and deeper dimension. A detailed, "how to live manual".

Also Recommended:...... Autobiography of a Yogi...............Man's Eternal Quest................ Journey to Self-Realization....Finding the Joy Within You...........The Science of Religion. Sanctuary of the Soul...Enter the Quiet Heart.............A World in Transition... Inner Peace... Metaphysical Meditations.......all from Self-realization Publishers.

Essential reading for anyone interested in yoga, whether as a practictioner or as a scholar, this book also offers a lot to those interested in other paths of transformation. This is a brilliantly executed work: verse by verse, the book provides the sanskrit text, the English translation and Yogananda's comprehensive commentary mining the Gita's many levels of meaning. For example, Yogananda explores the Gita's depiction of events (the armies of Arjuna and his brothers arrayed against their foes) as an allegory for every aspirant's internal struggle between the forces leading towards spiritual realization and the forces (e.g. sense-slavery, sloth, lack of discrimination)that thwart it. Within this context, he also examines the dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna as a reflection of the inner dialogue between Spirit and soul (hence the "God Talks" title). On other fronts, Yogananda makes connections between the Gita and Pantanjali's Yoga Sutras and the Sankhya philosophical traditions. In ways I am not yet able to articulate, this book helped me bridge the gap between what I categorize--imprecisely I'm sure--as yogic and non-yogic traditions. (By yogic I mean any meditative tradition that predicated on the existence of Spirit, the realization of which serves as the final goal, vs. non-yogic by which I mean meditative traditions that assert Emptiness as the final goal.) Ultimately, what makes this book so powerful is that Yogananda clearly knows whereof he speaks. The result is a book that speaks in direct and practical terms to the aspirant, while also able to satisfy the pedant.

After reading "Autobiography of a Yogi", "The Holy Science" and other Self-Realization Fellowship books and pamphlets, I thought I was given the "complete" treasure-trove of The Truth. Wrong! "God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita" is the most detailed and truthful book on creation, life and "death" that I have ever read! It strikes a solid chord within and doesn't let go! Not only that, but it seems to "coincidentally" answer questions that just happen to present themselves in my daily life at just the right moment. It is not an easy read, but in the words of the Great Illumined Master Yogananda, "...the charcoal does not burn red by itself". Don't waste another second--read it now!

Very rarely does a book of such breathtaking depth and significance come along. If you buy one book to help you find REAL answers on the spiritual path, let it be this one. Yogananda's "God Talks With Arjuna" is destined to be a classic, not merely for one or two or a dozen generations, but for centuries. I am certain it will prove to be one of the greatest books of history.

Paramahansa Yogananda's translation of the Bhagavad Gita is the singularly most profound book about religion I have ever read. It will astound you with divine knowledge first revealed herein. It demonstrates repeatedly the linkages between science and religion and provides the entire basis for yoga (or union with God). The depth of meaning and clarity of truth of this translation will be apparent after reading only a few paragraphs, yet each paragraph should be pondered deeply and with reverence. Ultimately, these yoga teachings must be practiced and Self Realization Fellowship can provide the means of practice. This book is the "Holy Bible" of Yoga and the most important scripture of the 1900's.

God Talks with Arjuna is the product of a higher intelligence that mankind aspires to attain. I have been studying the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda for nearly four decades, and have translated several of his books into Arabic. In God Talks with Arjuna one is amazed at the depth and breadth of Yogananda's wisdom and fathomless realization. He challenges the human mind to stretch itself to infinite reaches of cosmic knowledge, and leads serious hopefuls to intuitive discoveries within the depth of the human spirit. Those who read his works out of sheer curiosity may or may not find the nuggets of wisdom in the folds of his thoughts; while those who have the slightest receptivity and desire for higher truths will never fail to discover Yogananda's immortal gems of divine realization. God Talks with Arjuna is a bright luminary in Paramahansa Yogananda's inexhaustible divine library. I have gained much from this monumental work and hope to be able to translate it someday into Arabic. Any one who reads this great book with an open mind will find at the end that he/she has gained something worthwhile and truly lasting.

Yogananda gave us so much in this offering. This is by far the greatest literature I have read, studied, meditated upon. I have now had this Gita set for 6 years.

Admittedly it is not for everyone but for those who are prepared to persevere to discover truth, then Yogananda's treatise here will keep you inspired for hours, days, months, years.. this will certainly stay with me for the rest of my life.