Our Most Dear Friend: An Illustrated Bhagavad-gita for Children [Hardcover]

Visakha Dasi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1996

Our Most Dear Friend presents the essence of the Bhagavad-Gita, the timeless scripture that forms the basic of India's sublime spiritual culture. Through the simple yet captivating painting, text, and photographic montages, children of every race, nationality, and religion will deepen their understanding of themselves, God, and His creation. This is a captivating, relevant, and inspiring book for ages 4 and up.
To see more full color pages inside this book, go to: our-spiritual-journey.com/bhagavad-gita-for-children/

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ages 5^-8. The Bhagavad-gita, one of the holy writings of the Hindu religion, is presented here as a story that will be accessible to children. It begins in long-ago India when Arjuna Pandava is about to fight a war and asks Lord Krishna for aid and advice. Krishna, the supreme Lord, plays the part of a chariot driver and describes to Pandava the workings of the spiritual world: "When your service to Me never stops and is done only for My pleasure, and when you are friendly to every living being, I will lead you from this world of birth and death." Krishna describes the soul's presence in every living thing, how all living things are part of the Creator, and introduces reincarnation (though not by that name). The eye-catching art is an amalgam of traditional Hindu artwork and modern photography. These montages can be quite dramatic, as in a tableau that traces the ages of man, beginning with a newborn and ending with a pile of bones. Libraries serving an Indian population will want this; others may find that it adds diversity to their collection. Ilene Cooper

Review

Ages 5^-8. The eye-catching art ... can be quite dramatic, as in a tableau that traces the ages of man, beginning with a newborn and ending with a pile of bones. Libraries ... may find that it adds diversity to their collection.  --Booklist

...one of my 11-yr. old's favorite books ... Kids of almost any age can appreciate the brightly-colored, mind-capturing illustrations/photographs ... the presentation is very attractive and will appeal to any child, anywhere.  --Susan B., California

Our Most Dear Friend provides the essence of the Indian religious text Bhagavad-gita - but using simple text, photographic montages, and paintings to display the religion's concepts for ages 4 and older. Enjoy vivid color shots and drawings which reinforce the stories within. --Midwest Book Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Torchlight Publishing; Illustrated Edition edition (January 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887089047
• ISBN-13: 978-1887089043
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #204,404 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts > Bhagavad Gita

More About the Author

I first heard of Bhagavad-gita when I was trekking with my then boyfriend (now husband) John in the Himalayas way back in the summer of '71. We were at the snow line, 10,000 feet at that time of year, and decided to spend a few restful days in an abandoned cowshed. From deep inside his backpack John pulled out a blue paperback with a line drawing of a regal, four-armed person on the cover.

During our stay, I sat for hours surrounded by towering snowy peaks in crystal-clear air, with no other humans around, trying to read this early edition of Bhagavad-gita As It Is, by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. I understood little but I was intrigued. The idea of tolerating dualities and remaining equipoised in their midst enticed me, as did the concept of an eternal spiritual presence within all living beings. And the Gita opened me to the thought that I could improve my character as well as the quality of my life through knowledge.

Over the years, as I continued studying Bhagavad-gita and practicing its precepts, my respect for its wisdom, relevance, and comprehensiveness grew. Gradually Bhagavad-gita revolutionized my life. In 1996 I wrote and illustrated a Bhagavad-gita for children, Our Most Dear Friend, and then did one for young adults: Bhagavad-gita: A Photographic Essay, A Visual Guide to the World's Greatest Spiritual Dialog. Recently I completed a third exploration, on how to apply the teachings of Bhagavad-gita to our daily lives: Harmony and the Bhagavad-gita: Lessons from a Life-Changing Move to the Wilderness.

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Visakha (pronounced VishAkhA) Dasi received an Associate of Applied Science degree with honors from Rochester Institute of Technology and shortly afterwards published her first book, Photomacrography: Art and Techniques. In 1971 she traveled to India, where she met Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, read his Bhagavad-gita As It Is and eventually became his student. As a photographer, she traveled with and photographed Bhaktivedanta Swami and his students in India, Europe and the United States. As a writer, she wrote numerous magazine articles and three books on the Bhagavad-gita. Visakha also assists her husband, John Griesser, in making documentary films. They live with their children and grandchildren in Sharanagati Village, a rural community in British Columbia, Canada, where Visakha is writing a memoir, Bhagavad-gita and One Life Transformed. To learn more, please visit: http://our-spiritual-journey.com/

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great photography, Great message!, December 29, 1999

By 

Susanne - See all my reviews

This review is from: Our Most Dear Friend: An Illustrated Bhagavad-gita for Children (Hardcover)

Vishaka's Bhagavad-gita for Children has been one of my 11-yr. old's favorite books since we first purchased it 3 years ago. Kids of almost any age can appreciate the brightly-colored, mind-capturing illustrations/photographs, and the spiritual message of the Bhagavad-gita is presented at just the right reading level for elementary-grade readers to understand. All in all, the presentation is very attractive and will appeal to any child, anywhere. This book provides a great yet subtle way to introduce good values and principles of good character into the minds of our children, as well as a healthy respect for the concept of a supreme, loving God.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Combines text with beautiful paintings & superb photography, February 5, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Our Most Dear Friend: An Illustrated Bhagavad-gita for Children (Hardcover)

Our Most Dear Friend is an excellent picturebook introduction for young readers to the Bhagavad-gita, the world's oldest religious scripture. This "Song of God" originated about five thousands years ago and is still read and revered by 850 million Hindus around the world. Highly recommended for school and community multicultural picturebook collections. Our Most Dear Friend combines text with beautiful paintings and superb photography.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for all ages, November 17, 2006

By 

Online Shopper - See all my reviews

This review is from: Our Most Dear Friend: An Illustrated Bhagavad-gita for Children (Hardcover)

The illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful and are appealing to even the youngest reader. The simple narration is great for young readers. This is a book that will grow with my child so he can enjoy it for years to come.