The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita: An Introduction to India's Universal Science of God-realization [Paperback]

Paramahansa Yogananda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 24, 2007

With penetrating insight, Paramahansa Yogananda sheds a clarifying light on the deeper meaning of the Bhagavad Gita's symbology, and the true intent of India's timeless and universal scripture. He shows how the warriors doing battle on the field of Kurukshetra represent the negative tendencies of the human ego pitted against the divine qualities of the soul, and how the science of Yoga can help us achieve the joy of material and spiritual victory on the battlefield of daily life. An inspiring and concise introduction to the spiritual truths of India's most beloved scripture, these selections from Yogananda's critically acclaimed two-volume translation of and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita (God Talks With Arjuna) explain the step-by-step methods of yoga meditation and right action to achieve union with Spirit and ultimate liberation. Features Paramahansa Yogananda's original translation of the Bhagavad Gita for the first time in sequential form. Topics include:
- Using self-analysis and introspection for continuous personal growth
- Yoga methods for creating a life of peace and inner harmony
- Understanding the psychological forces that help - and those that hinder - spiritual progress
- Creating an ideal balance of material and spiritual goals
- How to experience the deeper states of meditation and divine illumination.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born in India on January 5, 1893, Paramahansa Yogananda - author of the renowned spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi - devoted his life to helping people of all races and creeds to realize and express more fully in their lives the true beauty, nobility, and divinity of the human spirit. After graduating from Calcutta University in 1915, Yogananda took formal vows as a monk of India's venerable monastic Swami Order. Two years later, he began his life's work with the founding of a how-to-live school since grown to twenty-one educational institutions throughout India where traditional academic subjects were offered together with yoga training and instruction in spiritual ideals. In 1920, he was invited to serve as India's delegate to an International Congress of Religious Liberals in Boston. His address to the Congress and subsequent lectures on the East Coast were enthusiastically received, and in 1924 he embarked on a cross-continental speaking tour. Over the next three decades, Paramahansa Yogananda contributed in far-reaching ways to a greater awareness and appreciation in the West of the spiritual wisdom of the East. In Los Angeles, he established an international headquarters for Self-Realization Fellowship, the nonsectarian religious society he had founded in 1920. Through his writings, extensive lecture tours, and the creation of Self-Realization Fellowship temples and meditation centers, he introduced hundreds of thousands of truth-seekers to the ancient science and philosophy of Yoga and its universally applicable methods of meditation. Today, the spiritual and humanitarian work begun by Paramahansa Yogananda continues under the direction of Sri Daya Mata, one of his earliest and closest disciples and president of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India since 1955. In addition to publishing his writings, lectures and informal talks (including a comprehensive series of Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons for home study), the society also oversees temples, retreats, and centers around the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Self Realization Fellowship; First Edition first Printing edition (August 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876120338
• ISBN-13: 978-0876120330
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #250,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts > Bhagavad Gita

More About the Author

Hailed as "the father of Yoga in the West," Paramahansa Yogananda - author of the bestselling classic "Autobiography of a Yogi" - is regarded as one of the great spiritual figures of our time. Born in northern India on January 5, 1893, he devoted his life to helping people of all races and creeds to realize and express more fully in their lives the true beauty, nobility, and divinity of the human spirit. After graduating from Calcutta University in 1915, Yogananda took formal vows as a monk of India's venerable monastic Swami Order. Two years later, he began his life's work with the founding of a how-to-live school since grown to twenty-one educational institutions throughout India where traditional academic subjects were offered together with yoga training and instruction in spiritual ideals. In 1920, he was invited to serve as India's delegate to an International Congress of Religious Liberals in Boston. His address to the Congress and subsequent lectures on the East Coast were enthusiastically received, and in 1924 he embarked on a cross-continental speaking tour. Over the next three decades, Paramahansa Yogananda contributed in far-reaching ways to a greater awareness and appreciation in the West of the spiritual wisdom of the East. In Los Angeles, he established an international headquarters for Self-Realization Fellowship, the nonsectarian religious society he had founded in 1920. Through his writings, extensive lecture tours, and the creation of Self-Realization Fellowship temples and meditation centers, he introduced hundreds of thousands of truth-seekers to the ancient science and philosophy of Yoga and its universally applicable methods of meditation. Today, the spiritual and humanitarian work begun by Paramahansa Yogananda continues under the direction of Sri Daya Mata, one of his earliest and closest disciples and president of Self-Realization Fellowship/Yogoda Satsanga Society of India since 1955. In addition to publishing his writings, lectures and informal talks (including a comprehensive series of Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons for home study), the society also oversees temples, retreats, and centers around the world.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Destined to become a Spiritual Classic!, October 8, 2007

By 

W. H. McDonald Jr. "The American Author Assoc... (Elk Grove, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita: An Introduction to India's Universal Science of God-realization (Paperback)

The editors and publishers at SRF have once again put together a masterpiece of spiritual wisdom harvested from the vast teachings - both spoken and written, of that great yogi Paramahansa Yogananda. It is almost like SRF has cloned the very creative and enlightened well of love that was Yogananda - and pulled out his teachings on the Bhagavad Gita from the astral world itself. This is a fresh and new approach to explaining the science of yoga - if that can be said about teachings and ideas that are thousands of years old.

The editors were very careful to keep true to Yogananda's teachings and his words. It has all his energy and thoughts carefully edited and threaded together in a very readable and enlightening format. The book will delight old SRF devotees and inspire new believers. The book delivers at all levels and one will find reading this book a real gift to their spirit.

I highly recommend this book to those who have an open mind and who want to spiritualize their life's journey. For those not familiar with the life of Yogananda I would strongly suggest the reading the spiritual classic "An Autobiography of a Yogi". This is destined to become another spiritual classic as well. It will never go out of date.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Baghavad Gita a Yoga Essential, December 4, 2007

By 

Deborah Rose "Nurse to My Bare Bones" (Spokane, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita: An Introduction to India's Universal Science of God-realization (Paperback)

Yogananda is easy to understand and is a great teacher. The Gita is a book which can enhance the spiritual quests of all seekers, regardless of religion. Though the setting is in ancient India, it can be easily translated into the symbology for every day life here in the West in the new millenium. The focus is on winning the battle within, letting the higher parts of ourselves be victorious and conquering those parts which sabotage and create pain for ourselves and others. Best of all, it can assist in deepening a real connection to that Higher Power, however we experience That. This book is definitely a book to take slowly, savoring each part and then applying it to one's daily life.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding and readable Translation of the Gita, March 3, 2008

By 

PYisLOVE "F" (North America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita: An Introduction to India's Universal Science of God-realization (Paperback)

After Studying numerous English language translations of the Bhagavad Gita for over 50 years, Yoganandas rendition of this inspiring scripture and life guide must be one of the most readable and accurate.

This book also serves as an introduction to the larger work "God Talks With Arjuna," Paramahansa Yogananda's Gita commentary. Published by Self-Realization Fellowship, LA USA in 1994.

It is wonderful to see the publisher come out with this smaller and more portable edition which I now carry with me everywhere when I travel.

This translation of the Bhagavad Gita clarifies and exposes more of the real meanings intended by the Gitas original author. Revealing more of the Gitas spiritual insights on Raja Yoga, True spirituality and psychology.
One of the worlds greatest aids to Self-Realization.

It provides a more enriched read in English language.