The Living Gita: The Complete Bhagavad Gita - A Commentary for Modern Readers (Paperback)

~ Sri Swami Satchidananda (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Just as the many great yogis of the past bequeathed commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita to the people of India, Swami Satchidananda, who is a master of communicating the way of yoga with western words and images, has finally done the same for us. All popular English editions of the Gita must now take a backseat to this exquisite new edition. -- Meditation Magazine

Product Description

The Bhagavad Gita, or "The Song of God," is one of the great spiritual classics of the world. This modern translation and commentary by one of the world's best-known and most respected yoga masters makes the deep spiritual truths of India's timeless classic available to the Western mind in a way never before thought possible.

A finalist for the From the Publishers' Marketing Association Spiritual Book of the Year Award, the book includes every verse of the Bhagavad Gita and can also serve well as a lively, enjoyable textbook.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 326 pages
• Publisher: Integral Yoga Publications (January 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0932040276
• ISBN-13: 978-0932040275
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #49,794 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Living Gita for Living People, May 28, 2000

By	Joan J. Williams (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

I have explored several versions of the Bhagavad Gita with commentaries, among them, that by William Q. Judge and the one provided by Paramahansa Yogananda. Previous to reading The Living Gita, I have been confused and haven't understood the ideas expressed. Sri Swami Satchidananda presents the text in easy-to-understand English, and offers concrete examples drawn from our everyday life to support his version and the commentaries he makes. The superficial story is of opposing armies on the battlefield, but the underlying meaning relates more to our everyday fight with our more selfish instincts, and how we can rise above our natural self-centered inclinations. I appreciate the insights that Swami Satchidananda gives us in our daily struggle to be better human beings.

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Living the Bhagavad Gita., July 4, 2002

By	BRENDEN SKUDDER (Auckland New Zealand) - See all my reviews

Sri Swami Satchidananda has brought to life the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita for the modern seeker. The Bhagavad Gita is the beautiful and famous lessons on life that Krishna gave Arjuna on the battle field. The Gita starts with the great war on the battle field Kurukshetra between two families, the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Arjuna belonging to the Pandavas must fight to up hold righteousness against the evil Kauravas. But on seeing the Kauravas on the battlefield and realizing that he knows many of them as teacher, friend and kin, Arjuna finds that he cannot go in to battle. Krishna observing Arjunas inner conflict gives Arjuna lessons on the reality of life. Reading the story we see that the battlefield is not the Kurukshetra but our own body. The evil Kauravas our learned habits formed by ego and its manifestations. The Pandavas our pure qualities of love, non-violence, peace and truth. Arjuna is our inner being having conflict with our actions and expressions and Krishna the Lord every loving in his guidance.
The Bhagavad Gita is truely a great scripture with much truth contained with in its lessons. However as a modern society we often struggle to assimilate spiritual teachings in to our present expression of life. Some find it hard to relate to our present life and a lesson that happened thousands of years ago. Here is where Sri Swami Satchidananda has gifted us with a modern commentary on the Bhagavad Gita that relates to our modern mind and environment. To capture the beauty of this book is to express the teachings through action in our every day. life. I brought this book for my brother who showed an interest in my love of Vedic teachings. I brought him this commentary and read some of it before I sent it to him. I liked Sri Swami Satchidananda's commentary so much that I went and brought another copy for myself. Full of truth and so easy to relate too!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and easily understood translation of the Gita, August 22, 2006

By	Jay Mehta - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Gita can be read very easily without much understanding. This translation and commentary is relatively easy to understand. Its lessons can be incorporated into daily life. It is also reassuring that the interpretation is coming from a swami. Swami Satchidananda uses simple examples from life to clarify even the most obscure sentences in this text. BUY THIS BOOK IF YOU ARE A SEEKER!