The Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita ("Song of the Lord") is considered the most influential of all the Hindu scriptures and is one of the greatest spiritual classics of the world. Comprised of eighteen chapters taken from the great Sanskrit epic Mahabharata, the Gita presents a conversation that takes place on a battlefield just as two groups of relatives are about to wage war against one another. Facing the forces of greed, anger, and hatred, the warrior-prince Arjuna loses heart and refuses to fight his own kin. His friend and charioteer, Lord Krishna, who represents the Divine within, tells him: "Your very nature will drive you to fight." In the ensuing dialogue, Krishna teaches Arjuna, and all of us, how we can face bravely the unavoidable challenges and conflicts of life--and win the greatest of all battles, against the tumultuous emotions within our own hearts. Eknath Easwaran's eloquent translation and Diana Morrison's chapter introductions, which summarize major religious concepts, make this edition especially accessible for modern readers of any religion.

Offers a translation of and introduction to the sixth book of the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata.

The Bhagavad Gita is the Gospel of Hinduism. This important Hindu scripture dates back to 200 BC and its title directly translates to The Song of God. Part of the ancient Sanskrit epic, Mahabharata, this 700-verse Hindu scripture is a narrative between Arjuna, the Pandava prince, and his guide, Sri Krishna. Set on the Kurukshetra battlefield, Arjuna contemplates the ethics and morality of war. Often seen as an allegory for the philosophical struggles of life, the battlefield provides the perfect context for Krishna’s advice regarding Karma, yoga, moksha, divine glory, and other fundamentals of Hinduism. The chapters featured in this volume include: - The Sorrow of Arjuna - The Yoga of Knowledge - The Way to Eternal Brahman - The Yoga of Mysticism - Divine Glory - The Vision of God in His Universal Form - Devotion to the Supreme Spirit - Three Kinds of Faith This ancient religious text holds a powerful contemporary message and is an important and respected Hindu scripture.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Prince Arjuna asks direct, uncompromising questions of his spiritual guide on the eve of a great battle. In this expanded edition of the most famous —and popular — of Indian criptures, Eknath Easwaran contextualizes the book culturally and historically and explains the key concepts of Hindu religious thought and the technical vocabulary of yoga. Chapter introductions, notes, and a glossary help readers understand the book’s message. Most importantly, this translation uses simple, clear language to impart the poetry, universality, and timelessness of the Gita’s teachings.

At last, an edition of the Bhagavad Gita that speaks with unprecedented fidelity and clarity, letting the profound beauty and depth of this classic shine through. It contains an unusually informative introduction, the Sanskrit text of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute’s critical edition, an accurate and accessible English translation, a comprehensive glossary of names and epithets and a thorough index.