Bhagavad Gita (Shambhala Library)

Rating:
Summary: A beautiful, clear, and enlightening translation
Review: Eknath Easwaran's translation is poetic and beautiful making it readable and inspiring and managing at the same time to clearly state Krishna' spiritual message. Easwaran's translation manages to prove its merit for both spiritual and scholarly study. Many of the other translations are very dry coming from scholars who just know how to translate Sanskrit to English mechanically.Whereas Easwaran was a professor of English and now a spiritual guru; so he has a grasp on both worlds. They do not properly help explain the various yogas Krishna tells Arjuna; reading this translation has been the best explanation of yoga I have ever read before. Each chapter has an introduction to it and there is a glossary of terms in the back. The other translations I think fail also to understand and clearly explain the heart of Krishnia's message which is essentially that one's atman, soul, higher self etc. is one with brahman, the divine, the universe, the source of everything etc and that this liberation can be discovered through the path of yoga. There is not just one path of yoga but many like Karma Yoga(path of selfless service) and Raja Yoga(path of meditation.) The beauty of the Bhagavad Gita is that it explains a way to enter the path to liberation, no matter what stage of spiritual awareness you are it. The Bhagavad Gita manages to explain and apply esoteric and mystical practices to ones everyday life.This is why I think The Bhagavad Gita is the most popular text from India's spiritual texts. Also according to our karma and dharma, we will die and be born again and again until he are liberated. The Bhagavad Gita is a text that I believe should be read by anyone on the "spiritual" path. It is by far one of the greatest "spiritual" text ever written and we are fortunate to share this gift because of Easwaran's brilliant translation.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent explanation of the essence of Hinduism
Review: Sri Eknath Eswaran's book has beautifully described the core meaning and essence of the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. He has made it possible even for non-hindus and non-religious people to understand and answer the philosophical questions that haunt us, like why are we born on earth? what is each man's mission in life? how does the whole political and social system of the universe work? To me it has reinforced the faith and belief in the Supreme spirit that govers and rules this world and courage to stand for what I believe is Truth.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent discussion of ancient wisdom for modern day living
Review: This is an excellent treatment of millenia-old Hindu religious thought for the modern day thinking man. Easwaran begins his discussion with explanations of several terms (such as Karma and Atman)from Vedic literature in easy to understand terms that capture the reader's attention.

The main body of the book is of course Lord Krishna's explanation to his life-long friend and champion archer Arjun of life's purpose i.e. Self-Realization (realization that the individual spirit is part of the Universal spirit). However unlike several other books on the same subject, Easwaran has employed an unimitable style and simplicity of presentation that make the book impossible to put down.

The book does not have any Sanskrit script nor any transliterations of the original poetry of the Bhagavad Gita (literally "The Lord's Song"). But I heartily recommend it to any reader interested in obtaining an overview of one of India's greatest philosophical works!