Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful jewel for all mankind
Review: Further to my earlier message regarding the fact that many reviews here which condemn this book are obviously made by persons who are not experts nor scholars in the subject matter, well, here's another site where the sincere seeker can find the opnion of many learned scholarsA sincere reader of this book will find it reveals all mysteries of the self, of the universe, of God and of the nature of our relationship with him in a very accurate and wonderful way. Do see the reviews at http://www.vedatrust.com/spreviews.htm and the earlier mentioned one at www.asitis.com/reviews may lord krishna bless you in your search for the Absolute Truth
Rating: 
Summary: Bhagavad Gita Wisdom and practices
Review: Hare Krishna! I am a 17 year old catholic-born high school student in new orleans. I have been searching for the Truth for many years and in many places. I have found glimpses of the Truth and pearls of wisdom in many scriptures and religions but this is the only Scripture which has truly shown me the Way back home, back to Godhead. I realized by reading this that Krishna is the source of all pleasure and I will continue to chant the Holy Names of the Lord. God bless you all.
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Summary: Understand God's mercy through this books
Review: I have noticed all of the negative reviews for this great translation. These people are not devotees, and I doubt they understand the concepts of 'surrender' and 'humility'. Once you have suffered enough, become desperate enough, to finally surrender to God, then you are ready to hear God's message. If anyone is capable of translating the Gita, it is Prabhupada, not a bunch of mundane impersonalist scholards. To understand the message of the Gita, you must recieve it with a humble attitude. I wrote the following prayer, I hope it helps someone understand.
I am nothing but a desperate little child with nothing left to grasp on to but my hope in You.
This world is full of nothing but fear, but because of the power of Your mercy flowing through me, I am complete.
How can I, an insignificant speck of dust, ever hope to fathom the infinite glory of You, the Creator of the entire cosmic creation?
I can do nothing but cry out like a little child for its parents, begging for just a tiny drop of Your mercy to keep this weary soul alive.
My only wish is to surrender to You more and more, I want to other desire than that.
I want to feel no one else's love but Yours.
Use this body however You wish, it was my ignorance to ever think it was mine.
All I can do is beg for Your mercy.
If you cannot cultivate a humble attitude, the attitude of a servant, than you will have a very hard time ever understanding God.
Rating:
Summary: BG As It Is faithful to Lord Krishna's message
Review: I have read Bhagavad-Gita As It Is from cover to cover, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. The book is a translation and commentary of a religious text dating back to over 5,000 years ago. It covers some essential points of the Vedic religion (popularly known as Hinduism to the lay public), stressing devotion to a personal God who is endowed with transcendental attributes. I recommend this text to anyone who is interested in a fresh perspective on spirituality, one devoid of sterile impersonalism or atheistic bias. However, one must be prepared to put aside one's preconceived notions about the Gita, and instead evaluate the translator's arguments on the basis of evidence from the Gita itself. This is as it should be. No philosophy which claims to follow the Gita, no matter how interesting it may sound, can truly be accepted as such if it cannot be reconciled with the Gita itself. I would also like to comment briefly on some rather harsh comments made by another reviewer in a message entitled "blind leading the blind." A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami claims to come in a disciplic succession of spiritual leaders which originated from a different tradition (Maadhva) than his own (Gaudiiya). He never claims to follow the Maadhva commentaries or philosophical worldview, and the distinction between these two schools of Vaishnavism is hardly any secret. One should not read too much into Prabhupada's comment that "Bhagavad-Gita As It Is is received in this disciplic succession." The Gaudiiya Vaishnava view emphasizes that a spiritual leader must have the mercy of a guru before becoming one himself, even if he is preparing to start a distinct Vaishnava tradition. The reviewer who seeks to make a stink over this issue is more likely basing his remarks on narrow-minded sectarian bias rather than an objective appraisal of the book on its own merits. It should also be admitted that the Vedic models of astronomy are not entirely consistent with the modern paradigms. That A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami follows the former should not be a cause for ridicule. Instead, we should respect him. For regardless of our own personal view, it is clear that Bhaktivedanta Swami has faithfully followed the Vedic conclusions in this matter instead of changing them to suit Western (and Western-influenced) audiences. One need not agree with his conclusions to admire his uncompromising faith in the Vedas, a faith which is sadly missing from many Westernized practitioners of the religion.
Rating:
Summary: Bhagavadgita as a religious text
Review: It is very obvious from reading this version of Bhagavad Gita that the author has a deep reverence and devotion to Krishna. This is definately a religious version of Bhagavad Gita. If you are more of a liberal spiritual type looking for a neutral spritual book, this is not that. Swami Prabhupada was a very religious man, not a liberal or eclectic spiritual teacher. He, as most people know, founded the Hare Krishna movement in the USA and COMPLETELY writes the Gita from the perspective of Krishna the Supreme Being and using the Gita as the science for pure devotion to Krishna. He is very opposed to even the idea of substituting Krishna to mean "Being, Absolute Reality your True Self" or any such words that are used in impersonal teachings. One way or the other, that is a very private matter that each of us needs to explore on our own, I just want to inform readers of how specific Swami Prabhupada is in his teachings so that those out there looking for a more "open minded" teaching might want to know this. However with that said, I do feel that Swami Prabhupada did write a beautiful book that is EXTREMELY THOROUGH and detailed in his beliefs. Those more religious types will probably love this book. Swami Prabhupada lays out his Hare Krishna teachings here very eloquently and teaches a very pure form of spirituality that is not diluted with pop spirituality in any way.
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Summary: Learn SANSKRIT !!
Review: Its impossible to rate this book.
See the Bhagwad Gita is a well known literary text in Sanskrit.
The original language in which it was written.
And millions of pandits and other learned people in India know the verses exactly the same..but in sanskrit.
So if you really want to know what is actually being said..learn sanskrit.
Rating: 
Summary: Give it a rest
Review: Prabhupada's translation seems gracious enough, though the
commentary and illustrations go for a literal reading of the text.
That has always been the snag of fundamentalism, regardless
of what religion is being professed. Here the venerable swami
berates those who come to the text seeking wisdom, but are
unwilling to see the words as an absolute, revealed truth. He points
to the text as if it were the sole recipe for one's moral and spiritual
development. If you are inclined to believe that, then this edition
of the Gita may be the one for you. One particular iillustration shows a man eating a lobster being
reincarnated as a pig in his next life. Enough. There are good souls
who eat meat: the world is wide enough to allow for this reality.
This commentary is not. My contention is that this is a modern take
of an ancient text. Let the original text speak to the reader in such
manner that he chooses vegetables of his own accord. As for me,
I cook meat and am not specifically a follower of Krishna. Call me a pig,
and refer to passages of the Gita to suggest that my errancy has
been revealed by "The Supreme Personality of Godhead." This is
what fundamentalism does. It tells you that you are not part of the
fold if you do not succumb to its tenets on all accounts. The Gita is
too beautiful a text to be interpreted in such a way. On the other hand, notable scholars, including Merton, have praised
this edition. It is certainly worth reading, albeit with the discretion
of one's own God-given reason. You may find there are useful things
that Prabhupada has to offer. You do get a glance of what it's
like to be a true believer. Moreover, despite the literal reading, not
all he has to say is counterproductive to reality. He does offer sharp
commentary on a number of contemporary issues. One to
grow on: just keep in mind there are other editions out there, and
you probably won't be reincarnated as a pig for choosing to read them.
Rating:
Summary: Many reviews here are misconceived
Review: The Bhagavad Gita is probably the oldest book of philosophy in the world, and this edition, The Gita As It Is, is very authoritative and accurate. However just as one who does not know mathematics cannot review books or treatises on calculus, similarly persons not trained in philosophy or studied the Gita deeply cannot evaluate it. I was shocked to read some strange criticisms here of this great book by persons who are obviously not qualified to comment. An uninformed persons who reads those shallow reviews might think this edition is a nonsense altogether. Therefore, to give a good balanced view to one who wants to know this books value, please read the opinions of Learned SCHOLARS who are qualified to evaluate it. You can find abstracts of these at http://www.asitis.com/reviews/ Hope it helps to guide the sincere seeker. www.dina.on.to
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Summary: The author lived the principles of Bhagavad Gita
Review: This edition of Bhagavad Gita is unique in that the author, Bhaktivedanta Swami, is a strict follower of the path of bhakti-yoga, the path of complete surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krsna. He represents one of the main authorized disciplic successions of India, (Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya)which goes all the way back to Krsna, Himself. Bhaktivedanta Swami's life is a perfect example of utilizing everything in the service of God (Krsna). He actually said that he didn't write these books, but Krsna in his heart dictated them, and Bhaktivedanta Swami simply made them available to this world. His scholarly research includes the commentaries of many great acaryas (one who teaches by their own example) who have followed the path of bhakti over several milleniums. Therefore his writings are not mere intellectual speculations, but direct realizations based on his living the philosophy of Bhagavad Gita. The proof of the potency of Bhagavad Gita - As It Is, is that it has inspired hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world to act on its teachings and develop their long-lost relationship with God Himself, Lord Krsna. Bhaktivedanta Swami's translation comes directly from the original Sanskrit language, from which Krsna spoke Bhagavad Gita 5000 years ago in India. Highly recommended for the sincere seeker.
Rating: 
Summary: As it AINT.
Review: This is a terribly propagandous distortion of the Bhagavad-Gita. Why even waste your time purchasing it to find out? You can read it in its entirety at (www.asitis.com).
Here is a case in point. Take chapter 2 verse 72 (the last) of the original:
"eSa brAhmIsthitih pArtha nainam prApya vimuhyati
sthitvAsyAmantakAlepi brahmanirvAnamrcchati."
This verse simply says (parenthetical portions are mine) "That is 'Brahman-status', O' (son of) Partha. After obtaining it, a person is not discombobulated; the one who is situated in it even at endtime (death?) does attain the 'Nirvana' that is 'Brahman'."
Bhaktivedanta twists the technical terms to come up with "That is the way of the spiritual and godly life, after attaining which a man is not bewildered. Being so situated, even at the hour of death, one can enter into the kingdom of God."
Also in that chapter, earlier in Verse 10, when Krshna is amused by Arjuna's spiritual ignorance and begins to correct him, the word used to describe Krshna's mien is "prahasan" which clearly means "bursting out laughing." Bhaktivedanta turns it into "smiling," evidently to make the divine interlocutor appear more compassionate.
This book is a plain and simple promotion of the Hari Krshna cult beliefs with few qualms about not giving an honest presentation. If someone was ever to write an encyclopedia entry for "book with an agenda," this translation should feature prominently. The real Bhagavad Gita possesses much greater philosophical and literary depth than one fundamentalist sect's narrow view can do justice. It is a pastiche of multiple religious traditions and systems, and this interfaith character of the work probably has much to do with its enduring popularity in the Indian subcontinent. Pick up the Radhakrishnan or Edgerton translation if you want the readable and accurate work of an expert with a good introduction and one that is free from the heavy (mis)interpretation of this swami's preachy tome. Barbara Miller's version is very good too, but I don't think it quite captures the poetic beauty as well as the others.
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