About this title: This translation by Prabhavananda is credited with introducing Hinduism to the West. He neatly edited out some of the redundant or extraneous materials in order to communicate a concise understanding of the text. The BHAGAVAD-GITA describes the basics of the Hindu religious philosophy through the story of Arjuna, who is about to wage war against members of his own family and is having second thoughts. He consults Krishna, who teaches him about yoga (union with God), how to focus the mind, practice nonattachment, and accept his certain rebirth as another life form. Through its symbolism and ...
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Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Signet Classics
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780451528445ISBN:0451528441
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Description: Very Good. No Jacket. First edition, second printing. 16mo. Translated by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood. 15 page introduction by Aldous Huxley. Original black boards stamped in white. Very good. 187 pages. No dust jacket. From the library of noted "Gone With The Wind" Hollywood director George Cukor with his Paul Landacre bookplate on the front pastedown. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Signet Classics
Date Published: 2002-07-02
ISBN-13:9780451528445ISBN:0451528441
Description: Good. 1961 Edition. Book is intact and good condition overall. Yellowing pages. A few pages with a minor tear. Some light pencil writing. read more
Description: Good. 0451528441 US STUDENT EDITION. BOOK IS A GOOD CONDITION. WILL SHIP WITHIN 24 HOURS WITH DELIVERY CONFORMATION AND TRACKING NUMBER. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Signet Classics
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780451528445ISBN:0451528441
Description: Good. Ships from store stock. We pull the best copy available. Used books may have highlighing and normal wear and may not have valid website pin codes, Web CT codes, or other supplements such as CDs. Satisfaction guaranteed. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. read more
Description: New. The timeless epic of Hindu faith contains a simple, vivid message of daily inspiration for millions throughout the world. This powerful, beautiful scripture is translated into clear, meaningful English which can be read as a living contemporary messa... read more
Description: New. 0451528441 *NEW BOOK! * RETURNS ARE NO PROBLEM! We LOVE happy customers. All our orders sent with tracking information. ALIBRIS. read more
And like every earth-shattering book, is very short. Nevertheless, this little pocket book is the central text of Indian philosophy and religion. It was revered by Gandhi, and Thoreau took it and the Iliad to Walden pond with him.
Read it 3 times.
Like the Iliad, or Hamlet, it is about a young prince who doesn't know what to do, and so gives up for awhile. During that little while, the god of wisdom, Krishna, gives him some advice.
What distinguishes this translation is the author's incredible background and the delightful and invaluable glossary at the end with philosophical words like karma, atman, and kuru, explained in pithy detail. As a Sanskriter myself, I can vouch for the translation itself and the accuracy and accessibility of the glossary."
"I feel silly trying to give this a rating. Much as I'd feel silly about giving the Bible a rating. It's about beliefs that I haven't been brought up in, so it's hard to understand it all in one reading -- it's not even a faith I've done much research into before now. I suppose one could read it in a purely literary way, but I didn't, really. It was hard to focus on how good the translation was or whatever when I was trying to focus on understanding exactly what was being suggested. There were things I recognised from studying Buddhism, but for the most part it was quite new to me.
The introduction (and translator's introduction) is reasonably helpful, giving some context. I should probably reread it now that I've actually read the main text, and see if it illuminates everything a bit more.
Maybe I'll do a better review when I've thought about it some more. It's interesting, though, reading something outside of my own experience. It's worth reading something like this, to try and get to some new ideas. In itself, this isn't hard to read, and there are some lovely passages about Krishna.
I might also try reading a different translation, at some stage."
...it would be kind of hard to say this is BAD, wouldn't it. I mean, let's be honest here. The Gita is, like, one of the pillars of human thought, and anything with that kind of pedigree must be respected on those merits alone. That said, it feels a bit like watching Halloween: you understand that its the first slasher movie, and so appreciate it for that credential, but everything within it you've seen done elsewhere more clearly, cleverly and movingly.
So yeah, a pillar of human accomplishment, but, y'know, I've heard the Dalai Lama speak and I've read Thoreau and so on."
"I so loved Mitchell's translation of the Tao te Ching that I looked forward to seeing what he would do with the beloved Gita. I am truly sad - I mean my heart aches a little - at his work. I had been so excited and so certain that I would love it. Moreover, I could only purchase one new translation, and I pinned all my hopes on Stephen Mitchell, feeling absolutely safe he was a sure bet.
But I do not like it at all. In fact, I sometimes have to force myself to do my nightly reading, whereas until now it has been something I looked forward to all day with pleasure. I think he simply does not understand it. He reads the words and the philosophy through Taoist eyes, and you can't do that. This isn't Taoism; it isn't meant to be Taoism. In fact, it is offering a message that comes to something much the same, but you can't get there through the same walk-ways.
Anyway, I'm very sorry because it also lessens my respect for Mr. Mitchell, whom I had held in such high esteem."
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